Down I go. Level 5. I mean, Level 1 is the best, most high-class level out there, but there’s nowhere to hide. The lower levels progressively get worse, yes, but Level 5 is the best level to hide in and still barely get by.
When the elevator finally stops, I walk out alone. No one else from Level 1 ever wants to go to Level 5. “And,” I think to myself. “They would be right not to ever head down this way.” Because I look up and can’t see the highway network of Level 4. The smog blocks it out, leaving just a gray glow from above. The alley the elevator is in is empty. I step out of the alley. A bit too fast.
“Watch it!” Yup. Crowded. And the buildings look like they haven’t been maintained in years. “Stop staring and move!” I move. There is a buzz of activity everywhere. I must have entered the market place. I move off and try to locate something. Anything. I just need to get out and find a home. And that other Magisi…
I turn briskly and walk the other direction. When I look back, I see him following me. His wings, his bag, hovering by his side. There is no other human species that can do that. Only four of us existed once… then someone named Nightfall died in a flying “accident.” But this one looks like how he was described as. And he keeps following me. I turn left into an alley way and break into a run. I just gotta get out of here alive. He is still following. And the next right I make is a dead end. Great. I turn around to find him here. “Solara.” Everyone knows my name. “Solara, listen.” I don’t want to, but there’s nothing else to do. “Hey, I know how you feel. Running from the government and all.” I doubt he knows how I feel. “Come back to my place. I’ve got a friend named Shadowblast who can help.” I’m trapped by a feeling… he is a Magisi. He turns and walks back to the market place. I can only follow. My mind screams at my legs to stop, but they move anyway. Into a rundown building, up some rickety stairs, down a dank, dark hallway. We reach an old door. He opens the door, and I find a room that is cleaner than I expected. The table looks nice, and the appliances are in somewhat good shape. A Flyer comes out of a room. “Who’s this?”
“Solara,” the Magisi replies.
“How’d she get here?”
“Dunno. I was just about to ask. Have a seat, Solara.”
I just stare at him. Blankly. Wondering who he is, why he is doing this, what he wants. My mind races. I say what is on my mind. “Who are you?”
“Well, as I said, the Flyer is Shadowblast, and…”
“Not him. You. Who are you?” He hesitates.
“Me… well, I’m… I’m Nightfall.”
