Chapter 100: Danger In The Sky


    Jet stood before his father, Mayor Elliot, in the office of the Fuzon family, recounting his recent actions. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow across the polished wood furniture and the thick carpets. The office had a certain gravitas, with the faint scent of old books and worn leather blending with the soft crackle from the fireplace.


    "I''ve done what you''ve asked, Father," Jet said, his voice steady but tinged with uncertainty. "Abel asked about the black market and anyone connected to it."


    Elliot, seated at his desk, rested his chin on his hand, eyes narrowing in thought. The weight of the situation hung between them. Jet had always looked up to his father’s shrewd leadership, but now he sensed a different kind of concern lingering in the mayor''s expression. The mayor’s deep-set eyes, once always calm and assured, now flickered with subtle anxiety.


    "What is Abel''s intention in wanting to know something like that?" Elliot finally asked, his voice measured but probing. His fingers drummed lightly on the oak desk, a rhythm of impatience cloaked in contemplation. He knew that Abel had been sent to assist the town, but these guests always seemed to have their own motives as well, which sometimes although allowed them to complete their missions, might not always leave the town in a better position.


    Jet hesitated for a moment, searching for the right words. "Maybe he believes the black market has some connection to the strange things happening in Reinhart. He might think those involved in illegal dealings know more than they let on, and maybe they are connected to more than just the black market. We are aware that artifacts pass through that market and into our town, the least we can do is prevent the rapid distribution of these magical Items, They aren''t cheap, so we can rule out the majority of the town."


    Elliot''s brow furrowed, and the lines of his face deepened in thought. He glanced at his son, weighing the possibilities before responding. "Perhaps. But we can''t assume his intentions just yet."


    Jet stepped forward, speaking more confidently. "Father, I think it''s wise to stay close to him. He’s clearly not an ordinary man. If I continue assisting him, I can figure out more about what he''s really after, and maybe help you learn more about the organizations controlling Bask. It has always been your dream…"


    Elliot looked up sharply, his expression serious. "Yes, stay close to him. Be his ally if you have to. There''s more to this Abel than meets the eye. The organizations in Bask have always been powerful and secretive, and I’m certain Abel isn’t just some wandering guest. There could be benefits to aligning ourselves with him. You remember the Blue Disturbance…"


    Jet nodded in agreement, though deep down he couldn’t help but wonder about his father''s ambitions. But the thought of the event his father brought up definitely placed things into perspective for him.


    A few years ago there were strange noises and screams coming from a forest not too far away from the village, and at night a certain part of the forest would glow in a blue mystical light. Locals went missing several times, in addition, when Burt sent out several groups of enforcement officers, they never returned.


    After hitting several dead ends, Mayor Elliot filed a request for assistance to the closet Bask organization, which from his last guest he had learned that it was named the Stone Tower.  This organization was a complete mystery as it seemed that this cloud of mystique was on purpose, and any attempts to know more seemed way too difficult for him.


    Not even a week after filing for support, strange lights and sounds could be heard coming from the forest, sounds that he had never heard before. The feeling emanating from that location was overbearing as no one in the town was able to approach the forest even if they wanted to. After that night with spectacular lights, everything went back to normal as if the abnormality had never existed. This obvious show of power cemented his ideas of these organizations and enriched his passion for magic.


    Elliot’s gaze drifted to the ring on Jet''s finger—a simple band of wood adorned with intricate symbols. He gestured towards it. "Do you remember when I gave you that ring?"


    Jet raised his hand, looking at the worn ring that had become a part of him. He studied the strange markings etched into the wood, each one pulsing faintly with an unseen energy. "Of course, Father. When I put it on, I felt... different. Able to move my body in flexible ways I''ve never been able to before. Like it enhanced me somehow, although, I get a cold almost once a week though."


    Elliot nodded slowly, his voice dropping to a near-whisper. "That ring, as you know is a magical artifact. It’s one of the few things I’ve managed to obtain from those who truly understand magic in the Bask region and the previous guests we housed sent by the organization. The organizations that control magic in this land know how to harness such power, I''m sure of it."


    Jet’s eyes widened in surprise but he felt like this was so. "Magic? I’ve always thought it was more of a legend, something far removed from our lives here in Reinhart. Even with the boons we receive from these artifacts, the thought of magic feels ancient and unattainable. Why don’t more people know about this?"


    Elliot leaned back in his chair, sighing deeply. "That''s what I''ve wrestled with for a long time, however, after seeing the patterns and how related these strange happenings had been to the influx of magical artifacts, I believe that magic invites danger. Strange occurrences, and anomalies—are just the beginning when magic is involved. And we both know Reinhart has already started to feel the effects of something we don’t yet understand."


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    Jet frowned, his thoughts racing. "Do you think we should get rid of these magical artifacts, then? If they’re causing the problems—"


    "It’s not that simple," Elliot interrupted, shaking his head. "There are more people in this town with magical artifacts than you’d think. Over a thousand people are living in Reinhart, and I believe that five percent of the population in possession of one. Some are likely aware of what they possess, but many don’t understand what it means to be around magic. And as our town grows, more people with these artifacts will come in. If we’re not prepared, we’ll be sitting ducks for strange entities we can''t control. Thats why we must have artifacts of our own, if we fail to adapt to these changes, well be left behind."


    Jet absorbed his father’s words carefully, understanding the gravity of the situation. "So what do we do?"


    Elliot’s voice took on a firmer edge. "For now, give Abel the information he wants about the black market, but don’t tell Burt. The fewer people who know about this, the better."


    Jet gave a respectful nod, understanding the unspoken order. He turned to leave but paused at the door, glancing back at his father, who stared pensively out the window.


    Elliot was alone now, the flickering light from the fireplace casting shadows on the walls as his thoughts darkened. He understood better than anyone that as Reinhart continued to expand, it would inevitably collide with the world of magic. He had spent years meeting with representatives from the Stone Tower even before he knew of their significance, discussing courses of actions,  knowing that magic would soon become an undeniable part of their reality, he just wished it happened a little slower.


    "I''ve prepared for this," he muttered to himself, his hand absentmindedly touching a bracelet on his wrist. The bracelet was simple but ornate, made with colorful glossy beads that gleamed faintly under the light—a magical artifact of his own.


    As he ran his fingers over it, Elliot thought about the future. The Bask region was still young, its foundations shaky, and there were too many eager to profit from the town''s growth. He had ambitions, yes, but he wouldn’t allow his town to fall victim to outside forces—especially those vying for his position as mayor. The path ahead was treacherous, but he would not be easily toppled.


    <hr>


    Elsewhere, in the garden of his villa, Abel stood under the setting sun. The air was cool and fragrant with the scent of pollen, the flowers swayed with the breeze as their colors were vibrant under the twilight. His villa, with its sprawling greenery and serene atmosphere, was the picture of peace. But despite the calm surroundings, Abel’s mind was elsewhere—focused on the strange star within him.


    Since his arrival, Abel had spent much of his time in meditation, trying to unlock the mysteries of his star affinity. His ethereal star pulsed within him, constantly drawing in starlight from the sky above. As the soft evening light dimmed, Abel felt the familiar pull, a connection that had become stronger with each passing day.


    He closed his eyes, focusing intently on a faint star barely visible in the dusky sky. The star flickered weakly, almost imperceptible, but Abel could sense its distant energy. He attempted something different—concentrating all of his focus on consuming the light of this single faint star instead of drawing from the general starlight around him.


    As he channeled the energy, his ethereal star within began to spin faster, its light growing brighter with a purple and golden hue. Abel could feel the faint celestial body in the sky resisting, as if it was alive, pushing back against him. But he didn’t stop. The more he pressed, the more the faint star yielded, until finally, the resistance broke, and his ethereal orb began to devour its light entirely.


    Suddenly, a strange sensation washed over Abel. The star in the sky—once faint but still visible—slowly began to dim, its light fading into the void until it vanished completely. A wave of comfort overwhelmed his body as a starry aura surrounded him, and although it was small he could feel an improvement with his body. Abel’s eyes snapped open, a cold chill running down his spine.


    Had he just... consumed a star? Not just its light, but the star itself?


    Abel took a step back, his breath quickening as the realization settled in. He had felt powerful before, but this—this was something entirely different. He had snuffed out a star. And yet, the power inside him had only grown.


    He quickly retreated to the safety of his villa, his mind racing with questions and an underlying sense of danger. What had he done? And more importantly—what consequences would follow?


    <hr>


    Unbeknownst to Abel, far away in different parts of the world, powerful figures with a star affinity glanced up toward the night sky, their gazes unwavering and intent. Each one inhabited a realm steeped in magic and myth, their lives woven into the fabric of the cosmos. As they stood atop ancient mountains, within enchanted forests, and beside sprawling oceans, their senses tingled with the disruption rippling through the starlit expanse.


    In the ethereal heights above the clouds, a majestic figure draped in a cloak of shimmering constellations surveyed the heavens. With eyes like twin moons, he watched the swirling galaxies dance with urgency. His presence emanated an ancient wisdom, as if he had witnessed the rise and fall of countless worlds. A magical fishing rod, adorned with jewels that sparkled like the night sky, extended down toward the earth, the line disappearing into the depths of a vast ocean below. The rod wasn''t merely a tool for angling; it was a conduit of power, its thread connecting the stars to the reflections dancing on the water''s surface. The gentle ripples mirrored celestial constellations, each movement sending shockwaves of energy across the realms.


    Far across the ocean, where the waves crashed against the shore with a rhythmic pulse, another figure emerged—a woman with hair like cascading stardust. Her bare feet kissed the cool sand as she raised her hands toward the sky, summoning the whispers of the winds. She could feel the loss of the faint star that had once graced the horizon, a beacon now extinguished. Her heart sank with a knowing dread, for she understood the balance of the universe was faltering. The stars, once a guiding light, were becoming obscured by a growing darkness that threatened to engulf the realms.


    In a forest dense with ancient trees, their trunks gnarled with the passage of time, a third figure knelt in meditation. Clad in robes woven from the very essence of twilight, he traced patterns in the soil with his fingertips, drawing energy from the earth. When he opened his eyes, they gleamed with an intensity that reflected the cosmos. He, too, had felt the disruption.


    Their expressions darkened, for they knew one thing: the sky was in trouble.