Page 53 of Avidian
“This is the training level. Physical training, that is,” Bash announces as the elevator doors slide open, revealing a noisy, chaotic scene.
The sounds of boxing gloves meeting punching bags and loud, encouraging yells echo through the cavernous space. We step out, and I take in the sight of a giant gymnasium. Bleacher-style seating lines the walls, and four makeshift rings dominate the center, each one occupied by people sparring or practicing. The air buzzes with adrenaline.
“These are the rings where people can practice,” Malachi explains, leading us inside. The energy in the room is palpable, and I find myself drawn to the crowd gathered around each ring. Most of the faces are young, some teenagers, while others look closer to my age. Everyone’s animated, eyes alight with either excitement or focus.
“Mal, I’m so glad you’re back! You have to see Alex and Nasha. I think they might be ready for Solace,” someone calls out, and I turn to see a petite woman with striking purple hair pulled into a long ponytail weaving toward us.
“This is Rain. She and I run the only two Solace teams,” Malachi says.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Kat.” I extend a hand, and she shakes it with a grip so firm it nearly makes me wince. She may be small, but there’s nothing weak about her.
“Kat,” she repeats, sizing me up with a critical eye, “you could use some training. No offense, but it doesn’t look like you’ve got a strong right hook, especially not after that handshake.”
I force a smile. “It’s cute how your mouth does all the fighting for you.”
Bitch.
“Don’t listen to Rain,” Bash interjects before Rain has a chance to say anything else. “All she cares about is being fit. Rain, leave the poor girl alone—she’s seeing the Depths for the first time. This is all new to her.”
Rain smirks, unbothered. “New or not, we can’t have weak links, Bash. That’s all I’m saying.”
Malachi clears his throat. “We’ll see about training later. For now, we’re here to give Kat the lay of the land, and I happen to know first hand her right hook isn’t that bad.”
Rain shrugs, her ponytail swinging as she steps aside. “Fine. But when you’re ready, come find me. Everyone starts somewhere.” She points at the closest ring, where two fighters are trading rapid blows. “Including them.”
I glance at the fighters, noting their intensity. I’d love to take her into the ring right now and show everyone here something they don’t expect. She thinks she’s hot shit, but I’m pretty sure I could take her. For now, I follow Malachi and Bash as we move deeper into the gym and out the door on the other side.
“Okay, I want her to see Atlas’s garden first. Then she needs to see your lab,” Malachi says, and Bash nods, already leading the way down a spiral staircase.
“Who built all this?” I ask, trailing after them. “I mean, it’s incredible, but how did you guys manage something like this?”
Bash glances back. “The government built plenty of these silos back in the day—safe from the elements, even radiation. But this one? It’s a whole other level. Fancy as hell, right?Some eccentric billionaire with too much money and a wild imagination.”
Malachi rolls his eyes, nudging me lightly. “Don’t listen to him. This place was a wreck when we found it. It’s taken years for Irina to turn it into what it is now. Every new member who joins the cause brings something to the table, whether that’s engineering, design, or sheer determination. It’s a constant work in progress, but it gets better every year.”
We reach the bottom of the staircase, and Bash pushes a heavy door open. Instantly, a burst of cold white smoke billows around us, hissing like steam. I instinctively jump back, grabbing Malachi’s arm.
“It’s alright,” Malachi says, steadying me. His hand lingers long enough to make me feel even more self-conscious. “This is the cleaning room. Atlas is...particular about keeping contaminants out of his garden.”
I let go of him quickly, trying to ignore the rising embarrassment.Get a grip, Kat.
“Alright, time for the enchanted forest,” Bash announces with dramatic flair, shoving open a mirrored glass door.
“Enchanted forest?” I mumble, stepping forward hesitantly.
“Bash likes to name everything,” Malachi says, shaking his head.
When I step inside, my breath catches in my throat.
The ground isn’t a sterile floor but a carpet of vibrant green moss and soft grass that cushions every step. Massive, ancient-looking trees stretch skyward—or at least as far as the high ceiling allows—draped in vines that shimmer faintly as if laced with starlight. Exotic flowers in every color imaginable bloom along the edges of a crystal-clear pond, their petals in blues, purples, and golds.
Butterflies—no, not butterflies, something more magical with wings that sparkle like shards of glass—flutter lazilythrough the air. Small streams meander through the garden, their water so clear it’s almost invisible, except for the soft light refracted in rippling patterns. The air smells of earth, sweet blossoms, and something indescribable, like magic itself.
“How is this possible?” I gasp, mesmerized.
“Atlas,” Bash says, gesturing grandly. “The guy’s a genius. He’s blended botany and Avid abilities in ways no one else has even dreamed of.”
Malachi watches me with a faint smile. “It’s why we call him Gardener. He can make things grow anywhere, no matter the conditions. Everything here thrives because of his magic—and his science.”
