The rain did not stop.
But it softened.
What had once been a raging storm now fell as a steady curtain over the ruins of the Storm Shrine, washing away the signs of battle, as if the river itself wished to forget what had just happened.
Broken stone lay scattered across the bridges.
Cracks ran through ancient pillars.
The water level had receded, leaving behind ripples that moved slowly, cautiously.
Even the river seemed uncertain now.
Preye stood at the edge of the shrine, staring into the dark water below.
Her reflection stared back at her.
But it didn't feel like the same person.
The girl in the water looked calmer.
Stronger.
Dangerous.
She raised her hand slightly.
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then,
A faint spark of blue lightning flickered between her fingers, small.
Controlled.
Obedient.
Preye exhaled quietly, so it wasn't just adrenaline.
Behind her, Timi's voice broke the silence.
"Adrenaline doesn't usually involve turning the sky into a weapon."
Preye smirked faintly but didn't turn.
Timi walked closer, carefully stepping around broken stone.
"I've decided something," he continued.
Preye raised an eyebrow.
That sounds dangerous.
Timi nodded seriously.
"It is."
He stopped beside her and folded his arms.
I'm officially your manager now.
Preye blinked, My What!?
Manager, Timi repeated confidently, every powerful person needs one, Someone to handle negotiations, money, reputation—important things.
Preye stared at him.
"You nearly tripped over your own feet during the fight."
Timi raised a finger, Strategic repositioning.
Kuro approached quietly from behind them.
"The city will hear about this."
Preye's expression shifted slightly.
"Already?"
Kuro nodded, The storm was too large.
He glanced toward the distant river channels, too visible.
Timi groaned.
That means trouble, right?
Kuro answered calmly.
It means attention.
Preye finally turned from the water.
"Good."
Both of them looked at her.
She shrugged.
"I'm done hiding."
Lightning flickered faintly across her fingers again.
If they're coming anyway, her eyes hardened slightly, they might as well know who they're dealing with.
Later – On a Narrow River Path
The journey back toward Opundi City was quiet.
The storm had moved on, leaving behind heavy clouds and a restless wind that whispered through the mangroves.
Their small boat cut through the dark water.
Timi sat at the front, staring ahead with unusual silence.
Preye noticed,
You're quiet?
Timi didn't look back,
Just thinking.
That's new, she said dryly.
He sighed, my sister.
Preye's expression softened slightly.
What about her?
Timi leaned forward, resting his arms on his knees.
She's… different.
Kuro glanced at him.
How?
Timi hesitated.
Sometimes she says things she shouldn't know.
Preye frowned.
Like what?
Timi finally turned to face them.
She told me not to go to the river the day I met you.
Preye blinked.
Seriously?
He nodded.
She said the water felt 'angry.
Kuro's eyes narrowed slightly.
That is not ordinary.
Timi laughed nervously.
Yeah, I figured that out when I almost got killed by water monsters.
Preye leaned back slightly, thoughtful.
"Maybe she has Ori sensitivity."
Kuro nodded.
Possible.
Timi rubbed the back of his head.
I just don't want her dragged into all this.
Preye looked at him.
Really looked this time.
Not as the talkative, slightly annoying companion.
But as someone with something to protect.
"I get that," she said quietly.
Timi blinked,
You do?
Preye's gaze drifted toward the river.
I didn't have anyone like that.
Her voice carried a quiet edge.
But if I did,
Lightning flickered faintly across her hand.
I'd burn down anything that tried to touch them.
Timi smiled faintly.
Yeah.
That sounds about right.
Opundi City – Rumors Begin
By the time they reached the outskirts of Opundi City, the rumors had already started spreading.
Whispers moved faster than boats.
Faster than messengers.
Faster than truth.
"A storm destroyed part of the shrine…"
"A girl wielding lightning fought the Tide Reapers…"
"She defeated one of their commanders…"
"No—she killed him…"
"No—she vanished into the river…"
Every version was different.
But one detail remained the same.
The Storm Girl.
Inside a dimly lit tavern near the river docks, voices overlapped in excited tension.
I heard she called down lightning like a god!
That's nonsense.
Then how do you explain the sky splitting open?
Maybe the river gods are angry again…
"Or maybe someone finally has the power to fight back."
At a corner table, a hooded figure listened quietly.
He didn't speak.
Didn't react.
But his fingers tapped slowly against the wood.
Counting.
Measuring.
Waiting.
Back on the Streets
Preye pulled her hood lower as they walked through the crowded market district.
Even without seeing her face, people were talking.
Watching.
Something had changed in the air.
Timi leaned closer.
Okay, small problem.
Preye glanced at him.
Only one?
You're becoming famous.
Preye sighed.
I was hoping to get rich first, become famous later.
Kuro spoke quietly.
Fame brings danger.
Preye smirked.
So does poverty.
Timi pointed at her,
That is the most accurate thing you've said today.
They turned into a quieter street.
The noise of the market faded slightly.
Preye stopped walking.
Kuro and Timi both looked at her.
What? Timi asked.
Preye crossed her arms.
If people are already talking…
Her expression shifted.
More focused now.
…then we control the story.
Timi blinked,
We?
Yes, we, she said firmly.
You said you're my manager, right?
Timi straightened immediately.
Correct.
"Then manage this."
She stepped forward slightly.
No more hiding.
Kuro watched her carefully.
You plan to announce yourself?
Preye shook her head.
Not fully.
She smiled slightly.
But enough.
Timi leaned in.
You're thinking of a name, aren't you?
Preye didn't answer immediately.
She looked up at the sky.
Clouds still moved slowly above the city.
The storm was gone.
But it hadn't left completely.
It never would.
Her fingers sparked faintly again.
Then she spoke.
They're already calling me something.
Timi nodded, The Storm Girl.
Preye shook her head, too simple.
Kuro crossed his arms.
A name carries power.
Preye smiled slightly.
"Exactly."
She stepped forward.
Her voice calm.
Certain.
If they're going to talk about me
Lightning flickered briefly around her hand.
they should say it properly.
She looked at both of them.
The name is "Stormborne."
Timi's eyes widened, that actually sounds amazing.
Kuro nodded once.
It will spread.
Preye turned away, already walking again.
"Good."
Her voice carried quiet confidence.
Let it.
Elsewhere in the City
In a darkened chamber beneath one of the larger buildings in Opundi City, a group of figures stood in silence.
Candles burned low.
Shadows stretched across the walls.
One of them spoke.
"The name has appeared."
Another voice followed.
Stormborne.
A third voice, deeper, more dangerous:
Then the prophecy begins.
Silence followed.
Heavy.
Uncertain.
Back on the Street,
Preye walked ahead of the others now.
Her steps steady.
Her presence different,
People moved slightly out of her way without realizing why.
The air around her felt… charged.
Not visibly.
But unmistakably.
Timi hurried to catch up.
"So what's the plan now, Stormborne?"
Preye didn't slow down.
We build.
Kuro raised an eyebrow.
"Build what?"
Preye smiled faintly.
A force.
Lightning flickered briefly across her fingers.
"Something that doesn't get crushed by people like Pereowei."
Her eyes hardened slightly.
Something that doesn't lose.
Timi grinned.
"…I like this plan already."
Kuro nodded slowly.
"The city will resist."
Preye's smile didn't fade,
Let it.
She looked ahead.
Toward the heart of Opundi City.
Where power lived.
Where corruption thrived.
Where decisions were made.
And where her story was only just beginning.
Because storms didn't just destroy.
Sometimes…
They changed everything.