genius and madness

"Welcome to... the Firelights base!" Ekko announced, his voice filled with forced enthusiasm as he gave Jinx's shoulder a reassuring squeeze.

The moment they stepped in, all movement stopped. Every Firelight froze, their eyes fixed on the unlikely duo. Ekko swallowed hard. He knew Jinx's past with the Firelights-knew the pain and loss she'd caused. The tension in the air was thick enough to cut.

And then he saw it: his old right-hand man, Scar, staring back at him. But something was different-his hair. It was.. blue. Not just him. Ekko's gaze darted between the other Firelights. So many of them had the same distinct hair color.

What happened while he was gone?

Before he could wrap his mind around it, Scar charged toward him, crushing him in a hug that knocked the air out of his lungs. "EKKO, WHAT THE HELL! WHERE'VE YOU BEEN? WE THOUGHT YOU WERE DEAD!"

Another Firelight approached, her demeanor soft, her gaze landing on Jinx. To Ekko's astonishment, she gently touched Jinx's shoulder and smiled.

"I didn't know you brought company," she said warmly.