Dawn cracked red over the savanna. The Jua Tribe bustled, preparations underway for a ceremonial march toward the Sun Gate—a ritual to bless the young warriors who'd witnessed Kairo's Sunheart Trial. Sunmaster Jabari stood at the shrine's edge, staff glowing faintly as he greeted the trio.
"Kairo, Tano, N'Dari—your rhythm aligns with Ishara's pulse. Today, the dawn honors you." His eyes gleamed amber, yet shadow rippled faintly beneath his tone. "But remain watchful. Light draws envy."
Tano stretched, grinning. "I'm always watchful, Sunmaster. Ask the last guy who tried sneaking my lunch." Jabari chuckled, tapping his staff to the earth—THUM. "Good. You'll need that vigilance."
Unseen above, the wind shimmered strange. Mirage haze swept across the horizon—ribbons of black dust swirling with faint violet streaks. Kofi approached within the distortion, his armor absorbing the sunlight like a void given form. Nightreaver rested on his shoulder, whispering a low hum that bent the air.
He moved with predator precision, his Aura cloaked by Veil of Dusk—each step merging into the mirage. Mbweha's phantom laughter slithered across the wind. "Dance well, blade of eclipse... the thunder-boy will follow the trick."
Back at camp, Kairo's empathy twitched—the world's rhythm faltered for a beat. "Something's wrong."
Before N'Dari could respond, a thunderclap split the silence—BOOM-flash-BOOM. The sky warped, dunes on the horizon flickering like shattered glass. "That's not storm thunder," Tano muttered, his grin fading.
A mirage shimmered before them—an illusion of warriors in distress, Jua banners collapsing in flame. Tano's instinct flared. "No—those are our scouts! We have to go!" He charged forward, drumming Thunderclap Step—BOOM-rush-BOOM.
Kairo shouted, "Tano, wait—!" but the mirage's pull was strong, twisting sight and sound. N'Dari lunged, anchoring himself with Anvil Step, but the Veil of Dusk warped their senses.
Kofi emerged within the distortion, violet eyes gleaming. "Found you, thunder-boy." His Nightreaver ignited with void flame—SWOOSH—slashing toward Tano.
Tano barely blocked with his drum shield—CLANG-spark-CLANG—shockwaves rippling the sand. "Who in the storm are you?!"
"Kofi," the man rumbled, voice deep as an eclipse. "Envoy of the Prophet of Silence. Bringer of silence."
Kairo dashed in, Echo Step splitting illusions—DODGE-shadow-DODGE—his blade colliding with Nightreaver in a burst of light and void. "Azar sent you!"
Kofi smirked, pressing forward. "He sent balance."
The clash roared through the dunes—Kairo's golden resonance clashing against Kofi's void rhythm, sparks cascading like twin suns at war. Tano countered with Drum Barrage—BOOM-shock-BOOM—each strike rippling Kofi's Veil.
But Kofi's precision was ruthless. He spun, Grieffire bursting from his armor—branding Tano's arm with searing pain. The drummer screamed, dropping to one knee, veins flaring crimson-black.
Kairo's heart surged. "Tano!" His Sunheart mark blazed, golden veins surging up his arm. "Stay away from him!"
Kofi's violet glare burned cold. "Show me your light, void-born."
Kairo unleashed Resonant Pulse—BLAST-flare-BLAST—light colliding with shadow in an explosion that tore the mirage apart. The dunes quaked.
When the smoke cleared, Kofi stood smirking, half-shrouded in darkness, Tano barely conscious beside him. "The Prophet thanks you for your rhythm," Kofi taunted. "It plays beautifully in silence."
He vanished into the Veil of Dusk—WHOOSH—leaving scorch marks across the sand and Tano's Grieffire wound blazing faintly.
N'Dari rushed to steady Kairo, his voice iron-calm but heavy: "He struck with intent. Darkness moves closer."
Kairo's hand trembled, the Sunheart mark flickering between gold and silver. "Then we move faster."
The wind howled—carrying Mbweha's distant laugh across the burning dunes.