YEAR 2110
From the sky, the city unfolded like an ocean of bright lights and metallic structures rising imposingly against the blackness of the firmament. The skyscrapers, their facades illuminated by thousands of flickering neon lights, formed a futuristic landscape in which progress and chaos intertwined in a symphony of technology and disorder.
We descended among these colossi of steel and glass, weaving through the air traffic of hovering vehicles that zoomed through the skies at high speed, leaving trails of light of various colors behind them. The sound of their engines was a constant hum, an echo of the city that never slept. Beneath this dance of light, the shadows of the streets below told another story, one more raw and ruthless.
A change of scenery. Among the oldest and most neglected buildings in the city was the Aurora School, an institution with a history full of contrasts. There, troubled youth mingled with brilliant minds, although the latter were rare. The building's walls were covered in graffiti of various shades, some simple gang signatures, others philosophical phrases or chaotic drawings. The broken windows, patched with plastic and tape, attested to the fact that this place was not exactly a temple of education, but rather a concrete jungle where the law of the strongest prevailed.
We entered its hallways. The air smelled of dampness and rusty metal. The lockers were dented, some without doors, others with locks hanging precariously. A few students ran through the halls, pushing and shouting, while others leaned against the walls, staring in disinterest or planning who knows what.
Amidst the chaos, a young man remained calm, organizing his belongings in his locker. Andreas.
He was a student known for his troubled reputation. Outside of school, he had gotten into countless fights, amassing a police record that any criminal on the run would envy. Inside school, however, he maintained a more controlled image, although his mere presence was intimidating to many.
His clothing was unmistakable: a sleeveless black shirt, dark trousers reinforced at the knees, and heavy boots. A black hood covered part of his face, casting a shadow over his eyes. No matter the temperature, Andreas always wore that hood, a detail that generated rumors among the students. Some said he hid scars, others that he simply enjoyed the anonymity.
As he finished closing his locker, a presence made itself felt at his side.
—Hey... —said a voice.
Andreas turned his head and smiled slightly when he saw Gabriel, his only friend.
—Ah... Hello, Gabriel.
Gabriel was the only one who had decided to approach him. Most of the students avoided him, either out of fear or because they considered him strange. If Andreas sat down anywhere, the others moved away. Always alone, until Gabriel arrived. From then on, the two became inseparable.
Gabriel had straight, slightly messy black hair, with strands falling casually over his forehead. He wore a black shirt, over which a dark green jacket was worn. His black pants had some patched seams, the result of several fights and late-night runs. His shoes, also black, though functional, showed signs of wear, especially on the soles. He always kept his clothes in good condition, but there was something about his style that made it clear he didn't care much about appearance, but rather comfort and functionality.
Gabriel put a hand in his pocket and muttered in a carefree tone:
—Oh... I forgot to tell you. Do you have what I asked for?
Andreas raised an eyebrow, then turned to his locker and took out a screwdriver.
"Here it is. I remembered you asked for it," he said, handing it to her.
Gabriel took the tool and nodded in satisfaction.
-Thanks my friend.
Andreas crossed his arms curiously.
—Well? What do you need it for?
—I'll tell you later. We'll go to the warehouse tonight.
-OK.
Before they could continue talking, a group of students approached with mocking glances. Led by a tall boy with a crew cut and a red leather jacket, they stopped right in front of them.
"Just look... The stray dog and his master," the leader said with a crooked smile.
Andreas sighed and slammed his locker shut.
"Do you have something to tell me, Darius, or are you just here to bark?" he asked in a calm voice, but with a dangerous edge to his words.
Darius laughed along with his companions.
—I just wanted to know if you're not going to fight today either. They say you've gone soft... that you're hiding behind Gabriel because you don't have the guts anymore.
Gabriel rolled his eyes and crossed his arms.
"Do you really have nothing better to do?" he asked angrily.
Darius ignored the comment and stepped forward, bumping his shoulder into Andreas's.
"I'll see you later, coward," he whispered before leaving with his group.
Andreas remained motionless for a few seconds, but then smiled reluctantly.
—What an idiot…
Gabriel looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
—Aren't you going to do anything? I'm surprised. You would have already broken his nose.
Andreas shrugged.
—It's not worth wasting energy on trash like him.
The bell rang, signaling the start of classes. They both headed to their classrooms, where they sat in the back row. It was the last day of school, the end of a term before moving up a grade. Some students talked excitedly about their vacation plans, while others were simply counting the minutes until they got out of there.
The professor, a middle-aged man with a tired face, reviewed the final topics on the holoscreen. No one seemed truly interested. The atmosphere in the classroom was different, a mixture of relief and anxiety about what would come next. Darius, sitting across the room, cast occasional glances toward Andreas, as if still waiting for a reaction.
"Okay, class, I know it's the last day and your minds are already on vacation," the teacher said, rubbing his temple, "but let's at least try to maintain some order."
"Teacher, come up with the topics for next year's exam already!" a student shouted, provoking laughter.
"Yes, of course, and I'll also give you a summary so you don't have to study," the professor replied ironically.
A group in the corner was murmuring and laughing among themselves, paying no attention to him. Noticing this, the professor snapped his fingers.
"Dixon, if the conversation is so interesting, share it with the class!" he exclaimed.
Dixon, a tall boy with messy hair, raised his hands in defense.
—Sorry, teacher, I was debating whether vacation is a time for rest or punishment, because my mother already enrolled me in extra classes.
The others laughed, and some began to share their own plans. The professor sighed in resignation.
—Well, I guess there's no turning back now... do what you want, but at least don't destroy the classroom before we leave.
A few hours later, the bell rang again, and all the students rushed out. Andreas and Gabriel were about to leave as well when a deep voice stopped them.
—Andreas, I need to talk to you.
Andreas turned around with a grimace of annoyance. He looked at Gabriel and gestured for him to wait. Then he walked over to the professor's desk, where he was sitting reviewing some documents on the holoscreen.
"If it's about my grades, I already know I passed," Andreas said in an indifferent tone.
The professor, a middle-aged man with a tired face, looked up. His eyes scanned him with a mixture of disapproval and resignation.
"It's not just about your grades, Andreas," she said, interlacing her fingers on the desk. "It's about your future."
Andreas snorted.
—My future? How cliché.
"Don't make fun of me," the teacher replied seriously. "You're one of the brightest students in this school. Not just in grades, but in the way you think, in how you analyze things. If you'd wanted to, you could have been the best."
Andreas narrowed his eyes.
—And what does that matter?
—It matters because you're wasting it.
Silence fell between them for a few seconds. Andreas said nothing; he simply stared at the professor, expressionless.
"Look around you," the teacher continued. "Most of the students here are already on their way to ending up on the streets, in gangs, in a dead-end life. And I know you've gotten into trouble outside of school, too."
Andreas smirked.
—Oh really? And how much do you know?
"I know enough. I know you've been involved in fights, petty theft, and who knows what else. But still, you come to school, get good grades, and pretend none of it matters."
The professor leaned back in his chair and sighed.
"If you continue down this path, Andreas, one day there'll be no turning back. I don't want to see you become just another name in the police files, or worse, a forgotten tombstone."
Andreas kept his sarcastic smile.
—How touching. But with all due respect, Professor, what I do with my life is none of your business.
The man watched him silently. Then he shook his head.
"I can't force you to change, but I wanted to tell you this before you go. Because despite everything, I still believe you can be more than just another young criminal."
Andreas stood there for a moment, without responding. Then he simply shrugged.
—If that makes you feel better, then I guess I'm glad I heard your sermon.
The professor sighed, giving up.
—You can go.
Andreas turned around without saying anything else and left the classroom.
When he came out, he found Gabriel waiting for him, leaning against a locker.
"What did he say to you?" Gabriel asked, clicking his tongue.
—Nothing… some bullshit about my future. What does it matter? I'll decide if I'm screwed or not.
Gabriel raised an eyebrow with a mocking smile.
—How edgy.
—Tch… shut up.
They both started walking down the hall when.
—Did you notice that someone painted "DYING IS AN ART" in the chemistry lab?
"I saw it. Nice motto for this dump," Andreas muttered.
Suddenly, the speaker crackled with a staticky sound.
—I need all students to gather in the auditorium for the final assembly.
The two exchanged glances and sighed in resignation.
"Really? We still have to put up with this?" Gabriel complained.
—Looks like it. Let's go before they yell at us.
With no other option, they headed to the auditorium, a large room with metal seats and dim lighting. The students filed in and took their seats with obvious reluctance. Andreas and Gabriel sat together in the back row, leaning back and putting their feet up on the seat in front of them.
On stage, the director, a man in a dark suit and with a stern expression, cleared his throat and began to speak.
—Today we close another cycle at Aurora School. For some, this is a step toward a bright future. For others…—he paused, scanning the room with his gaze—it's just the beginning of a path of no return.
A murmur ran through the auditorium. Andreas raised an eyebrow in interest.
"Damn, that did sound threatening," Gabriel whispered.
"Silence," Andreas said with a half smile. "Let him continue."
The director continued:
—To the students who have shown effort and dedication, I congratulate you. You have a world of opportunities ahead of you. But to those who have wasted their time in fights, vandalism, and criminal acts, I want to remind you of something: the city is not a kind place for those who take the wrong path.
A few low chuckles were heard among the troublesome students. Darius, sitting with his group, smirked.
"Scary, huh?" he whispered sarcastically.
The director ignored the reaction and continued.
—Don't think you can hide behind this school forever. Outside, no one will protect you. And if you think the streets are a game, you'll soon discover otherwise.
The audience fell silent. The director's tone wasn't simply one of advice, but of warning.
Andreas leaned his elbow on the back of his seat and smiled sideways.
—At least he admits it.
Gabriel chuckled.
—Yes… at least he’s honest.
The principal concluded his speech with a few more formal words, and the assembly concluded. The students began to rise, some more quickly than others.
"Okay, now let's get out of this place," Andreas said, standing up.
Gabriel nodded.
—Yes, I have more interesting things to do than listen to threats disguised as motivational speeches.
They both made their way through the crowd, leaving behind the school and everything it stood for.
As Andreas and Gabriel walked through the crowded halls of the academy, a strange feeling began to invade Andreas. He felt eyes on him, whispers around him, and small, muffled chuckles. At first, he tried to ignore it, but the tension in the air was undeniable.
They were watching him.
A group of students stopped to one side, murmuring among themselves as they glanced at him. Another pair of boys pretended to be distracted, but their mocking smiles were evident.
Andreas clenched his jaw.
And then, without warning, he felt a sharp blow to the back of his neck. It wasn't hard, but it was enough to set his blood racing.
-Sissy.
The word was spat out with contempt as someone walked past him.
Andreas instantly turned around, his brow furrowed, his gaze flashing with fury. He didn't hesitate for a second before forcefully shoving the man who had hit him.
The boy stumbled and fell back onto the floor with a thud. A few people stopped to watch, the air in the hallway thick with anticipation.
"What the fuck is going on?" Andreas blurted out through gritted teeth, looking around. "Why is everyone staring at me?"
The guy on the ground grunted as he sat up, slowly dusting off his clothes, as if he was in no hurry.
"Ask Darius that," he replied with a mocking smile.
Andreas felt a shiver of anger run down his spine. His expression hardened.
Darius.
Without further explanation, he turned abruptly and began walking toward the academy exit with firm and determined steps.
Gabriel had to quicken his pace to keep up.
"Hey, wait," he said in a warning tone. "Are you sure what you're going to do?"
-Yeah.
His response was categorical. There was no room for doubt or reflection.
The double doors of the entrance were getting closer. He pushed them open with both hands and stepped outside, inhaling the fresh air of the elevated platform on which the academy was located.
The cityscape was breathtaking. Steel and glass skyscrapers rose up all around, city lights flickered in the distance, and floating transports soared across the sky, leaving trails of light in their wake.
However, Andreas didn't care about any of that at the moment.
His eyes scanned the crowd scattered across the platform, searching for one face in particular. And he found it.
Darius.
He was leaning disdainfully against the railing, arms crossed, surrounded by his usual entourage. He smiled with the confidence of someone who believes he has everything under control.
Andreas began walking toward him with firm steps. His pace grew faster with each second.
"Andreas..." Gabriel murmured, realizing this was going to end badly.
But Andreas no longer heard anything.
His steps turned into strides. Then into a run.
Darius looked up just in time to see Andreas launch himself at him in fury. He didn't have a chance to react.
A brutal blow hit his head.
Darius staggered back, his eyes wide in surprise, before losing his balance and falling to the ground with a thud.
For a moment, everything was silent.
Andreas stood there, breathing heavily, his fists still clenched. Adrenaline surged through his body.
Darius groaned, putting a hand to his head, stunned by the blow.
The surrounding crowd was in shock. Some murmured, others chuckled, and a few backed away, anticipating what would come next.
Gabriel ran a hand through his black hair and let out a long sigh.
"Fuck... Couldn't you really wait a bit?" he said, crossing his arms.
Andreas didn't take his eyes off Darius.
—I didn't feel like waiting.
Darius stood up slowly, furious, dusting off his red leather jacket. His face was filled with disbelief at the blow, but his anger quickly grew.
"You son of a bitch!" he shouted, rubbing his head. "You're going to regret this."
He lunged at Andreas, his fists clenched and his expression pure rage. Andreas was waiting for him, his body tense, ready for the next move.
Darius attempted a direct blow to Andreas's face, but Andreas nimbly dodged, taking a side step. Darius, off-balance, tried to spin to attack him again, but Andreas wasted no time. He quickly used his shoulder to push him to the ground, causing Darius to stumble and fall backward.
The crowd surrounding the scene began to surround the place, some cheering, others simply watching in anticipation.
Gabriel, standing to one side, raised his hands in a gesture of tiredness.
"This is going to end badly," he muttered to himself, unwilling to intervene, but with his eyes alert to every movement.
Darius quickly stood up, more cautious this time. He glared at Andreas, not even bothering to wipe the dirt from his face. This time, he changed his strategy. Without warning, he lunged at Andreas, trying to catch him with a hook to the stomach.
Andreas stepped forward, intercepting the blow with his forearm, and with a twist of his hips, destabilized Darius. His opponent's body slumped to the ground once more, but this time, Darius managed to land a quick elbow on Andreas, hitting him in the side.
A sharp pain shot through Andreas's torso, but he showed no weakness. He took a deep breath and quickly stood up.
"I'm going to break your face, asshole," Darius said through gritted teeth, getting back up.
Andreas, now accustomed to such confrontations, didn't answer. Instead, he stepped forward, clenched his fist, and, in one swift motion, delivered a straight punch toward Darius's jaw. The impact was hard and accurate, sending Darius sprawling backward, this time with his eyes glazed over and his teeth clenched.
The watching group began to shout and cheer. Some came closer to watch the fight up close, while others stayed back for fear that the fight would escalate further. The shouts were a mix of support for one side or the other, and there was a palpable energy in the air.
Gabriel watched the fight with his arms crossed, worried, but not daring to intervene.
"This isn't being controlled..." he muttered, as if he somehow expected Andreas to stop, even though he knew it was useless.
Darius, his mouth bleeding slightly, stood up, furious. Now he was completely determined to win. He rushed toward Andreas in a blind rage, looking for a direct hit. But Andreas, with reflexes honed by years of fighting, dodged him completely, and with a quick flick of his wrist, shoved him hard into the nearby wall.
Darius slammed into the metal structure, but he didn't give up. He ducked and, with a roar, attacked again, launching himself with a low kick aimed at Andreas's legs.
This time, Andreas ducked just in time, dodging the attack, and took advantage of the moment to land a knee strike on Darius's abdomen, knocking the wind out of him for a second.
Darius groaned, and for a moment, he remained on his knees, catching his breath. Andreas didn't let him rest, and with a rush of adrenaline, he pushed him to the ground once more.
This time, the boy couldn't get up immediately. He was exhausted, bleeding from the mouth, and the pain in his body was evident.
The murmurs of the spectators grew louder, some cheering for Andreas, others concerned about the escalation of the fight.
Finally, Darius looked up, his eyes filled with fury but also a sense of defeat.
"I'll... I'll kill you next time, do you hear me?" he said through gritted teeth, his voice raspy, before turning and starting to walk unsteadily away from Andreas.
Andreas didn't follow. He stood there, his face still impassive, watching Darius walk away. The atmosphere was tense, but he didn't feel the need to continue with more blows. It was clear who had won.
Gabriel approached slowly, his expression somewhat serious, although relieved that the fight was over.
"You know, sometimes I think you like this," Gabriel said, with a smile somewhere between mocking and worried.
Andreas barely looked up, his fists still clenched.
"Sometimes..." he muttered, turning around, ready to just walk away.
After that, they headed toward the back of the building, where a series of metal stairs descended into the depths of the city. Each step echoed metallically as they descended, and the light below slowly faded, giving way to the growing darkness that enveloped them. The air felt thicker, almost heavy, with a penetrating dampness that penetrated their skin.
Gabriel walked ahead, his steps firm, while Andreas followed, his boots echoing on the rusty metal. Suddenly, Gabriel raised his left hand, and, as if by automatic gesture, a series of engraved symbols glowed faintly on his palm. A blue hologram emerged from his skin, hovering at face level.
“Just a second,” Gabriel said, sliding his fingers over the holographic interface until he found what he was looking for. “Flashlight.”
He touched the virtual screen, and instantly, a black sphere floated in front of him, glowing with a white light that illuminated his path. Gabriel took it with a swift motion and absorbed it back into his hand.
Andreas watched the scene, impressed once again.
"That thing continues to impress me," he commented, his tone a mix of wonder and admiration, as they continued down the stairs.
The darkness thickened with each step, until finally, they reached an alley. The streets in that area were gloomy, covered in dust and debris, and fog hung between the low, ruined buildings. The roar of cars smashing against the pavement could be heard from above, falling from unimaginable heights, like echoes of a city that had stopped dreaming.
"It's like a fucking nightmare world," Andreas commented, looking around with a slight grimace of disgust.
"The real world has always been like this," Gabriel replied, not really caring, as he walked toward a nearby warehouse.
Finally, they reached the warehouse. The large metal door slid slowly upward with a mechanical sound. Inside, the place was immense. Hundreds of tools hung on the walls, and in the center were two vehicles covered with blankets.
Gabriel stepped forward and, with a tug, revealed his car: Its design was aerodynamic, with an elongated front end ending in an aggressive diagonal line. Two small red flags adorned the nose of the car. On the sides, a thin red neon stripe ran along the entire chassis. At the rear, a square engine waited to be ignited.
Andreas whistled in impression.
Andreas uncovered his car. It was dark blue, with an aggressive design and sharp lines. A large rectangular propeller protruded from the rear, releasing flashes of turquoise energy. Above the windshield floated a holographic screen that read "SPEED!" and on the front were two metallic claws that made it look even more aggressive.
"Not bad," Gabriel commented, looking at Andreas's vehicle with a satisfied smile.
Andreas, with a slight smile, replied as he adjusted the controls of his car.
—Heh, thanks.
They both started their engines. The roar of the vehicles echoed through the empty warehouse, vibrating in the air like a warning of what was to come. The warehouse's metal door began to slowly open, releasing a fraction of the nighttime city light. Gabriel was the first to move. With a calculated turn, he skidded onto the asphalt and, with fierce acceleration, rapidly ascended, reaching 800 meters in a matter of seconds. The urban sky unfolded before him, a network of skyscrapers and aerial highways.
Andreas wasted no time. He started his engine and took off after Gabriel, overtaking him almost immediately. The wind cut into his face as he soared, enjoying the freedom that only flight could offer.
Through the car's communicator, Gabriel's voice broke the silence:
—Let's go straight to the clan. Are you staying back or what?
Andreas smiled and skillfully adjusted the controls.
"I'm following you," he replied, feeling the excitement of the moment course through his body.
Both vehicles flew between the skyscrapers, gliding between floating platforms and holographic advertisements. The city seemed like a labyrinth of light and shadow, a place where speed was the only thing that mattered. They left trails of light in their wake, a glowing path in the darkness. Adrenaline engulfed them, a mix of nostalgia and excitement. They weren't just racing, they were living the moment.
"Do you remember the old races, the ones that never ended?" Gabriel asked, his tone full of nostalgia, but also amusement.
"Of course," Andreas replied with a smile, enjoying the memory. "Those were real races."
"Do you think we still have what it takes?" Gabriel continued, his voice almost defiant.
"I don't know," Andreas said, concentrating on speed. "But we're going to do well today."
They were both immersed in the feeling of freedom, dodging obstacles at full speed, with the roar of the engines as their only companion. The city below them was only a backdrop to the action unfolding in the air. At the end of this frantic journey, they reached their destination: a huge modified industrial building, the base of the HIGHWAY STARS clan.
The doors of the HIGHWAY STARS hangar slid open with a soft mechanical whir, admitting Gabriel and Andreas's hovercraft. The metallic structure was illuminated by dynamic light panels that flickered in blue and purple hues, giving the place a futuristic hive-like appearance. Worker robots slid engine parts around, drones buzzed, repairing hovering chassis, and on a giant holographic screen, city news flashed in silent bursts.
"Welcome home," Gabriel murmured, turning off the engine with a gesture.
Andreas barely responded. He stepped out of the vehicle, his boots thumping against the reinforced titanium floor. A mixture of anxiety and nostalgia filled him.
"Hey, look who's here!" Sasha exclaimed, approaching with a lopsided smile, her blue-white hair floating slightly thanks to her personal anti-gravity implant.
Behind her, a group of members turned: Dexter, the muscleman with the cybernetic implants; Lea, the freckle-faced mechanic in a patchy jumpsuit; Mik, the short hacker who barely stood five feet tall; and two new recruits, Juno and Kale, twins who still smelled like rookies.
"We were betting you crashed on the skyway!" Dexter joked, tossing a microfiber towel to Gabriel.
"Pfft, come on, I'm the best pilot this place has," Gabriel replied, catching the towel in mid-air. Then he tapped Andreas on the shoulder. "Although my co-pilot was on cloud nine today."
Sasha crossed her arms, looking at Andreas curiously.
—Are you all right, Andre? You look like... I don't know, like you've seen a ghost.
"Or like you're about to tell us you're leaving us for another clan?" Mik laughed, not imagining how close to the truth he was.
Andreas swallowed. It wasn't time... yet. Gabriel noticed his discomfort and cleared his throat.
"Hey, why don't we go to the conference room?" Gabriel suggested. "I have something to tell you... and so does Andreas."
The murmurs died away immediately. If Gabriel said there was "something to tell," it was important.
The briefing room was on a lower level of the hangar, in a bulletproof glass capsule suspended in a vacuum. From there, the entire floating city of Neo-Tyron could be seen spreading out like a swarm of light.
They sat around a large holographic table that projected images of their latest illegal circuits and plans for future races.
Gabriel stood up, placing his hands on the table.
"Listen, everyone." His tone was serious, which was unusual for him. "Andreas is considering leaving."
The silence was absolute.
"What?" Sasha exclaimed immediately.
"What do you mean, leave? Where to?" Dexter asked, frowning.
"Is this for a race? A deal?" Juno asked.
Andreas took a deep breath, feeling the gazes fixed on his skin.
"It's not about racing... or deals," he finally said. "It's personal. I want... I need to go to Psilo."
Lea narrowed her eyes.
—Psilo? The fragmented city? The one that's still half-rebuilding after the attacks?
"That one," Andreas confirmed.
There was an uneasy murmur. Psilo wasn't exactly a safe place. Its infrastructure had been damaged during the final stages of the Phoenix War, and while reconstruction was progressing, many areas remained in ruins, plagued by crime, bounty hunters, and technology traffickers.
Gabriel took the floor again.
"Many don't know this, but..." He looked at Andreas, seeking his approval. The boy nodded. "Andreas's family disappeared during the war. Without a trace. No records, no signs. Just... silence."
The atmosphere in the room grew tense. Sasha looked down. Mik stopped fiddling with his wrist console.
“I…” Andreas cleared his throat, his voice trembling a little. “I’ve been searching for years. But here on Neo-Tyron… it’s as if their traces have evaporated. Psilo was one of the last places they could have gone… or where I could find answers.”
"And why now?" Lea asked softly.
“Because I can’t stay… stuck,” Andreas said, looking up. “I’ve been feeling empty. Like… I’m running in circles. Every race, every victory, is just a distraction. I need to know what happened to them. I need to find myself, too.”
There was a moment of silence filled with respect.
Dexter was the first to speak:
—I understand you, brother. But we're not going to let you go just like that.
"Exactly," Sasha added. "You're part of this family."
"So what are you going to do there? Are you going to search alone?" Kale asked.
Gabriel smiled sideways.
—Andreas isn't exactly the type to stay still. He's bound to end up in more trouble than he can count.
Everyone laughed softly, but there was a hidden sadness in their laughter.
"When are you planning on leaving?" Juno asked.
"I don't know. Soon," Andreas said. "I want to prepare first. I don't want to go in blind."
Sasha stood up and walked towards him, taking out a small chip from her tactical belt.
"Take this," he said, handing it to her. "It's a database of safe routes to Psilo. You know the skyways, but things are... different there."
Lea also approached.
—I'll put together a tool and supply kit for you. Just in case things get ugly.
Mik smiled sadly.
—I'll hack you into a couple of fake credentials. You never know when you'll need a new identity.
Andreas looked at them, moved. They weren't just clanmates. They were family.
"Thank you, really..." he murmured.
Gabriel patted him on the shoulder.
—And remember, idiot: no matter how far you go, HIGHWAY STARS will always be your home.
Everyone raised their drinks, improvising a small toast.
"To Andreas! To his journey!" Dexter shouted.
"And for him to come back in one piece, damn it!" Sasha added.
They laughed, they clinked unbreakable crystal glasses, and for a moment, sadness mingled with hope.
That night, as the hangar vibrated with music and laughter, Andreas knew his decision was right. He wasn't running away. He was searching. Not just for his family. But for himself, too.
And in a world where cities floated on ruins, and the skies were highways of fire and metal, finding oneself was perhaps the most important race of all.
The next day, morning crept slowly across the horizon, tinting the futuristic city where HIGHWAY STARS had flourished with golden hues. The metallic sound of engines ignited the air of the base as Andreas climbed into his car.
Gabriel approached, walking slowly toward the vehicle, his footsteps echoing on the concrete of the hangar. Andreas's farewell was imminent, and although his words seemed the same as always, something in his gaze carried a much greater weight.
"Are you sure about this?" Gabriel asked, crossing his arms, a hint of concern in his tone.
Andreas, helmet on, looked at him through the visor, his eyes reflecting a mixture of determination and pain.
—Yes. I need to, Gabriel. I can't stay here anymore... not without knowing what else is out there.
Gabriel nodded slowly, understanding, but still worried. He took a step closer, close enough so that the conversation couldn't be overheard by anyone else at the base.
—Remember, this isn't about the clan. You know that, right? You don't need to run away because of it. HIGHWAY STARS will always be your family.
Andreas, still staring at the horizon, let out a small sigh, as if releasing weeks of tension in a single gesture. Then he raised his head and took one last look at Gabriel.
It wasn't just the fear of being alone. It was much more than that. There were too many voids inside him, too many unanswered questions. And deep down, he felt he could never find peace as long as he stayed in the city, surrounded by people, yet so distant from everything.
"I want to know what happened to my family." Her voice cracked slightly, but she didn't stop talking. "I want to know if they're alive. No one here has ever told me. I know they're part of this city's history, but… I'm tired of being left in the dark."
Gabriel said nothing for a few seconds. It was something Andreas had never shared with him, but he knew the pain was real. The war, the betrayal, the broken promises; all of it had left marks on his friend's soul, traces Andreas carried with him but had never shared.
"You know you don't have to go alone. If you ever need help, if you ever find yourself lost..." Gabriel let the sentence hang in the air, knowing Andreas would understand.
Andreas raised a hand, a gesture of farewell. He didn't need any more promises or empty words. He'd already made his decision.
One last time, before he got into the vehicle, Gabriel approached, with an expression of camaraderie and something deeper, as if their friendship had crossed a boundary from which they could not return.
"I'll leave you something..." Gabriel said, holding out his hand.
In his palm was a small pendant that glowed faintly in the morning light. A pentagram, though the letters at the top were barely visible, as if someone had tried to erase them over time. Something about the pendant's design seemed to hold a history, a history Andreas didn't know.
—It's a reminder of who we are. No matter where you go or what you find, you'll always be part of this.
Andreas looked at the pendant curiously before taking it in one hand, the other still resting on the steering wheel. The cold metal of the pendant seemed to connect with something inside him, an echo of the past he didn't fully understand, but one that drove him forward. Deep down, he knew he must uncover the truth.
"Thank you," Andreas whispered, stuffing the pendant into his jacket pocket. Then he looked at Gabriel one last time. "Don't forget me, okay?"
Gabriel smiled, that smile he'd always shared with him, no matter the circumstances. The farewell was about to happen. And even though he felt like a piece of himself was going with Andreas, he wouldn't stop him.
"I'll never forget you, idiot," Gabriel replied, a hint of mockery in his voice, but with a warmth that only a close friend could understand.
Andreas nodded once more, and with a turn of the steering wheel, he ignited the flying car's engines. The propellers began to spin, kicking up dust and wind as the vehicle rose into the air, slowly taking off. The farewell wind caressed his face, taking with it not only the sound of the engines, but also the last traces of his past life.
Psilo awaited him, its lights flickering in the distance, but deep down, Andreas knew that before he could find answers, he had to face his own fears. What had become of his family? Were they still alive? Why had he been left behind? The city that had always been his home offered only shadows and secrets.
The HIGHWAY STARS base was fading in the rearview mirror, but the road to Psilo, the next stage, was just beginning.
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