“Shadows of Resonance: The Choice”

"Well, Kyro," he said, as the shadows danced around us, "what if I show you who you can truly be?" I stared at his outstretched hand as the rain fell around us. Aria's words echoed in my head: "You can't trust anyone except me."

"How do I know you're not one of them?" I asked, taking a step back, my mismatched eyes narrowed to slits. "Another street shark recruiting little kids for his dirty business?"

Shade lowered his hand, but I could swear that beneath his mask, an acknowledging smile flashed. "Smart boy. Caution keeps you alive." He took a step back, and the shadows swirled around him like a living cloak. "But let me show you something."

He raised his hand, and suddenly the shadows condensed into a mirror of pure darkness. What I saw in it took my breath away. A faint bluish glow surrounded my body—like an electric mist seeming to flow from my skin.

"That's your resonance, Kyro. It has always been there, waiting for you. Like a sleeping storm." His voice softened. "I could force you to come with me, but I won't. The choice is yours."

I swallowed hard. "And if I say no?"

"Then I'll leave and leave you to your fate. But…" He made a sweeping gesture toward the slums around us. "Is this really the life you want? A never-ending fight for survival, while something so powerful slumbers within you?"

"The resonance, Kyro, is not just a power. It is a mirror, showing you who you truly are. It is more than just a force. It is a tool that can create or destroy worlds. What will you do with it?"

I was silent for a long time, the rain soaking my clothes. Aria was gone. The streets were getting harder. And this man… he had something about him that was different from anyone I had ever met.