Kente's POV

  Kente stood near the edge of the capital's forge district, where big ovens roared and spat out clouds of black smoke. The air smelled like hot metal, and the ground was covered in gray ash that stuck to his boots. His tunic—tan with orange and blue streaks—was old and torn, but he didn't care. All he could think about was Zuri, locked up in the prison nearby. He touched the pendant hanging around his neck, a little gift Zuri made back in the orphanage. It felt warm, like Zuri was trying to tell him something.

  Tamara peeked out from behind a big metal box, holding a stick he'd found. "Kente, are we really doing this?" he asked, his voice wobbling. His weird shell thing glowed a little, flickering like a candle. "What if the guards see us?"

  "They won't," Kente said quickly, trying to sound brave. "Zuri's in there, Tam. I can feel him through this pendant. Miss Wolo said she'd help us at dusk—that's soon!" He looked up. The sky was turning dark, the clouds moving away slow like they were tired.

  Chioma stood next to him, her gold eyes shining even in the dim light. "Miss Wolo better hurry," she said, her voice calm but serious, like a big sister who knows what's up. "I can feel Kaelon's magic getting closer. It's cold and creepy. We need to get Zuri out fast."

  Suddenly, the air got hot—like someone opened an oven door. Kente grinned. "That's Miss Wolo's magic!" he said, excited. "She's here!"

  Chioma's POV

  Chioma pressed her hand against the ground, feeling the ash under her fingers. It reminded her of Old Brass, their home where everything was dusty but tough. She didn't like sneaking around this smoky forge place, but Kente needed her. His pendant glowed a little, showing them where Zuri was locked up. She could see Kente shaking—he was so worried about his friend.

  "He's trying too hard," she whispered to Tamara, keeping her voice low so Kente wouldn't hear. "Zuri's in trouble, but Kente's scared he'll lose him forever."

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  Tamara nodded, his shell glowing brighter. "I know," he said, holding his stick tight. "Zuri's our friend too. Miss Wolo will save him—she's from Old Brass like us!"

  Chioma hoped he was right. Then she felt something—a cold wind, but not normal. "Kaelon's magic is getting stronger," she said, standing up straighter. "It's like a shiver that won't go away. He's close, Kente. We've got to move!"

  She grabbed Kente's arm. "Let's go!" she said, sounding bossy but kind. "Your pendant will show us the way!"

  Prophet Mirror's POV

  Prophet Mirror watched from the top of a tall forge building, his cloak flapping in the wind. His dark eyes looked at the spires—those big towers glowing blue-green. He could feel two kinds of magic fighting: Miss Wolo's hot power and Kaelon's cold, mean power. He made a little hawk out of magic and sent it flying. It turned to mist and told him secrets—Kaelon was sneaky, and Zuri was still fighting inside the prison.

  Down below, Kente, Chioma, and Tamara were sneaking closer to the prison. "They're almost there," Prophet said to himself, his voice quiet and steady. "Zuri's pendant is calling to them. He's not giving up."

  Then he saw a shadow move fast—Kaelon! The bad guy stepped out from behind a forge, his magic feeling like ice. Prophet's hawk flew back to him. "Miss Wolo, stop him," he whispered, looking for her hot glow in the dark.

  Miss Wolo's POV

  Miss Wolo walked fast through the forge district, her staff banging on the ground. Little blue-green lights sparked on it—her magic, strong and fiery like a volcano. Her eyes glowed red-hot, and her hair was tied back tight. She could feel Kaelon's cold magic trying to push her away, but she wasn't scared.

  "Kaelon," she said, her voice loud and mad. She saw him—a tall shadow with a mean smile. His magic was making the guards act funny, like puppets. Miss Wolo hit her staff down hard. A big wave of heat blasted out, and the guards stumbled, confused.

  "Kente's counting on me," she said to herself, feeling his pendant's little glow nearby. "I won't let Kaelon win." She held her staff up high, ready to fight.

  Zuri's POV

  Zuri sat in his dark prison cell, the cold stone floor making him shiver. His chains rattled when he moved, and his red eyes felt tired. His tunic was ripped, but he still had the pendant Kente liked—the one he'd made to keep them together. It glowed warm now, stronger than before.

  "Kente," he said, his voice scratchy. Tears ran down his face, but he smiled a little. He'd joined the Harvesters to protect Kente from bad magic, but they tricked him. Now he was fighting to stay himself.

  A creepy shadow appeared—a Harvester, pale and shaky. "Help… me…" it said, sounding like Zuri's voice. He grabbed his pendant, and it glowed bright. The shadow broke apart, turning to dust. "I'm still me!" Zuri said, standing up.

  Then he heard footsteps—fast and loud. Kaelon stood at the cell door, his eyes mean and shiny. "Kente's coming," Zuri said, brave now. "You're too late!"

  A big wave of heat shook the walls—Miss Wolo's magic! Zuri's chains rattled. "She's here!" he said, hope making his heart beat fast.