The dense woods gave way to a clearing dotted with huts, the smell of wood smoke and herbs in the air. Ion led Luma forward, his eyes scanning the horizon with practiced caution.
"This is the place," he said, his voice steady. "A friend of mine from my days at the Tower. She's the one who helped me set up the Bridge of Laws."
Luma glanced around, confused. "She lives out here?"
Ion nodded. "When the Tower fell, she chose to remain in hiding, away from the chaos of the world. I don't know what's become of her in recent years—but I trust her knowledge, if not her methods."
They approached a large, rounded hut made of woven timber and stone. The door swung open before they could knock, revealing a tall, sharp-eyed woman with silver streaks in her hair.
"Ion," she said with a slight smile. "You're late."
Ion grinned. "You're always so serious, Lira."
The woman's gaze shifted to Luma, sizing her up. "And who's this? Another eager apprentice?"
Luma stepped forward. "I'm Luma. It's an honor."
Lira gave a quick nod. "We'll see how long that honor lasts." She stepped aside to let them enter.
Inside, the hut was filled with strange contraptions—metallic orbs, tubes of glowing liquid, and scrolls full of intricate calculations. "It's been a while since I've had visitors," Lira said. "What brings you here, Ion?"
Ion held up a small bag. "Supplies. Something to help Luma as she ventures forward. You know what she'll need."
Lira's eyes narrowed. "I know exactly what she'll need—and it's not something you can just pack in a bag."
She led them to a back corner, where a heavy chest sat, locked tight. She knelt and muttered under her breath, manipulating the locks with an intricate series of gestures.
Luma glanced at Ion. "What is she doing?"
Ion smiled. "Unlocking knowledge—what you need isn't just material. It's understanding, too. Lira has ways of reinforcing what the gauntlet can do, but she also has… tools."
With a click, the chest opened, revealing a set of small vials, intricately carved stones, and a glowing orb. Lira picked up the orb, handing it to Luma.
"This is a Gravity Anchor," Lira explained. "You won't feel its full effect until you've trained more, but when you use it, it will help stabilize your body's balance during rapid movement. It'll anchor you to the ground—without it, you might fling yourself into the air every time you make a punch."
Luma blinked at the orb, holding it carefully. "And this will help?"
"It will. But only if you understand it. Like Ion said, theory and practice are the same—they have to be."
Ion glanced at Lira, his tone turning serious. "We also need to discuss Saren."
Lira's expression darkened. "Ah. Saren. I thought you'd be asking about him soon enough."
Luma frowned. "Who is Saren? Do you mean the red-hooded man?"
Ion sighed. "Saren was once one of the highest-ranking members of the Tower's council. A brilliant mind, but his ambition grew uncontrollable. He started to believe that the laws of physics were just… obstacles. He wanted to reshape the world—break the laws we rely on and create a new, 'perfect' order. His version of the universe would be without limits."
Lira crossed her arms. "He started quietly, spreading his ideas like a plague. But soon he and his followers began to dismantle the core principles of the Tower. They tried to unlock forces we weren't meant to touch. Entropy, time, the very nature of reality itself…"
"And that's when the Tower fell," Luma murmured.
"Yes," Ion said. "And when Saren's followers scattered. But Saren's still out there. And he's not done."
Lira gave Ion a hard look. "You're planning to go after him?"
Ion hesitated. "We have no choice. The Masters of Entropy are growing in power again, and Kaelen, who once served under Saren although he was my apprentice…"
Luma raised an eyebrow. "Kaelen? The one in the grey hood?"
"Yes," Ion confirmed, his face grim. "Kaelen's returned, and he's not the same boy I once trained. He's far more dangerous now."
Lira exhaled sharply. "Then it's worse than I thought."
Before anyone could speak further, a sharp crack split the air, and the door slammed open. Luma's heart skipped as the familiar figure of Saren, the red-hooded man, stood in the doorway, his eyes glowing with ominous energy.
Saren's voice was low and cold. "I see you've found some old friends, Ion. But your time is running out."
Ion's hand instinctively reached for his weapon, but before he could react, Saren extended a hand, sending a shockwave through the room. Lira ducked, and Ion barely dodged the attack, but Luma was too slow. The force struck her squarely in the chest, hurling her back against the wall.
Saren sneered, stepping forward. "Still clinging to the past, Ion? You've always been too sentimental."
Ion's voice snapped. "You've crossed a line, Saren."
But before Ion could move, Saren vanished in a burst of red light, leaving only a lingering echo.
Luma shakily got up, wiping blood from her lip. "That… wasn't the same as before."
Ion rushed to her side, offering a hand to help her up. "No. This time, it's different. Saren isn't the same."
Lira looked at them both. "You can't face him like this, Ion. You need to prepare. This was just a warning."
Ion nodded, his expression dark. "I know. We'll be ready."