Project Lumina

The cell block crackled with tension during the fight, an air of serious silence hanging over the confrontation until the moment Wido fell. When his unconscious body hit the ground, the block erupted in cheers. The prisoners celebrated the downfall of the notorious bully who had terrorized so many of them.

"Yeah, those kids actually won!" a prisoner shouted excitedly.

"Wish I could get out this cell and stand over Wido," another prisoner interjected with an unsettling laugh.

"Anyone want to bet what kind of charges these reckless kids will receive?" called out a stubby prisoner, chuckling.

From her cell, a female prisoner watched Abell and Gaius intently, her gaze lingering on Gaius after his impressive takedown of Wido. A creepy smile spread across her face. "The master was right – this next generation of luminaries is different. We need to move fast to meet our goals."

She turned to address her cellmate. "Hey Zelene, what do you think about that?"

"It was interesting," Zelene replied with measured calm, "but please focus. We're here for a reason.

"Oh alright, I get it. I just wanted to enjoy myself while here," the first prisoner responded, her expression souring.

"You act like a mom, Zelene. I don't like that at all. You know what happened to my mom, right?" she asked, her smile turning sinister.

"No, I don't, Nissa. But I'm here for the mission – unless you want him to be angry with you."

"You're right, I don't want that. Let's go."

With disturbing ease, the two women broke out of their cell and made their way toward the outside window.

Meanwhile, Abell stared intensely at Gaius, his mind racing. He'd never met another person with a trait, let alone someone his age. The thoughts burned in his mind: First, this guy steals my sister's hilt, then returns it, and now he interrupts my battle just to show off?

Before Abell could speak, Gaius turned to leave.

"Where are you going?" Abell demanded, confusion evident in his voice.

"I'm leaving before the guards come down here. Besides, I've got nothing to say to you," Gaius replied with casual indifference.

"Why did you help me?" Abell's patience was wearing thin.

"I just didn't want that to become my problem. I wasn't doing it for you." Gaius started walking away. "Now if you'll excuse me..."

Is this how I acted back at the village? Abell thought. Makes me want to punch this guy. Without hesitation, he grabbed Gaius's shoulder, stopping him in his tracks.

Gaius sighed. What now?

The sound of flesh meeting flesh echoed through the block as Abell's fist connected with Gaius's gut. "That's for stealing something important," Abell said, his voice tight with intensity. "Now I'm good. You can leave."

From his vantage point, Camus watched the interaction and laughed. "Seems like Gaius finally met someone who won't take his nonsense." He studied Abell, wondering if this could be his son's first real friend.

"Damn reckless idiot," Gaius spat, rising to his feet. "This is why I didn't want to get involved with you." He launched himself at Abell, returning the punch with interest.

The two began trading blows, their fighting styles as different as their personalities. Abell's punches came harder but less focused, his earlier fight taking its toll. Gaius struck less frequently but targeted weak points with precision.

Their brawl was interrupted by a voice echoing through the cell block: "It's those two – look, they knocked out Mr. Wido, sir!" The words came from an elderly man who carried himself with refined importance.

celebrating prisoners now looked as if they'd seen a ghost.

"Why is he here? At this time?" one prisoner whispered.

"Just be glad we're not those two kids down there," another responded.

The elderly man walked slowly but purposefully, each step building the tension. His escort of guards wore armor different from the regular prison guards - lighter, built for stealth and quick movement.

"Would you boys mind telling me what's going on here?" His stern voice cut through the silence.

Abell and Gaius looked up to find themselves surrounded by guards, with the elderly man at their center.

Gaius immediately dropped to one knee. "Sorry for the inconvenience caused, Sir Benedict." His voice transformed, taking on a refined tone that hadn't been there before.

"Thief, who is this old man? He looks important," Abell asked, confused.

Gaius cringed internally, cursing himself for getting involved with this idiot. "My apologies sir, he doesn't know any better - he's just a country boy who knows nothing of the world." He punched Abell in the gut to make him bow. "Just be quiet and let me handle this," he whispered.

"Why have you knocked out one of the prison guards?"

"He was overusing his power, making unreasonable demands of us, sir."

The old man looked at Wido's unconscious form and sighed heavily. "I believe that. That one is too devoted to my son - he was always a liability. How did you manage to defeat him? He's quite strong, and for two kids to handle that seems unlikely."

"Eh, he was weak. I've fought Malignants stronger than him," Abell said with a smirk.

Gaius shook his head in dissatisfaction.

"Hmm, even so, I can't let you off the hook. Knocking out a member of the town guard is a serious offense. Men, take them to the Noctua hall. Someone else can decide what happens to them. I'm much too old."

"Yes sir!"

As the guards moved to seize them, Wido stirred. Taking in his surroundings, he immediately lowered his head upon seeing the old man.

"Sorry Sir Adrian, these two rats got the best of me. I tried to discipline them, but they proved too powerful. These two possess traits, powerful ones at that. Please don't punish me - I live to serve this great city and Sir Cedris. I can't afford to lose this opportunity—"

He scrambled toward the old man, but one of the guards knocked him unconscious again.

"Geez, what a sorry man he is," said the old man. "Anyway, so you two have traits, huh? That's interesting. Just like my grandson, same age too." He clapped his hands in admiration. "Nice to know traits are still developing in this young generation."

Hmm, guards, tell the people at Noctua hall to release these two upon entering."

"But... but why, sir? They were imprisoned and attacked a town guard member," one of the city guardsmen protested.

"Wido is a fool. I've been waiting to get rid of him. Besides, these two have a bright future ahead of them. No need to ruin it because of my fool of a son, Cedris."

Abell stood up confidently. "You made the right decision, old man. Once I leave this place, I'm going to the luminary academy, then after that I'll become the strongest luminary, even passing the liberator." His voice carried unwavering conviction.

Gaius looked at Abell in shock, wondering how this guy was going to get into the academy.

"Oh, is that so, young man?" The old man let out a hearty laugh. "If that's true, you'll see my grandson there - he's quite tough."

"Doesn't matter to me," Abell replied with an intense smirk. "The stronger the better."

Hahaha, what's your name? I'll be sure to keep an eye out for you then."

"My name is Abell Vespera," he replied confidently.

"Hm, Vespera… Keeko's your mother, boy?"

"Yeah, you know her?"

"I used to teach her at the academy—your sister too. Shame what happened to her. They both turned out to be amazing Luminaries for this country."

"Seems like the apple doesn't fall far from the tree," the old man replied, his tone reflective.

"Let's go. I'll see to it myself that nothing happens to you two," Sir Adrian said, his tone firm. The guards closed in around Abell and Gaius, leading them through the halls. The prisoners' murmurs grew faint as the heavy doors creaked shut behind them.

Once I leave this place, I'm going to the Luminary Academy. Then, I'll become the strongest Luminary, even passing the Liberator." Abell's words rang in Gaius's ears.

Gaius glanced at him. That's your dream? The thought of Abell swaggering through the academy, full of ambition, amused him—but also annoyed him.

As they left, one of the prison guards noticed two empty cells high above. The faint scrape of metal echoed briefly, but then silence returned. The cells remained vacant, but a quiet, unsettling tension hung in the air.