Ekko had just finished adjusting a busted hoverboard, wiping a smear of grease off his cheek when he heard the first scream. Sharp. Panicked. Young.

His head snapped up. For a second, he thought maybe someone had just fallen—one of the younger Firelights tripping over the walkways, maybe. But then came another scream, followed by shouting. Urgent. Confused.

He was already moving before his mind caught up.

Pushing past the tattered curtain covering the doorway, he stepped into chaos. The hideout, usually alive with murmured conversation and the hum of sparking wires, had erupted into a frenzy. Kids were scrambling, ducking behind crates or rushing toward the central platform where the older Firelights were gathering. Someone knocked over a stack of supplies, sending metal scraps clattering to the ground.

Ekko caught sight of a small figure barreling toward him—a kid, no older than ten, panting hard as they gripped his arm with shaking fingers.

“T-THE TREE—THERE’S SOMETHING OUT THERE!”

Their voice cracked with fear, eyes huge in the dim neon glow.

That was all Ekko needed to hear. He pushed forward, weaving through the chaos, ignoring the hands that reached for him, the questions being thrown in his direction. He wasn’t about to panic—not yet. Not without seeing it himself.

Then, as he neared the edge of their platform and looked down toward the tree’s massive roots, he saw it.

A shadow—no, a shape.

The Firelights around him were losing it.