Chapter—A Place We Call Our Own
Luke returned home as the evening sky darkened.
The train doors slid shut behind him, and the familiar city air brushed against his face. Neon lights flickered on one by one, cars passed by, people walked with their own destinations in mind. Everything felt ordinary—comfortably ordinary.
Yet Luke knew he wasn't the same.
His hometown visit, the riverside incident, the masked moment… it all lingered in his mind like a quiet echo.
He unlocked the door to his apartment, slipped off his shoes, and placed his bag down carefully. The house was peaceful. His parents were in the living room, talking softly.
Luke took a deep breath.
I'm back… back to normal.
They eat there dinner and went to seep early due to fatigue of travelling.
Next Morning Lukr Woke up as usual.
But before he could even sit down,and touch his phone ,the phone vibrated.
Marin.
"You're back, right?
"I know you are tired but..."
"You have to come to our meeting spot today at 3 PM. It's important."
Luke stared at the message for a moment.
Important.
That word always meant change.
He typed a short reply.
"I'll be there."
---
By afternoon, the park was filled with quiet winter sunlight. Bare trees swayed slightly in the cold breeze, and fallen leaves crunched underfoot.
Luke arrived to see the familiar group already gathered.
Marin stood near the bench, arms crossed. Chika was animatedly talking about something. Loid leaned against a tree, half listening, half lost in thought. Uno sat calmly, watching everyone.
"Luke!" Chika waved. "You're finally back!"
Loid smirked. "So? How was hometown life?"
Uno added, "And the riverside incident—don't tell me you missed it."
Luke shook his head. "No. I was there."
Instantly, the mood shifted.
"You were?!"
"Seriously?!"
"Lucky!"
Chika leaned closer. "Tell us everything!"
Luke rubbed the back of his neck. "It was… intense."
Loid's eyes shone. "That aura—did you feel it?"
Luke nodded. "Everyone did."
Marin exhaled slowly. "A power like that… it changes how people think about the world."
Luke stayed silent.
It changes how they look at you too… if they know.
Uno smiled lightly. "Still, witnessing something like that is rare."
"You're so lucky," Chika said honestly.
Luke smiled back, but inside, his thoughts twisted.
If only you knew…
He cleared his throat. "Actually, there's something I wanted to say."
Everyone looked at him.
"I invited my cousin sister—Shuri—to join Aurafiest."
Marin's eyes widened slightly. "Oh?"
"She's an Aura Blaster, right?" Uno asked.
Luke nodded. "Blaster 1. She'll join after finishing school."
"That's great!" Chika said immediately. "We need more members!"
Loid crossed his arms. "Expansion is good. Especially early."
Marin smiled, but sighed a little. "Too bad she won't join now."
"She will," Luke said calmly. "Soon."
There was a brief silence.
Then Luke asked, "So… why did you call us here?"
Marin straightened, her tone turning serious.
"We can't keep doing this," she said, gesturing around the park. "Meeting in public places. Talking about guild matters like this."
Uno nodded. "She's right. Guilds are becoming more formal."
Loid frowned slightly. "So what's the solution?"
Marin took a breath. "The government is offering guild bases—at low rent."
For a second, no one spoke.
Then—
"A BASE?!" Chika shouted.
Loid's eyes lit up. "Our own headquarters?"
Uno raised an eyebrow. "What about the cost?"
Marin hesitated. "The rent is still… expensive."
Luke frowned. "We don't have that kind of money."
Marin smiled faintly. "We do—for now."
She looked at Luke.
"The Aura Nebulizer."
Silence followed.
Chika's excitement dimmed slightly. "You mean… sell it?"
Marin nodded. "Just temporarily. We need a foundation first."
Uno thought for a moment, then nodded. "We can earn more later."
Loid smirked. "A base is worth more than one item."
Luke looked at them, feeling something warm grow in his chest.
They're serious…
"I agree," Luke said finally.
That was enough.
Chika clapped her hands. "So it's settled!"
"Our own base," Loid said, eyes sparkling.
Uno smiled. "A place to train properly."
Chika leaned forward, grinning. "I bet it'll be huge."
"A training hall!"
"A gym!"
"Hot springs!"
Luke sighed. "Don't expect too much."
"Shut up," they replied together.
Marin laughed. "We'll visit the place on Tomorrow."
---
Day arrived faster than expected.
The address led them to a quiet residential area. No tall buildings. No large compounds.
Just… houses.
Chika squinted. "Are you sure this is the place?"
Marin checked the paper. "Yes."
A woman approached them, holding documents.
"Are you the Aurafiest guild?" she asked.
"Yes," Marin replied.
The woman smiled politely and gestured ahead. "This is your base."
They all turned.
And froze.
A small, single-floor house stood before them.
One modest entrance.
One living room.
A circular table.
One washroom.
That was it.
Loid stared.
Chika blinked twice.
Uno tilted his head.
"…This is it?" Loid asked slowly.
Chika whispered, "Where's the hot spring?"
Marin's face turned red. "I—I mean, it's not that bad."
Loid burst out laughing. "So much for luxury."
Uno shrugged. "At least it's official."
Chika sighed dramatically. "My dreams…"
Luke looked at the house quietly.
It wasn't grand.
It wasn't impressive.
But something about it felt… real.
Uno stepped forward and placed his hand on the door.
"This doesn't matter," he said firmly. "We start here."
Marin nodded. "We'll grow from here."
Loid smiled. "From a tiny base to the top."
Chika straightened. "Yeah!"
Luke felt Auru's presence stir gently inside him.
"This place," she whispered, "is where your paths begin."
Luke smiled faintly.
They opened the door and stepped inside together.
A small beginning.
But a real one.
And sometimes, that mattered more than size.
---
End of Chapter.