Opundi City did not sleep.
It shifted.
It listened.
It reacted.
And tonight… it was watching.
The Market District – Nightfall
Lanterns swayed gently above narrow streets as traders packed away their goods. The usual laughter and bargaining had quieted, replaced with low murmurs that moved like a hidden current through the crowd.
One word passed from mouth to mouth.
Stormborne.
"A new Ori wielder…"
They say she defeated a Tide Commander…"
"No one defeats the Tide…"
Then maybe she's not human.
At the far edge of the market, a group of dockworkers huddled around a wooden table.
I heard she walked through lightning like it was nothing, one man said.
Another shook his head.
No, I heard the river itself tried to drown her—and failed.
A third leaned in, voice dropping.
They said, the river gods have chosen her.
Silence followed.
Because that last part, that part scared people.
A Rooftop Above the City
A shadow moved across the rooftops.
Fast.
Silent.
Watching.
Perched at the edge of a wooden structure overlooking the main street was a lean figure wrapped in dark cloth.
Eyes sharp.
Breathing steady.
This was no ordinary observer.
This was a Watcher.
One of many.
And tonight, all of them had the same target.
Preye.
Lower District – A Quiet Alley
Preye stopped walking.
Timi nearly bumped into her.
Why are we stopping?
Kuro's hand had already moved toward his spear.
They followed us.
Timi froze.
They?
Preye didn't turn around.
But her eyes shifted slightly.
Calculating.
They've been trailing us since the market."
Timi gulped.
Why didn't you say anything earlier?
Preye smirked faintly.
I wanted to see how long they will last.
Kuro stepped slightly to her side.
How many?
Preye's fingers sparked faintly.
Three, a pause, No, she narrowed her eyes slightly; Four.
Timi whispered urgently.
I vote we leave, quickly.
Preye shook her head,
No.
She turned slowly.
Her hood slipped back just enough to reveal her eyes.
Cold.
Focused.
Let them come.
From the shadows, they emerged.
Four figures.
All dressed in dark, tight-fitting clothing.
Light.
Flexible.
Designed for speed.
Not brute force.
Their movements were synchronized.
Disciplined.
Not Tide Reapers.
Not River Shadows.
Something else.
One of them stepped forward.
"You've caused quite a disturbance."
His voice was calm.
Measured.
Preye tilted her head.
You've been following me for ten minutes just to say that?
The man ignored the tone.
You have drawn attention you cannot control.
Preye folded her arms.
Then maybe, you people should stop watching.
A faint ripple of tension passed through the group.
Kuro stepped forward slightly.
You are not here to talk.
The man nodded once,
"Correct."
His eyes locked onto Preye.
You will come with us.
Timi whispered under his breath,
"…Why does everyone keep saying that?"
Preye sighed,
"I'm starting to feel popular."
The man raised a hand slightly.
The other three shifted positions instantly.
Encircling them.
We are not your enemies, he said, yet.
Preye's smile returned.
That sounds like a threat.
It is a warning.
For a moment, no one moved.
The air grew heavy.
Tense.
Then,
Preye took a step forward.
Lightning flickered faintly across her fingers.
I've had a long day, she said calmly.
Her voice dropped slightly.
So let's simplify this.
Her eyes locked onto the man.
I'm not going anywhere.
Silence.
Then, the man nodded once.
As expected.
He lowered his hand.
The others relaxed slightly.
Timi blinked.
…Wait.
That's it?
The man turned away.
For now, he paused.
Then added without looking back,
"Stormborne."
The name lingered.
He disappeared into the shadows.
The others followed.
Gone as quickly as they appeared.
Timi exhaled loudly.
"…Okay."
I don't like that.
Preye frowned slightly.
They knew the name already.
Kuro nodded.
"It spreads faster than expected."
Timi shook his head.
"No, that's not the problem."
They both looked at him.
He swallowed, they didn't try to fight.
Preye's eyes narrowed.
Exactly.
Deep Within Opundi City – Hidden Chambers
Candles flickered in a circular room beneath the city.
Symbols carved into the walls glowed faintly under the dim light.
The four Watchers knelt before a raised platform.
On it stood a single figure.
Face hidden.
Voice calm.
Report.
The lead Watcher spoke.
She is aware of surveillance.
A pause.
Expected.
The figure stepped forward slightly.
And her power?
The Watcher hesitated.
Unstable, but growing.
Another pause.
Faster than predicted.
The figure remained silent for a moment.
Then, "Good."
The word echoed softly.
Continue observation.
The Watcher looked up slightly.
And if she becomes a threat?
The figure's voice dropped.
She already is.
A faint smile formed beneath the shadow.
"But threats can be… redirected."
Back on the streets,
Preye walked faster now.
Not running.
But focused.
Her mind was moving.
Fast.
They weren't assassins, she said.
Kuro nodded.
No.
They were studying you.
Timi shivered,
I prefer the ones that just try to kill us.
Preye glanced back briefly.
They'll be back.
Kuro agreed, yes.
Timi groaned.
"Fantastic."
Preye stopped again.
This time in front of a narrow building tucked between two larger structures.
Unremarkable.
Easy to miss.
She turned to them.
"We need a base."
Timi blinked.
You mean like a headquarters?
Yes.
Kuro studied the building.
This place?
Preye shrugged.
It's quiet, hidden, close to the river.
She stepped forward and pushed the door open.
It creaked slightly.
Inside was dark.
Empty.
Dust-covered.
Perfect.
Timi stepped in slowly.
It smells like abandonment.
Preye smiled faintly.
Then no one will look here.
Kuro nodded once.
It will work.
Preye walked further in, looking around.
The space was larger than it appeared from outside.
A back room.
An upper level.
Multiple exits.
Strategic.
She turned back to them.
This is where it will all start.
Timi raised a hand.
I'd like to officially welcome everyone to… whatever this is.
Preye smirked.
It's a beginning.
Kuro added quietly, it is a statement.
Preye nodded.
"Yes."
She walked toward the center of the room.
Her voice steady.
Certain.
We're not running anymore.
Lightning flickered faintly around her hand.
We're building something.
Her eyes hardened slightly.
Something that doesn't get erased.
Timi grinned, you're serious about this?
Preye looked at him.
"I've never been more serious."
In a dim office overlooking the river, Chief Pereowei stood near a window.
A servant approached quietly.
"We have confirmation."
Pereowei did not turn.
Speak.
The girl has returned to the city.
A pause.
And?
The servant hesitated.
She is being called… Stormborne.
Pereowei smile slowly returned.
How fitting.
He turned slightly, eyes gleaming, then let the city watch.
His voice lowered.
"Because soon…"
He looked out over Opundi City.
"…they will see what happens when a storm meets power."
Back at the New Base,
Preye stood alone for a moment.
Timi had gone to inspect the upper floor.
Kuro stood near the entrance, watching the street.
Preye looked at her hand.
Lightning sparked faintly.
Controlled.
Waiting.
She clenched her fist slowly.
"They're watching," she murmured.
Kuro didn't turn.
Yes.
Preye's gaze hardened.
Good.
Her voice dropped slightly.
Let them.
Outside, the wind picked up again.
Not a storm.
Not yet.
But something was coming.
And deep within the city—
Plans were already in motion.
Because in Opundi City, power was never left unchecked.
And Preye had just made herself impossible to ignore.
The storm had received recognition, and been recognized had it's consequences