The Aether Hero: Awakening of the Elements

Chapter 5: The dark awakening

Alex sat in the hideout, staring intently at the aether band on his wrist. Its glow was mesmerizing, a captivating swirl of colors that could easily be mistaken for something beautiful. But Alex knew better. He knew the darkness it harbored within. The silence was broken by the sound of footsteps approaching.

"Hey, Alex, you okay?" Maya's voice was soft, filled with concern.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Alex replied, tearing his gaze away from the bracelet. "I'm sorry about last night, guys. You were just trying to protect us with Umbra."

"We know that," Maya said reassuringly, giving Elias a playful nudge on the shoulder. "You were just looking out for us."

"Why don't you take a break from the aether band?" Elias suggested, his tone gentle but firm.

"I don't know if I can, Elias," Alex sighed, running a hand through his hair. "The Order is trying to end the world. This isn't some homework assignment we forgot to do. It's literally the end of everything, and we're the only ones who know about it."

"Maybe Umbra isn't all bad," Maya suggested, her voice thoughtful. "Maybe she's helping us in her own way."

Alex frowned, deep in thought. "I don't know... maybe. I'll try to get some rest."

Maya placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "We're in this together, Alex. Get some sleep."

Alex woke up to find Elias and Maya standing over him.

"What's going on?" Alex mumbled, still groggy.

"Elias says he has a contact who knows about the Order's plans," Maya explained.

"Really? You do?" Alex perked up, his tiredness quickly fading. "That's awesome!"

"She's a former intelligence agent," Elias said, tossing a shirt at Alex. "She agreed to meet with us. Now, put some clothes on."

Alex glanced down, realizing he was shirtless. "Oh, right. Sorry." He quickly pulled on the shirt. "Where are we meeting her?"

"At the Come & Go Café."

"Really? Why there?" Alex asked, surprised.

Elias shrugged. "I don't know, but I hope you're hungry."

"I'm always hungry," Alex said with a grin.

As they walked through the bustling market, Alex couldn't help but marvel at the sights and sounds around him. People rushed between stands, haggling for goods, and the air was filled with the aroma of street food.

"Man, there's so much cool stuff here," Alex said, his eyes wide with excitement. "Elias, you have money, right? I'm kind of broke at the moment."

Elias sighed. "I'll buy you food, but that's it. Now, come on, Alex."

"Alright, sorry. I got distracted by the stands."

When they reached the café, it was packed with people. Elias led them to a table where a woman in a sweatshirt was already seated. She looked to be around Elias's age, but time had been kinder to her.

"I thought you were coming alone," she said, her eyes narrowing as she glanced at Alex and Maya.

"Sorry, I should have mentioned them," Elias apologized.

"It's fine, Elias," she said, her tone softening. She slid a vanilla envelope across the table. "Here, take this."

Elias flipped it open, revealing documents inside. "What is this?"

"It's information on strange energy readings throughout Luminara," she explained. "But here's the thing—one of these places is a front for the Order. It's a nightclub called The Abyss. Apparently, your darkest desires come out in that place."