3:50 PM

"Here is spooky, alright," Jayden said as they made their way down the dark path to the address Bato had given them. The buildings here were tall, each wall covered in faded murals. Torn confetti littered the cracked pavement, some of which got caught in the slow curl of smoke drifting from barrels and broken vents. Chain-link gates creaked all around, and dogs that you'd think were coming for your soul barked in the distance.

"Are you scared?" Alya teased. "You should probably go back to Bato and help him wait tables."

"Not funny, human."

Alya laughed.

"What is funny?" said a voice from behind.

Alya and Jayden turned to see different men approaching from various angles

"Nothing," Alya squeaked, slipping behind Jayden.

"Listen, we're not here to make trouble. We just want to see someone."

"The last person who said that caused us a lot of trouble. We even lost one of our own to those authorities," the ringleader said, stepping forward. He revealed a shiny blade tucked into his belt. "So, you might want to go with something else."

"Alya, this is where you need to show your computer powers."

"Computer powers?" Alya asked, confused.

"You know, your…" Jayden made some bursting noises with his mouth, mimicking explosions.

"You know I can't control it yet."

"Oh well, we're doomed then. They think we're spies."

"We're here to see the Priestess," Alya said quickly.

"We do not care. Unless the Priestess summons you, you're trespassing." With that, one of the gang members stepped forward, weapon drawn.

Alya immediately moved in front of Jayden and raised her hand, flicking it several times, but nothing happened.

Jayden facepalmed. "This is an embarrassing way to die."

"I'm trying," Alya whispered.

"You think this is a joke, huh?" the gang leader barked, his voice full of fury.

"No, no, no, no…" they said in unison.

The man who had stopped began moving again, faster this time.

Jayden spun around and shielded Alya just before the blow landed.

Then...nothing.

They both had their eyes shut, bracing for impact. But no pain came.

"Alya! Did you teleport us again?" Jayden asked, almost frustrated.

"I don't know."

They opened their eyes and peered around.

The men were still there, all looking up, their expressions shifted to that of shock.

Jayden and Alya followed their gaze and saw the man who had tried to strike them hanging from a plank supporting a streetlight, groaning in pain.

"Yeah! We're back in business!" Jayden shouted, fist-bumping the air.

"Not now, Jayden. I still don't know how I did it."

The gang members growled and lunged for them all at once.

Alya stepped forward, her feet firmly planted. She raised both hands and drew in a breath. As she moved her fingers in the air, her energy surged.

Jayden's eyes widened as the able-bodied men were hurled into the air and slammed into the ground, groaning.

"Get them, Alya!" Jayden cheered, and she smiled.

Once they were all on the floor, writhing in pain, the gang leader staggered to his feet, holding his side. "This is not over."

"It is over, Lloyd."

They all turned toward the dark alleyway where the voice came from. A woman emerged.

"Priestess!" the gang leader gasped. The entire gang scrambled to their feet and bowed.

"What did I tell you about taking matters into your own hands?"

"Priestess, we were just protecting our turf from intruders."

"Don't you see they're different? They are powerful," she said, locking eyes with Alya, "and unique," she added, glancing at Jayden.

"Sorry, Priestess," they said in unison.

The Priestess was a striking Asian woman with glossy black hair pinned up neatly. She wore a short-sleeved black dress, and her exposed arms were covered in tattoos.

"You two, follow me."

Jayden and Alya obeyed, trailing her through the narrowest alley yet, until they stepped into a clearing where a small house stood alone at the center. It was wooden and old but alive with color. Red lanterns dangled from its roof, and wind chimes made from broken glass swayed gently at the entrance.

Inside, the house smelled of incense and herbs. Shelves lined the walls, holding jars of dried petals, old scrolls, and glowing stones. Candles burned in every corner, their flames flickering strangely as if reacting to Alya's presence.

Once they were seated, the Priestess stared straight at Alya.

"Your mother doesn't know of your existence. She believed you died."

Alya's eyes widened.

"Where is she? How can I get to her? Please tell me!"

"She is quite far from here."

"What?!" Jayden said. The Priestess gave him a look that made him fall silent.

"Distance isn't a barrier, Alya. You have the power of the moon."

"Power of the moon?"

"Just like the moon moves the tides, you can move the energy within and around you. You can shape matter, change form, alter perception."

"I don't know how to control it. It comes at will. My emotions..."

"Acceptance, Alya. You must accept that this is who you are. You've been fighting your own essence. That's why there's disharmony. Embody your true potential and you'll shine."

"But all I've ever wanted was to be normal."

"You are not like everyone else, Alya. You are who you are."

Alya drew a deep breath. "How do I find my mum?"

"When you are one with yourself, the answer will reveal itself."

Alya sighed and turned to Jayden, who gave her a nod. She then looked back at the priestess.

"I'm ready."

The Priestess guided Alya to a circle drawn on the floor and had her sit in its center.

"Meditate, Alya. Reach within. Don't fight the energy. Accept it," the Priestess said as she circled her.

She stepped back to Jayden and whispered, "You should tell her before it's too late."

"Jeez, I know. Why does everyone keep telling me that?"

"Because she has feelings for you…" the Priestess smiled knowingly, "…And you feel the same."

"Guys, please keep it down. I can hear you," Alya called out, frustrated.

"Can you really?" the Priestess teased.

"No! But your voices are distracting."

"Sorry," Jayden said.

Inside her mind, Alya was swept into a white room, which suddenly darkened as faces began swirling around her. They were faces of people from her past, yelling, judging, spitting, throwing things at her, and hurting her.

It felt so real.

"You're a witch!"

"A beast!"

"Mum, she's scary!"

"Alya, go clean my grandma's filth!"

"You good-for-nothing!"

"Weirdo!"

One after another, her past crashed down on her all at once.

Alya whimpered, clutching her head as hot tears slid down her face.

Jayden moved forward, but the Priestess held him back.

"She needs me. I have to help her."

The Priestess nodded, and Jayden ran to her, sitting in front of her. He took her hands in his and squeezed gently.

"I'm here, Alya. I'm right here."

Inside her subconscious, Jayden stepped into the chaos and immediately, the voices vanished and the pain quieted.

"Jayden…"

"Alya," he said, gently touching her cheek.

"Thank you for coming for me."

He nodded, and just then, a glowing figure in her likeness appeared before them.

"It's time, Alya," Jayden said, letting go of her hand.

Alya walked to the radiant essence and embraced it. Their forms merged. Her body lit up, and a blinding pulse of energy swept through the room.

The candles flared, the house trembled.

"She's done it," the Priestess whispered with a smile.

Jayden opened his eyes and saw Alya watching him.

"Oh!" he said, placing a hand over his chest. "You scared me, lady."

Alya threw her arms around his neck, making him fall back.

He wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her close.

"I know how to find my mum," she whispered.