Yega weaved his way through the crowded street, eyeing the colorful display of fruit at a nearby stand. Apples, oranges, bananas—all ripe and tempting. He reached out and picked up a battered-looking apple, inspecting it for softness. The vendor, a middle-aged man with a weathered face and a faint smile, looked up at Yega.

“Gotta be careful with those,” the man said, nodding toward the fruit. “bit bruised for someone like you…got enough to pay?.”

Yega chuckled softly. “No worries.. sir uh yes I do have some coins left.. uh how much are one each?”

The vendor named a price of four coins per apple.”  Yega sighs softly then he fishes into his pocket, pulling out four coins he could only get one apple . He handed them over, then turned to grab the fruit, slipping it into his bag.

 He turned to leave.

a sharp tap on his shoulder made him jump slightly. He looked back—and there she was, his best friend from school.

“Yega?

He blinked, surprised. “Emily? What are you doing out here on the rough side of town”

She smiled, her eyes twinkling with enthusiasm. “Well just visiting some family before school starts back up again for tomorrow.”

Yega rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah school….”

Emily nodded. “So is everything alright? Is it about that chin again?” The big corporation “Omega Security”

Yega’s brow furrowed. “I been nervous.”

She nodded. “Nervous? Seriously? They’ve got the resources, the manpower, the tech. And they’re looking for people like us, you should be lucky they even noticed you!.”

Yega’s eyes widened slightly. “Notice… huh.. well then. How do you think I’ll manage a job like that when i can’t even manage a hunter life at school nor home..?”

Emily smile drop a little as she thinks. “It’s a lot of training and a lot of risks, but I believe everyone can be something. It’s a rare thing, yes! But  the abilities we have we can be hero’s. Not everyone can do what they can do…

but I believe you could be a hero too.”

He looked away, unsure. “I dunno, Emily. I’m not exactly the hero type. I just get by, doing what I can.”

He hesitated, the idea settling in. “It sounds tempting, but… it’s a big change. I’d need to think about it.”

Emily nodded understandingly. “That’s fair. Just remember—this could be your shot at something bigger. If you’re ever interested, I can help you get started.”

Yega looked down at the fruit in his bag, then back at her. “Thanks, Emily . I’ll think about it.”

She offered a warm smile before turning to melt into the crowd. 

“Well I’ll be on my way then got to run back to the house she starts walking backwards. “Cya tomorrow Yega!”

Yega watched her go, a swirl of hope and uncertainty stirring inside him.

He took a deep breath,  he put he’s hands in his pockets. “Maybe this was a sign.”

With a quiet resolve, Yega started walking home.

Yega’s footsteps carried him back toward his modest home, the familiar route feeling a little heavier today. As he approached a narrow alley, a scream shattered the quiet hum of the city. His instincts kicked in. 

he froze, eyes darting toward the source of the noise.

Suddenly, from around a corner, a massive serpent-like lady, her hair was long across he body burst into view. Its scaled body was thick, with glowing cartoon like eyes and a mouth in a permit smiles full of razor-sharp teeth. It whipped its long tail violently, knocking over a group of frightened pedestrians. People scrambled in all directions, desperate to escape.

Yega’s heart pounded. Without thinking, he darted forward, trying to help the panicked crowd. “Get back! Stay away from it——!”

The snake swung its tail in a wide arc, catching Yega off guard. The force of the blow sent him stumbling backward. He hit the ground hard, pain shot through his side as the monster’s tail narrowly missed him.

Before Yega could get up, a figure appeared in a flash—quick as lightning. A small girl, dressed in a sleek pink and black outfit, with vibrant pink hair cascading over her shoulders, appeared beside him. She was barely taller than a child but moved with deadly precision.

With a swift, confident motion, she kicked the snake’s side, making it hiss in pain. Her eyes, sharp and focused, flicked down with a look of disdain.

“Watch where you’re flying,” the girl muttered, her voice cool and teasing.

Yega stared, stunned. Before he could say anything, another voice rang out—loud and commanding.

“Susie! Don’t be mean!” called out a tall man, sprinting past Yega. His hair was blonde, and he wore a bright yellow armor that gleamed even under the dim city light. His expression was serious but determined. The armor looked heavy but well-crafted, designed for battle.

Susie rolled her eyes but nodded, her expression irritated. “Yeah, yeah,” she muttered, turning her attention back to the serpent. Her speed was incredible—she darted around the monster’s massive body, her movements a blur.

In one swift motion, she raised an enormous axe—larger than herself, with a wicked curve and a jagged edge. It looked almost comically oversized for her, but she wielded it with surprising ease. With a powerful swing, she brought the axe down onto the serpent’s scaled head, cleaving into its skull with a force that made the ground tremble.

The snake let out a deafening roar and thrashed wildly, but Susie didn’t hesitate. She pushed forward, driving the axe deeper with each strike until the monster finally collapsed, its body slackening as life left it.

Yega watched in awe, still catching his breath. The girl, Susie, stood over the fallen beast, panting slightly but victorious. Her small frame somehow packed a punch—and her confidence was unmistakable.

The other hunter, Alex, finally reached the scene, panting but alert. His blonde hair was slightly tousled, and his armor was decorated with bright yellow accents that caught the dying light of the setting sun. His armor was sleek, designed for agility, with a confident, no-nonsense expression.

He glanced at Susie, giving her a brief nod of approval. “Nice work,” Alex said, voice steady but calm. “That was a tough one.”

Susie wiped some sweat off her brow and shot him a sharp look. “Took you long enough to show up,” she snapped, then turned back to the crowd. “Everyone okay? No serious injuries?”

Yega, still shaken but grateful, slowly pushed himself up. He looked at the scene—people safe, the threat gone—and then at the small girl with the giant axe.

“Thanks,” he managed, voice shaky. “That was… incredible.”

Susie shot him a quick glare, her tone curt. “Don’t thank me yet. That thing could’ve done a lot worse if we hadn’t taken it down quick. You okay?”

Yega nodded, rubbing his side. “Yeah, I’ll live. Just… didn’t expect to see something like that so close to home.”

Susie crossed her arms, eyeing him skeptically. “You’re lucky you weren’t hurt worse. Honestly, you shouldn’t be rushing into danger like that. You’re lucky I was here.”

Yega looked away, feeling a bit embarrassed. “I just… I saw people in trouble and I wanted to help.”

Alex stepped forward, giving Yega a more reassuring look. “You did good, kid. But next time, stay back. That’s our job—handling the monsters. You’re not ready for that kind of fight yet.”

Susie snorted and turned her gaze back to the fallen snake. “He’s right. You’re not one of us. Stay out of the way unless you want to get hurt. This world isn’t for amateurs.”

Yega looked at her, a mixture of admiration and wariness. She was tough, no doubt—tougher than most he'd ever met. And Alex’s calm confidence made him wonder if maybe, just maybe, there was a place for him in this dangerous world.

The two hunters began to gather equipment, preparing to dispose of the monster’s carcass and ensure the area was safe. Yega watched, his mind racing with new questions and possibilities.

Maybe, just maybe, this was the start of something more—something bigger than chasing anomalies alone.

Alex and Susie began to walk away from the wreckage, their footsteps echoing on the cracked pavement. The city’s chaos gradually settled, the last of the frightened pedestrians disappearing into safety.

Alex glanced at Susie, a faint smile tugging at his lips. “You know, you really should be a bit nicer to the common people,” he said softly, almost teasing.

Susie snorted and shot him a quick, sharp look. “Oh, please,” she replied with a smirk. “I only look mean because I’m tired of babysitting amateurs. Besides, I think they prefer it that way.”

She paused, then cracked a small grin. “But hey, maybe I wonder if Evie might kill me again for getting into trouble. She’s always telling me to play nice.”

Alex chuckled, shaking his head. “Yeah, well, if you keep acting like that, she might just do it. Come on, let’s head back before both of us end up dead. If we don’t get there in time, they might kill us both.”

Susie rolled her eyes but nodded, a rare hint of amusement crossing her face. “Yeah, yeah. Let’s go.”

They quickened their pace, disappearing into the evening shadows, leaving the fallen serpent behind. The city buzzed on, unaware of the dangerous battles fought in its hidden corners