Stormbound

The sun rose over the outskirts of Rylath, casting a warm glow over the trio's modest home. Kael stretched as he stepped outside, the cool morning air brushing against his face. They had spent most of their funds settling into the house, and now, their supplies were running low. Kael volunteered to head into the city for resources, though a sense of unease gnawed at him.

"Make sure to get everything we listed," Lyra called out from the doorway, her arms crossed. She glanced over at Kaito, who was lounging on the couch. "We can't afford to run out of food again."

"I've got it covered," Kael replied, giving her a reassuring nod. "I'll be back by midday."

As he walked toward the city, Kael couldn't shake the lingering tension from the past few days. The raid on the Syndicate's safehouse had been a success, but it had also made them targets. The bounty they had taken was enough for now, but the fight against the Syndicate felt like a storm brewing on the horizon.

---

In Rylath

The city was alive with activity as Kael entered its bustling marketplace. Merchants called out their wares, and the streets were filled with the chatter of townsfolk. Kael kept his hood up, blending into the crowd as he navigated toward a supply stall.

But as he reached the center of the square, he noticed something strange. A group of people had gathered, their voices buzzing with excitement and unease. Curious, Kael edged closer, his instincts on high alert.

"What's going on?" he muttered under his breath, weaving through the crowd.

When he finally pushed his way to the front, his heart sank.

Plastered across a massive noticeboard were three posters. Each bore the image of a familiar face, along with a title and bounty amount:

"Kael the Stormbringer" – 500,000 gold

"Kaito the Ember Knight" – 300,000 gold

"Lyra the Tidal Strategist" – 150,000 gold

The posters glared down at him like accusations, the titles bold and foreboding.

"That's them, isn't it?" someone in the crowd whispered.

"They're the ones who hit the Syndicate," another said.

"Stormbringer… that sounds dangerous," a third murmured.

Kael's pulse quickened. His face, Kaito's, and Lyra's—broadcast for the entire city to see. They were no longer shadows in the fight against the Syndicate. They were targets.

Kael turned on his heel, his mind racing. He couldn't risk being seen here any longer. His plans for supplies forgotten, he slipped back into the crowd, moving quickly and quietly toward the outskirts.

---

Back at the House

Lyra paced the small living room, her frustration evident. "He should've been back by now," she muttered, glancing at Kaito.

Kaito leaned back in his chair, tossing a small flame between his fingers. "Relax. Kael's probably just haggling for a better deal."

Lyra sighed, crossing her arms. "We're running out of food, Kaito. If he doesn't come back soon—"

The door burst open, cutting her off mid-sentence. Kael stormed inside, his hood still up and his face grim.

"Where are the supplies?" Lyra asked immediately, but Kael raised a hand to silence her.

"We've got a problem," he said, his voice low and urgent.

"What happened?" Kaito asked, sitting up straight.

Kael pulled his hood back, his expression dark. "They know who we are. The Syndicate put out bounties on us. They've plastered our faces all over the city."

For a moment, there was silence as Lyra processed the news. Her brow furrowed in concern, and she ran a hand through her hair. "Bounties? That's bad, Kael. Really bad."

"How much?" Kaito asked, his voice oddly calm.

Kael hesitated, then answered, "Five hundred thousand for me, three hundred for you, and one-fifty for Lyra."

Lyra's eyes widened. "They're serious about this. We can't stay here. We'll have hunters, mercenaries, and who knows what else coming after us."

Kael nodded, his jaw tight. "We'll need to move soon. Staying here is too risky now."

To their surprise, Kaito chuckled. The sound was unexpected and almost out of place.

"What's so funny?" Lyra snapped, her frustration bubbling over.

Kaito leaned forward, a smirk playing on his lips. "They're scared of us. Don't you see? We're making waves. We hit them hard, and now they're scrambling to take us down."

Lyra frowned. "This isn't a game, Kaito. Those bounties will bring every mercenary in the region to our doorstep."

"Exactly," Kaito said, his amber eyes gleaming with excitement. "Let them come. We'll show them what happens when they underestimate us."

Kael sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "Kaito, this isn't about proving a point. We're in real danger now."

"I know," Kaito replied, his tone more serious. "But think about it. This is our chance to fight back. If the Syndicate is putting this much effort into stopping us, it means we're a real threat to them. That's something to be proud of."

Lyra opened her mouth to argue but stopped, considering his words. She looked at Kael, who seemed deep in thought.

Kael finally spoke, his voice steady. "Kaito's right about one thing. We've got their attention, and that means we're doing something right. But we need to be smart about this. No reckless moves. If we're going to fight back, we do it on our terms."

Kaito grinned, flames flickering in his hands. "Now you're talking."

Lyra sighed, shaking her head. "Fine. But we need a plan—and fast."

Kael nodded, the weight of their new reality settling over him. The storm was coming, and they were at its center.

"Let's get to work," he said.