The boy's body was dragged into the slums, swallowed by shadows -- like so many before him.
Just another disappearance.
Just another forgotten name.
In recent months, missing persons reports had quietly surged -- mostly children. Mostly from places like this.
No one talked about it. No one came looking.
-------------------
Elsewhere, Kyle stepped through the teleportation gate.
He gave a casual nod to the guard, then entered Unixe Town.
It was a place full of life -- vendors shouting, spirit beasts growling softly from cages, students in bright uniforms darting between shops. The town thrived under the academy's shadow, built to support the best of the best.
Row after row of buildings towered over the cobbled streets. Colorful signs dangled over storefronts, and the scent of grilled meat mixed with roasted chestnuts filled the air.
Kyle adjusted his long black coat as a brisk wind caught his silver hair. Winter was creeping closer.
He made his way to the central market -- a haven of sizzling food and noisy crowds. And for a moment, the world felt normal. He bought skewers. Laughed at a vendor's joke. Lost himself in the maze of smells and sounds.
Until he realized -- he had wandered too far. The lively noise behind him faded into silence. The stone beneath his boots became cracked and uneven. The air shifted. He had crossed an invisible line.
Hollow-eyes people shuffled past him, dressed in torn clothes. They didn't look at him -- barely looked at anything. Their eyes felt dead.
Kyle stopped.
'Where am I?'. He didn't remember this part of town. Instinct whispered.
'Turn back'
Then he heard it. Gruff voices. Low. Harsh. Talking about "kid" and "goods".
He froze. Slowly approached an alley and peeked around the corner. A man was dragging a small, bloodied child by the arm. Kyle's heart kicked into fear.
'No. What to do?'
The child wasn't moving. Blood smeared across their torn shirt.
This is what I trained for. This is what heroes are supposed to do. He need to save the kid.
Kyle stepped into the open. "Hey!", he shouted. "Let the kid go!".
Two men turned toward him.
The first had sunken eyes and arms covered in tattoo. His eyes were big, unblinking in the dark like a frog's. The second one was bulkier, with deep pitted scar's running across his face like lighting strikes.
The scarred ones -- James -- snorted, "Mind your own damn business, brat. Or you'll end up like this one"
"Why not take him too?"
Frog-Eyes grinned at James's word. "Sure, he's got fight in him. I like that."
Kyle's blood boiled. James stepped forward. Kyle didn't hesitate. Fireburst.
Flames roared from his palm in a searing line of orange light. It tore through the alley like a wildfire unleashed. But James moved fast -- too fast. He sidestepped with inhuman speed. The flames smashed into the wall behind him, bricks glowiing red-hot.
Kyle clenched his fist.
'They're awakened. And experienced. More than me. '
But Kyle didn't stop. Fireburst. Iceburst. Fireburst. He cast again and again, chaining spells with grit and speed. His aim wasn't perfect, but he kept the pressure on. He had to reach the child.
James lunged forward between spells, absorbing the momentum. Pom -- the tattooed one -- stood back, holding the child like bait.
Kyle's heartbeat pounded in his ears. His limbs were growing heavy. Sweat beaded down his temples.
'Come on. Just a little closer. '
One spell clipped James's side, staggering him. Kyle took the opening, only for James to draw a curved knife and darted forward. The blade sliced across Kyle's waist. Pain flared as blood soaked through his shirt.
'Damn it!'
Kyle ducked behind a crate, gasping. Pain throbbed at his side, but the child was still in danger. Bleeding. Still dying. Unconcious.
He couldn't stop. James came around, aiming for Kyle's neck. Kyle twisted his body and thrust forward -- his palms glowing.
Frostfire.
The searing mix of flame and ice exploded into James's gut. The man howled and dropped to his knees. smoke rising from his torso. Pom's expression changed.
Kyle didn't give him time to act. He rushed forward, and launched another Frostfire, this time at Pom.
The man barely had time to react. The spell slammed into his arm, forcing him to drop the child. Kyle grabbed the kid and ran. Pom roared, summoning his own power now.
Fire Meteor.
A massive fireball lurched towards Kyle. Kyle rolled aside just in time, the heat licking at his back. Kyle spun and retaliated with Fire Rain.
This time, flaming droplets pelting down on James. But the man wasn't slow. Only a few drops landed.
'This is bad'
Kyle placed the child behind him, shielding him with his body. His mana was nearly gone. He had overused his mana as he lacked the control when using frostfire.
'I can't hold this much longer'
Sweats dripped down his face. His breaths came fast. His limbs were shaking. Then -- footsteps. Lots of them.
He turned toward the sound. Relief hit like a wave. Five men in white uniform -- Unixe law enforcement -- were sprinting toward them.
"Hey! Stop right there! Magic is forbidden in town!", one of them barked.
"Shit!" Pom spat. "The cops!".
James and Pom exchanged a look -- then bolted into the shadows. They glared at Kyle as they ran. Soon after, they vanished into the shadow.
Kyle dropped to his knees, still holding the child close. He had nothing left. Not even strength to stand.
'If I can't even save one life .. how can I become a hero?'
A hand reached down.
"You okay, kid?"
Kyle looked up at the officer in white. And as he felt safe, his body gave out. His wounds throbbed -- his shoulder and waist bleeding heavily. His vision dimmed.
And then, darkness.