Morning in Opundi City arrived quietly.
No thunder.
No lightning.
Just the steady hum of a city pretending nothing had changed.
But beneath that calm… everything was shifting.
The New Base – Early Morning
Dust floated lazily in the sunlight filtering through cracked wooden windows.
The building was still rough.
Unfinished.
Unclaimed.
But no longer empty.
It had purpose now.
Preye stood in the center of the main room, arms folded, eyes scanning the space like she was measuring something only she could see.
Timi stumbled down the creaking stairs, carrying a broken stool in one hand.
Good news, he announced, the upstairs won't collapse immediately.
Preye raised an eyebrow, and the bad news?
Timi dropped the stool with a thud,
"It might collapse later."
Preye sighed,
We'll fix it.
Kuro stepped in from the doorway, his presence as steady as ever,
There are people outside.
Timi froze.
Friendly people?
Kuro didn't answer immediately.
"They are waiting."
Preye smiled faintly.
"Good."
Timi blinked.
"…Good?"
Preye walked toward the door.
Word spreads fast in this city.
She paused briefly.
Let's see who they are....
A small group had gathered.
Not soldiers.
Not assassins.
Ordinary people.
But not weak.
There was something in their eyes.
Curiosity.
Caution.
Hope.
At the front stood a tall, broad-shouldered man with arms crossed over his chest, his clothes were simple, but his posture wasn't.
Beside him stood a woman with sharp eyes and quicker movements, tapping her fingers against her hip impatiently.
Behind them, two younger figures lingered quietly, watching everything.
Preye stepped out.
Silence followed.
The tall man spoke first.
"You're her."
Preye tilted her head.
"Depends who you're asking."
He didn't smile, the Stormborne.
The name settled over the group.
He stepped forward slightly.
My name is Boma.
He gestured to the woman beside him, his is Nimi.
Nimi gave a short nod, eyes still scanning Preye like she was solving a puzzle.
"We heard what happened at the shrine," Boma continued.
Preye leaned casually against the doorframe.
"And you came to confirm if the rumors are true?"
Nimi spoke this time, no; her voice was sharp, we came to see if you're worth following.
Timi, standing behind Preye, whispered loudly,
I like her. She's direct.
Preye smirked faintly.
Fair enough.
She straightened.
Then ask.
Boma studied her for a moment.
You fought the Tide Reapers ?
Yes.
You survived?
Yes.
You drove back their commander?
Preye shrugged, he left.
Nimi scoffed, that's not the same thing.
Preye's eyes flickered slightly.
"It is when they don't come back immediately."
A pause.
Then Boma asked the real question.
"What are you building?"
Silence settled again.
This time heavier.
Preye didn't answer immediately.
She looked at them.
Really looked.
At the tension in their shoulders.
The readiness in their stance.
These weren't random people.
They had seen things.
Survived things.
Maybe even lost things.
Just like her.
She stepped forward, something different.
Boma frowned slightly.
That's not an answer.
Preye smiled faintly,
It is.
She crossed her arms.
"I'm not building a gang."
Timi whispered, that's exactly what it sounds like.
Preye ignored him.
I'm building leverage.
Nimi's eyes narrowed.
Explain.
Preye's voice grew steadier.
People like Pereowei control this city because they control everything that matters—money, information, fear.
She gestured slightly around them,
I don't have any of that, Yet.
The word hung in the air.
Boma's gaze sharpened.
So you plan to take it?
Preye shook her head.
"No."
She smiled.
"I plan to create something they can't control."
The group sat around a makeshift table, planks of wood balanced across crates.
Not elegant.
But functional.
Timi had somehow taken charge of arranging things.
"Alright," he said, clapping his hands together. "Welcome to our first official meeting."
Preye leaned back in her chair.
You just made that up.
Timi nodded proudly.
Leadership requires confidence.
Kuro stood nearby, arms crossed, watching everything silently.
Boma sat across from Preye.
Nimi leaned slightly against the wall.
The two younger figures had introduced themselves quietly earlier—Soso and Braye.
Both observant.
Both cautious.
Preye tapped the table lightly.
Let's get to it.
She looked at Boma.
What do you do?
Boma didn't hesitate.
"I move goods."
Timi's eyes lit up, legal goods?
Boma didn't answer.
Timi nodded slowly.
"Right."
Preye smirked.
"Transport and logistics."
Boma inclined his head slightly.
"Something like that."
Preye turned to Nimi.
"And you?"
Nimi crossed her arms.
"Information."
Timi leaned back.
"Oh, she's dangerous."
Nimi smirked slightly, I know things people don't want known.
Preye nodded slowly,
"Good."
She leaned forward slightly, then this works.
Boma frowned, you haven't even explained the structure.
Preye's smile returned.
"That's the interesting part."
Preye stood, walking slowly around the room as she spoke.
We're not a gang.
We're not mercenaries.
We're not rebels.
Timi raised a hand, what are we then?
Preye stopped.
Turned.
Her eyes steady.
"We're a network."
The word settled into the room.
Nimi's interest sharpened, Go on.
Preye continued, everyone here already has something—skills, connections, knowledge.
She gestured toward Boma.
"Movement."
Toward Nimi,
"Information."
Then toward herself.
"Power."
She paused, and we combine that.
Boma leaned forward slightly, we get results and profit?"
Preye smiled, of course.
Timi nodded enthusiastically, now we're talking.
Preye's tone shifted slightly, but not just money,
She looked at each of them.
"Influence."
Silence.
Because that word meant something deeper.
More dangerous.
Timi suddenly stood up.
We need a name.
Preye sighed.
We just started,
"Exactly," Timi said. "Branding is important."
Nimi rolled her eyes.
"Of course you'd say that."
Timi ignored her.
He pointed dramatically at Preye, she's Stormborne."
He gestured around the room,
We need something that sounds just as powerful.
Boma smirked slightly, this should be interesting."
Timi paced dramatically, what about 'Storm Syndicate'?
Preye shook her head, too obvious.
Nmi added dryly, and stupid."
Timi gasped, I am underappreciated.
Preye thought for a moment.
Then spoke quietly.
The Current.
The room stilled.
Kuro's eyes shifted slightly.
Boma frowned thoughtfully.
Nimi tilted her head.
"Explain."
Preye's voice was calm, Storms come and go.,
She raised her hand slightly.
A faint spark flickered.
"But currents…"
She lowered her hand,
"…move everything."
Silence followed.
Then, Boma nodded slowly, that works.
Nimi smirked.
"Simple. Subtle. Dangerous."
Timi clapped once.
"I love it."
Preye sat back down.
Then it's decided.
She looked at Boma.
You handle movement, at Nimi you handle information."
Then at Timi.
He leaned forward eagerly.
Me?
Preye smiled,
You talk.
Timi blinked,
That's my job?
You're good at it.
He thought about it.
Fair.
Kuro spoke quietly.
And you?
Preye leaned back.
Her expression calm,
I lead.
No hesitation.
No doubt.
High above the city, on a distant rooftop, the Watcher from before observed the building.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
"They've begun," he murmured.
Behind him, another figure stepped into the shadows, and the name?"
The Watcher didn't look away.
Stormborne leads them.
A pause,
And they call themselves,
He exhaled slowly;
"The Current."
Silence followed.
Then,
"That is dangerous.
The meeting had ended.
Plans had begun forming.
Connections being mapped.
Possibilities unfolding.
Preye stood near the window, looking out at the city.
Her city.
Not owned.
Not controlled.
But changing.
Slowly.
Inevitably.
Timi walked up beside her.
So?
He grinned.
"We're officially powerful now, right?"
Preye smirked faintly, Not yet.
Her eyes sharpened, but we will be.
Lightning flickered softly in her palm.
Controlled.
Patient.
Waiting.
Because storms made noise,
But currents?
They changed the world quietly,
And by the time anyone noticed,
It is already too late 🌟