Chapter 7

Aelious had no idea what was happening. The entire night felt like an unending nightmare, yet there was no waking in a cold sweat. He was trapped, forced to confront the reality unraveling before him. He had never believed himself to be in control of his own destiny—he merely followed the events as they unfolded. But now, after everything that had transpired, he was left piecing together his night.

He remembered punching his father. He remembered the searing pain his father felt as he tried to pull him to safety. He remembered his house collapsing in an orange inferno, barely escaping the rubble. And now, just hours later, he had witnessed his best friend of fourteen years electrocute a government official into a pile of ash. As if that weren't enough, someone else was now attempting to deliver him to safety—from what, he wasn't sure.

Exhausted and still tingling from his brush with death, Aelious and Lucious had no choice but to trust the woman standing in the doorway. Unlike the last voice from the darkness, she bore no government insignia. Aelious wasn't sure if that was a good or bad sign, but considering the last intruder had nearly stabbed him through the heart, he had to hope this one had better intentions.

She wore a tattered black shirt, equally worn black jeans with unstylish holes, and boots that had seen better days. Her short dark blue hair suited her rugged aesthetic. Even in her disheveled state, she was strikingly pretty.

"Do you want to live or not?" she exclaimed impatiently. "I know you have no idea what's going on, but more Phantoms will be coming for you. Your presence alone is enough to draw the entire nation to your doorstep."

Enticed by her urgency, the two scrambled to their feet and followed her. They weaved through alleyways, blended with the crowds passing through the Mosaic region's bustling nightclubs. Under the neon glow, Aelious got a better look at their guide. She wasn't much older than them—perhaps their age.

"Where are we going? And can you explain what's going on?" Lucious pressed. "Who are you?"

"My name is Sunifa, and I promise I'm on your side. But we need to get to the Sanctuary before we talk. Long story short—you're a Caster, and your powers just awakened. You have an unusually powerful presence, which drew in nearby Phantoms. If I hadn't been in the area, your head would already be severed from your neck."

"A Phantom?" Lucious repeated, but Sunifa cut him off.

"No more talking. We're almost there."

The city buzzed with life despite the late hour. The Mosaic region was renowned for its vibrant, inclusive nightlife—a cultural melting pot that attracted travelers from all over. Aelious had spent his entire life here, yet Sunifa was leading them through paths he had never known. She moved with purpose, as if she had done this countless times before.

After slipping into a dimly lit alley, Sunifa stopped before an inconspicuous black door. She hesitated for a moment.

"You'll have to stay here for some time. We'll provide what you need, but this is a place of refuge. You'll be safe—relatively."

"Relatively?" Aelious questioned.

"Relatively," Sunifa reiterated.

"I feel safe already," Lucious quipped, his humor intact despite the situation.

The black door creaked open, revealing complete darkness.

"Are you a bat? Do you navigate with sonar or something?" Lucious joked.

Aelious allowed himself a brief smile—small, but enough to acknowledge the levity. Sunifa knocked in a rhythmic pattern. A moment later, a second door opened, spilling warm light into the dark passage.

"Come," she said. "There's someone you need to meet."

They descended a long stairway, eventually emerging into an enormous underground space. Aelious was speechless. The sheer scale of the warehouse was staggering, yet it was not a cold, industrial space. It was designed to be lived in. Natural-style lighting illuminated the area, trees and fountains were scattered throughout, and neat rows of housing lined the far wall.

"This is the Fourth Sanctuary of Eclesia," Sunifa revealed, as if reading their thoughts.

"Sanctuary of Eclesia?" Aelious echoed.

"Casters from across the nation—mainly from the Mosaic region—seek refuge here."

"Refuge from what?"

"The government," Sunifa said bitterly. "Being a Caster is a deadly sin in Euphoria, as everyone knows. Your power is too dangerous and uncontrollable to coexist with the rest of the country."

"Your power?" Aelious asked, as if already resigning himself to the truth.

"Your power," Sunifa repeated. "Now come, there's someone you need to meet."

Lucious and Aelious exchanged a look but followed. As they walked through the Sanctuary, dozens of people turned their heads, eyes filled with curiosity.

"Don't get many visitors, huh?" Lucious mused.

"They usually aren't conscious when they arrive," Sunifa replied.

Lucious considered making a dark joke but held his tongue.

After what felt like an endless walk, they arrived at an office space. Inside, a man sat alone, deeply focused on his work.

"Dad," Sunifa said, breaking the silence.

The man looked up, his face a mixture of relief and concern. He studied the newcomers, then turned to Sunifa.

"Where did you find them?" he asked.

"I was on a supply run and felt their presence from miles away," she answered, before turning to Lucious and Aelious.

"What is this 'presence' thing you keep mentioning?" Lucious demanded, his frustration boiling over. "Someone needs to explain—immediately."

The weight of the night's chaos was finally taking its toll.

"I'm sure you're confused," the man said calmly. "But if Sunifa brought you here, it's for one reason."