The marketplace buzzed with life. Vendors shouted out deals, stalls overflowed with fresh produce, and the aroma of spices lingered in the air. Kian held a small basket, its handle creaking under the weight of vegetables Nia insisted they needed.
Kian groaned, lifting a particularly large cabbage. "Are you sure you need this much?"
Nia grinned, tossing another handful of potatoes into the basket. "Yes! Chandler's been talking about stew for days now."
Kian rolled his eyes but didn't argue. Despite the weight of the groceries, it was nice normal even. He almost forgot about the chaos that usually followed him.
They continued through the market, pausing at a stand filled with exotic fruits. Kian raised an eyebrow at a peculiar spiky one. "What's this?"
The merchant, a burly man with a thick beard, leaned over. "That? Dragonfruit. Sweet as honey, that one."
Nia perked up. "We have to get it!"
Kian sighed but dropped a few coins on the counter. "I'm starting to think you just like spending my money."
Nia laughed. "And what's wrong with that?"
Before Kian could respond, a sharp voice cut through the crowd. "Hey! You!"
They both turned. A tall, lean man with slicked-back hair and a coat that looked far too clean for the dusty streets swaggered toward them. He had a sly grin plastered across his face, his eyes fixed on Nia. "Haven't seen you around before," he said, ignoring Kian entirely.
Nia blinked, taking a step back instinctively. "Uh…we're just shopping."
The man smirked, stepping closer. "How about ditching the kid and I show you around somewhere a bit more…interesting?"
Kian's grip on the basket tightened, his eyes narrowing. "She's not interested. Keep walking."
The man's grin faded, his gaze shifting to Kian for the first time. "Oh? And who are you supposed to be?"
"Her friend," Kian replied evenly, setting the basket down.
The stranger scoffed. "Friend, huh? Funny. You don't look like much." He cracked his knuckles. "How about I teach you a little respect?"
Kian raised an eyebrow, his voice low and steady. "You really want to do this?"
The man lunged forward, his fist crackling with faint traces of energy electricity. Kian's eyes sparked with recognition. "Lightning, huh?"
The punch came fast, but Kian was faster. He sidestepped easily, catching the man's wrist mid-swing. There was a flash of green lightning, and the man's eyes went wide with shock.
"W-What ?"
Kian twisted his arm, forcing him to his knees. "You picked the wrong person to mess with," Kian said, his voice calm but firm.
The man struggled, but Kian's grip was ironclad. Green lightning flickered across his arm, crackling with restrained power. "Apologize," Kian demanded.
The man gritted his teeth. "Screw you "
Kian sighed. "Wrong answer." He sent a pulse of energy through the man's body not enough to harm, but more than enough to make him regret it. The man cried out, collapsing to the ground as Kian let him go.
Nia stepped forward, her eyes wide. "That was… fast."
Kian brushed off his hands, picking up the basket again. "Not even a warm-up." He glanced back at the groaning figure on the ground. "Next time, pick on someone your own level."
Nia giggled, nudging him. "Looks like you're getting pretty good at this, huh?"
Kian smiled, though there was a flicker of something else determination. "I have to be."
Nia's expression softened, but before she could speak, the stall owners around them began murmuring, whispering about the green lightning. Kian looked around, suddenly feeling the weight of eyes on him.
"Maybe we should go," Nia suggested, tugging his arm.
Kian nodded, and the two of them slipped back into the busy market, disappearing from prying eyes.