Ep 21. Convergence

The snow crunched under Aaminata's boots as she moved alongside Ade and Nur. She'd only just met them, but the fight against the Merchas had already shown their strength. The machines were relentless, their attacks brutal, but together they had managed to bring them down. Her illusions, Ade's staff, and Nur's flames had been enough—this time.

As they walked toward the pulsing light at the center of the island, Aaminata's thoughts churned. The terrain didn't match anything from her maps, and the island itself shouldn't even exist. Yet here they were, with no clear explanation for how or why they'd been brought together.

The icy forest thinned as they approached a landscape, revealing a towering structure in the distance. Aaminata slowed her pace, her eyes narrowing.

The cold air seemed to hum with energy as Ade, Nur, and Aaminata pressed toward the towering structure at the center of the island. From the outside, it was imposing but unassuming, a solitary spire jutting into the sky. But stepping inside, the trio froze in their tracks.

What should have been a modest interior opened into a cavernous expanse, defying all logic. The ceiling stretched into darkness, and the walls were lined with glowing, pulsing symbols. The air buzzed faintly, the sound too mechanical to feel natural.

"This… isn't possible," Nur muttered, his voice tinged with disbelief as his eyes darted around.

"It feels... alive," Aaminata whispered. Her voice trembled slightly, not from fear, but from the unshakable weight of something ancient and incomprehensible pressing down on her. She tightened her coat, her gaze scanning the vastness. "And unnatural."

Ade adjusted his grip on Opa, his staff expanding slightly with a faint hum as though responding to the tension. "Be ready. We're not alone here."

From one of the far entrances, a shadow emerged. The trio turned, tensing as a figure stepped into view. She was tall, her movements precise and deliberate, a massive axe resting effortlessly across her shoulder. The blade seemed to radiate cold, the frost along its edge catching the faint glow of the walls.

The newcomer's piercing gaze swept the room, lingering momentarily on Ade, Nur, and Aaminata before dismissing them. She spoke, her voice sharp and biting. "Looks like we are not the only one dragged into this."

Nur shifted slightly, flames flaring brighter. "And who are you supposed to be?"

The figure didn't answer. Instead, she planted the axe head-first into the ground with a dull thud, the ice coating its surface spreading outward slightly. The room grew colder, though the figure seemed unaffected.

From the same entrance, the sound of steady footsteps echoed. A lean figure strode in, his hands resting lightly at his sides, gloved fingers twitching with anticipation. Unlike the first arrival, his demeanor was calm, even serene, but his sharp eyes missed nothing. He stopped just inside the room, glancing at the trio before giving a short nod.

"Quite the gathering," he said, his voice calm, almost amused. "Looks like the island has plans for us."

Aaminata narrowed her eyes. "You sound like you know something we don't."

The man smirked, his gloved fingers twitching idly. "Not yet. But I'm sure we'll figure it out. Together, or otherwise."

Aaminata's mind dawned with a realization. She leaned slightly toward Nur and Ade, and whispered, "These two—I saw them fighting when I first arrived. It was… unbelievable. The speed, the power—they're not like anyone I've seen before."

Nur glanced between the pair, his eyes narrowing. "Great. Guess we're collecting trouble."

Aaminata's voice rose, her curiosity getting the better of her. "If you were fighting, why are you together now?"

The axe-wielder glanced at the gloved man with faint disdain but didn't respond, her grip on Frostbane tightening.

The gloved man grinned faintly, his tone playful. "Let's call it a mutual understanding. Besides, I like to keep things interesting."

A familiar voice rang out—a taunting lilt. "Well, isn't this cozy?"

The trio turned sharply as a smirking figure sauntered in, their relaxed gait masking the sharpness in their eyes. They were dressed lightly, their movements almost mocking as they scanned the room.

"Miss me?" Savannah teased, her gaze lingering on Ade and Nur.

Nur exhaled sharply, flames flaring briefly before he extinguished them with a clenched fist. "Great. You again."

As more footsteps echoed through the chamber, the room began to fill with tension. A woman entered next, her green tattoos glowing faintly as her steady gaze swept the group—Aisha. Her calm presence contrasted with the chaos growing in the room.

Another figure followed closely behind—a man holding a pocket watch that gleamed faintly in the dim light. His expression was distant, his gaze darting between the walls and symbols as though solving a puzzle only he could see. Nur's eyes flicked toward Aisha and Elias. "We've crossed paths before," he muttered to Ade and Mina.

Finally, a wiry figure entered from yet another entrance, their movements fluid and deliberate. A faint shimmer of a glowing leg tattoo caught the light, its intricate markings seeming to pulse in rhythm with the room's symbols. The figure paused, scanning the gathering with a detached curiosity.

"Interesting," the wiry figure said, their tone calm but firm. "Nine of us. This isn't random."

Aaminata stepped forward cautiously. "Who are you? And why do you think this isn't random?"

The figure tilted their head slightly. "Ixchel Reyes. From Mexica. And it's obvious. If this place dragged us all here, there's a reason. Survival, maybe. Or selection."

Savannah scoffed. "That's comforting."

Aisha finally spoke, her voice soft yet steady. "I'm Aisha, from Wahat-al-mu3alij—Healer's Oasis. I doubt my homeland would mean anything to most of you."

"It doesn't," Ingrid said bluntly.

Savannah tilted her head. "A healer, aren't you? I've heard rumors of people like you in the east. Too good to be true, but here you are."

The gloved man grinned faintly. "Kyro Takeda. I'm from Jiyu. Heard of it?"

The trio introduced themselves—Ade, Nur, and Aaminata—each name carrying the weight of their shared history on the Yuesai continent.

"We've traded with Mexica and know of Jiyu," Ade added cautiously.

The wiry figure with the glowing leg tattoo tilted his head. "I've heard of your Yuesai continent—I hear news of war. I never expected to meet your kind."

Aaminata nodded, saddened. "Unfortunately."

Savannah scoffed but said nothing.

Elias adjusted his pocket watch, speaking at last. "Interesting. Mexica, Yuesai, Jiyu… I know of them."

"I'm from the London Empire, just south of Scandinavia, on the Europa continent. It's east of Yuesai and west of the Al-Khilafah Kingdom," He added.

"It seems we're from different parts of the world," Elias said, his voice thoughtful. "What is going on?"

Before anyone could respond, the walls began to pulse, the glowing markings brightening and dimming in rapid succession. The air grew thick with static, and a low hum filled the room.

"What now?" Savannah muttered, stepping away from the wall.

A sharp crack echoed through the chamber as a humanoid figure appeared, its metallic frame crackling with electricity. Its eyes glowed an unearthly blue, and arcs of lightning danced across its body.

The relic users froze as the figure tilted its head, scanning the room. Then, without warning, it lunged towards Ingrid with blinding speed, electricity surging from its hands.

She barely raised her axe in time to deflect the attack, the force sending her sliding backward.

"Scatter!" Ade shouted.

Relics flared to life as the group sprang into action, preparing to face the overwhelming threat.