“Resonance Rising: Secrets of the Slums”

I noticed how the other White Wolves exchanged meaningful glances. They all seemed to know more than they were saying—secrets that weighed heavily on their shoulders.

"What is the Resonance, anyway?" I asked, immediately regretting the question as the atmosphere in the room grew noticeably heavier.

Shade exchanged a brief look with Echo. "A force," he answered cautiously. "That's all you need to know for now. Too much knowledge…" He left the sentence unfinished.

Suddenly, a sharp headache shot through me. For a fraction of a second, I saw the face of a woman—pale skin, sharp features, cold eyes. Just as quickly as the image appeared, it vanished again, leaving only confusion behind.

"Are you okay?" Echo asked.

"Yeah, just… a headache," I muttered, trying to shake off the strange sensation.

"Let's focus on the essentials," Shade redirected. "You need to learn how to defend yourself. The streets are getting more dangerous, especially at night. House Kryntor's patrols are becoming more aggressive."

An alarm blared through the room. One of the Wolves at the monitors called out, "Movement in Sector 7! Three combat drones, scanning the area!"

"And this," Shade said grimly, "is our first lesson."

"Down!" Shade hissed, pulling me behind a pillar. The metallic hum of the drones grew louder.

As we hid behind the pillar, I thought of Aria. Her black hair with vivid blue streaks, her protective embraces, her final words before she disappeared. "You need a different teacher," she had said. Now, with the White Wolves, I was beginning to understand what she meant.

"The Blood Chain is getting nervous," Shade murmured. "Their control over the slums has been crumbling ever since people with Resonance abilities started appearing. People like you, Kyro."

"Like Aria," I whispered softly. "She knew about the Resonance before she left."

Echo gave me a sharp look. "You knew someone with Resonance abilities?"

"My sister… but…" I trailed off. Talking about Aria still hurt.