Clover crept through his bedroom window, the soft moonlight painting silver stripes across his hair. Aetherfang hung lightly at his side, its faint glow almost hidden against the dark of the night. Aurora hovered near him, flickering with anticipation.
"Don't drag your feet, Clover. The streets won't wait," she teased, twirling in the air like a playful sprite.
"I know, I know," Clover muttered, pulling himself down. "Ryker's asleep, Nyx is asleep, and if mom wakes up… I'm dead."
Aurora chuckled. "Ah, the thrill of sneaking out at three in the morning. Classic hero initiation.
He groaned, adjusting his hood and gripping Aetherfang tighter. The streets were quiet, but the city had an edge at night. Shadows stretched unnaturally long, alleyways swallowed the faintest light, and every distant sound echoed with suspicion.
Clover's boots made soft clicks against the cobblestones. Aurora darted around him like a living spark, illuminating corners briefly before vanishing.
"Keep your senses open. Night isn't just dark—it's listening," she whispered, her tone suddenly serious.
He nodded, swallowing the nervous lump in his throat. "Yeah… fine."
Two blocks from his home, movement flickered along the walls. Clover froze. Silhouettes—slim, angular, and fast—slipped from shadow to shadow Vigilantes," Aurora muttered. "Not the friendly type.
Clover's heart beat faster. "Friendly type?"
"They watch. They judge. They attack anyone they consider… unsafe. Including people like you, sneaking around at this hour.
The first figure stepped into the dim streetlight. Cloaked and masked, with boots that barely touched the ground, their eyes gleamed behind their visor.
Clover ducked instinctively behind a stack of crates, Aetherfang raised. "Great… first night out and I'm already being hunted."
Aurora's light danced along the wall beside him. "Not hunted. Tested. Let's see if you can think fast. The figure scanned the street, moving with a predator's precision. Clover counted in his head three… two… one—and then sprang.
He rolled forward, striking the first vigilante square in the side with the hilt of Aetherfang. The figure stumbled, letting out a muffled grunt, and Clover followed up with a kick that sent them sprawling into the alley.
Another vigilante emerged, faster than the first, swinging a baton-like weapon. Clover ducked, sliding behind a low wall. Aurora's voice was sharp now:
"Predictable, Clover! Move through the street, don't just hide in it!"
He pivoted, launching a spinning backkick that connected with the second attacker's shoulder. The sound of impact echoed in the empty street. Clover gritted his teeth—his pulse quickened, not from fear, but from adrenaline.
The night seemed alive now. Every corner held another shadow, every lamplight painted a potential enemy. Clover ran down a narrow alley, Aetherfang humming faintly as if in rhythm with his heartbeat.
"They know Ryker's place," he muttered, voice tense. "They might trace me back."
Aurora flickered beside him, teasing. "Then don't give them the chance.Ahead, another masked figure leapt from a rooftop, landing silently in the alley. Clover stopped short, eyes wide. His instincts screamed—fight or flight. He chose both.
Aetherfang pulsed as he swung, striking the figure's midsection. The impact knocked the attacker backward into a metal dumpster with a clang that rang through the alley. Clover sprinted past, vaulting over discarded crates and weaving between fire escapes.
The vigilantes were fast, precise, and coordinated. They weren't amateurs—they were trained, like shadows themselves. But Clover had the advantage of unpredictability—and Aetherfang's bond.
A sudden shout pierced the air.
"Stop him! He's headingClover didn't wait. He grabbed a hanging fire escape ladder, swinging himself onto the roof. Aurora zipped around him like a living flame, illuminating the rooftops so he could see where to jump next.
Below, the vigilantes ran along the streets, realizing he had evaded them. Their shouts echoed, but the city swallowed the sounds.
He leapt across a narrow gap to another roof, landing hard. The world tilted, and for a heartbeat, he feared he'd fall. Then Aetherfang's pulse steadied him.Aurora laughed. "Not bad! Quick, nimble… now don't let them catch you again.
Clover panted, looking down at the street far below. One vigilante had caught up, standing at the edge of the rooftop, weapon raised. Clover's eyes narrowed.
He swung Aetherfang in a blur. With a sharp flick, the energy pulse hit the vigilante square in the chest, sending them sliding backward off the roof into a dumpster safely below. Clover rolled forward and sprinted into a shadowed passage, finally disappearing from view
The streets fell silent again, save for the distant hum of neon and the occasional siren. Clover crouched behind a corner, chest heaving, ears straining.
"City at night… it's alive, Aurora," he muttered. "And scary."
Aurora floated beside him, her glow soft now, almost comforting. "Alive, yes. Scary… depends on perspective. You handled yourself well. First night alone and you didn't get caught—or worse.
Clover smirked despite himself. "First night alone. Not even alone, though. You're… everywhere.
"And you like it," she teased lightly. "Come on, hero-in-training. One more street to cross, and Ryker's home—or, at least… the chamber beyond it."
Clover nodded, gripping Aetherfang. The last stretch of street was narrow, lined with shuttered shops and flickering lights. Shadows clung to the corners, making him tense again.
One masked figure appeared suddenly, blocking the alley's exit. Clover froze. Aurora whispered urgently:
"Trust your reflexes. Don't hesitate."
With a quick inhale, Clover spun, swinging Aetherfang. The strike connected with a controlled pulse that stunned the vigilante against the wall. He ducked under a swinging baton, rolled forward, and sprinted the final few meters.
The city seemed to exhale as he emerged into the open space in front of Ryker's hidden home. His legs trembled, adrenaline coursing, but he grinned.Made it," he whispered, barely loud enough for Aurora to hear.Aurora hovered beside him, proud. "Made it. Barely… but yes. Very heroic, Clover.
Clover collapsed against the wall, breathing heavily, scanning the streets to make sure no one followed. The city was still again, but the echo of shadows lingered "Next… the chamber," he muttered, standing carefully. "Let's see if this time-hour thing actually works.Aurora winked. "Time waits for no hero… but in there? It bends to you."
Clover inhaled, gripping Aetherfang. With Aurora floating ahead, he stepped toward the concealed entrance in the building's foundation, the dark city behind him still humming with quiet danger.
He didn't notice the faint, glowing silhouettes in the distance—vigilantes regrouping, muttering to each other about "tracing him back to Ryker's home." The night wasn't done with him yet.
And above the city, the wind whispered through empty streets, carrying a warning only the brave—or reckless—could hear:
"Not everyone survives the shadows… but those who do, leave a mark.
Clover tightened his grip on Aetherfang. "Good. I like leaving marks."
Perfect! Here's a short continuation showing Clover outsmarting the remaining vigilante so we can move straight to the Time Chamber next .Clover crouched behind a dumpster, heart still pounding. The last vigilante hadn't given up—his visor glinting under the streetlight as he scanned the shadows. Clover smirked. Predictable.
Aurora's voice floated beside him, playful: You do enjoy this, don't you?
"I survive this," Clover muttered. He peeked around the corner, spotting a stack of loose crates nearby. With a quick flick of Aetherfang, he sent a pulse of energy toward the stack. The crates tumbled noisily into the alley, catching the vigilante's attention.
The masked figure cursed and ran toward the noise. Clover dashed in the opposite direction, sliding into a narrow passageway the vigilante couldn't fit through. By the time the vigilante realized the trick, Clover was gone—vanishing into the city's maze of shadows .Aurora floated beside him, laughing softly. "Quick thinking. Not bad for your first real chase.Clover smirked, breathing a little easier. "Next time, maybe they'll actually catch me."
He peeked over the edge of the building's hidden entrance, making sure he street was clear. All clear.
"Time to see if this chamber of yours really bends time, Aurora," he said, stepping toward the concealed door, Aetherfang humming faintly in anticipation.
The night city stretched behind him, quiet again, but Clover's mind raced. The real training—the one that could turn him into someone unstoppable—was waiting inside.