PART THREE: FAMILIAR AND NEW

The Horizon Rift camp was alive with activity. Tents flapped in the crisp Andean winds as the tea moved with purpose. The team consisted of Jax, Lila, Thalia, and a few children of the light and normal humans who resisted the coalition. The meeting with Minister Zhou had yielded progress, but at the same time, it gave them a deadline. Zhou gave them the schematics of some of the coalition’s headquarters in the heart of the capital city.

Jax stood atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the camp. The mountains beyond were cloaked in a golden hue as the sun began its descent. Below him, Lila, Thalia, and the other leaders gathered around a holographic table, their faces illuminated by the soft blue glow of tactical schematics.

Jax descended, his boots crunching against the gravel throwing sand dust as he reached the bottom.

“Alright, let’s get started,” he said, his voice cutting through the buzz of conversation.

The holographic display flickered, revealing a rotating 3D map of Arcos Tower, the Coalition’s central command hub. A spiraling skyscraper of obsidian and steel, it loomed over the heart of New Shanghai. Within its walls, the final components of Operation Firewall were being assembled. In 6 months there will be all-out war for the future of the zones and pulse energy.

“That’s where they house the Firewall’s zone inhibitors,” Lila began, pointing to a glowing node at the tower’s base. “Before today, we did not know where the firewall was being put up. We searched for a year since they began building it in secret. “ 

Thalia leaned forward. “Zhou agreed to buy us six months, but that’s a soft promise. If the Coalition catches wind of her involvement, she’ll backtrack to save face. We need to act fast and ensure we don’t get caught.”

“And the evidence?” Jax asked.

Lila pulled up another schematic, this one of an underground facility. “Zhao’s intel detailed about the Coalition’s hidden labs—deep within the Zones themselves. Thalia has confirmed this from her time in the coalition. However, the intel also suggests they’ve been conducting experiments to artificially amplify the pulse energy in the zones. We still don't know how or why yet.”

Jax nodded, his jaw tightening. “Alright. We’ll need to first gain access to the hidden labs and see what they are doing. In the meantime, we have to prepare for the worst after the 6 months. "

Before the meeting could adjourn, a voice crackled through their comm system. “Incoming visitors at the perimeter,” the sentry reported. “They’re claiming to be allies.”

The group exchanged wary glances. “Bring them in,” Jax said cautiously.

Moments later, a three people group emerged from the treeline. At their front was a familiar face, although now had changed considerably from when they saw him last.  Sam, their friend and comrade, stood at the forefront. his once small frame was now visibly muscular, his white hair a shaggy curly mess. He showed early signs of a baby beard running along his jawline.

Trailing behind him were two unfamiliar figures. One, a lean tall man with purple hair, wore a patchwork jacket reinforced with pulse-resistant plating. His striking tattoo—a cross over his right eye stood him out.

Jax stepped forward, his hand resting lightly on the hilt of his blade as a precaution. “Sam,” he greeted, his voice a mix of relief and wariness. “It’s nice to see you man.”

Sam spread his arms wide, going for a hug, a grin never leaving his face. “It’s only been two years. Don’t go crying on me now.”

those who knew hm couldn't help but be dumbfounded at the sound of his deep voice. Signs of puberty were prevalent indeed, he was no longer the quiet kid they remembered.

“And Kate?” Thalia asked softly, stepping closer.

Sam’s smile faltered, his eyes clouding over for a brief moment before he caught himself. “Later,” he said with a slight smile. “But I found something else—or rather someone else. Meet Kieran and Kalduram Ashfield.” He gestured to the two men behind him.

Kieran stepped forward first, extending a hand. “Kieran Ashfield,” he said, his voice confident. “Leader of the Drifters. We’ve been following your movement for years. Figured it was time we introduced ourselves.”

Kieran had beautiful facial features and a jawline girls could swoon over. he had purple hair tied in a knot with some part covering his left eye. he had a striking tattoo—a cross over his right eye—that was clearly visible whenever he closed his eye.

“Drifters?” Lila repeated, her brow arching skeptically.

“A rogue faction,” Kieran explained. “Inspired by your lot, actually. We’ve been gathering survivors who’ve been displaced by the Coalition’s experiments.”

Kalduram finally spoke, his voice deep and gravelly. “We’ve been resisting in our way, but we knew we couldn’t take on the Coalition alone. When Sam crossed paths with us, he told us about your mission. Figured it was time we worked together.”

“You figured huh,” Jax asked sarcastically. “You see, everyone here are people we've known for years, fought with, and grown with. What makes you think we will just welcome you…because you figured.”

Sam spoke up. “Because they’re getting close to something big. The Drifters intercepted a transport carrying fragments of a Zone core. Whatever they’re planning, it’s not just about the Firewall anymore.”

“What do you mean?” Thalia asked.

“Zone core fragments?” Lila asked, her voice tinged with alarm. “That’s… impossible. The cores are the heart of the Zones—they’re not supposed to be movable.”

“They’ve found a way,” Kalduram remarked, his deep voice resonating like distant thunder.