The simulated sun dipped low over Halcyon Vale, casting long shadows across the opalescent formations that surrounded the small Chromati town. The prismatic crystals embedded in the valley’s cliffs, scattered through the meadows, shimmered faintly in the fading light. In the quiet of the evening, the town seemed to glow from within, a kaleidoscope of hues shifting with the gentle flow of life.

  On the outskirts of town, in a secluded clearing surrounded by crystalline outcroppings, Luminar hopped gracefully down from the air. Her glowing, porcelain-white skin radiated softly in the dimming light, and her short, sleek silver hair caught the last rays of the setting sun. Around her, radiant rods of light floated in midair, scattered strategically across the training area. She turned to Nyx, her golden and pale blue starburst-shaped eyes, sharp with focus.

  “Okay, everything’s set,” Luminar said, dusting off her hands like she’d just finished a masterpiece. “Remember to start with the one I placed first. Do you remember which one that is?”

  Nyx glanced up from his task, his swirling violet and midnight-blue eyes momentarily distracted. He was crouched low, his obsidian-black skin absorbing the light around him, and in his hands, he was weaving a dense ball of liquid shadow, pulling the tendrils from the ground like roots.

  “Got it,” he said simply, though his attention was still fixed on shaping the shadow sphere.

  Satisfied, Luminar crossed her arms and stepped back. Nyx stood, the ball of shadow in his hands pulsing faintly, ready to be unleashed.

  “Okay, ready, Lumi,” he said, and without waiting for her response, hurled the shadow ball toward one of the rods.

  Luminar’s eyes widened. “That’s not even close to the first one!” she yelled, exasperated.

  The shadow ball ricocheted off the wrong rod, bouncing faster and faster as it warped around the area, hitting one radiant rod after another. Each impact sent arcs of shadow and light scattering across the clearing.

  Nyx grinned as he watched the chaotic display. “Well, it looks like it’s working. There’s no way anyone will get through this.”

  Luminar shook her head, a mix of disbelief and amusement in her expression. “Nyx! Get down!” she shouted.

  Before Nyx could react, the shadow ball rebounded and slammed straight into his stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He collapsed to the ground with a thud as the radiant rods dissolved into sparkling motes, fading into the air. Luminar rushed over, flipping him onto his back as he coughed, trying to catch his breath.

  In a raspy voice, Nyx managed to say, “I think I thought of a cool name for this move.”

  Luminar sighed, smiling despite herself. “You loff,” she muttered, helping him to his feet. “Come on. Let’s get something to eat. We can still catch the final match.”

  Nyx and Luminar made their way to their local bar, The Hollow, a cozy spot carved into one of the larger crystal formations. The place buzzed with energy as Chromati like them and other races gathered to unwind, the ambient light from the crystal walls casting colorful reflections across the room. They slid into their usual booth and ordered food and drinks, settling in just as the ads were ending on the large screen above the bar.

  On the screen, the Official Arena logo flashed brightly before transitioning to the night’s main event. The announcer’s voice boomed. “And now, a battle between Kara Knight and Drovak Embers! Place your bets, folks!”

  The camera panned to the arena floor as the two fighters entered. Kara Knight, a human with sleek cybernetic legs, moved with confident precision. Sparks of electrical plasma crackled around her as she activated her Affinity, her eyes sharp and focused. Across from her, Drovak Embers, a towering Drakonid with molten red scales, raised his clawed hands. Lava-like energy pulsed from beneath his skin as he acknowledged the roaring crowd.

  “We made it just in time,” Nyx said, leaning back with a faint smile.

  Luminar agreed, nodding her head, her eyes glued to the screen.

  The match began explosively. Kara darted forward, her enhanced legs propelling her with blinding speed. She fired bolts of electrical plasma at Drovak, who responded by pulling liquid stone from the ground, forming a protective shield. The plasma sizzled and dissipated against the molten rock, but Kara didn’t let up. She leapt into the air, her legs spinning like a buzz saw, slashing through the superheated stone.

  Drovak roared, slashing at the ground to create molten ribbons that lashed out at Kara. She dodged with incredible agility, weaving through the attacks and closing the distance. With a final burst of speed, she flipped into the air and brought her leg down in a devastating axe kick. The impact struck the top of Drovak’s head with a thunderous crack, sending him crashing to the ground. The crowd erupted in cheers as the announcer declared her the winner.

  Nyx whistled softly. “Quick match.”

  “Her speed’s insane,” Luminar murmured. “But she almost lost it, one wrong step and that was it.”

  Nyx nodded. “Still, she pulled it off. That’s the kind of fight we need to be ready for.”

  Luminar smiled, her expression softening. “We’ll get there someday. But for now, let’s focus on our match tomorrow.”

  Nyx raised his glass, clinking it against hers. “To tomorrow.”

  They sat for a while longer, letting the quiet hum of the bar and a day of training settle between them.

  By morning, the sun crept over the valley, painting Halcyon Vale in golden hues. The prismatic crystals scattered throughout the town caught the light, sending vibrant rainbows across the cobbled streets. Life in the small town stirred early, the mix of Chromati and other races creating a tapestry of diverse voices and activities.

  Nyx and Luminar stepped out of their apartment, heading into the lively Halcyon Bazaar. Luminar checked her Lexicom, its holographic display casting a faint glow against her monochromatic skin. "Prism got our match confirmed tonight at seventeen hundred," she said, scrolling through the details.

  The Bazaar stretched out before them, an ever-changing maze of artisan stalls, Affinity-crafted goods, and one-of-a-kind creations. Artisans from all over came here to sell their handmade jewelry, custom Affinity-forged weapons, and intricate sculptures. Since every citizen of Axiom received a universal income of Cloud Coin to cover basic necessities, the true economy revolved around selling unique, masterful craftsmanship to earn extra Coin.

  Nyx and Luminar wandered past a Drakonid jeweler, who was showcasing gemstone sculptures made through his Affinity. His skill allowed him to manipulate chromium, nickel, and zinc to create chalcedony, a beautiful blue-green gemstone streaked with red and white inclusions that resembled snow capped mountains within the stone.

  “You two have a good eye,” the Drakonid rumbled, motioning toward a pair of earrings. “These would look stunning on you.”

  Luminar smiled but shook her head. “They’re beautiful, but we’d ruin them in a fight.”

  The Drakonid’s molten-gold eyes gleamed with interest. “Ah, Thrillseekers? Then maybe you’d prefer something functional.” He reached under his stall and pulled out a set of spiked gemstone knuckles. “Elegant and dangerous.”

  Nyx chuckled. “Tempting, but weapons not made from our own Affinity can’t be used in the arenas. We’ll have to pass.”

  The Drakonid shrugged good-naturedly. “Arenas… Fair enough. But if you ever want something custom-made, you know where to find me.”

  As they walked away, Luminar leaned in slightly. “I didn’t want to offend him… but we both know I already have a jeweler.”

  Nyx smiled, slipped his arm around her shoulders, and said, “Oh, I know.”

  They continued through the Bazaar, stopping for lunch at a popular food stall run by a Sylvari chef who specialized in homegrown mushrooms. The dish was a savory Sylvarian specialty, infused with earthy flavors that complemented the vibrant spices. With their meals in hand, they made their way to a nearby park, settling on a bench to eat.

  Across the field, a fused elder Chromati was teaching a group of young Chromati the basics of Affinity manipulation. The children, their vibrant monochromatic skin tones reflecting the afternoon light, eagerly followed the elder’s instructions.

  “Affinity is the gift Axiom grants all living beings,” the elder explained, their voice resonating with layered harmony. “Through it, we shape the molecules around us. Over time, you will discover your unique Affinity, but for now, we practice the fundamentals.”

  The elder raised a hand, demonstrating as they compounded hydrogen and oxygen molecules from the air to form a small sphere of water. The children copied the movement, their small hands trembling as they pulled droplets of moisture from the atmosphere. A few giggled as they flicked water at one another.

  “Good, good,” the elder chuckled. “Now, let’s try fire.”

  With careful control, they created a small flame by forming methane from carbon and hydrogen, then shifting its phase into ignition. The children watched in awe before attempting it themselves.

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  Nyx took a bite of his food, watching a young boy successfully conjure multiple small flames, weaving them through the air like fireflies.

  The elder’s eyes widened. “Axiom bless you, child. You may have a natural talent for ignition. Tonight, review your studies, find out what compound is calling to you.”

  Nyx nudged Luminar. “Looks like we’ve got another arena fighter in the making.”

  Luminar smirked. “Just because fire is destructive doesn’t mean he’ll want to be a fighter.”

  The boy suddenly gathered all the fire he’d conjured into a single ball above his head, and punched it skyward.

  The elder immediately reprimanded him. Nyx turned to Luminar with a smug grin, raising an eyebrow. “You were saying?”

  Before he could gloat further, Luminar shoved the rest of his food into his mouth. “You loff,” she muttered, rolling her eyes.

  Still chewing, Nyx barely managed to swallow before Luminar stood, stretching. “Come on. We’ve got a few more hours before we need to be at The Hollow tonight. Let’s get one more practice session in. I’ve got a new idea I want to try.”

  Nyx perked up, wiping his hands on his pants before jumping to his feet. “Let’s go.”

  A few hours later the night air was crisp as Nyx and Luminar sprinted through the streets of Halcyon Vale, racing back toward The Hollow before they were late for their match. Their boots pounded against the cobbled roads as neon signs flickered overhead, casting streaks of color against the metallic surfaces of the interracial district.

  “We could’ve cut practice sooner,” Nyx muttered between breaths.

  “Or,” Luminar shot back, “we could’ve run faster.”

  As they approached the underground arena’s entrance, the towering Drakonid bouncer recognized them instantly. His thick, scarred arms crossed over his chest as he smirked down at them. “Look who it is. Thought you two weren’t showing tonight.”

  “Wouldn’t miss it,” Nyx replied, catching his breath.

  The bouncer’s molten-gold eyes glowed faintly. “Good. The crowd likes watching you two tear it up. Just don’t frek it up out there.” He stepped aside, letting them through. “Oh, and Prism’s already waiting. Try not to keep your manager waiting.”

  Inside the contestant prep area, the atmosphere was far livelier than the previous night. Fighters from different races, Humans, Sylvari, Chimera, and Ossari, were warming up, stretching, and hyping themselves up before their matches. The energy was electric.

  Near their designated prep corner, stood the feline Chimera, Prism, waiting near their prep area, arms crossed, her long, flexible tail flicking with barely contained impatience. She had a natural ease to her stance, exuding confidence like she belonged everywhere at once. Her silvery fur shimmered under the dim lights, pearlescent patterns subtly shifting with each movement. Large, almond-shaped emerald green eyes with slitted pupils locked onto Nyx and Luminar, gleaming with amusement. Wild silvery-white fur framed her face and cascaded down her back in uneven layers, giving her an untamed and mischievous look. Dressed in light, flexible clothing adorned with emerald gemstone accents, she was the perfect balance of sharp-witted charm and casual defiance.

  “Took you two long enough,” she said, grinning as they approached.

  “Had to squeeze in some last-minute practice,” Luminar replied, rolling her shoulders.

  “Yeah? Hope it was worth it.” Prism tapped at her Lexicom and pulled up their match listing. “You’re up against a Human. New guy.” She made a face. “Seems like a total plazzhead.”

  Nyx smirked.

  Prism shrugged. “His stats aren’t terrible, but he’s got that ‘I’m the best because I say so’ attitude. No experience outside his hometown fights.”

  Across the arena, their opponent, Jarek Steele, a human with slicked-back black hair, tan skin, and a look that said he preferred action to talk, scoping out the competition. He caught sight of Nyx and Luminar from across the pit and frowned.

  “Alright,” he muttered to his manager. “Which one am I fighting?”

  His manager, Varrik, was a fairly typical Ossari, skeletal frame, glowing blue eyes set deep in his skull, and a smooth, polished bald head that caught the arena lights. He wore a crisp black three-piece suit with a white tie and matching white shoes, looking more like a high-end accountant than a fight manager. He sighed, barely looking up from his Lexicom. “Both of them.”

  Jarek’s eyes widened. “Wait, what? A 2v1? That’s not fair! This place is rigged.”

  Varrik exhaled slowly, clearly out of patience. “That’s just how Chromati fight. Once they’re paired, they’re inseparable. That’s their way of life.” He gestured lazily at the pair. “Unless you wanna go around challenging child Chromati before they find their partner, or wait another 20 years until they fuse, stop being a loff and do some research.”

  Jarek scowled, running a hand through his slicked-back hair. "Whatever. Doesn’t matter. I’ll win anyway."

  Varrik just shook his head. “If you’re smart, maybe you’ll figure out their bond is their double-edged sword.”

  But the Human wasn’t listening.

  Back in the arena, the announcer’s voice boomed through the underground pit. “PLACE YOUR BETS, FOLKS! NEXT UP, A NEW CONTENDER FACES THE DUO OF DARK AND LIGHT!”

  The crowd roared. Nyx and Luminar walked toward their corner, Prism calling out from behind them. “Make it flashy, covas! I got a lot of Coin riding on this!”

  Jarek stepped into his corner, cracking his neck with exaggerated flair. He scoffed as he looked at them. “Doesn’t matter if you’re basically cheating. I’m better. I’ll win.”

  Nyx and Luminar exchanged a glance. Luminar smirked. “That’s cute.”

  The match began. Jarek crouched and plunged his hand into the dirt, transmuting iron from the ground. Molten streaks of metal curled around his fingers before solidifying into a sleek, polished katana. He lifted it with a smirk. “Ancient Humans from Earth spent years forging swords like this.” He twirled the weapon confidently. “I make them in seconds.”

  He slashed the sword back, then dashed forward, aiming a downward strike at Nyx and Luminar.

  Nyx and Luminar stood side by side, then, at the last moment, split apart, dodging effortlessly. The Human’s blade slammed into the ground, cracking the arena floor.

  “What the…” Jarek snapped his head up, confusion flashing across his face before irritation took over.

  Then Luminar lit up, her entire body glowing like a supernova. The sudden flash forced the Human to flinch, casting a long, stretched shadow behind him.

  Nyx struck in an instant. His shadows surged, pulling the Human’s own shadow out from under him like a rug. His feet were yanked out from beneath him, and he crashed face-first into the ground, blood trickling from his nose.

  Nyx smirked. “Guess we didn’t need that extra practice.”

  Luminar chuckled. “Yeah, let’s save that move for another day.”

  Jarek groaned, shaking his head as he pushed himself up, just in time to catch the glow of Luminar’s forming light rod.

  The last thing he saw was a blinding flash before the rod slammed into his head.

  The fight was over.

  The announcer’s voice echoed through the arena. “AND THE WINNERS, NYX AND LUMINAR!”

  The crowd erupted into cheers. Varrik sighed heavily, rubbing his temples as he turned away, muttering, "I told him."

  Prism ran down to meet them, throwing her arms around their shoulders. “That plazzhead was all talk.” She laughed. “But who cares, drinks are on me!”

  The bar buzzed with post-fight energy, its dimly lit interior filled with fighters, spectators, and regulars sharing tales of the night’s matches. Nyx, Luminar, and Prism sat in a corner booth, a pitcher of sparkling, crystal-infused ale between them. The adrenaline from their victory still lingered, and Prism’s emerald eyes gleamed with mischief as she leaned back, tail flicking lazily.

  “So,” Prism began, raising her head from her Lexicom with a roguish grin, “how does it feel to win yet again?”

  Nyx smirked, lifting his drink. “Feels like another step forward.”

  “A step toward what, though?” Luminar asked, her silver hair catching the light as she swirled her glass. “You know as well as I do that The Hollow isn’t enough if we want to make it to the top.”

  Prism’s grin widened. “Ah, the ‘top.’ The official tournaments. The lights, the fame, the Coin…” She leaned forward, her voice dropping conspiratorially. “Too bad you need an official sponsor to even sniff those arenas.”

  Nyx exchanged a glance with Luminar. It was an old frustration, one they’d voiced to each other countless times. The official tournaments were the pinnacle of Affinity combat, but the barrier to entry was steep. Official sponsorships were rare and usually reserved for fighters with connections or notoriety beyond the underground scene.

  “We’ll get there,” Nyx said firmly. “We just have to keep winning.”

  “Spoken like a real loff who doesn’t know how the game is played,” Prism said, tapping the side of her glass. “But that’s what you’ve got me for.”

  Luminar raised an eyebrow. “Right, because your connections are always so… reputable.”

  Prism placed a hand over her heart, feigning offense. “You wound me, Lumi. What kind of loff do you take me for? Have I ever led you astray?”

  Luminar snorted. “How about the time you convinced us that the Chimera bouncer would let us walk by if we ‘looked the part’?”

  “Hey, that’s going to work someday, just keep trying” Prism countered, her grin returning. “Besides, it’s not my fault you two can be so awkward.”

  Despite her antics, Prism had been a constant in Nyx and Luminar’s lives since their early days in Halcyon Vale. She’d been the one to drag them to their first underground match, claiming it would be “eye-opening” and it had been. The roar of the crowd, the clash of Affinities, the raw energy of the arena… it had awakened something in them both. Since then, Prism had been their official unofficial manager, always scheming ways to push them forward.

  “Speaking of something gold,” Prism said, her tone shifting. She leaned in, raising her Lexicom and flicking through a few screens before looking back at them with a smirk. “I’ve been waiting all day to tell you something.”

  Nyx tilted his head. “And you waited until now?”

  “Good news is always better on the high of a win,” she replied with a wink. “Besides, you’re going to want another drink for this.”

  Luminar set her glass down, her curiosity piqued. “Well? Don’t keep us in suspense.”

  Prism’s grin turned almost smug. “I found you a frekkin' sponsor.”

  For a moment, the words hung in the air, and then Nyx leaned forward, his swirling eyes narrowing slightly. “You’re serious?”

  “Dead serious,” Prism said, folding her arms.

  Luminar’s skepticism was evident in her furrowed brow. “What’s the catch?”

  Prism’s tail flicked again, and her smile turned sheepish. “Well… not to sound sketch about it, but it’s a bit far.”

  “How far?” Nyx asked, his tone cautious.

  “Ossari far,” Prism admitted, flashing a guilty grin. “Necrovale.”

  Luminar groaned, leaning back in her seat. “The Ossari capital? That’s halfway across the planet.”

  “And worth every frekkin' step,” Prism said. “Look, I know it’s a lot, but this is the opportunity. You want the big leagues? You wanna see your names all over the Web? This is how it happens. You want to make it to the official tournaments? This is how you do it. “I’ll hit up the Web, lock us a ride, and personally drive you covas there. Luxx service, no extra charge. Should only take us a few days."

  Nyx and Luminar exchanged a glance, their unspoken connection conveying a mix of hesitation and determination. They’d worked too hard to let an opportunity like this slip away.

  “When do we leave?” Nyx asked finally.

  Prism’s grin returned in full force. “That’s what I like to hear.”