Shadows of the Sunless Sky

Jian Yu stood at the edge of the hideout, staring out at the dimly lit slums. The stench of decay and desperation hung heavy in the air, suffocating him. His fists clenched at his sides as guilt gnawed at him, the memory of Xiao's lifeless body still fresh in his mind.

The Fireflies had made it clear that their fight wasn't over. Mei Lin's sharp words, Lian Hua's quiet encouragement—they all believed in him. But Jian Yu couldn't see the light they saw. His power was gone, and so was the fragile hope he had once clung to.

He couldn't stay.

---

In the dead of night, Jian Yu slipped out of the hideout, careful not to wake the others. The Fireflies were huddled together, their breaths shallow as they slept in the cramped space they called home. His mother's sleeping form was closest to the fire, her face peaceful despite the hardships they faced.

Guilt clawed at him as he turned away, but he steeled himself. He couldn't be the person they needed him to be. He couldn't bear the weight of their expectations any longer.

With only a small bag slung over his shoulder, Jian Yu disappeared into the shadows of the slums.

---

The streets were eerily quiet, the usual sounds of the slums replaced by an unsettling stillness. Jian Yu kept his head down, avoiding the occasional patrols of the Lords' enforcers. Their glowing armor cast an unnatural light on the broken streets, a stark contrast to the darkness that consumed the slums.

Jian Yu had no plan, only a vague idea of where he might go. The Lords of Light ruled the city with an iron grip, their towers stretching high into the sky. Beyond the slums lay the Inner Districts, where the rich and powerful lived in relative comfort.

It was a world Jian Yu had only seen from afar, but he knew one thing: the Lords didn't care about people like him. Yet, they were the only ones with resources, food, and work. If he wanted to survive, if he wanted to leave the slums behind, he would have to find a way to earn their favor.

---

By the time the sunless sky began to lighten with the faint glow of artificial lamps, Jian Yu had reached the outskirts of the slums. The transition to the Inner Districts was stark; the broken shacks gave way to towering walls, guarded by enforcers armed with weapons that crackled with energy.

Jian Yu hesitated, his heart pounding as he stared at the massive gates. He could see a line of people, mostly servants and workers, waiting to enter. Some carried tools, others pushed carts loaded with goods. All of them looked weary, their faces etched with the same desperation Jian Yu felt.

Swallowing his fear, Jian Yu joined the line, keeping his head down. The enforcers barely glanced at him as they scanned each person, allowing them to pass through the gates.

When it was Jian Yu's turn, he stepped forward, trying to appear calm.

"Name?" one of the enforcers barked, his voice distorted by the helmet he wore.

"Jian Yu," he replied, his voice steady despite the nerves that twisted in his gut.

"Purpose?"

"Looking for work," Jian Yu said, keeping his gaze fixed on the ground.

The enforcer studied him for a moment before waving him through. Jian Yu released a breath he hadn't realized he was holding and stepped into the Inner Districts.

---

The difference was immediate. The streets were cleaner, the buildings taller and more ornate. Artificial lights lined the roads, casting a golden glow that made everything seem brighter, warmer. But Jian Yu knew better than to be fooled.

The people here moved with purpose, their clothes finer than anything he had ever seen. Most ignored him, their gazes sliding over him as if he were invisible. To them, he was just another servant, another worker.

Jian Yu wandered the streets, searching for signs of work. He passed shops and workshops, their doors open to display their goods. A few places had signs advertising positions, but the requirements were beyond what Jian Yu could offer.

His stomach growled, a sharp reminder of how long it had been since his last meal. He clutched his bag tighter and pressed on, determined to find something—anything—that could secure him a foothold in this world.

---

As the day wore on, Jian Yu found himself in the shadow of one of the Lords' towers. The structure was massive, its walls gleaming with an otherworldly light. Workers moved in and out of the building, their faces expressionless as they carried out their tasks.

A group of guards stood at the entrance, their glowing armor a reminder of the power they wielded. Jian Yu hesitated, his instincts screaming at him to turn back. But desperation outweighed caution.

He approached the guards, his steps slow and deliberate.

"What do you want?" one of them asked, his voice cold.

"I'm looking for work," Jian Yu said, his voice steady despite the fear that threatened to choke him.

The guard snorted. "We don't hire slum rats."

Jian Yu clenched his fists, fighting the urge to react. "I'll do anything. Please, just give me a chance."

The guard exchanged a glance with his companion, then shrugged. "Fine. Report to the labor manager inside. But don't expect any favors."

---

The labor manager was a thin, wiry man with a sharp gaze that seemed to pierce through Jian Yu. He looked over Jian Yu with a sneer, then handed him a set of worn gloves and pointed to a pile of crates.

"Start there," the manager said curtly. "If you can keep up, you might last the day."

Jian Yu nodded and got to work, his muscles protesting as he lifted the heavy crates. The hours dragged on, each one more exhausting than the last. The other workers ignored him, their faces blank as they moved through their tasks.

By the time the day ended, Jian Yu was drenched in sweat, his body aching from the effort. But he had survived.

As he left the tower, clutching a small pouch of coins, Jian Yu felt a glimmer of something he hadn't felt in weeks: hope. It wasn't much, but it was a start.

---