Echoes in the Dark

The storm had calmed, but the tension in the air remained heavy. In the dead of night, the gang found themselves scattered throughout the house, hiding in the shadows. The power had been cut--deliberately. Flashlights clicked on as heavy boots stomped across the creaky floors. The Iustitia Clan had returned.

Under a worn bedframe, Toku held his breath, trembling as the mechanical footsteps of the Android Davie drew near. The whirring of servo-motors buzzed in his ears as Davie paused... then turned away, finding nothing.

Across the room, Gem shifted nervously in a closet. Her elbow knocked into a clothing hanger, making a faint clink. A sound too quiet for most ears--except Davie's. His head turned sharply and he began walking back toward her hiding spot.

Before he could investigate further, a sharp voice called out from the hallway.

"Davie. We're leaving. Now."

It was Rez Mars--the self-proclaimed leader of the squad. Reluctantly, Davie obeyed, and the Iustitia Clan retreated into the night.

Once the coast was clear, the gang emerged from their hiding spots. The damage was minimal, but the message was clear: this wasn't over and somebody wanted something of theirs.

Later in the night, on the balcony of the house, Rikushi stood with Kite and Blaidd, discussing their next move. The city was dangerous, the village was vulnerable, and the Iustitia Clan was bold enough to strike their home.

Then Rikushi's eye caught a flicker of green light pulsing in the treeline.

He shifted on instinct--whizz! A bullet barely missed his head.

Davie had returned.

Without hesitation, Rikushi vaulted off the balcony, charging through the rain-soaked grass. Blaidd rang the house alarm and leapt down after him, while Kite ran inside to grab her lance.

Sparks flew as Rikushi's black saber clashed against Davie's steel sword. The two exchanged blows in a flurry of power and precision--until Davie landed a brutal kick to Rikushi's chest, launching him into a tree and knocking him unconscious.

Blaidd dove in with his dual-daggers, coating them in Ice Magic, but Davie tanked the hits. With a powerful uppercut, Davie sent Blaidd into the sky, before crashing back into the ground. He raised his blade to strike the finishing blow--

Boom!

Glonk entered the fray like a bolt of thunder. His fist slammed into Davie's side with earth-shaking force, launching the android across the field and into the base of the nearby mountain.

Gem rushed to heal Rikushi and Blaidd as Toku stood frozen, shaking with fear. The battle had ended, but the tension remained.

Davie picked himself up, systems sparking. Realizing he was outnumbered--and outmatched--he turned tail and retreated into the forest.

But he wasn't alone.

Silently, Ceri trailed behind him, tail tucked under her cloak. What she discovered chilled her.

Davie. Rez. Reiku. Rumoto.

They were all part of the same faction--The Iustitia Clan and the Night Lights.

Ceri returned to the group, sweating and out of breath. She relayed what she'd learned: the Iustitia Clan planned to take their village and repurpose it for their growing criminal syndicate and operations.

This wasn't just about relics anymore. It was about Territory, Power, and Survival.

Rikushi stood, clutching his blade, the pink gem on its hilt glowing dimly.

They had a village to protect. People to keep safe. Their home to defend.

But no matter what they did, how much they trained, how many defenses they set up.

A war was coming.