The Rain Still Falls Part I

The clock read 20:46. 
The skies of Wonder City were covered with dense clouds charged with electricity. Lightning zigzagged across the sky, illuminating the metropolis below in brief bursts of light. The rain fell incessantly, creating a blanket of drops that transformed the streets into rivers of undulating reflections.

There was Lumina, her blue hair even more vibrant, as her light and fluid armor materialized around her slender body. The bluish plates glowed softly, reflecting the lightning. Her white eyes no longer shone with purity and wisdom, and the luminous staff in her hands emitted a soft light. Now, everything seemed distant and ephemeral as she fell from the top of a skyscraper, her bluish plates reflecting the gray light of the rainy sky. The sensation of falling was strangely serene, almost as if time had slowed down just for her. The raindrops hung in the air, capturing glimpses of light dancing around her.

30 minutes earlier

The great sports stadium of Wonder City, normally dedicated to competitions and fierce games, had transformed into a setting worthy of the most dazzling fantasy tales. As night fell, the stadium lit up with thousands of magical lights, each casting a soft, shimmering glow that reflected on the crowded stands.

In the center of the stadium, a grand stage rose, adorned with sculpted towers and elegant arches reminiscent of enchanted castles. Luminous vines intertwined through the structures, emitting an ethereal glow that seemed to pulse with the rhythm of the anxious hearts of the crowd. Heavy velvet curtains, in a deep starlit blue, hung on the sides of the stage, swaying gently with the night breeze.

Halo, the star of the show, was at the heart of this magical spectacle. Her silver hair shone under the lights, as if it had captured the very essence of the moon. Her outfit, a masterpiece of silk and crystals, reflected every color of the lights, creating an aura of fantasy around her. She hovered on the stage like a mystical goddess, ready to enchant her subjects with the magic of her music.

When the first note echoed through the stadium, it was as if a spell was cast over the crowd. The lights dimmed, leaving only Halo’s luminous figure highlighted on the stage. Her voice, powerful and melodic, resonated through the air, reaching every corner of the stadium. The melody seemed to weave a spell, transporting everyone to a realm where music had the power to heal and transform.

The scenery behind Halo continuously transformed, creating fantastic landscapes that seemed to come from a dream. Enchanted forests, with trees whose leaves shone like emeralds; deserts of golden sand that glistened like diamonds; and shimmering oceans where magical creatures swam in sync with the music. Each song brought a new world to life, a new tale of wonder to be explored.

The dancers, dressed in fairy and enchanted warrior costumes, moved across the stage with supernatural grace, their choreography perfectly synchronized with Halo's music. They floated and spun as if flying, their movements creating complex figures and patterns that shone under the lights.

The audience was in ecstasy, each person enchanted by the grandeur and beauty of the spectacle. They clapped, screamed, and sang along with Halo, their hearts beating in unison with the rhythm of the music. For one night, it seemed that everyone had been transported to a realm where fantasy had become reality, and Halo was the benevolent queen guiding them through this magical journey.

Suddenly, the enchantment was broken by a deafening roar. A violent explosion erupted from the VIP area, sending a shockwave through the stadium. The audience, once ecstatic, fell into panic, screams of terror mixing with the sound of the interrupted music.

Halo, at the center of the stage, was momentarily blinded by the explosion's flash. Her eyes quickly scanned the crowd for an explanation. The VIP area, now in flames, was a scene of chaos and destruction. Pieces of debris flew through the air, and thick smoke began to spread through the stadium.

The dancers stopped abruptly, their graceful movements turning into gestures of confusion and fear. The stage lights flickered wildly, reflecting the panic that had taken hold of the place. Halo, however, remained calm, her instincts to protect her fans and maintain order taking over.

She raised her hand, emitting an intense light from her staff, trying to guide people to safety amidst the chaos. Her words, amplified by the sound system, echoed through the stadium:

— Stay calm! Follow the emergency exits and help those nearby. BE CAREFUL!

As the crowd began to move toward the exits, Halo knew that the night, once magical, had turned into a nightmare. And, in the back of her mind, she knew that the true challenge was only beginning.

Lumina had invaded the VIP area with a clear objective: to arrest the mobster Vitto, known for selling cigars and derivatives, with great influence in all gastronomic areas of Wonder City. The explosion was the result of her dramatic entrance, destroying the VIP area in an effort to capture Vitto.

Vitto, a robust-looking man with shrewd eyes, sensed the impending threat and ran through the back of the stadium, trying to escape. He was not alone; his son, a frail-looking boy with frightened eyes, ran beside him, holding his father's hand tightly. The rain fell heavily, creating a curtain of water that made visibility difficult. Lumina, with her advanced sensors, hovered above the area, her eyes shining intensely as she searched for Vitto.

The city stretched out below her, a labyrinth of streets and alleys illuminated by lightning. Vitto ran desperately, his steps echoing on the wet streets. He knew he didn't have much time before Lumina found him.

Finally, Vitto saw his car in the parking lot. His godfather, a man with a tense expression, was behind the wheel, ready to flee. Vitto opened the car door, panting, and pushed his son inside, quickly getting in right after.

— Let's go, let's go! — Vitto shouted, nervously looking at the sky.

Lumina, hovering above the area, spotted the car and descended at high speed, determined to capture him. The car roared away, skidding on the wet streets as it tried to escape the guardian.

— Dad, I'm scared. — said the boy, his voice terrified.

— It’s going to be okay, Tommy, it's going to be okay. — replied Vitto, trying to hide his own worry.

As the car sped through the streets of Wonder City, Vitto rolled down the window and started shooting at Lumina, trying to drive her away. Lumina skillfully dodged the bullets, her bluish plates reflecting the flashes of the shots. With a precise movement, she conjured a lightning spear in her hands.

With a perfect throw, Lumina launched the lightning spear toward the car. The spear hit the rear wheel with an explosive impact, causing the car to flip violently in the middle of a shopping center street. The vehicle spun in the air before landing on its side, sliding several meters before stopping.

Lumina landed gently on the ground, her eyes fixed on the overturned car. She knew she had to act quickly to ensure the boy’s safety and arrest Vitto. The rain continued to fall, creating a tense and dramatic atmosphere as Lumina approached the destroyed vehicle, ready to face whatever came next.

Lumina landed gently on the ground, her eyes fixed on the overturned car. She didn’t care about anyone’s safety, focused solely on her mission. The driver was dead, trapped in the wreckage. She approached the destroyed vehicle with determined steps.

With brutal strength, Lumina broke the car door and pulled Vitto out. The mobster struggled, but the guardian was relentless. Meanwhile, on the other side of the car, Vitto's son, Tommy, crawled out, his small body trembling with fear and pain.

Without hesitation, Lumina grabbed Vitto by the collar and lifted him into the air. He screamed, desperate:

— I did my part! — He kicked Lumina with all his might, but she didn’t even flinch.

With a cold, calculated movement, Lumina pierced Vitto, fulfilling her ruthless and merciless mission.

Tommy, seeing everything while crawling on the ground, let out a desperate cry:

— DAAAD!

Lumina looked at Tommy, and for a brief moment, a flash passed through her mind. She dropped Vitto’s body as if it were nothing, her white eyes glowing with confusion. Around her, people watched with fear and judgment. Confused by the weight of the gazes upon her, Lumina stepped back, activated her thrusters, and flew away from the scene.

The rain continued to fall, the somber and dramatic atmosphere lingering, as Lumina disappeared into the cloudy sky, leaving her citizens behind, haunted by what they had witnessed.