Fire. Everywhere.

The world was a canvas painted in deep oranges and fierce reds, where shadows danced like mischievous demons, playing tricks on the eyes and mind. Smoke veiled the environment, rendering our once-familiar apartment into a surreal and hostile abyss.

As I huddled against my mother's leg, the orange gem that hung from her necklace seemed to glow brighter amidst the gloom. It glowed like the sun, and I couldn’t help but be captivated by it. It was a sight that would forever live in my memory. She glanced around frantically, one hand clutching mine tightly and the other on a ceremonial sword we kept in the living room.

She pulled me close and we descended the staircase, each step feeling like we were plunging deeper into a realm where legends and myths collided with reality. The walls, once a calming shade of blue, were now scarred with soot and ash. I had vague memories of my mother reading from inked scrolls about gods, spirits, and fateful battles for the fate of the world, stories that now seemed eerily appropriate.

My mother's hand was warm and firm, a safety anchor in this bewildering sea of chaos. I could barely see past my tiny fingers, but her presence was an undeniable comfort. She had always been like that, big and safe, and my younger self always thought she'd talked with words that sometimes seemed borrowed from a storybook.

Through the haze, a window came into view. I peeped out, my wide eyes drinking in the scene. The tall buildings I'd always seen reaching up to the sky were now spewing out angry clouds. And there, amidst the destruction, floated strange creatures with glowing blue eyes. They moved gracefully like the dragons in the bedtime stories my mother read me.

The streets below were filled with shambling men and women, their faces pale and distorted, moving in a manner unlike any people I'd seen before. It was as if they were being pulled by invisible strings in a dance they couldn't control. Some of their eyes held a vacant blue glow similar to the flying monsters.

"These ones are lost," Mommy whispered when she saw me staring. "We mustn't let them see us, okay?"

I nodded, gripping her tighter. I didn't understand who these 'lost ones' were, but the urgency in my mother's voice told me enough. There was a strange feeling in the pit of my stomach, like the unease I felt when I misplaced my favorite toys. Hugging her leg, my gaze was drawn upwards, not to the creatures, but to the radiant orange gem glowing ominously where the sun should have been.

It pulsed with an unsettling rhythm, reminiscent of the heartbeat I felt when she read to me about universe's creation from the Furukotofumi at my cribside. The Shinto creation myth. Of gods, and of legendary warriors.

An odd stillness was outside, punctuated by the creatures' wings flapping and the distant screams and rumbles. Screams, that I could recall, made me feel all wobbly. I noticed the strange spiraling patterns the smoke formed, reminding me of our family's ceremonial charms with big swirls and fancy paintings.

But above all, I still couldn't take my eyes off the blazing, prismatic gem in the sky that replaced the sun in my haunted view.

"Why are the birdies so angry, Mommy?" I asked, my voice quivering. I'd never seen anything like this outside of the colorful illustrations in my picture books.

She paused for a brief moment, searching for words. "They are not our regular birdies, sweet one. We must move quickly and stay away from them."

Her voice had a gravity to it, like when she told me not to touch the hot stove or run with scissors. I nodded, pressing my face into the fabric of her mom jeans.

We continued our descent, my little shoes padding softly against the steps. The weight of the air grew heavier, and the world seemed to shimmer around the edges. Each flicker and glint made me think of the twinkling stars in the night sky and the tales of celestial realms where gods played and rested.

My mother's whispered words broke my reverie. "Stay close, my heart. We'll find safety soon."

That shimmer around everything was becoming more pronounced, making everything look wavy as if I was viewing it from underwater.

The distant noise of shattering glass and muffled roars grew louder, each sending tremors through my little frame. Still, I tried to keep pace with my mother, my small hand enveloped in her unyielding grip.

She pulled out her phone briefly, scowling as she looked down on it before tucking it away with a sigh.

Then, the surreal quality of our surroundings intensified. The ground beneath us seemed to shift, elongating our hallway. It felt like reality was being twisted and pulled, reshaped by unseen hands.

Suddenly, everything changed.

We were no longer in our burning apartment building but in another place entirely. It was distinctly different yet eerily familiar. The oppressive weight of the air lifted slightly, replaced by the sterile scent of hidden metal walls. The change was jarring as if we'd been plucked from one nightmare and thrust into another.

My mother's appearance had changed too. Her casual purple sweatshirt was stained, not by the ash from the fires but by deep, dark splotches of blood, a haunting contrast against her smooth, pale skin. She had a ceremonial gunto drawn, its blade gleaming malevolently in the dim orange light. The short sword, usually displayed ceremoniously in the living room at home, looked out of place in her grasp, yet she held it as if it was an extension of herself.

We found ourselves in a vast lobby with tall marbled pillars that echoed memories of grandeur, now marred with soot and ash. But what made my heart race faster than ever were the shambling figures and snarling beasts ahead, their grotesque forms illuminated by the occasional spark of shattered electric fixtures. The vacant blue glow in their eyes gave away their intentions.

Mommy pulled me close, her eyes never leaving the encroaching horde. "Ikazuchi, my beautiful, precocious child. My dearest heart," she whispered, "I will love you. Always."

Her stance solidified, each muscle coiled and ready. She looked like a statue, a guardian from those ancient fairy tales, standing between the evil of the world and her beloved child.

The distance closed rapidly. The stench of ozone and soot became overpowering. It was clear she wouldn't be able to fend them all off.

Still, she charged forward with a fury I'd never seen, the sword whistling through the air with eerie grace, cutting down the first of the creatures.

But there were too many.

My heartbeat echoed in my ears, a relentless drum growing louder and faster. The grotesque faces of the horde loomed closer, their hands grasping hungrily.

I saw them overcome her, pulling her down, tearing at her. My scream was trapped in my throat, a raw, primal fear overtaking me as I watched the unspeakable horror unfold.

"No!" I shrieked, extending the bloody remains of my mangled arm as tears blurred my vision.

My heart raced, the world a blur of terror. As they swarmed her, my anguished scream pierced the air, my small arm extended, shimmering with a sickening orange hue.

 

---

 

Suddenly, a jolt.

 

"Ikki! Yo, wake up!" A voice cut through the horrifying scene, shattering it into a million pieces.

The world around me blurred and shifted, fading away as I was dragged back into the present. The feeling of cool sheets under my fingers, the muted colors of a dim room, and the familiar scent of old books grounded me.

My heart was still racing, the phantom screams and growls echoing in my ears. I blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the lingering shadows of the dream. It took a moment to recognize the face looming above mine, her wide, shimmering, concerned brown eyes searching mine as she stood over me, hands against the wall behind me.

"Jeez, you were hollerin' in your sleep again. Nightmare?" Her tone was gruff, but her touch was gentle as she pushed a damp clump of hair from my face.

"Yeah," I managed, my voice shaky, "the same one." The remnants of the dream clung to me like cobwebs, making my skin crawl.

My twelve-year-old sister gave me an exasperated look, her straight, chest-length black hair framing a face with a mix of maturity and childlike innocence.

Izumi had cute features, with cheeks that puffed out slightly when she was annoyed, and right now, they were very puffed. Her almond-shaped eyes had a fierce gleam in them, a steely resolve that belied her age. Her freckles, a light sprinkle across her nose, made her look somewhat mischievous, and a faded Buffy the Vampire Slayer tee, one she had scavenged and become particularly attached to, clung to her small frame.

"You've gotta stop eatin' those canned beans before bed," she teased, her voice dripping with that unique twang she'd picked up during our time on the move.

I groaned, rubbing my temples. "It's not the beans, Izumi. It's... everything." My fingers traced the scarred and stained wallpaper of our new home, the textures grounding me further.

She crossed her arms and raised an eyebrow, silently telling me she wasn't buying it. But before she could launch into one of her pep talks, her gaze shifted to the window, the dappled morning light casting a glow on her face.

"Look," she said softly, "it ain't easy for any of us, but we got a new start here, alright? This place ain't too shabby for a crib in the reclamation."

She smirked, nudging me with her elbow as she spun around and sat down on my bed.

I glanced out my dirty window, taking in the ruins of Manhattan, the once-bustling city now eerily silent, with nature reclaiming most of its territories. Vines crept up the sides of buildings and distant sounds of water splashing hinted at the East River's ebb and flow.

"Besides," Izumi continued, her voice taking on a more serious tone as she snuggled in close and put her head on my shoulder, "we've got each other, right? So, no more of these freaky dreams, okay?"

"It's not like I have a choice," I retorted weakly, pushing myself into a sitting position. "It's… just randomly happened since we got back here."

She smirked a hint of her usual bravado peeking through. "Well, you need to snap out of it. Big day today. Dad's taking you and his boys to scout out the North End, sooo..."

"Yeah, I remember," I replied, rubbing the sleep from my eyes.

"Good," she said, straightening up. "'Cause if you want to sleep in, I'm not carrying your butt downstairs."

"Thanks for the wake-up call, Izumi," I said, trying to inject some levity into the conversation, patting her head as she leaned in next to me.

She shot me a smirk, her lips curling up just a bit. She was bad about skirting around the issue, but I knew she worried about me. These nightmares had become frequent since we arrived in New York, and she was always the one to wake me up. I loved her and appreciated it, even if she could be annoying about it sometimes.

She rolled her eyes but grinned, "Yeah, yeah. Now get dressed and c'mon downstairs. Dad's waiting!"

As she turned to leave the room, I noticed the way she paused at the door, giving me a worried once-over, ensuring I was okay. Izumi had always been like that, putting on a tough front, but deep down, she was fiercely protective, especially of me.

I pulled the thin blanket off and swung my legs over the side of the mattress. The cold wooden floor sent a shock through my feet, jolting me further awake. Scanning the room, I found my clothes neatly folded on a chair by the window. As I began to dress, I caught sight of the envelope on the corner of the old wooden desk.

The creamy paper, now slightly crinkled, bore the insignia of St. Antonia's Preparatory Academy. I traced the embossed logo with my fingers — the memory of my acceptance filled me with a strong sense of pride and uncertainty.

Stuffing the letter back into its envelope, I went to the bathroom attached to my room. The small, dingy space reeked of earth and mildew, and the mirror reflected back an image of a thin, short teenage boy with bags underneath his eyes and a gaunt face that’d seen better days.

I splashed some water on my face and rinsed my mouth, trying to shake off the remnants of the nightmares that still clung to me. The nightmares had been getting worse, and I couldn't help but feel like they were trying to tell me something. Something important.

My mind wandered back to the dream, the gruesome image of my mother being attacked by creatures that seemed straight out of a horror movie. It wasn't the first time I had dreamt of her and the whirlwind of terror that was the Fall, and it wouldn't be the last. But the intensity of this nightmare had been different as if it was trying to tell me something.

I couldn't help but think about how different my life would be once I started at St. Antonia's. It was a world away from what I was used to, with its pristine halls, marbled walls, and well-dressed upper-crust students. The thought of fitting in terrified me, and I wondered if anyone at the school would give me a hard time.

I quickly finished dressing and headed downstairs. The scents wafting from the makeshift kitchen made my stomach grumble in anticipation. The combination of canned vegetables and meats was a familiar one by now.

As I reached the bottom of the stairs, I spotted my dad by the stove, a large skillet in hand. He flipped a piece of canned ham, making it sizzle as it hit the hot metal. Tall and powerfully built with a fade haircut he shaped with his own hands every week, he had the kind of frame that spoke of years of hard labor and manual work. His face was a map of experiences; every line and scar told a story. Though his exterior was gruff, there was a softness in his eyes, especially when he was looking after us.

He glanced up, a smile playing on his lips. "Morning, Ikki. Sleep well?"

I shrugged, trying to play it off, but his observant eyes saw right through me. "Nightmare again?"

"Same one," I replied, trying to keep my voice steady.

His brow furrowed with concern, but he nodded. "Yeah… shit. Sorry to hear that. Well, we'll make sure to keep you busy today."

I nodded and sighed, taking in the smell of sizzling meat. Izumi slid in next to me, grabbing a piece of ham and taking a big bite. She shot me a wink, clearly trying to lighten the mood.

Dad quietly stirred the pot before turning his attention back to our conversation. "You know, when I signed us up for this reclamation project, I didn't think it'd be this... peaceful. Pay ain't half bad either. Didn’t expect the power and running water to be up so quickly either."

"It's only been a month, Dad," I pointed out. "We can't get complacent - I mean, we have a gang problem brewing up here already."

Dad let out a deep chuckle, his mustache twitching. "Always the realist, aren't ya? But you're right. There are always challenges when it comes to building something new. I’m just thankful we’ve got the Terrans lending a hand."

He paused, moving the pan off the burner and onto a metal trivet. "But yeah. It's not just about taking back our city. It's about creating a home and laying down a foundation for once."

Izumi grunted in agreement, her mouth full of food. "Yupyupyupyup. This is home now. And we're gonna make it work. Right, Ikki?"

"I hope so," I said softly, thinking about the academy and the world across the portal.

I sat down, poking at the food. My thoughts wandered back to the portal, the shimmering gateway to Terra sitting in the Financial District.

"I've been thinking about Shoreline City a lot," I mused, "about what it'd be like there. It's New York's cultural counterpart, but... untouched. They have advanced tech, floating markets, buildings that touch the clouds, and even holographic streets. And the people there... they're like Jae-hee, right? Hair and eye colors that light up like the entire rainbow. Magical Girls patrolling the streets, even."

Jae was a guy in his late 30s, slightly taller than my father, with a shock of silver hair that always seemed to defy gravity. His Terran heritage was more than evident in his vibrant violet eyes, which contrasted drastically against his tanned skin. Jae was one of the salvage experts who had come out here to help, and he'd been working closely with my dad to map out potential zones for salvage in the city. I knew I'd be working with him later today.

Dad shook his head, smiling. "You've always been the dreamer, Ikki. It's good to have hope, especially now. But remember, they might have saved us with their Magical Girls and magitech, but they're different from us. Their culture, their ways... it's not going to be easy to fit in."

"I don't need to fit in," I replied, determination in my voice. "I just need to make it. For us. I could get visas for both of you and get us out of this hole."

Izumi's fork clattered against her plate. "Hey! This 'hole' is our home. And we don't run from a fight, especially when it's to make our home better. Don't forget that."

I glanced at her, guilt gnawing at my insides. She was right. But I couldn't shake the feeling that we'd be better off away from all this danger. "I'm not forgetting, Izumi," I said quietly. "But if I can give us a better life, shouldn't I?"

Dad leaned back, taking a sip of his water. "Ikki, we're proud of you. Always have been. Getting chosen to represent our world over there is no small feat. But your sister's right. This is our home, and while Terra may seem like a dream compared to what you two had to… grow up in, it has its own challenges. They have their own challenges, over there."

I frowned, my thoughts tumbling over each other. "I've heard the rumors, Dad."

Dad's expression turned somber. "Yeah. Here’s the thing, kid. Every society has its issues. Sure, Terra has their Magic and advanced magitech that comes from it, but they've got problems, same as us. The Terrans by and large see us as downtrodden refugees, survivors of a fallen world. I mean, we've provided them with a ton of what we see as 'conventional' tech that they'd never developed on their own. However, a lot of people over there see us as inferior due to our lack of magical traditions. There are some like Jae who'd welcome us with open arms, but others... not so much."

Izumi chimed in, her tone hardened as she reached over and gave me a half-hearted noogie, "And that's exactly why you need to be careful, big bro. You think it's all fun and rainbows over there? Just 'cause they got cool buildings and funky hair colors? We've heard plenty of stories of Earth folk getting put through the meat grinder and worked to death there in the last few years."

It'd only been twenty years since monsters suddenly began to emerge from portals all around the world. The Chaos Events, as they'd be dubbed by our Terran saviors, had started small at first. Then, it escalated, with gargantuan and powerful creatures emerging, bringing entire cities to their knees.

The fall of New York was a blur to my young mind, but the sight of staring out the window as a three-year-old seeing the city burn would never leave me. The skies had been blotted out with monstrosities, and the echoing screams of terror filled every corner of the city.

Terra's Magical Girls had arrived before that, of course. Initially, they were just a few representatives, curiously investigating portals that had persisted in their world after driving off a massive worldwide Chaos Event on their end. Communications and embassies were quickly established, and technology and goods alike began to move across the portals.

However, something occurred when I was about two or three years old, causing a massive onslaught that ramped up the threat exponentially. The monsters that came out of the portals multiplied, their sizes grew, and the cityscape was laid to waste in a matter of weeks. Earth's combined military might was not enough to counter the massive onslaught. But just when all seemed lost, a massive force of Magical Girls and advanced Magitech Soldiers poured out from the portals, turning the tide of the war.

The full might of Terra was unleashed in defense of our world in a matter of days. Colorful, radiant beams of energy, powerful spells that mended and destroyed, and above all, the unwavering strength and unity of the Magical Girls had turned the tide of the battle. But their arrival was not just about heroics; it was a bridge between two worlds.

 

The solution that was unanimously settled on? To unilaterally remove all barriers and join forces.

 

While Terra offered magic and the revolutions that would bring, Earth shared its advanced technological knowledge in fields ranging from metallurgy and agricultural science to budding AI research and superconductors. We became their bridge to conventional tech and science while they provided us with magical support and knowledge. Most of the world was still intact here, and the developed world came out largely intact. However, Earth was undeniably a shadow of its former self.

Now, Terra was seen as a beacon of hope for us, a world untouched by the chaos that had ravaged Earth. But as Dad and Izumi pointed out, every paradise has its shadows.

I took a deep breath, pushing away the memories. "I know it's not going to be easy," I said, my voice steady. "But I want to give it a shot. Not just for me, but for both of you too."

Dad nodded, his face softened. "We just want you to be careful, son. We've lost enough. And we don't want to lose you to misunderstandings or politics."

"Or just plain ol' simple snooty Terrans being bastards," Izumi added with a smirk.

I chuckled, shaking my head. "Trust me, if I've dealt with snooty Izumi all these years, I think I can handle a few Terrans."

Izumi stuck out her tongue, and we all laughed.

Dad sighed, resting a hand on my shoulder. "Look, son. You've got a golden opportunity at St. Antonia's. Use it. Learn. Grow. But always remember where you come from. And if things get tough over there, if you ever feel out of place, remember your roots. Remember us. We'll always be here for you."

I gulped down a piece of ham, the weight of the conversation settling on my shoulders. "I'll remember, Dad. But it's an opportunity. For knowledge, for growth. If I can secure visas for both of you, then we could..."

Dad raised a hand, cutting me off. "We appreciate it, son. But your goal should be to learn, to adapt, and bring that knowledge back here. We have a mission here in this city, after all."

A silence descended upon the room, only interrupted by the distant hum of machinery and the sporadic chirping of birds outside.

Izumi cleared her throat, trying to ease the tension. "Well, for what it's worth, I think it's cool. Just... promise me you'll write and bring back some of that fancy magitech stuff? Oh, and if you meet a hot anime-looking guy, introduce him to your sister, okay? But seriously. Imagine what Dad could do with some magitech in his workshop."

Dad and I couldn't help but laugh, the tension melting away. Dad ruffled Izumi's hair, making her grumble and swat his hand away. "Always the bright spark, aren't you, kiddo?"

She shot a defiant look in his direction but grinned nonetheless. "Someone's got to keep you old farts on your toes."

As I looked down and really began to dig into my breakfast in earnest, there was a knock on our front door. Dad straightened up, setting the skillet down. "Ah, that must be Jae," he said.

Izumi and I exchanged glances. Her gaze was filled with worry, while mine was tinged with anticipation. While I had heard stories of the North End and its untapped salvage, I was also aware of its dangers.

Opening the door, my dad grinned as we saw a familiar, tall and skinny Terran man with an orange Hawaiian shirt, a straw hat, and cargo trousers. He greeted Jae with a firm handshake. "Ready for the trip?"

Jae nodded, his sharp eyes scanning the room briefly before they settled on me. "So you're dead set on bringing young Ikki, huh?" he asked with a hint of amusement.

"I thought it would be good for him," Dad replied, his voice filled with pride and concern. "Besides, he's got a keen eye for finding things."

Jae chuckled as he adjusted his olive cargo pants, his demeanor easing up slightly. "Well, let's hope those eyes stay sharp today. North End isn't a walk in the park."

I swallowed hard, trying to dispel the lump in my throat.

North End - formerly known as The South Bronx, was the location of a notorious last stand during the Fall of New York. I'd been three years old at the time, and thankfully, I didn't remember much about it, save for the blurry whirlwind of events that led to my mother's death.

The east side of North End was filled with abandoned junkyards and warehouses and unclaimed carcasses of Chaos Beasts that had been slain. Their valuable cores powered many of the magitech devices that made our current way of life possible. The salvage trip to North End wasn't just about collecting trinkets and tools but also about finding and securing these cores.

In theory, it wasn't too dangerous. Babylon's Neg-entropy fields had been set up around the island and North End, and their Magical Girls had cleared out most of the remaining Chaos Beasts. But there were still reports of scouts and reclaimers disappearing without a trace out here. We were two weeks into the reclamation project of the North End, and already, there were murmurs of the North End being cursed or haunted.

Izumi put a hand on my arm, gripping me firmly as she leaned in. "Hey, promise me you'll stay close to Dad and Jae," she whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

I met her gaze, nodding. "I promise. Besides, it's not just us. There are five of us in total, remember?"

She squeezed my arm once before letting go. "Just... be careful, okay?"

"Always am," I assured her, ruffling her hair and trying to sound braver than I felt.

Her hand moved down to grip the locket around her neck. It was identical to the one around my neck, and I clicked mine with a smile. The locket opened to reveal a family picture we'd taken when we moved to Philadelphia a few years ago.

It was one of the few mementos we had left from our time there before everything changed again, and we found ourselves being part of the reclamation mission. Seeing that picture always filled me with warmth. It reminded me that my family always had my back, no matter where we went.

Izumi's grip on her locket tightened momentarily, and then she gave me a fierce, confident grin. "You better come back in one piece. I swear I'll come out there and drag you back myself." Her tone was playful, but there was a depth of seriousness behind her words.

Dad and Jae were now deep in conversation, poring over a salvaging map spread on the table. I took a moment to study it, noting the red circles and crossed-out areas, which indicated spots either already picked over or deemed too dangerous.

Jae caught my gaze, "It's a lot to take in, isn't it?"

I nodded, "Feels like every week, there's a new zone we're trying to reclaim. The city's big, but it's surprising how much we've managed to cover in just a month."

"That's the spirit of humanity for you," he smirked. "You Earthlings never give up here, no matter the odds."

He rolled his shoulders out before glancing at a map of the city.

"Today, we're focusing on this quadrant," Jae said, tapping a finger against a map section. "There are several Chaos Beast kill zones in this area, abandoned by Babylon High Command when the city fell. If the intel we received is accurate, we might still have salvageable cores next to a food processing plant. It could be a gold mine of resources if we play our cards right. However, our primary mission will be to scout and ascertain the viability of the food processing and distribution centers in Hunts' Point."

I leaned in, trying to absorb as much information as possible. Each marked location, every scribbled note, all held vital information for our journey. I could feel Izumi's gaze lingering on me as I studied the map. It warmed me to know she cared so much, but I also sensed something else – an unspoken worry, an apprehension. Perhaps she felt the same about this mission as I did.

After all, the North End was notorious for weird activity caused by the Chaos Beasts that had long since been defeated.

Jae's voice broke through my thoughts, "Remember, Ikki, we'll be in and out. The main goal is to identify potential locations and then send in a larger team to do the heavy lifting. It's a recon mission. Stick close, and if you see anything unusual, don't try to be a hero. Report it."

I nodded, processing his words.

"Alright then, let's get moving," Dad said, folding the map and stuffing it into his bag. He looked over at me with a proud but concerned expression. "You ready, kid?"

"Always," I replied, trying to exude a confidence I wasn't entirely sure I felt.

As we headed towards the door, Izumi moved quickly, catching up with me. She slipped something into my hand – a small metal charm resembling a red and silver chrysanthemum necklace.

"Had this made for you. Thought it might bring you luck."

I squeezed the charm, feeling its cool, metal surface as I draped it over my neck around my locket. "Thanks, Izumi," I whispered, pocketing it.

She winked at me, "Remember, come back in one piece, or you'll have to deal with me!"

I chuckled, ruffling her hair. "I wouldn't dream of crossing you, little sis."

I headed towards the door, pulling on my leather jacket. But before I could step out, Izumi grabbed my wrist, pulling me into a tight hug. I could feel her heartbeat against my chest, beating rapidly.

"I'm serious, big bro," she whispered into my ear. "Come back safe, or I'll drag your ass back."

I turned around and hugged her back, rubbing her back up and down and ruffled her hair affectionately.

"I will," I promised, giving her one last squeeze before letting go.

Dad shot me a reassuring smile, clapping me on the back as we stepped outside. The sun was bright, its rays casting a golden glow over the desolate streets. It was hard to imagine that this place was once upon a time bustling with life.

I took one last look at Izumi, memorizing the pout her face had twisted into as she gripped her family locket with one hand and stared at me anxiously. It always amazed me how such a twelve-year-old girl could be so fierce. Then again, she had to grow up fast in the world we lived in.

As I headed for the door, I thought about the city around us, the monsters that still lurked in the shadows, and our attempt to reclaim what was once ours. And while I was filled with excitement and trepidation, I was reassured by the knowledge that I had my family by my side. I peered out of the townhouse, and the morning sun hit my face, casting a golden hue over the ruined skyline of Manhattan as we made our way to my dad's truck.

With a deep breath, I opened the door and stepped outside without hesitation. I was ready for the future – whatever it may bring.