A Dangerous Alliance

Nathan followed Seraphine through the city's darkened streets, the early morning fog rolling in from the bay, adding an eerie quality to the night. He could barely make out the details of her face in the dim light, but the confidence in her stride spoke volumes. She knew exactly where she was headed, and Nathan was just trying to follow, the reeling in his mind the only thing left to sway.

The decision to follow Seraphine had been impulsive, but there were few options left. What other choice did he have? He couldn't control the power inside him, and without someone to guide him, he would only attract more dangerous attention. The more he thought about it, the more it seemed like the only logical step.

[However] there remained something uncomfortable at the back of his mind. Something wasn't right. The Fragments, that structure. why did they need him so much?

Don't give up, Seraphine's voice startled him out of his musing and brought him back to reality.

He nodded and quickened his pace to match hers. They walked in through narrow streets and empty streets until they came across a wide, old warehouse situated by the river. It was a ruin, windows broken and graffitied across the walls, but it was the space between those elements that sent a shiver down Nathan's back.

As they entered, he noticed the air felt thick, almost as if the building itself was holding its breath. The interior was poorly illuminated, only light coming from hanging bulbs above it. There were several people standing around, and Nathan could feel their eyes on him immediately. The tension in the room was palpable.

Seraphine didn't stop. She approached a group of steel doors at the rear of the warehouse, pushed them open without difficulty. Nathan followed her into a room that looked far different from the exterior of the building—clean, organized, and well-equipped, with monitors displaying surveillance footage and a table covered in maps and papers. And at the heart of it all, was a big table, and a man who regarded Nathan with a thoughtful look, on and on.

He had short, dark hair and piercing green eyes that never seemed to blink. The air around him felt charged, like he was the kind of person who always knew exactly what to say and when to say it. His aura was magnetic, and Nathan knew that for him, this man, whoever he was, was a force to be reckoned with.

"This is Alexei, Seraphine said, her voice cold but respectful. "He's the one who runs things here."

Alexei didn't stand up. He just took the liberty showing to Nathan to sit facing him. "I hear you've already made quite an impression, he said, his voice smooth but carrying an undercurrent of menace. "You've already attracted the attention of several groups. That's not a good sign, Nathan. The Fragments are not toys to be played with."

Nathan sat down, trying to keep his composure. "What exactly do you want from me?"

Seraphine leaned against the wall, watching the interaction unfold. Alexei folded his hands on the desk, his gaze never leaving Nathan. "We need you, Nathan, he said, his tone now more serious. "We need you to help us find the other Fragments. We know you've already found one, but we suspect there are more—more pieces of this puzzle scattered across the world. And once we collect them, we'll have the power to change everything.

Nathan frowned, confused. "Change what exactly?"

Alexei's lips rounded into a smile, however, it was a smile that was thin, like that of a predator. "The balance of power. For too long the world has been asleep, but with the Fragments, we can finally wake it up. We can reshape everything. Control everything. But we can't do it without you."

Nathan's heart pounded in his chest. This was bigger than he had imagined. This wasn't just about power. This was about something else entirely.

"What's your angle?" Nathan asked, his voice low. "Why should I trust you?"

Alexei's smile widened. "You don't have to trust us, Nathan. You just have to understand that we're your best chance at survival. We can teach you to control your abilities, to make the Fragment work for you instead of the other way around. As a reciprocal, we ask you to locate the rest of the Fragments and deliver them to us. That's the deal."

Nathan didn't answer immediately. He sat back in his chair, his mind racing. The more Alexei spoke, the more Nathan felt the weight of the decision pressing down on him. He could say no but that would just make him a target. He didn't know who these were, but he knew enough to realize they were not just a random group of people, but that they were a threat. And that risk could be a barrier, or a value.

Finally, Nathan spoke, his voice steady. "Alright. I'll help you find the Fragments. But if things go sideways, I'm out. Understand?"

Alexei watched him a while and then nodded slowly. "Fair enough. We all have our limits."

Seraphine, who had been silent during the exchange, finally spoke up. "Welcome to the team, Nathan."

Nathan's stomach clenched as he rose, not sure if he had just made the greatest blunder of his life or the best move. But he didn't have time to dwell on it. His life had changed, and there was no going back.