“Ready to be amazed?” Braiden asked, his smile gleaming. 

After meandering through a maze of tunnels and descending stairwells for the last quarter-hour, JJ was at least prepared for something more than dimly lit blank hallways. 

“You know it,” JJ said. 

JJ’s eyes had grown used to the dim lighting, so he had to squint as he stepped inside. Bright overhead lights illuminated a vast multi-storied room. Ladders led to walkways along the walls, going up four stories. JJ stared in amazement. Sure, the walls were made of rock, making it seem this was just a giant, rectangular space carved beneath the city. In a way that made it even more impressive. How had the ceiling not caved in?

“Pretty nice, eh?” Braiden said. “We recently set up shop here. Our newest members, the other Wielders, brought more than funds and explosives with them.” 

Wielders? Plural? 

Fighting one Wielder was possible. Multiple? That might be asking too much. Let’s just hope I can handle this sneakily instead of violently. 

He brushed his hand over his wristband – returned to him after the interview – so it would begin recording. 

“So you have a Land Shaker in the group?” JJ said. 

“Nope. But don’t worry. You’ll meet everyone soon.” Braiden then went to the center of the floor, inhaled, and raised his chin. “Everyone! Meet me in the center! We have a new member!” 

People flooded from various doors along the different stories, all working their way toward Braiden and JJ. In all, JJ estimated there were over sixty, maybe closer to seventy members. But who were the Wielders? 

“I’d like to introduce you all to JJ!” Braiden said as they gathered, clapping JJ’s shoulder. “He’s a Wind Weaver!” 

A murmur rose from the crowd, both in disbelief and excitement. It seemed a shock to them that yet another Wielder would join them, especially with how recently the last ones did. 

“I know, I know,” Braiden said, gesturing the crowd to settle. “It’s all so exciting. We’ve grown so much in the last few weeks, but now, we’ll only get stronger! With JJ’s help, we can even take to the skies!” 

“He can fly?” a voice called from the crowd. 

Braiden opened his mouth, then paused, glancing at JJ. Most Weavers could float for short periods of time. To fly longer, many would use man-made wings or powerful cloths behind them to keep them afloat. The best of the best, however, could naturally fly for as long as they could breathe. 

JJ wasn’t to that caliber – yet – but they didn’t need to know that. 

The air stealing his breath, JJ sent twirling winds to the ground, propelling him skyward. The crowd gasped, their clothes and hair flowing in his wind, and then cheered. He smiled at them, looking down his nose. Yes. This was the respect he deserved. 

Shame they’d be in prison shortly. 

“I think that answers your question,” Braiden said, laughing, as JJ touched back down. “Now, let’s get back to work. We’ve got a lot to do before next week’s mission. And make sure to let JJ feel right at home.” 

The crowd dispersed, many shaking hands with JJ or clapping him on the shoulder, welcoming him to Serene. It was odd. These were terrorists, responsible for the destruction of JJ’s city. They were supposed to look like punks, like Greasy Hair and his gang. They should have had scars, piercings where they didn’t belong, unkempt clothing, and a basic lack of decent hygiene. 

Instead, they were mostly a group of young adults a few years older than JJ. Several people looked even younger than JJ, and he would turn eighteen later this month. Their eyes were bright, their smiles genuine. Granted, a couple people did have a lot of piercings and their bodies displayed more ink than natural skin, but their words were warm and welcoming. They were excited to meet him and wanted to learn more about him. 

All JJ could do was take their hands and nod. 

Two young women hung back as the crowd thinned. One was tall with skin whiter than an eye’s sclera, offset by her short, sleek hair blacker than night. She had clear blue eyes which reminded JJ of the sky or a murky mirror, reflecting JJ’s blank expression back at him. In turn, she adopted a similar expression, though JJ could see the fire held within her eyes. 

“Pleasure to have you join us,” she said. “My name is Nadja. I help keep this operation from running into the ground.” 

“Ironic,” JJ said, glancing at their surroundings. 

Which was the kind of smile she gave him and then Braiden. “So, you decided to conduct the interview without me. Again.” 

Braiden waved it away. “Another Wielder, Nadja. We almost have a handful!” 

“I’m aware.” She deigned not to elaborate, but continued forcing her smile. 

“I’m Imani,” the other woman said, extending her hand. “I’m one of the other Wielders.” 

It was almost like Imani aimed to be Nadja’s opposite. Imani looked barely taller than a Lower Schooler, had skin darker than Braiden’s, but with poofy hair dyed a vibrant blonde. Even her build was anti-Nadja: instead of resembling a thin board, Imani’s curves looked almost disproportionate to her body. 

Most importantly, her smile and deep brown eyes were warm. 

“Nice to meet you,” JJ said, taking her hand. 

They were so small and soft, JJ squeezed delicately. This was the hand of a terrorist? A Wielder-terrorist, no less. 

“Where are Asaka and Dearil?” Braiden asked. “They should meet our newest member.” 

“They’re scouting,” Nadja said. “But they’ll be back shortly.” 

“You two get to know each other,” Braiden said. “Come on, Nadja. We got a lot to go over now.” 

He charged off, Nadja’s lips thinning as she followed. 

“Sorry about that,” Imani said. “Braiden and Nadja are Serene’s leaders, but sometimes Braiden’s excitement gets in the way of his head.” 

“I can see,” JJ said. 

Unlike Imani’s Mark. Imani wore a long, dark cloak that covered everything but her head. Granted, JJ’s was on his chest, hidden by his hoodie. But it was best to know what type of Wielder he was going against, which would be impossible unless she demonstrated her Gift or told him. 

Wait... they were allies, weren’t they? 

“If you don’t mind my asking,” JJ began, “what type are you?” 

“Cailleach,” Imani said, removing a small canteen and pouring a drop of water into her hand. Before it landed, the drop froze, hitting her hand as a small ice teardrop. “Specifically, I can create ice from water.” 

JJ’s jaw dropped. He was a Basic Wielder. But Imani’s Titan controlled more than one aspect, making her an Elite Wielder. Sure, Elites weren’t as powerful as Arch Wielders, whose combinations could create the most destructive and miraculous feats on Talam. But Elites were, on average, far more powerful than Basic Wielders. A Cailleach had powers over both Fire and Water. Most who’d existed created steam. Ice was far rarer, and far more impressive, as it meant her Gift of Fire could draw heat from objects. 

Hopefully the other two aren’t as powerful. 

Imani smiled. “It’s not that big a deal. I can’t create water on my own, but I have other useful skills.” 

Imani poured another drop, but instead of freezing it, she held it in the air. Placing both palms around it, her face scrunched. Imani pulled her hands away from the water, but the little floating droplet expanded. In seconds, the drop turned into a floating puddle several feet wide. Imani inhaled, then the water crystalized until it was entirely ice. 

Imani smirked. “Now I can have fun with this.” 

She moved her hands and pieces of the ice broke off, forming a dozen smaller chunks. She twisted her hands and ice began to shave from the smaller pieces. JJ’s jaw slackened yet again as the rough, uneven pieces morphed into a dozen birds, flapping their frozen wings as they soared. 

“She moonlights as an artist,” a silky voice said. 

JJ jumped. Behind him stood two men JJ hadn’t seen in the crowd. JJ’s heart raced, both with panic and... something else. 

‘Handsome’ did not describe these two. If anything, it was an insult. Handsome described a groom on his wedding day, a businessman who’d dominated a meeting, a priest who could ignite the crowd’s passions. These two held supple faces and long, lean bodies as if specifically handcrafted by Mother Herself. If the Eternal Titans deigned to take on human form, it would look like these two. 

“No need to worry,” the one with the silky voice said. “We won’t harm our newest family member. I’m Asaka.” 

Asaka was a good deal taller than JJ. His hair was black as coal, brushed in a way that small strands fell before his dark, corner-curled eyes, but was pulled into two tails in the back. He wore a long, dark cloak like Imani did, although it was partially unzipped in the middle and his left hand rested at the zipper, leaving his sleeve to dangle at his side. 

“And I’m Dearil,” the other said, his voice deep with a hint of gruffness. “Welcome to Serene.” 

Despite Asaka’s height, Dearil cleared him by half a head. His most striking feature wasn’t his stunning face or piercing blue eyes. His hair – despite Dearil only appearing to be in his twenties – was pure, unblemished white. It flowed down, stopping just above the small of his back, like snow capping a dark mountain. His coat was also slightly unzipped, revealing a portion of his bare chest. 

JJ gulped. Standing proudly on their chests – Asaka’s under the left clavicle, Dearil’s under the right – was their Mark: a diagonal infinity. Didn’t matter that these two were Basic Wielders, they were among the strongest Wielders in Talam. 

Ethereal Leaders, controllers of either Space or Time. 

Simultaneously, they extended their hands, saying, “May this be a blessed union.” 

JJ smiled, taking their hands. I might be in trouble.