Time: 10 // 24 Fade (The Warning) Location: The Deep Cavern / Rulljah Undercity

The water door shimmered one last time, reflecting the violet lanterns of the memory-city, before collapsing into a simple puddle on the cold stone floor.

Val gasped, their lungs filling with the damp, recycled air of the bunker. The transition was jarring—like stepping off a spinning ride.

"Physical sync complete," Wren announced, blinking her black eyes rapidly. "Muscle atrophy is minimal. Energy reserves are at 98%."

"We were in there for days," Romar groaned, stretching his back. "But my chrono says it's been... twenty Pulses?"

"That's time dilation for ya," Sarode said, wiping water from his face. He looked sharper, the exhaustion that had plagued him since Val arrived was gone. He looked at Val, and a silent understanding passed between them.

The door to the cavern hissed open. Olajn stepped in, looking frantic.

"Sir! We have movement. Vaelor has breached the western perimeter of Ousujan. He’s ignoring the mining towns. He’s burning a straight line toward Rulljah."

"He’s not hunting the Resistance anymore," Sarode said, grabbing his gear. "He’s hunting the us."

"We're still not ready," Val said. "We still need a whole team."

"We've got water, fire, spirit, resonance and life. All we're missing is storm..." Ouhan spoke, pointing at each as he named them off. 

"Saje... you wouldn't happen to know anyone we could recruit in such short time would you?" Talia questioned. 

"I... I don't know. I mean back home I had a really close friend but... I've been at the castle a really long time. They might not be available... They may not even be home anymore." Saje went on to explain. 

"It wouldn't hurt to try. We're low on options and unless Rhubiti also has some resistance group we're out of options." Val explained, looking around for any luck. 

"Yeah... we can definitely go. My home town is just northwest of Rhubiti. If we leave now we could get there just in time for the Rhubiti calm,"

Time: 04 // 00 Fade (The Deep) Location: The Kjisugi / Leaving Ousujan

The ship hummed, vibrating as it punched through the atmospheric barrier of the Shadow Lands.

Inside, the mood was electric. They weren't hiding their signal. They were amplifying it.

Sarode stood in front of the ship's comms unit. He had bypassed the Kassaj's encryption using codes Li had left in his memory. He looked into the camera lens, his face unmasked, the scar over his eye stark against the cabin lights.

"It shouldn't be very far at all. It's a straight shot Northwest from Rulljah. The central isle." Saje explained. 

"I didn't know you were from Central Rhubiti," Sarode began, "What's a resonance ide doing there?"

"There's actually a few of us there. Obviously we're lands of storm and chaos, but a few of us have always been there." Saje peered from outside the ship, watching home grow into view.

"I loved traveling to Rhubiti. The storm tamers were a highlight of my travel. Their songs are so beautiful you can hear them from Vañu Isle when they all get together." Talia added. 

"That's actually from central Isle. We hold a ceremony of song during the months of Sun to tame the weathers that come. In recent times I've heard however we've been forced to stop. We have our peace treaty with Tsujan yet, with how often things change you never know what will be gone next," Saje confessed. "Most of the changes took place after I joined the royal court of staff. So I've been very weary of returning home..." 

Time: 04 // 30 Fade (The Deep) Location: Rhubiti / The Floating Isles

Rhubiti was not just any continent. The Center Isle floated just above the cloud layer, while the other islands perched within the oceans below, connected by massive updrafts. You could feel the static in the air as they entered, but it wasn't the harsh burn of plasma; it was the wild, untamed vibration of the wind.

"Turbulence should be incoming!" Gwen shouted, wrestling with the yoke. "The wind shear will tear at the stabilizers!"

"Saje!" Val called out. "Could you stabilize us?"

Saje closed his eyes. He placed a hand on the dashboard. He hummed a high, piercing note—a whistle that matched the frequency of the wind shear perfectly.

The ship stopped shaking instantly, gliding through the storm as if it were oil on water.

"Smooth," Sarode noted, raising an eyebrow. "You know the frequency of a Category 5 shear?"

"It's a lullaby," Saje smiled nostalgically. "My mother used to sing it to the roof when the tornadoes hit."

They landed on a private dock suspended in the clouds. The city of Hajlo was built vertically, towers of white stone spiraling up into the storm, adorned with feathers, wind-catchers, and kinetic sculptures that spun with the breeze. It looked ancient, yet the technology woven into the stone was centuries ahead of Khijan.

As the ramp lowered, the air hit them.

It didn't smell like the choking ash of Vañujal or the damp rot of Ousujan. It smelled clean. The scent of cold, crisp rain on grey stone mixed with the sweet, heady perfume of high-altitude wildflowers that clung to the floating rocks. It was an intoxicatingly fresh scent that made their lungs tingle.

But the path was blocked.

A creature sat on its haunches, watching them. It was massive—easily the size of a bear—with sleek, iridescent fur that shifted from grey to brown. It had a feline face, large tufted ears, and four legs. It watched them with intelligent, tan eyes.

"A Rhainava," Talia whispered, freezing in place. "Don't move. Their scream can shatter bone."

The creature opened its mouth, inhaling deeply.

"MEEE-YOWWW!"

It wasn't a bone-shattering scream. It was a greeting.

The creature’s form blurred. The fur retracted, the extra legs merged, and the body elongated. In a span of three Echoes, the beast was gone.

Standing in its place was a tall, lanky Ide. He wore traditional Rhubiti robes—heavy layers of storm-silk, adorned with furs and intricate circuitry that sparked with static. He had wild, tan-white hair and the same storm gray eyes as the beast.

"You're late," the Ide grinned, revealing a slightly sharpened canine. "I put the tea on an Ark ago, Saje."

"We took the scenic route," Saje laughed nervously, stepping down and embracing the man.

"No, you were worried we'd be pissed with you for never visiting us," the other joked, his voice carrying the lilting accent of the isles.

"I've never seen an Ide change like that. Like your physical form changed... that was more than an illusion," Gwen added.

"I'm what we call a Rhainava," Hanjhit informed, twirling to show off his robes. "I just can't do other Ide forms. Can never get the proportions right..."

Wren blinked. "Shapeshifting is structurally illogical."

"That's Rhubiti for you," Hanjhit shrugged. "Logic is just a suggestion here. Come on inside. It's calm now, but you never know when the winds will pick up."

Time: 04 // 47 Fade Location: Hanjhit’s Estate / The Workshop

Hanjhit’s home was a blend of a temple and a laboratory. The walls were lined with ancient tapestries depicting storms, but the tables were covered in holographic schematics and dismantled drone parts. The Rhubiti Ide here didn't flaunt gold; they flaunted innovation. Everything was sleek, silent, and powered by the wind.

They sat on cushions of floating silk, drinking tea that tasted of elderflower and honey.

"So," Hanjhit said, looking at the Twins. "The rumors are true. Two of you. And you brought the illegal court to our living room."

"We don't mean to intrude," Val said. "So are you... siblings?"

Saje looked down in embarrassment. "You can say that..." he quickly chimed in.

"I would have settled on good friends with a long past but... sure, let's go with that." Hanjhit continued handing down mugs with different herbs and roots at the bottom. 

"We actually came for you," Saje finally spoke.

"You want me? What do I have to offer that you don't?" Hanjhit spoke with confusion.

"Well, we're reforming the Elder's Court. In order to do that we need to complete the elemental cycle. We're missing Storm and we thought you could hopefully bring the chaos?" Val went on.

Hanjhit's eyes darted to Val, then to Saje, then back to Val. Soon, they began to laugh uncontrollably. The mug they had in their hand found the floating wooden table as they clutched their stomach.

"ME? Storm? That's a good one Saje," their laughing slowly began to calm. "You want a badass storm you call him," they pointed at Saje. "Us Rhainava are resonant beings. We're able to shapeshift by changing how fast or slow our molecules vibrate. I mean you all have Rhainava as well... no? We're found native to every continent. I couldn't be your storm, Saje knows this..."

"Will you join the team or not Hanjhit?" Saje asked, trying to redirect.

"Saje, what's going on?" Val finally asked.

The other looked pale as they faced the others. They felt so small in that moment. "I-" Saje tried forming the words, yet nothing else seemed to come out.

"What's going on Saje? Surely you knew they'd find out when you brought them here..." Hanjhit began to finish their mission of delivering tea.

"I don't know," Saje finally said, his voice quiet against the howling wind outside. "When I first arrived in Tsujan, Evelyn and I just decided I wouldn't use storm anymore unless I was back home."

"So you're not of the resonance?" Sarode questioned.

"Yes... but no? It's complicated," Saje admitted, looking at his hands. "I haven't called nor tamed a storm since I lived here. Who knows if I can even still do it. I didn't say anything because it would have just brought more questions I don't know how to answer. And by the time it felt appropriate to say anything I'd already been labeled the team's resonance. I just didn't want to let anyone down."

"You could never let us down," Val said softly, reaching across the low table to touch Saje’s hand. "We aren't the council..." 

"But their rules and ideology go deeper than them. You can feel the shift around them. The way they avoid you, stare at you funny, without even knowing the truth. The inkling of suspicion is enough. Imagining if they knew I was of the chaos..."

Saje looked up, his amber eyes reflecting the lightning outside. "I am the Storm," he whispered. "I just forgot the songs."

Hanjhit clapped his hands together. "Look... I get is... but your friend kinda has a point. Everyone in this room would understand more than anyone else..." he paused for a moment, brushing their long locks from their view. "I'll be your resonance if you return to the skies."

"I still worry if the skies will even listen," Saje began.

"You of all Ide shouldn't be worrying about forgetting. I've still got your old gear in the garage," Hanjhit quickly dashed around the room towards another entrance. The group instinctively followed.

He approached a large tapestry, a depiction of two animals, a large bird and a large cat, the bird surrounded by wind and clouds, the cat surrounded by waves of sound. The entire piece was remarkably beautiful. They moved it aside to reveal a hidden door. 

"Follow me, I'll show you all my toys."

Time: 05 // 20 Fade Location: Hanjhit’s Lab

The large room was surprisingly shiny, metal parts allowed the light to illuminate the space. Wires, tools, and screens filled the entire space. 

"Welcome to my office," Hanjhit began. He made his way to the workbench ahead, pulling items from the drawers. "Oooo look," he raised a device in the air for Saje to see. "Your wavecomms I built when you were first learning resonance."

"Wait... you learned resonance?" Romar questioned, staring at the complex ear implants. 

"Yeah... Hanjhit used to explain to me how resonance works. When I'd sing with my family I swore I could almost feel what he was talking about. He built those for me so I could feel the waves stronger," Saje approached the other, taking the devices into his hands. 

"So wait. We you can weave the other elements?" Emerjn asked. 

"We all can. In the past it was very common for everyone to have at least one other element they had a deep understanding of. Usually if it was a water ide, they also mastered the shadows," Sarode added. "I had dreams of Tama talking about something similar."

"That's actually why many of us resonance are found everywhere. It was one of the most common for others to learn. You've never shared the stories of the ancient ones Saje?" As Hanjhit spoke they continued sifting through the drawers for things to show. 

"Who are the ancient ones?" Gwen asks. 

Hanjhit looked to Saje for approval before continuing. "Saje literally can't forget anything. He has the memories of every ancestor who came before him and every lifetime he's ever lived. He remembers times before the council. When we were younger he wouldn't shut up about all the stories. But my favorite stories to hear were of the ones before time was even documented."

"Kind of like the harmonic state," Val began. "The inbetween connects every elder that lived before, with the most recent one acting as guide."

"It's kinda like that but, It's mostly their memories. Sometimes I'll hear their voices, but I can't interact with them. It's more burdensome than anything."

"Well, according to this here history book, before even the elders, the ide of Rhubiti were nomads. They travelled and lived in the skies. All of Rhubiti's islands were airlocked. They'd travel all over calming storms and teaching the land ide how to do the heavy lifting while they were away... They were literal flying badasses who called everywhere home. They would even call down storms on other lands just because!" Hanjhit spot in such excitement, using their hands to show the story. 

"That's not true, why do you tell the story like that," Saje rolled his eyes in annoyance. "The Ide of the Winds did not just bring storms just because. They ensured harmony. When a storm was needed they brought it. Some places like Tsujan and Kjihan experienced no storms at all. And that's not good when the fires need calmed," Saje explained. 

The others listened intently, everyone finding a place to sit around the workspace. 

"So how did they settle into Rhubiti and who was here before them?" Romar asked. 

"Well we were here originally. Those who travelled migrated back home during the storm season. Eventually, with some wind ide settling in other lands, the rest stayed home and cultivated the lands. When our elder was appointed they worked on getting Rhubiti out of the sky for easier access to foreigners. But we've always kept the floating isle for ourselves," 

"And many don't come here. If they do it's on the islands. Unless it's Rhubiti tech or the calm hour, getting in is almost impossible," Hanjhit added. 

"That's why the Kassaj created our peace treaty. It would have been a losing battle to fight us," 

"If only they knew we don't fight... I wonder if things would have ended like this," Hanjhit spoke. 

"Wait, you're all pacifists too?" Emerjn questioned.

"We all were at one point," Saje explained. "It was part of the Harmonic Accord, before it became the Accord of the Light. No Ide shall due harm onto anything, unless to maintain universal harmony. This rule was strongly enforced and was believed to be the backbone of maintaining harmony."

"What the hell is that," Wren called out, pointing at the large vehicle. 

"Oh that," Hanjhit clapped three times, on the third the car roared to live. Brown and yellow lights began to pulse from it. 

"I call that, the Thunderwave," Saje began to explain. I built it with me in mind. It can shift like I can. But it's forms are pretty limited. Do we need new wheels?"

"Changing up our routes and means of transport are the smart bet, in case someone did see what we were traveling in," Ouhan added. 

*BUZZZZZ*

A sharp alert startled the room. Everyone redirected their view to the monitor displaying red. A hologram of a slinder ide stood elegantly before them. 

"Attention Rahmori! The Light shines brightly! As you all know we have been reporting on the terrorist runaways case. They've held our beloved Tsujan heir hostage for several days now. Today we bring you a personal message from the kassaj, let's shine brightly for our Vassan Vaelor!"

Everyone stared with urgency, their eyes focused on the report. 

"As you all know our Flame Forces have been restless, searching for our missing heir. More devistating at the hands of on of our own," Vaelor's voice was heavy and venomous. 

"So they've come to put on a show for the world..." Romar renounced. 

"This can't be good. It doesn't make sense to have them present any broadcast unless it's doctrine. They're planning something big," Wren added. 

"-at the cost of the Flame. We ask that you show your loyalty, and devotion, in such desperate times. If you see something, anything, even suspicion, we ask that you call upon your Kassaj. In times like this we must do whatever it takes to ensure our flame continues to shine, for the peace of the ide..." an audible applause arose from the hologram, shouts of joy seemed to spread throughout. "We shall secure Vañujal spreading the flame through the lands. We will tighten security in Ousujan, Mmirabe, and Ramide. This is where the fugitive rebellion groups hideout. We will search every town, village, cave, and ocean until each of those who fight against us falls. We will also be swarming Rhubiti with the most powerful Soldiers of the Sacred Flames and Divine Light. We suspect this is where the fugitives are holding our heir hostage. We appreciate all aid the public provides, rewarding those in Tsolari's."

With his concluding words the group lay silent. 

"Is this our lives now?" Gwen asked. "Always running, hiding?"

"For some of us that's all we've done for years," Emerjn began, rising from the spot on the floor they'd taken. "We're not quite ready to face an army with several other armies. We're very close, but we still have work to do." 

"Well, we won't be doing that work here. There's no telling when the Kassaj will surround us," Hanjhit explained, turning back to those drawers his focus was previously on. "The only place not being ambushed is Jefue..." 

"But getting anywhere will be a huge challenge. That's Kassaj lands," Wren went on. 

"So is Ousujan, but we managed to get around fine." Romar added. 

"No, your people managed to resist even under capture. The kassaj broke my ide. They see our faces they'll rip us apart themselves. Most of them look forward to joining the Order of the Sacred Flame if they aren't already destined to be recruited. They believe wholeheartedly in the Kassaj." Wren went in.

"Well we've got to go somewhere. And if we want those Ide to see the truth for themselves we must show evidence. If we can hide out in Jefue for a day or so, continue training, while gathering intel, we'll be ready to face the council and the people head on." Ouhan suggested. 

"So... we'll plan to make camp in Jefue. What do we know about the resistance groups there?" Val looked towards Emerjn. 

"Wren's right. If there is a resistance group they are extremely hidden... or know better than to say anything at all," Emerjn explained.

"If we're able to find anyone, it will be in the Northern islands where the Volcanoes are most active. The Kassaj are heavier at the capital anyways, so North would be our best bet. According to my calculations though... the royal court of the Sacred Flame may be heavily guarding the north. It's protocol when the Kassaj is at war because our Northern sectors are vulnerable. It's not good odds but it'll be our only chance to get peace for a day or so," Wren pointed to the map, circling her finger at the mountainous and volcanic island of Jejuluma. 

"With us entering the Solar Halo... we'll need a complete overhaul of our gear," Romar added. "Being in the Sourthern Hemisphere was brutal,"

"If only we had gear like Hanjhit. We'd be able to adapt to any conditions," Emerjn suggested. 

"I've actually invented something like that. It's the same schematics as the Kassaj's inhabiters. It adjusts frequency according to the nearby energies. Why the same machine can work for Mmirabe and Ousujan. I just don't have enough time to make all new gear for everyone," Hanjhit explained.

"Actually, there's a place that would make that much easier. It would also give us time to train a bit more together." Val rose their hand, weaves of water beginning to flow from them. 

"But we don't really have time. The Kassaj could be entering Rhubiti any minute now," Wren advised. 

"We'll make it quick then," Val said. "If we spend less than 12 Arks in the inbetween, less than half an Ark will have passed here. How long would you need Hanjhit?"

"12 Arks should be sufficient. Most of you could even fit into the prototypes and if everyone helps we can have uniforms and a training session in less than 10 Arks," Hanjhit ran towards a large blank wall, with the push of a button the wall flipped around, revealing a wall of 12 almost identical sleek uniforms. 

"Why do you strangely have 12 uniforms all ready to go?" Gwen asked.

"Yeah Ouhan and I won't even be able to fit into any of these," Romar stated. 

"Well it's Rhainava tech so... size is obsolete it'll just form around your form. The bigger issue is the tech learning your gifts. I originally made this with the optimistic hope of it becoming the official uniform for the elders. When we believed they'd come back of course. I don't know what made me actually finish the design. Glad I did now," 

"You all still had hope in the elders? All we knew were the council." Romar added. 

"Many of us did. When the council first formed they insinuated they'd be reforming the Kassaj. From what my parents say by the time the people realized the elders would never be returning, they'd already formed a new group for ide to believe in,"

"So let's give Rahmori their hope back," Val's tone was filled with pride and confidence. "Wren is right we're limited on time so let's make the most of it! Let's get to work."