Opundi City didn't wait.
It adapted.
It shifted.
And when something new appeared, something dangerous; it either crushed it or tested it.
The Current had just been tested.
Now it was time to respond.
The Base – Late Evening
The air inside the building felt different, less like a hiding place; more like a command center.
Maps had multiplied across the table, notes scribbled in charcoal, names circled, routes crossed out and new ones drawn in.
For the first time, they weren't reacting.
They were planning.
Preye stood at the head of the table.
Not leaning,
Not relaxed, but focused.
"Enough watching," she said.
Her voice cut through the room cleanly.
"We make a move tonight."
Timi blinked.
"…That was fast."
Sotonye smirked slightly,
"It has to be."
He leaned forward, tapping a section of the map, they're already adjusting to us."
Nimi nodded, madam Ado's people are asking questions.
Boma added, and the dock gangs are tightening routes.
Preye crossed her arms.
"Good."
Everyone looked at her.
She smiled faintly,
That means they're nervous.
Preye pointed to a small, unmarked route along the river.
"This."
Boma frowned, that path barely gets used.
"Exactly," Preye replied.
Nimi's eyes sharpened,
"…It's a ghost route."
Timi blinked,
"Which means…?"
Sotonye answered calmly, it means it exists for a reason.
Preye nodded, hidden movement.
She tapped the map again.
"If Madam Ado controls the major flows, then anything hidden…"
Her eyes lifted slightly.
"…is valuable."
Boma leaned forward, or dangerous.
Preye smirked.
"Same thing."
Preye straightened.
"We don't attack."
Timi nodded immediately.
"Good plan."
"We intercept."
He paused.
"…Less good."
Preye ignored him.
We take control of the route without announcing it.
Nimi crossed her arms, and when someone comes looking?"
Preye's eyes flickered slightly, we'll be waiting.
The city lights faded behind them.
The deeper they moved into the river channels, the quieter it became.
No traders.
No patrols.
No noise.
Just water.
Dark.
Still.
Watching.
The boat moved slowly.
Carefully.
Boma guided it with practiced precision.
This route hasn't been used in weeks, he muttered.
Or it has, Sotonye replied quietly, and we just weren't meant to see it.
Timi shivered.
"I prefer obvious danger."
Preye stood at the front of the boat.
Still.
Focused.
Her eyes scanned the water, the trees, the shadows.
She wasn't just looking.
She was feeling.
The storm inside her had changed something.
The river felt different now.
Alive.
Not hostile.
But aware.
They found it without needing directions.
A narrow opening between thick mangrove roots.
Barely visible.
But there.
The boat slipped through.
And on the other side,
A small dock, half-hidden.
Old.
But not abandoned.
Crates sat stacked along the edge.
Covered.
Guarded.
Two men stood watch.
Relaxed.
Unaware.
Timi whispered, so what now?
Preye stepped off the boat, quiet, controlled.
"Now," she said softly, we introduce ourselves.
The guards didn't notice until she was already walking toward them.
One of them blinked, who are you?
Preye didn't stop, someone you weren't expecting.
The second guard stepped forward.
This area is—
Lightning flickered briefly across Preye's fingers.
Not explosive.
Not loud.
Just enough.
Both men froze.
"…Right," Timi whispered behind her, that works too.
Preye stopped a few feet away.
Her gaze steady.
Who owns this route?
The guards exchanged a glance.
Neither answered.
Sotonye stepped forward slightly,that was a simple question.
The first guard swallowed, we don't deal with strangers."
Preye smiled faintly.
"That's unfortunate."
She raised her hand slightly.
The air shifted.
Wind stirred.
Not a storm.
Just… pressure.
The second guard stepped back instinctively.
"…Madam Ado," he said quickly.
Preye nodded slowly, smiled and said, "Good."
She lowered her hand.
The tension eased.
Slightly.
Now you deal with me.
The transition wasn't violent.
It was precise.
Calculated.
Boma inspected the crates, high-value goods, he murmured.
Nimi checked markings.
"Unregistered shipments."
Sotonye leaned against a post, watching the guards.
"They're not fighters," he said quietly, they're messengers."
Preye nodded.
"Perfect."
She turned to the guards, you're going to deliver a message.
They stiffened.
"What message?"
Preye stepped closer.
Her voice calm.
Clear.
"Tell Madam Ado this route now belongs to the Current."
Silence.
Heavy.
One of the guards shook his head.
She won't...
Preye's eyes flickered.
Lightning sparked faintly.
She will.
A pause.
"Because I'm not asking."
The crates had been moved.
The route secured.
And for the first time,
The Current had something real.
Not just ideas.
Not just plans.
But leverage.
Timi stared at the stacked goods.
"…We're officially criminals now."
Nimi smirked.
"You say that like we weren't before."
Timi thought about it.
"…Fair."
Preye stood near the table again.
But this time
There was something new in her posture.
Confidence.
Not forced.
Not growing.
Established.
Sotonye watched her carefully.
"You just made your first move against Madam Ado."
Preye didn't look at him.
"I made a move in the city."
He smiled slightly.
"She'll respond."
Preye nodded.
"I expect her to."
"Elsewhere"
The servant finished his report.
Madam Ado sat silently.
Listening.
Processing.
When he finished, the room went still.
"…They took it?" she asked softly.
"Yes."
"And sent a message?"
"Yes."
A pause.
Madam Ado laughed.
Not loudly.
But genuinely.
"…Bold."
She stood slowly.
Her rings caught the light.
"Stormborne…"
She tasted the name.
"…interesting."
She turned slightly.
"Prepare a gift."
The servant hesitated.
"…A gift?"
Madam Ado's smile returned.
"Yes."
Her eyes gleamed.
"Let's see if the storm understands… how this city truly works."
Preye stood alone again.
For a moment.
Looking at the city through the window.
The lights.
The movement.
The quiet power behind it all.
She exhaled slowly.
A soft knock came at the door.
Timi opened it,
"…Uh."
He blinked,
"There's… a box."
Everyone turned.
A wooden crate sat outside.
Unmarked.
Unattended.
Kuro moved first.
Carefully.
He opened it slowly.
Inside, not weapons, not goods.
A single object.
Wrapped.
Deliberate.
Preye stepped forward.
Unwrapped it.
And froze.
Inside the cloth—
Was a necklace.
Simple, but familiar.
Timi's voice dropped, wait."
His eyes widened.
"That's....
Preye's expression hardened instantly, "Timi."
Her voice was quiet.
Cold.
"Where is your sister?"
Silence filled the room.
Sharp.
Dangerous.
Because suddenly,
This wasn't business anymore.
Somewhere in Opundi City....
A new game had begun.
And this time,
It was personal. 🌟