The morning sun painted the sky gold as Ignis stretched his arms and looked at Varun, who sat on the floor tinkering with something.
"What were you doing the whole night?" Ignis asked, raising an eyebrow.
Varun didn't look up. "Fixing the watch. And making one for you, too."
"A watch?" Ignis asked ?
"Yeah," Varun replied, locking the final piece in place. "Now we can talk to each other anytime, anywhere. No matter where we are in the world."
Ignis crossed his arms. "So what now?"
Varun stood and stretched. "I'm going to work. Time for mining."
Ignis grinned. "I'm coming with you."
"Fine. But keep your powers secret," Varun warned.
Just then, Lucy's voice echoed from the device.
"You both should take something to hide your identities. In case… you're attacked."
Varun and Ignis nodded. They grabbed simple cloth wraps and headed to the quarry.
The mine was quiet, filled with the rhythmic clanging of picks and shovels. Varun wiped sweat from his brow while Ignis, unfamiliar with labor, mimicked others awkwardly. Then—
BOOM.
A massive explosion rocked the tunnels. Dust clouded the air. The mine's entrance collapsed behind them.
From the shadows emerged a tall, menacing figure in torn black and red robes, floating slightly above the ground. His eyes glowed faintly. He spoke in a strange language.
Varun's eyes narrowed. He whispered to Ignis, "I think he's one of Aevor's men."
"How does he know we're here?" Ignis asked ?
"How should I know?" Varun replied, masking his face with the cloth.
The stranger raised his hand—and the ground split open. An army of warriors climbed out—men with unnatural strength and glowing marks.
They surged toward the workers.
"We have to protect them," Varun said, stepping forward.
"I've got this," Ignis replied—and fire roared from his hands, incinerating the first wave of enemies.
Varun turned to the enemy leader. "Who are you?"
The man spoke in Aevor's language. Varun's eyes widened as he understood.
"I am Clayven. And I'm here to end you."
Suddenly, a shadow burst from the ground and threw Varun across the cave—straight into Ignis.
They stood up, ready.
"Let's do this." Varun said ?
Clayven raised both arms. Hundreds more soldiers burst from the ground and charged. Ignis's fire tore through them, while Varun fought with raw power, electricity sparking from his fists.
But something was wrong.
"They're stronger than normal humans," Varun gasped.
"Faster too," Ignis growled. "They're not normal."
Clayven smirked—and raised his hand again.
This time, his soldiers charged toward the innocent miners.
"He's using them as bait!" Varun shouted, ready to sprint.
"Stop!" Ignis grabbed his arm. "If you go, you'll die!"
They were surrounded. The army closed in on the helpless workers. Then—
WHOOOSH—!
A blinding white shockwave split the battlefield. A sword, glowing with energy, struck down the first row of Clayven's warriors.
A girl landed between the people and the army, wielding a brilliant katana. Her stance was calm, her eyes fierce.
"I'll protect them," she said.
With every strike of her blade, Clayven's soldiers fell in halves. She was fast. Deadly.
Varun growled at Clayven. "Using innocents… unforgivable!"
He charged towards Clayven but he is blocked by more of the army.
"Go!" Ignis shouted, unleashing fire around them. "I'll hold them off. I'm the strongest. You finish this!"
Varun leaped—crackling with electricity. He grabbed Clayven's leg mid-air, launching them both upward as the cave's roof exploded.
Their battle soared into the sky. Clayven's torn cape fluttered behind him as he hovered freely, using his flight to strike from above. Varun, unable to fly, had to leap between falling rocks and collapsing terrain just to keep up.
Above the clouds, their fists collided with sonic booms. Clayven moved like a blur in the air, using the winds to slash down at Varun. He landed a brutal kick to Varun's chest, sending him crashing into a floating chunk of rock.
Varun coughed, lightning sparking from his body. "You're fast… but I won't lose."
Clayven's eyes narrowed. "This is the upper atmosphere. The oxygen here is thin. You'll run out of breath before I even get tired."
With a vicious grin, Clayven flipped Varun and hurled him downward—like a missile.
The wind roared past Varun's ears as the ground rushed closer. But in that moment of near-death, Varun twisted mid-air, grabbed Clayven's ankle as he descended behind him, and spun him downward instead. With a ferocious yell, Varun smashed Clayven into the Earth like a comet.
BOOOOM!
A massive crater erupted. Dust billowed into the sky. Everyone below went silent, staring.
Then, through the haze, Clayven stumbled out of the crater. He tried to speak—but his body gave out. He collapsed.
Varun rose from the dust, battered but standing.
Clayven's army evaporated into black mist.
Lucy's voice crackled: "Get out of there—now."
Back at Ignis's place, the boys caught their breath—until a knock came at the door.
Ignis opened it.
The girl stood there. Somehow, she had followed them.
She removed her mask—revealing dazzling sapphire-blue eyes framed by long, thick lashes. Her silky, waist-length pink hair shimmered under the light, flowing like rose-gold silk. Her skin glowed with flawless grace, and her presence was ethereal—like a princess carved from moonlight and fire.
She looked every bit the striking young woman she was—eighteen, bold, and breathtaking.
"I'm Sofia," she said, her voice calm but unwavering. "I want to join you."
Varun narrowed his eyes. "Why did you help us? How did you find us?"
Sofia looked at them with confidence. "I was born into a secret ninja clan—where swords are still the way of life. I became their strongest swordsman… but they couldn't accept that their greatest warrior was a girl. So I left."
Her gaze shifted to Varun. "I heard rumors of a boy who saved a city. I tracked you down. And when I saw you fight… I knew I had found the ones strong enough to change everything."
She stepped forward with conviction. "I want to be the strongest swordsman in the world. And to do that—I need to walk with warriors stronger than me. You're fighting a battle that matters. Let me fight it with you."
Varun looked at Ignis, who stayed silent—but didn't object.
Then he turned to Sofia, pulled out a spare Lucy band, and handed it to her.
"You're in."
Sofia smiled and fastened the device to her wrist.
Then Varun sat down beside her and, for the first time, opened up. He told Sofia everything—about his powers, the mysterious enemy Aevor, the burden he carried, and the AI named Lucy who had helped him unlock his potential.
Three strangers. One mission. A secret alliance against an enemy who could end the world.
And just like that, their team was no longer a duo.