Morning came slowly to Opundi City,
A pale orange sun rose above the endless rivers of Tamunoara, painting the water in gold and fire.
Fishermen paddled their narrow boats between the mangrove roots while traders opened the stalls of Swali Market.
Life moved on like nothing had happened.
But for Preye, everything had changed.
She stood at the edge of a quiet mangrove swamp outside the city, staring at the river where the Ancient River god had appeared the night before.
The water was calm now, peaceful, as if the god had never been there.
Behind her, someone yawned loudly.
Timi stretched like a lazy cat on a wooden canoe.
"I still can't believe we slept outside," he complained.
Preye didn't turn around.
"You said it was safe."
"It is safe."
He scratched his head.
"Mostly."
Preye slowly looked at him.
"What does mostly mean?"
Timi shrugged,
"Well… sometimes river snakes come out at night."
Preye stared at him.
"You're telling me this now?"
"Relax!" he said quickly, "they usually don't bite."
She pinched the bridge of her nose.
"Why did I jump into that river with you?"
Timi grinned, "because destiny calls ."
She sighed.
Then she raised her hand.
A faint blue glow appeared around her fingers.
Ori energy.
But it wasn't stable.
It flickered like lightning trapped inside her skin.
Preye frowned.
"If I'm going to survive this…"
She clenched her fist,
"I need control."
The energy sparked again, then...
"BOOM"
A blast of blue force shot from her palm and smashed into a nearby tree.
Wood exploded.
Birds scattered into the sky.
Timi jumped so hard he nearly fell into the water.
"HAI!"
He stared at the destroyed tree.
Then he looked at Preye, "that was unnecessary."
Preye blinked, "I didn't mean to do that."
Timi nodded slowly.
"That makes it worse."
Preye looked at her glowing hand.
"This power…"
She shook her head.
"It reacts to emotions."
Timi suddenly stood up excitedly.
"Then we train!"
Preye raised an eyebrow.
"You're a trainer now?"
"Of course."
"What experience do you have?"
Timi proudly puffed his chest.
"I once trained a fighting goat."
Preye stared at him and asked,
"…you trained a goat, do i look like one?"
"It was very aggressive."
She turned away.
"I'm ignoring you."
But she still raised her hand again.
Blue energy formed slowly.
She tried to keep calm.
Steady breathing.
Focus.
The energy stabilized slightly.
Good.
Then Timi shouted behind her.
"WATCH OUT!"
Preye spun around.
Three figures had appeared at the edge of the swamp.
They wore dark armor decorated with strange spiral symbols.
Each carried a curved blade glowing faintly red.
Preye's eyes narrowed.
"River Guard?"
Timi shook his head nervously.
"No."
He whispered.
"Those are Storm Hunters."
Preye frowned.
"Storm what?"
One of the men stepped forward.
His voice was cold.
"We have found her."
Another man nodded.
"The Storm bearer."
Timi slowly stepped behind Preye.
"I suddenly regret everything."
Preye crossed her arms.
"And you are?"
The leader smiled.
"We serve the Order of the Silent Tide."
Preye tilted her head.
"That sounds dramatic."
The man ignored the comment.
"For centuries our order has protected this world from dangerous powers."
His red blade ignited brighter.
"Storm wielders bring destruction."
He pointed the blade at her.
"You will come with us."
Timi whispered.
"Don't go."
Preye whispered back.
"I wasn't planning to."
The hunters attacked.
Fast.
The first man dashed forward, blade cutting through the air.
Preye moved instinctively.
She dodged sideways.
The blade sliced the air where her head had been, ( that was fast, she thought).
These weren't street criminals.
The second hunter attacked from behind.
Preye ducked.
She kicked his knee.
CRACK
He stumbled.
But the third hunter grabbed her arm.
"Got her!"
Bad idea.
Blue lightning exploded from her skin.
BOOM
The hunter flew backward into the mud.
The leader's eyes widened.
"Storm energy!"
He lunged again.
This time Preye didn't dodge.
She stepped forward.
Her glowing fist slammed into his chest.
THUNDER
The man flew across the swamp and crashed into a tree.
Silence returned.
Two hunters were unconscious.
The third struggled to stand.
Preye walked toward him calmly.
Her eyes glowed faint blue and she asked, "You came all this way to kidnap me?."
The hunter trembled slightly.
"You don't understand what you are."
Preye stopped in front of him.
"Then explain."
The man spat blood.
"Storm wielders always become monsters."
Preye's expression didn't change.
"Maybe."
She grabbed his collar.
"But that decision is mine."
She released him.
"Leave."
The hunter stumbled backward.
"You cannot escape the Silent Tide."
He turned and ran into the swamp.
Timi slowly stepped forward.
"Wow."
Preye looked at him.
"What?"
"You just defeated professional assassins."
She shrugged.
"They attacked first."
Timi nodded thoughtfully.
"Fair."
Then he suddenly grinned.
"You know what this means?"
Preye narrowed her eyes.
"I'm afraid to ask."
"You're officially dangerous."
Preye sighed.
"I was hoping to stay unnoticed."
Timi laughed loudly.
"After punching criminals, talking to river gods, and blasting trees?"
He shook his head.
"That ship has sailed."
Preye looked back toward Opundi City....
Somewhere inside that city…
People were already hunting her,
A secret order,
The River Guard,
Maybe worse.
Her power flickered again.
Stronger this time.
More controlled.
She smiled slightly.
"Good."
Timi blinked.
"Good?"
Preye turned toward the river.
"If they want a storm…"
Her eyes glowed bright blue.
"Let them face one."
Timi nodded slowly.
Then he pointed behind her.
"before that,"
Preye frowned.
"before what?"
Timi pointed again.
Preye turned.
A tall man stood on the riverbank.
Massive.
Muscular.
A long spear rested across his shoulder.
His eyes were sharp and calm.
He had clearly watched the entire fight.
The stranger spoke quietly.
"Your control is terrible."
Preye raised an eyebrow.
"And you are?"
The man stepped forward.
"My name is Kuro."
His gaze locked onto the fading blue lightning around her hand.
"I've been looking for you."