The bell rang at Astro Academy, signaling the end of classes. Students streamed out, some waving goodbye to friends, others chatting animatedly, and many heading straight home.
Roxanne lingered in the laboratory, carefully examining the ring under a magnifying glass. Suddenly, the door opened, and she quickly tucked the ring into her lab coat.
"Miss Devin, the lab closes in thirty minutes," the voice said.
"Alright, sir!" Roxanne replied, exhaling in relief once the intruder had left. It was Mr. Brian, the science teacher.
Minutes later, someone else barged in. Roxanne again hid the ring.
"Oh! Hunter, it's you," she said, relieved.
"Yeah! It's me," he replied.
"Why are you here? I thought you'd gone home."
"I was looking for you."
"You could have just called."
"My phone's down."
Roxanne raised an eyebrow.
"I used it for my homework," he said. Roxanne smilied slightly before returning to her work.
"What're you doing?" Hunter asked, leaning closer.
"I'm trying to see if there's any strange writing on the ring—anything that might give us a clue."
"Have you seen anything yet?"
"Not really."
Hunter took the magnifying glass and the ring. Roxanne suddenly realized how close he was. The scent of his cologne was intoxicating. Before she could stop herself, she asked, "I love your perfume."
Hunter froze internally but remained outwardly calm. "Pardon?" "Did I say something?" Roxanne asked, slightly embarrassed.
"Never mind," Hunter said, returning his attention to the ring. "I see something. It says 'Montunoi.'"
"Montunoi! What's that?" Roxanne asked.
"Sounds like a place, perhaps a village," Hunter replied.
"Should we go there?" Roxanne asked eagerly.
"Why not? But let's inform the others first," Hunter said, retrieving her bag. Just then, Roxanne's phone beeped—a message from Wulf.
"Wulf says we should meet at Teem Restaurant. It's just a few minutes' drive from school.
You got your car?"
"Sure. It's parked outside. Let's go."
Hunter opened the door. "Ladies first?"
"Thanks!" Roxanne replied, just as Mr. Brian entered the lab to close the windows and switch off the equipment.
They got outside, hopped in the car, and drove off. Outside, Mickey was waiting on his power bike. As soon as they left, he revved his engine and trailed them, keeping a careful distance. Soon, they arrived at the restaurant, and Mickey used his binoculars to watch them enter. Pulling out his phone, he messaged his men: "Get ready to attack!"
Inside the restaurant, Hunter and Roxanne joined the others at a table. Drinks had already been ordered, and a music video for Peaches by Justin Bieber played on the TV.
"Hey guys! What's up?" Roxanne asked, sliding into the seat beside Kai while Hunter sat next to Wulf.
"We're cool! Got you banana milkshakes!" Nolee said.
"I see," Hunter said, taking a sip. Roxanne followed suit, her eyes lighting up. "Gosh! I really needed this. So chill and tasty!"
"You can say that again," Kai agreed.
"Anything yet?" Nolee asked, looking serious. Roxanne glanced at Hunter and gave him the go-ahead to speak.
"Yes! Roxanne and I found writing engraved on the ring. It reads MONTUNOI." "MONTUNOI… that sounds familiar," Kai murmured.
"Let's see!" Wulf added eagerly.
Hunter revealed the ring. Outside, Mickey observed through binoculars. The inscription caught his eye, and he gasped in shock. "Montunoi!" He immediately informed Oropher, who sent a voice note:
"You mustn't let them get there, Mickey. Stop them before they make any plans—but bring Roxanne alive."
"…According to history, Montunoi was a small village along the Ohio River in North
America," Kai said, reading from his phone. "But it ceased to exist around the 12th century.
Some historians claim it disappeared mysteriously; others say it was destroyed by the Temple Mound tribe during a war."
"That's a dead end, then. If Montunoi is extinct, the ring must be powerless," Nolee said.
"I beg to differ. If the ring were powerless, Oropher wouldn't be after us, would he?" Wulf asked.
Roxanne slipped the ring onto her finger. "Wulf's right. This isn't something we can Google. We're talking about magic, guys. Magic!"
"So what do you suggest we do?" Hunter asked.
"I say we find a sorcerer… a wizard… someone who knows about magic." "I agree with Roxanne!" Kai said.
"Good. Where do we find one?" Nolee asked.
"We can use my car locator," Hunter suggested.
"Okay then. Let's go," Wulf said, ready.
"Everyone got their weapons?" Roxanne whispered.
"Viteens are always ready!" Nolee replied confidently.
They paid for their drinks and left. Outside, Mickey and his men waited, helmets on, blending into the crowd. Hunter got behind the wheel, Roxanne beside him, while Wulf, Kai, and Nolee took the back seats. Hunter drove off, Mickey and his men following closely.
Roxanne activated the car locator. The display glowed red.
"Where exactly are we going? It's already 18:10," Wulf asked, checking his phone.
"The car will lead us," Hunter replied.
Moments later, the locator turned green, and a voice announced:
"Turn left!"
Hunter smiled. "Guys, I think we've found someone!" "Yu-hoo!" Nolee screamed.
"Alright!" Kai and Wulf exclaimed, slamming their hands together in triumph.
Roxanne quietly mouthed a yes.
"OMG! Hunter's smiling," Wulf said, peering at him through the side mirror. "First time!" "What's that supposed to mean, Wulf?" Hunter asked, frowning.
"And he's back to his usual face!" Nolee added jokingly. They all laughed—except Roxanne, who smiled after studying him for a moment. "Cut it out, guys! Hunter is unique in his own way."
Hunter's grip on the steering wheel tightened. His hands became sweaty. Did she really mean it… or was she just being polite? He wanted to ask, but his ego wouldn't allow it, and he feared what the others might think. Forcing a straight face, he said, "Uh… thanks, Roxanne!"
"It's alright!" she replied, her eyes on the road ahead.
"See! He's still got that strong look. Try and loosen up, guy!" Wulf teased, poking Hunter from behind.
"Stop it, Wulf! I'm driving!" Hunter warned, firm but calm.
The road soon narrowed, surrounded by dense trees. Darkness was falling, and the streetlights flickered on automatically.
"Roundabout ahead! Roundabout ahead!" the car locator beeped. Hunter turned on the headlights.
"Woah! What's that?" Kai exclaimed, looking out. Storm clouds gathered rapidly, transforming the sky from pale blue to a threatening charcoal grey. A distant rumble echoed. Nolee squealed in delight.
"Nolee! I'm trying to concentrate!" Hunter half-yelled.
"Sorry! I just wanted to say it's tea time—you know, weather for tea!" she replied, grinning. Hunter sighed.
"I think you meant weather for two," Kai whispered, draping an arm around Nolee. She playfully pushed him away.
"Don't be naughty, Kai!" she giggled.
"Oh, spare me the drama, will you two?" Wulf groaned.
"Don't be jealous!" Kai teased, nudging him.
They continued chatting until Roxanne noticed movement in the side mirror. When Hunter braked, the men on bikes behind them also slowed. Something felt wrong.
"Hunter!" she called urgently.
"Hm?"
"Kai, Wulf, Nolee!"
"Yes?"
"I think we've got company. Be vigilant and get your weapons ready."
Wulf quickly retrieved the suitcase housing their guns and distributed them. Hunter glanced in the rearview mirror—Mickey and his men were closing in.
"Hold on tight!" he shouted, pressing the accelerator.
A gunshot rang out. One of the attackers aimed at Roxanne's side window, missing and hitting his partner on Hunter's side instead.
"Are you hurt?" Hunter asked, alarmed.
"I'm fine!" she replied, quickly returning fire.
Wulf and Kai braced themselves at the car windows and began shooting.
"Take that, you son of a—!" Kai yelled.
Roxanne tried to join them, but Hunter held her back. "It's too dangerous!"
"But Hunter…!"
"The boys will handle them!"
Nolee was busy prepping smoke bombs.
"Nolee, is it ready?" Wulf asked.
"Yeah! Here!" She handed two each to Wulf and Kai. The two nodded, then hurled the bombs at the enemy.
Mickey gasped. A massive explosion erupted as the bombs hit the ground, sending yells, curses, and the crashing of bikes echoing.
"Yu-hoo!" Kai and Wulf cheered, high-fiving before returning to cover inside the car.
"You guys okay?" Roxanne asked, turning to see their dust-streaked faces.
"Yeah!" Kai replied.
"At least that'll hold them off," Hunter said.
But it didn't. Three of the ten attackers emerged from the smoke, unharmed and more determined than before. Mickey was among them. He fired at the car, shattering the rear glass shield.
"Aaah!" Nolee, Wulf, and Kai screamed.
"Hold on, guys!" Hunter shouted.
They reached a bridge spanning a body of water. Another shot from Mickey shattered the rearview mirror. One attacker drove to Hunter's side, aiming at him, but Hunter swerved violently, crushing the enemy against the bridge rail. Only Mickey and one man remained.
In the chaos, Hunter didn't notice a stray cat on the road until it was too late.
"Hunter, look out!" Roxanne screamed.
He swerved right—but at the same moment, Mickey and his remaining accomplice shot the rear tires. The car plummeted over the bridge rail into the water with a huge splash.
"Aaah!" they screamed as the car disappeared beneath the waves.
"No!" Oropher yelled, stabbing at his control panel with fury. He had been watching the entire scene on his computer.
Claws, his eagle, feasted on a chunk of steak, watching his master intently.
"Claws! Time to pay our home a visit. Martha won't know what hit her," Oropher said, leafing through a spell book to find a transport spell for Montunoi.
Meanwhile, Mickey and his last man scanned the water for their victims.
"What now? Oropher said to bring Roxanne alive, but we lost her."
Mickey grinned mischievously. "You know what to do." "Huh?" the man looked confused.
Suddenly, Mickey shoved him into the water.
"Bastard!" the man yelled as he vanished beneath the waves.
Mickey attempted to start his bike, but it failed.
"Meow!" A grey cat appeared, staring at him.
Mickey aimed his gun—but the cat transformed into a woman in a grey cloak, her black hair falling over her shoulders. Shocked, Mickey staggered back. As he tried to flee, the woman raised her left hand. Mickey froze, clutching his neck, gasping for breath until finally he slumped lifelessly.
The woman smiled, then turned toward the sea and vanished.