Chapter 3 - Allies

The next morning broke over Arcadia in a burst of golden light, the sun blazing across the skyline as if trying to push back the shadows that haunted the city.

The streets were momentarily serene, a deceptive contrast to the unrest simmering just beneath the surface.

As Alice stepped into Clear Solutions, the warm sunlight flooded the small office, casting long beams across the floor.

She paused for a moment, taking in the rare quiet that felt almost foreign in a world as chaotic as this.

The calm didn't last long. The door flew open with a clang, and Damian Walker bounded in, his orange hair as wild as his grin. "Morning, Alice!" he called, his voice brimming with energy that filled the room like a burst of fresh air.

Alice smirked, watching him walk in, his presence somehow both casual and larger-than-life. "You're in a good mood," she said, her earlier tension already lifting in the face of his infectious cheer. "What's got you so bright-eyed?"

Damian flopped into the nearest chair, swinging one leg up on the desk as if he owned the place. "Just the usual—plotting how to steal your crown in training later. I've been working on some new Capoeira moves, and I need a worthy opponent."

Her eyebrow arched in amusement. "Oh, is that what we're doing today? You know how that ends, right?"

He shot her a cocky grin. "That's why I keep coming back for more. One of these days, Alice White, you're going down."

Before Alice could retort, the bell above the door jingled again, and in strode Emilia Brooks, her short black hair bouncing as she moved with purpose. "Did I miss something, or is Damian making impossible bets again?" she asked, her sharp eyes already assessing the scene.

"Perfect timing, Emilia. We were just talking about training," Alice replied, her smirk widening. "Care to join? Damian's setting himself up for another defeat."

Emilia crossed her arms, her gaze unwavering. "Always. I've been itching to test out my Muay Thai. You know we have to stay sharp if we're going to keep doing what we do."

"Spoken like a true warrior," Damian quipped, his playful tone not quite masking the respect he had for her. "But don't think I'm going easy on you just because Alice is taking the lead."

Alice stood and stretched, feeling the hum of anticipation coursing through her veins. "Alright, how about we make this interesting? First one to land a clean hit on me gets to pick the next client we take on."

Damian leaped to his feet, his confidence brimming over. "Deal!"

Emilia's lips curved into a subtle smile, her eyes gleaming with challenge. "Fair warning, Alice—I'm not holding back."

Alice's pulse quickened, a familiar thrill rising within her as she assumed her stance.

The sun's rays angled through the window, casting long shadows that seemed to ripple like echoes of the city's turmoil.

Here, though, within the walls of Clear Solutions, they could control the chaos—if only for a moment.

The sparring began in earnest. Damian moved like lightning, his Capoeira a graceful blend of flips and kicks, his body fluid and unpredictable.

Emilia, on the other hand, was sharp and precise, her strikes fast and efficient. The rhythm of their battle filled the room, each move an intricate dance, a mix of muscle memory and instinct.

But Alice was untouchable. Her training under Kain, the brutal martial artist who'd shaped her into a weapon, kicked in as she deflected and dodged their attacks with ease.

Her movements were smooth, almost effortless, like a leaf caught in a gale but never quite breaking. Every punch, every kick, was met with a counter—until finally, with a deft twist, she sent Damian sprawling to the mat.

"You win again!" he wheezed, lying flat on the ground, his chest heaving as he threw up his hands in mock surrender. "I swear I'm getting closer though."

Alice chuckled, offering him a hand. "You're getting there. Your form's tighter, at least."

Emilia, catching her breath, nodded in agreement. "Your flow is better, Damian. And Alice—those counters are getting faster."

"Thanks," Alice said, her heart swelling with pride for both of them.

They weren't just teammates; they were family, bound together by the mission they'd all chosen.

Each of them had their scars—Damian with his lazy front, hiding the trauma of that fateful Eclipse day, and Emilia, whose fire stemmed from a past she still carried with her—but together, they made each other stronger.

As they collapsed onto the mats in a heap of laughter and exhaustion, Alice found herself gazing at the ceiling, her mind wandering.

This—the camaraderie, the fights, the shared purpose—it was what kept her grounded. Clear Solutions wasn't just a business or a way to survive in a world twisted by the Eclipse.

It was their beacon in the storm, a symbol of the hope that still flickered amid Arcadia's chaos.

Damian sat up first, still grinning despite his defeat. "Alright, boss. What's next? I'm ready for anything after that."

Alice met his gaze, a flicker of steel hardening behind her blue eyes. "What's next? We keep doing what we always do. We fight. We help those who need it. And we don't stop until Arcadia remembers that the Giftless matter too."

Emilia sat forward, her face serious. "And when we go out there, we have to be ready for anything. We've seen what's lurking in the shadows. The next fight won't be on these mats."

Alice nodded, the weight of her responsibility settling once more on her shoulders.

The sun still streamed through the window, but its warmth felt different now—like a spotlight on the battleground they were about to enter. "Then let's get to work."

With that, the trio rose, their resolve clear. The world outside might be filled with chaos, but within these walls, they had forged something stronger than power—a bond of purpose.

Together, they would face whatever darkness lay ahead, as the shadows of the Eclipse loomed ever closer.