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The clock on the wall ticked toward 9:00 p.m., its steady rhythm the only sound in the modest house. Outside, the Red City night hummed with distant noise — the occasional motorcycle revving, drunken laughter from the alleys, the faint crackle of neon lights buzzing to life. But inside, the atmosphere was quieter, heavier.

Against the wall of the small living room stood an old, 16-inch television, its frame scratched and its screen slightly crooked from years of use. Elijah had tuned it in earlier, fiddling with the antenna until the channels cleared. At precisely 9:00, the logo of the United Nations Broadcasting Network flashed onto the screen, followed by the solemn face of the evening anchor.

The program's theme music faded, and the newsreader's steady voice filled the room.

> "Good evening, viewers across the United Nations States and Allied Cities. Tonight's headlines:

– A shocking report from Dee Valley Mines. Authorities have confirmed that a massive quantity of mayanium — the world's most valuable resource — has gone missing. Investigations are underway, but so far no culprits have been identified. Security has been tightened across all mining districts, and bounty hunters have been dispatched to search for suspects.

– In Red City, local council debates have reignited around the rising crime rate. Citizens demand stronger protection against gangs and unaffiliated Elementals who have been sighted in recent weeks.

– And finally, in global news, the UN Dollar continues to hold steady, with economists warning of possible inflation if the mayanium shortage worsens..."

The anchor's voice droned on, but Maya wasn't listening anymore. Her sharp brown eyes had already slid sideways toward the hooded figure sitting calmly on the couch. Kael hadn't moved an inch; his posture was casual, his arms folded across his chest, as though the news had nothing to do with him.

Maya narrowed her eyes. "Don't tell me you caused that."

Kael turned his head, expression hidden under his hood. His voice, smooth and oddly innocent, came out like silk.

"Nah. I didn't."

Elijah, leaning against the armrest, didn't buy it for a second. He crossed his arms and gave the boy a firm look.

"It's you."

Kael tilted his head. "What makes you think that?"

"Because yesterday," Elijah said, his tone half-scolding, half-fatherly, "a stranger shows up in Red City, barely eighteen, wrapped in a hood he won't take off. And the next morning, mayanium — the very thing you paid us with — suddenly goes missing from Dee Valley Mines. Do the math."

Kael's lips curved into a faint smirk. "Coincidence."

"Coincidence my foot," Maya shot back, crossing her arms in perfect imitation of her brother. "You walk in here flashing mayanium like it's candy, then the news says an entire load of it's missing. You expect us to believe you're innocent?"

Kael leaned back on the couch, his body language calm, almost playful. "Well, what do you want me to say? If I admit it, you'll call the authorities. If I deny it, you'll still think I'm guilty. Either way, you've already made up your minds."

"That's because you're guilty!" Maya fired, pointing at him dramatically.

"Objection." Kael raised a finger like a lawyer in court. "Guilty until proven innocent? I see how justice works in Red City."

Elijah sighed heavily. "Don't joke about this, boy. Do you realize what you're playing with? Mayanium isn't just some shiny rock. Wars have been fought over it. People killed, kingdoms ruined."

Kael's smile faded a little at that, though his tone stayed light. "I know exactly what mayanium is. Maybe more than you do."

Elijah caught that flicker of seriousness and leaned forward. "Then tell me. Where did you really get those stones?"

For a moment Kael was silent. His fingers drummed against his armrest, his hood shadowing his face. The television continued in the background, the anchor's voice announcing increased patrols across the United Nations territories.

Maya pushed. "You stole them, didn't you?"

Kael turned his head slowly toward her. His voice dropped, quiet but firm. "Do I look like a thief?"

"Yes," Maya said without hesitation.

Elijah shot her a warning look, but Kael chuckled softly, amused. "At least you're honest."

Maya leaned closer, stubborn. "So what are you then? If you're not a thief, if you're not some runaway… who are you?"

Kael didn't answer right away. He let the silence hang, his smirk fading into something unreadable. Finally, he muttered: "Someone who doesn't belong here. That's all you need to know."

Elijah rubbed his chin, conflicted. He studied the boy carefully — the way he carried himself, the calm confidence, the glimmers of power that slipped through even when Kael tried to hide them. He didn't look like an ordinary runaway. No ordinary runaway could toss around mayanium stones like spare coins.

"You're trouble," Elijah said finally, shaking his head. "Pure trouble."

"Maybe," Kael replied. "But at least I pay my rent on time."

That made Maya choke out a short laugh despite herself. "Rent? With stolen minerals?"

"Gifted minerals," Kael corrected smoothly.

"Gifted from who?" Elijah pressed.

Kael leaned forward just enough that the dim light caught a hint of his blue hair beneath the hood. His voice was calm, mysterious, almost teasing.

"From a place you'll never set foot in."

The siblings exchanged uneasy glances. Neither liked his evasive answers, but both felt the weight of his words. Whoever this boy was, he wasn't lying about being different.

The television blared another update:

> "Bounty hunters will be stationed at all major city gates, searching for suspicious individuals. Citizens are advised to report anyone carrying unusual amounts of mayanium..."

Maya muttered under her breath. "Great. Now we're housing a wanted fugitive."

Kael stretched his legs out, as if unconcerned. "Relax. No one will suspect me."

Elijah raised a brow. "And why not?"

Kael's smirk returned. "Because I'm smarter than them."

"Or cockier," Maya snapped.

Kael shrugged. "Same thing."

Elijah groaned, pressing his hands to his temples. He wasn't sure if this boy was reckless, clever, or just insane. But one thing was certain — their lives had already become much more complicated since the hooded stranger walked through their door.

Finally, Elijah exhaled slowly, settling into the armchair. "Alright, Kael. I'll say this once. You can stay here, but you keep your head down. Don't drag me and my sister into your mess. I've worked too hard to keep us safe in this city."

Kael nodded lightly, though his grin didn't fade. "Fair enough. I'll try not to burn your house down."

Maya scowled. "That's not funny."

"It wasn't a joke," Kael said with a straight face.

Both siblings stared at him in alarm until they noticed the slight twitch at the corner of his lips. Maya groaned, grabbing a cushion and throwing it at him. Kael caught it effortlessly, spinning it once in his hands before tossing it back onto the couch.

"You're impossible," Maya muttered.

"And you're loud," Kael replied, leaning back like he owned the place.

Elijah, despite himself, chuckled. "You two are going to kill each other before the authorities even find him."

The news ended with its usual sign-off, the anchor reminding citizens once again to remain vigilant. The television screen dimmed, leaving the room in the soft glow of a single lamp.

Kael rose from the couch, stretching casually. "Well, that was entertaining."

"Entertaining?" Maya repeated in disbelief. "They're talking about you! You could get caught. We could get caught!"

Kael tilted his head, giving her a look that was equal parts reassuring and unsettling.

"Don't worry. I said no one will suspect me, and I meant it."

Then, without another word, he strode toward the hallway, his steps silent, his presence lingering like a shadow.

Elijah and Maya sat in silence for a long moment, the weight of everything settling over them. Finally, Elij

ah muttered:

"This boy's going to turn our lives upside down."

Maya hugged her knees to her chest. "He already has."

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