Preparation

Sol strolled through the wonky streets of Luminara, humming to himself, still riding the high from his unexpected payday. The entire district felt like it was built by someone with no understanding of symmetry—twisting alleyways that led nowhere, buildings stacked at odd angles, and floating platforms that shifted unpredictably. Five million credits. He rolled the number over in his head, a smirk tugging at his lips. Who knew selling his so-called loyalty could be this lucrative? The sheer absurdity of it made him chuckle.

The district was alive with its usual late-night bustle—hover-bikes zipping through the air, the glow of holographic billboards flashing above, advertising everything from cybernetic enhancements to the latest pleasure dens. He weaved effortlessly through the crowd, his thoughts already shifting to his next moves. The money was good, but he knew better than to get comfortable. Elise wasn't a fool—she had paid him that much upfront because she wanted results. And if there was one thing Sol disliked, it was expectations.

Sol decided to head back to his secret base at the abandoned hotel lobby. It had been a while since he last visited, but if no one had disturbed it, it was still the best place for him to prepare.

When he arrived, a small grin tugged at his lips as he saw the thick vines still blocking off the entrance. "Guess no one found this place," he muttered to himself. As if responding to his presence, the vines unraveled and shifted aside, moving like living sentinels paying respect to their master.

Stepping inside, Sol found everything just as he had left it. Small craters pockmarked the floors and walls from previous experiments, vines sprawled freely, reclaiming the space as their own, and at the center of it all stood the eerily beautiful azure tree. Its shimmering fruits pulsed faintly with bioluminescence, their rich scent filling the air. The sight alone made Sol relax. This was his space.

With a sigh, he shrugged off his jacket and tossed it onto a dusty couch. Tomorrow was going to be a long day, and he had a job to do. But for now, he planned to get some light training in—mostly focusing on his plant affinity. His time affinity required more concentration and effort, something he wasn't ready to exhaust himself with just yet.

He rolled his shoulders, stepping toward the glowing tree as the vines curled eagerly at his feet. "Alright then, let's get started."

---

Meanwhile, in a private lounge bathed in soft golden light, Elise sat deep in thought, her fingers gently drumming against the armrest of her chair. Her conversation with Sol lingered in her mind, unsettling in ways she hadn't expected. She had dealt with dangerous individuals before, but there was something different about him—something not right.

A soft knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts. She exhaled lightly before speaking. "Come in."

The door opened smoothly, and Asha stepped inside. She still held the same effortless charm, her presence radiating quiet confidence, but Elise immediately noted that she looked far better than she had in their last meeting. The bruises and exhaustion that once marred her face had faded, replaced by a sharp alertness.

"You called for me, Madam?" Asha asked respectfully, her voice even and composed.

Elise gave a small nod. "Yes. Sol will be joining us tomorrow."

At the mention of his name, Asha involuntarily shivered. Elise caught the reaction and sighed, gesturing to a chair. "Take a seat."

Asha hesitated for only a moment before obeying. Once seated, she studied Elise with a curious expression. "You were right," Elise admitted, her voice softer than usual. "That kid is completely dangerous… and a bit deranged. I kind of regret pulling him into this."

Asha's brows lifted slightly. It wasn't often Elise second-guessed her own decisions. "What happened?"

Elise leaned back, crossing one leg over the other as she recounted the conversation with Sol—his erratic mood changes, his sharp words, and the way he had boldly called her a clown to her face.

Asha frowned at that, irritation flickering in her eyes. While she knew Sol was unpredictable, hearing him insult Madam Elise so directly sparked a twinge of anger. "That's a bit much," she muttered, her respect for Elise making her reaction obvious.

But Elise wasn't finished. She inhaled deeply before adding, "And then, he promised to show us what a real mess looks like… since we forced him into this game of ours."

Asha's frown deepened, a growing sense of unease settling over her. "That… doesn't sound like an empty threat."

Elise sighed, rubbing her temple. "No, it doesn't. And that's what worries me."

Asha's eyes narrowed slightly as she crossed her arms. "So, what do we do now? If he's as unpredictable as you say, do we even try to control him? Or do we start preparing for whatever 'mess' he plans to create?"

Elise exhaled slowly, her mind racing through the possibilities. "Controlling him is out of the question. If I push too hard, he'll just slip through our fingers or worse—turn his chaos directly against us. No, we need to adapt. Instead of control, we offer him something he wants."

Asha tilted her head slightly. "And what exactly does he want? He doesn't seem like the type to care about power, nor does he strike me as someone who craves wealth. He took your money, sure, but I doubt that's his real motivation."

Elise tapped her fingers against the armrest, considering. "That's what makes him dangerous. Most people have ambitions you can exploit—territory, status, revenge. Sol doesn't seem to have any of that. But he does have curiosity, and he doesn't like being forced into things."

Asha scoffed lightly. "So what, we let him think he's leading the dance?"

Elise smirked slightly. "Exactly. We don't try to control him—we guide him. Let him believe he's making his own choices while subtly steering him in directions that benefit us. If he truly sees this as a joke, then we make sure he plays into our hands without realizing it."

Asha was quiet for a moment before nodding slowly. "That could work... but it's a gamble. If he catches on, he won't just walk away—he'll make sure we regret it."

Elise's golden eyes darkened slightly. "I know. That's why we need to be careful. Keep him interested, but never let him feel trapped. If we play this right, he'll be the most valuable piece on the board. If we don't..."

Asha finished the thought for her, her voice low. "Then we'll be the ones in his mess."

Elise exhaled through her nose, the weight of the conversation settling over her. After a brief pause, she straightened slightly and said, "Inform Jupiter that we will need her for tomorrow's meeting, just in case."

Asha's eyes widened slightly in surprise. "Are you sure?" she asked cautiously. "She normally causes more problems than she's worth."

Elise sighed, pinching the bridge of her nose. "I don't have a choice. If things go south, we'll need her strength. Sol is unpredictable, and I won't take any chances."

Asha hesitated, but eventually nodded. "Understood. I'll let her know. Let's just hope we don't end up regretting this too."