The neon glow of Neo-Lumina reflected off every puddle, every hovercar, and every holographic billboard—especially the one Kael accidentally punched yesterday. Somehow, it was still blinking ominously, as if holding a grudge.
Kael rubbed his sore knuckles. "I swear, that billboard's personal now. I can feel it judging me."
Lira, perched on her hoverboard, zipped around him, making tiny sparks appear as her digital code tattoos shimmered. "Judging? More like plotting. You've basically challenged every piece of tech in the city."
Juno, trailing behind with a backpack full of glowing elemental orbs, sneezed again. A small tornado spun around him and carried his backpack halfway across the street. "Uh… excuse me, innocent civilians!"
Before Kael could respond, the ground shook. The portal from yesterday—yes, that one the government was ignoring—rippled again. This time, it spat out three small, oddly cute monsters with tiny wings and mischievous grins.
"They're… adorable?" Kael squinted. "But also, probably deadly."
"Adorable or not, they're about to trash my favorite noodle place again," Lira said, pointing. Sure enough, the monsters zipped toward a street-side ramen stall, wagging their tiny claws like misbehaving puppies.
Kael clenched his fist, and the quantum glove buzzed and crackled, glowing brighter than ever. "Time to see what this thing can really do!"
The first monster leapt at him. Kael swung his fist… and instead of hitting it, a miniature holographic dojo popped out of the glove, walls and all. The monster bounced off harmlessly.
"Uh… that's… something?" Kael muttered.
Lira laughed. "That's… insanely weird, and also super useful. Try aiming it at the other two before they turn my hoverboard into sushi!"
Juno sneezed mid-spin, accidentally summoning a glowing lightning squirrel. The squirrel zipped toward the monsters, zapping them lightly and sending them tumbling into a giant stack of floating noodle bowls.
"Perfect!" Lira cheered. "Teamwork makes the hoverboard work!"
Kael gave a thumbs-up, his glove sparking a rainbow of mini martial arts holograms around the monsters, who now seemed more confused than aggressive.
Finally, after a flurry of sneezes, holograms, and flying noodles, the monsters were contained… in a digital cage courtesy of Lira's quick fingers.
Kael looked at his friends. "Okay… so, first day fighting interdimensional monsters: survived. Hoverboards intact. And somehow… noodles not completely ruined."
Juno wiped his brow. "I think we need a plan… maybe a bigger plan than 'sneeze magic and noodle attacks.'"
Lira smirked. "Or we just need more snacks. Monsters and noodles go together, right?"
Kael groaned, but couldn't stop smiling. "You two are insane… and somehow, this is going to work. I can feel it."
From the shadows, a larger, much scarier monster peeked through the next portal, glowing red and snarling. Its voice echoed across the street: "Dinner… meeeen?"
Kael, Lira, and Juno exchanged glances
unanimous thought: this was going to be a long day.