The afternoon sun beat down on Thunderclap Port, casting harsh shadows across the town square. Angelo slipped between clusters of nervous locals, edging closer to the small coffee shop where Rorck and Hugo sat in tense conversation. The massive wall that had saved the town from destruction loomed in the distance, a silent monument to Rorck's power.

Hugo leaned across the tiny metal table, his massive frame making it groan in protest. His voice carried easily across the square, drawing wary glances from passersby who quickly averted their eyes.

"So you erected a big-ass wall," Hugo jabbed a meaty finger toward the distant barrier. "Saved the town. A goddamn fucking hero."

Rorck sipped his coffee with infuriating calmness, one eyebrow slightly raised. "If I may be so bold to ask, would you kindly get to the actual point of this... spirited discussion?"

Hugo slammed his palm on the table, making the cups jump. "Fine. That wall—" he pointed directly at Angelo without even acknowledging his presence, "—needs to go."

"And your compelling reason would be...?" Rorck tilted his head, genuine confusion crossing his weathered face.

"No goddamn waves!" Hugo's voice boomed across the square. "How the hell am I supposed to catch decent surf when you've turned my coastline into a kiddie pool?"

Rorck stared at him, disbelief evident in his eyes. "You control water and wind, yes? Create your own waves."

"That's not the point!" Hugo's fist came down again, this time cracking the tabletop. "It's not the same and you know it."

Rorck sighed, setting his cup down with deliberate slowness. "Very well. I'll contact the Society for the necessary clearance."

"Clearance? To remove a fucking wall?" Hugo's face darkened like storm clouds gathering. "You need permission to scratch your own ass too?"

"I can utilize my abilities freely when it doesn't constitute intervention, Hugo." Rorck explained, his gaze drifting toward Angelo with subtle recognition. "However—"

"However what?" Hugo cut in, veins visibly pulsing at his temples.

Rorck shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Well, Now that you've specifically requested for it, removing the wall would technically qualify as intervention in human affairs."

Hugo stared at him, jaw slack. "Unbelievable." He dragged a massive hand down his face. "Then why didn't you get rid of it right after stopping the tsunami?!"

"Precautionary measures. A second wave was possible."

"And after that?"

Rorck's usual composure cracked, just slightly. "To be perfectly frank, it... Kind of slipped off my mind." He gestured toward the enormous structure. "But really I don't see why you want it removed. I believe it adds a rather striking character to the horizon. Wouldn't you say?"

"Remove it." Hugo's words fell like stones, each syllable heavy with threat. "Today."

"Oh alright, fine," Rorck relented with a sigh. "I'll contact the Society promptly."

"Good." Hugo stood, finally noticing Angelo hovering nearby. "Well, look who decided to join us. The Angel of Death himself." His smile didn't reach his eyes. "Forgive the mood—some people make things needlessly complicated."

"Watching a gang leader bully an Enlightened over surfing conditions wasn't exactly on my bucket list," Angelo replied flatly, arms crossed over his chest.

Hugo's laugh rumbled like distant thunder. "Life's full of surprises, kid." He turned, snapping his fingers at his waiting entourage. "Stay out of trouble, Angel. Or don't—makes no difference to me."

The crowd parted instantly as Hugo strode away, his Cliffhangers scurrying after him like remoras trailing a shark.

"Charming individual," Rorck murmured, taking another sip of his cooling coffee.

Angelo's eyes narrowed dangerously. "That's rich coming from you."

Rorck studied him over the rim of his cup, one eye closing slightly. "Have I somehow earned this hostility?"

"You tell me," Angelo leaned forward, voice dropping to that dangerous quiet that had made criminals fear him. "You can raise mountains from the ocean floor to save these people from a tsunami, but you won't lift a finger against the man who terrorizes them daily."

"I wish I could intervene, but—"

"Then why don't you?" Angelo cut him off, his voice rising enough to draw curious stares. "What's the point of saving them from drowning if you're condemning them to live under his boot?"

Rorck set his cup down carefully. "The Society has strict protocols regarding—"

"Did you ever consider these people might have preferred the tsunami to this existence?" Angelo's fingers dug into his palms, knuckles whitening. "Maybe 'saving' them was intervention too."

"You raise a valid point," Rorck admitted, hesitating slightly. "But I prefer to believe someone will eventually liberate this town. My actions merely preserved that possibility."

Something snapped inside Angelo.

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"I told that mountain of muscle to his face that I'd challenge him if I could!" The words burst from him, loud enough that nearby conversations died instantly. "Why is someone as weak as me willing to risk everything when you won't?"

"As I explained," Rorck replied, a rare edge creeping into his voice, "Society protocols explicitly forbid such intervention. The consequences would be severe—"

"They'd kill you?" Angelo's incredulous shout drew gasps from the growing crowd. "I'm putting my life on the line against impossible odds, but the all-powerful Enlightened can't take the same risk!?"

A red haze clouded Angelo's vision. Days of tension, frustration, and powerlessness converged into a single explosive moment. Before he could think—before Blue could caution restraint or Red could egg him on—Angelo's fist connected with Rorck's jaw.

The crack echoed across the suddenly silent square as Rorck toppled backward, chair and all, crashing to the ground amidst horrified gasps from the onlookers.

At the inn, Neiva was halfway through her sandwich when Red and Blue suddenly froze mid-conversation, their eyes widening like they'd seen a ghost.

"Guys?" She waved her hand in front of Blue's face. "Hello? Did I say something wrong?"

Neither responded, their attention pulled elsewhere by their shared connection with Angelo.

Back in the town square, people slowly backed away from Angelo and the fallen Rorck. The punch's impact finally registered in Angelo's mind, horror replacing anger as his knuckles throbbed.

Rorck rose slowly, his back to Angelo. The air seemed to grow heavier, pressing down on everyone watching.

"According to the Enlightened Society's self-defense clause," Rorck's voice remained eerily calm, "I am fully authorized to eliminate you as an immediate threat."

Angelo's breath caught in his throat. Sweat beaded on his forehead as Rorck began to turn.

"ANGELO, RUN!" Red's panicked voice exploded in their shared mind, but Angelo couldn't move—rooted to the spot by the weight of what he'd done.

"But..." Rorck's voice cut through the tension like a knife, "I'm not going to do that." He gestured to the chair across from him, settling back into his seat as if nothing had happened. "Please, join me."

Angelo sank into the chair, unable to meet Rorck's eyes. Around them, the crowd murmured uncertainly, no one quite sure what to make of this strange turn of events.

"Thank you, Angelo," Rorck said, a genuine smile spreading across his face as he rubbed his reddening jaw.

"What the hell are you thanking me for?" Angelo stared at him, baffled. Red's confused echo rippled through their mental link.

"Being struck by someone of your integrity and courage?" Rorck inclined his head respectfully. "I consider it both an honor and a deserved punishment for my... inadequacies."

Angelo's brow furrowed, his mouth opening and closing without sound. "I don't understand what's happening right now."

"Allow me to explain." Rorck leaned forward, lowering his voice. "There's a reason why ES members cannot act as you suggested, even at the cost of our own lives."

"What reason?" Angelo asked, confusion replacing his anger.

"The reset clause." Rorck's expression darkened. "When an Enlightened interferes in human affairs, not only is that member eliminated, but any influence they've had is... erased."

"Erased?" Angelo's jaw tightened. "What does that even mean?"

"If I were to remove Hugo and his Cliffhangers," Rorck explained, fingers tightening around his cup, "that action would fundamentally alter this town's trajectory. The Society would not only execute me, but they would completely obliterate Thunderclap Port and everyone in it to 'reset' what I disturbed."

Angelo's stomach dropped as Blue's distant explanation resurfaced in his memory. "I... forgot about that part."

"Tragic, isn't it?" A bitter smile touched Rorck's lips. "The best way for me to positively influence this world is to do absolutely nothing."

"But why?" Angelo's fist clenched on the table. "Why does the Society operate this way?"

Rorck shook his head, eyes distant with ancient knowledge. "The Society was established many millennia ago on the principle that Enlightened are too powerful to meddle in human affairs. If humanity is to evolve and thrive, it must be through their own agency." His gaze hardened. "Our leader has maintained this philosophy for over a thousand years."

The revelation hit like lightning. Back at the inn, Blue froze completely, and Neiva's frustration at their bizarre behavior reached a breaking point.

"You can't be serious," Angelo whispered, leaning forward. "The Society's leader is over a thousand years old?"

Rorck nodded solemnly. "That's precisely what I'm saying."

"How is that even possible?" Angelo's voice dropped lower, aware of the listening crowd.

"Nobody knows," Rorck admitted, skepticism evident in his tone. "It's a mystery even among members. We're told his connection to the cosmic energy is so profound it grants him eternal life." His expression suggested he had his doubts.

Angelo's eyes narrowed with curiosity. "What's his name?"

"Methus." Rorck practically whispered the name like it might summon the man himself.

Angelo searched his memory. "Can't say I've heard of him."

"His existence isn't exactly secret," Rorck replied, crossing his arms. "But it makes sense that most wouldn't know of him. He prefers it that way."

A silence settled between them. Angelo shifted uncomfortably before finally meeting Rorck's gaze.

"Look, I'm sorry I hit you." The apology came awkwardly, almost painfully. "I lost control."

"No offense taken," Rorck smiled, touching his bruised cheek almost fondly. "As I said, it was well-deserved from my perspective."

"Right..." Angelo stood, ready to escape this uncomfortable conversation. "Thanks for not... you know, obliterating me."

"The Angel of Death, was it?" Rorck recalled, his eyes twinkling. "I'm not permitted to wish you good luck, but..." He left the sentence hanging meaningfully.

For once, Angelo's lips curled into a small smile. "Yeah... I'll try not to disappoint." He walked away, feeling Rorck's hopeful gaze following him.

Meanwhile, deep in the forest outside Thunderclap Port, Sol leapt from tree to tree, silver hair flashing in patches of sunlight as he followed the path indicated by the riddle.

He paused, perching on a thick branch as he pulled out the crumpled note. "'The second falls when first rises, beneath the split beard of stone...'" he murmured, scanning the forest floor below.

"Second falls... what falls out here?" He tapped his chin thoughtfully. "Leaves? Trees? Boulders?" None seemed to fit.

He hopped down, boots crunching on fallen leaves. "Split beard of stone sounds like something I can actually spot. But is it somewhere in this forest, or up along the mountain ridge?"

Sol closed his eyes, forcing his racing detective's mind to slow down. That's when he caught it—the faint sound of rushing water in the distance.

"Hello, what's this?" His trademark confident smile returned as he sprinted toward the sound.

A waterfall appeared through the trees, silvery water cascading down a jagged rock face into a clear pool below.

"A waterfall huh?" Sol's eyes lit up as understanding dawned. "Water falls... that's it! Maybe 'second' refers to water?" He tapped his finger against his chin. "When first rises... well, the sun rises from this direction if you're standing right about..." He positioned himself carefully in front of the cascading water. "Here."

He positioned himself in front of the waterfall, squinting against the spray. "Let's see what's behind door number one." With a deep breath, he plunged through the curtain of water.

Behind it, just as he'd hoped, lay a cave entrance—the rock formation indeed resembling a split beard.

"Gotcha!" Sol's triumphant grin lit up his face as he ventured inside, checking every shadow and crevice. "Empty now, but I'd bet my jacket this is the meeting spot."

Satisfied with his discovery, he headed back toward town, mind racing with plans. His detective instincts hummed with anticipation—they were finally getting somewhere.

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