The afternoon light filtered through my apartment windows, casting soft shadows across the worn cushions of my sofa. I'd claimed my usual spot—feet propped up, phone in hand. Across the coffee table, Sass hovered with that peculiar stillness only kwamis could manage, his slitted eyes fixed on the necklace resting on a velvet cloth.
The Eagle Miraculous. Dormant and waiting.
My phone buzzed, and I glanced down at the kendo group chat. I let myself sink into an easy convo switching over to my DMs, checking in with Chloé and Max. Chloé's response was immediate wondering when I'd be back asking if we could "talk" more. Max's was more measured probably being distracted by something, he seemed fine.
After asking chloe for a small lump sum I leaned back, waiting.
"He stirs."
Sass's voice coiled through the quiet like smoke, and I sat up straighter. The room seemed to hold its breath.
The Miraculous pulsed.
Once. Twice.
Then light exploded from its core a warm light emanating. Gold threaded through the copper and silver, illuminating patterns I hadn't noticed before. The necklace trembled, and the air hummed with something ancient awakening.
My phone buzzed again. probably Adrien with another puppy emoji, but I couldn't look away.
The light coalesced, shrank, twisted into form.
And then he was there.
Liiri materialized above the necklace, spreading in an instinctive stretch. His body was a deep, rich independence blue that reminded me of the sky just before night fell, but his head was larger, covered in grayish-blue plumage with a distinguished tuft of feathers swept back like he'd styled them that way on purpose. His neck and tail feathers caught the light, shimmering between grey and blue. His feet, taloned and graceful, flexed in the air. But it was his eyes. sharp.
His yellow beak opened, and his voice rang out, clear and formal.
"I am Liiri, kwami of Freedom. State your purpose, holder of the Snake."
I blinked. Then smiled.
Sass drifted forward, his own formality matching Liiri's naturally. "Welcome back, Liiri. The world has changed much since you last flew."
"Sass." Liiri's eyes softened, just barely. "Your presence is... reassuring. How long?"
"Long enough," Sass replied smoothly. "You were needed elsewhere. Now you are needed here."
I cleared my throat, setting my phone aside. "Hello, Liiri. I'm Luka. Not your holder, just someone who's been keeping the Miraculous safe."
Liiri's gaze locked onto me, assessing. "You bear the Snake. Yet you guard my vessel without claiming it for yourself."
"Yeah," I said, keeping my tone easy despite the weight of that stare. "That's kind of the point. I've got Sass. You need someone who can really use what you offer."
"And you believe you've found such a person."
It wasn't a question, but I answered anyway. "That'd be your call, not mine."
Liiri descended slowly, landing on the edge of the coffee table. He folded his wings with precise movements, and I noticed the way he held himself—proud, but not arrogant.
"You intrigue me, Snake Bearer. Most would covet another Miraculous. Another power."
It was clearly Liiri was against evil but he seemed to associate it with power, as long as it doesn't become a problem then that thought should be fine
I shrugged, glancing at Sass, who watched us both with approval in his ancient eyes. "Not really the goal. Balance is. Making sure the right people have what they need to make things better. That's what matters."
Liiri observed me and the room, "A musician's philosophy," tilting his head.
Sass glided closer to Liiri, and something passed between them—some kwami understanding I wasn't fully privy to. "Luka is gathered with many of our kind," Sass explained. "Currently, protecting over Paris. To reunite us like this, it's beyond fate my friend, a gift."
Liiri's feathers ruffled slightly.
I slightly leaned forward into the conversation. "And other wielder, they're all waiting. If you agree to this, to allow me to provide a suitable holder, you'll get to meet them. All of them. Wayzz, Pollen, Trixx, and more on the way. We're building something here, Liiri, join us.
"You speak of my family" Liiri said quietly.
"You have free will I'm just offering a choice" I slowed my voice, "I do want to see you with your friend, but here this. I assume you were asleep, because you weren't needed, villians are running rampant back in my country so I encourage you to come, but only if you want."
The silence stretched, Liiri looked at Sass, then back at me, his grey eyes searching for something.
Finally, he spoke. "This holder you have in mind. Tell me of them."
I was about to give a description but Liiri needed more than my personal assessment.
"Someone disciplined," I said carefully. "Someone who understands what it means to be free because they've known what it's like not to be. Someone who'd use your power to help them see their own paths and guide others."
"Lofty ideals," Liiri remarked, but his tone had warmed. "And if they fail?"
"Then you come back," I said simply. "No holder is permanent if they're not right. That's part of the deal."
Sass nodded his approval, and Liiri's beak curved in what might've been a smile.
"Very well, Snake Bearer. I will meet this potential holder of yours. And should they prove worthy, I will bond with them. But know this—" His voice sharpened, formal once more. "I expect to meet my companions you speak of. I have been alone long enough."
"Deal. Sass and the others will be happy to have you around while we wait."
Liiri launched into the air, circling once before diving back into his Miraculous. The light flared, then settled, leaving the necklace gleaming with renewed life.
I exhaled slowly, then moved with fluidity, the shipping box was already prepared, styrofoam peanuts, padding, the works. I placed the Eagle Miraculous inside carefully, making sure it wouldn't shift during transport not that it'd mattered much.
I headed over to my laptop next, pulling up the shipping label template, typing in the Tsurugi address from memory, and hit print. The soft whir filling the air as I sealed the box, attached the label, and double-checked everything.
This would reach Kagami by tomorrow. And then...
My phone rang.
Not buzzed—rang.
I froze, and glanced, the name made me pause.
Sparrow.
Jessica Keynes didn't call unless it was important. I picked up, keeping my voice calm and easy. "Jessica. What's up?"
"Luka." Her voice came through clear, a tad eager, "I saw the news. That hostage situation yesterday—the way you handled it was impressive."
I leaned against my desk, phone pressed to my ear. "Just doing what needed to be done. Everyone made it out safe."
"Exactly." There was a pause, and I could almost hear her choosing her words carefully. "I want to train with you."
That caught me off guard. "Train?"
"You saved that civilian without backup, and somehow kept the situation from escalating, and managed to neutralize the threat without anyone getting hurt. That can't just be luck, that's skill." Her tone shifted, more earnest now. "I've got power, Luka, but, but I need to learn how to use it better. Tactically. The way you do."
I thought about it, turning the request over in my mind. if she was asking for help...I might as well accrue her some debt.
"Alright," I said finally. "Tonight. We'll patrol together, and I'll walk you through some basics. Battle tactics, situational awareness, that kind of thing."
"Thank you." Relief colored her voice. "I owe you one."
There it is, I thought, but kept my tone light. " you better," I gave a chuckle "tonight. Meet me at the spot we beat the villain—you know where."
"I'll be there."
She hung up, and I pocketed my phone, glancing at Sass. He'd been listening, of course.
"You're building quite the network, Luka," he observed.
"Just making sure everyone's ready for whatever comes next," I replied, grabbing my jacket. "And Jessica's part of that."
Night fell over Paris like a familiar blanket, and I found myself rooftop-hopping with Sparrow beside me. She'd gotten better at the acrobatics—more confident in her movements, probably because there where no threats around.
"Okay," I said, crouching on the ledge of an apartment building, gesturing toward the streets below. "First rule: when patrolling were not looking for trouble but reading the environment. You see that group down there?"
Sparrow followed my gaze. "The teenagers by the convenience store?"
"Right. Body language tells you everything. They're relaxed, laughing—no threat. But watch." I pointed toward an alley two blocks down. "That guy checking his phone every few seconds, looking over his shoulder. That's nervous energy. Could be nothing. Could be something."
"So we check it out?"
"No, we observe first," I corrected gently. "that's rule two: don't engage unless necessary. Sometimes your presence is enough to change the situation."
We moved across the rooftops, and I walked her through the basics—how to position herself for quick escapes, how to use elevation for advantage, how to read a crowd for potential threats. She listened intently, asking smart questions I'd managed to keep up with
"You're a natural at this," I said after an hour. "Just needed someone to point you in the right direction."
"I had a good teacher," she replied softly, and there was genuine gratitude in her voice.
We were rounding the corner of the 15th arrondissement when Sparrow suddenly grabbed my arm.
"Luka. Down there."
I followed her line of sight and there it was
someone in all black was battling it out with a hulking figure moving impossibly gracefully I wasn't familiar with the hero but despite her skill she seemed to have accumulated massive amounts of damage.
flipping over the man her leg was caught but she'd somehow gotten free with a sonic blast coming from her mouth clutching her already damaged ribs.
Wait looking closer, if I wasn't mistaken. Another miraculous?
it was a collar around her neck with a bat symbol that looked to show what percent the suit was at I couldn't be sure without a closer glance.
Just then she was sent flying into a building dust scattering as the villian was about to trail behind when he suddenly stopped.
He looked up toward us menacingly.
This wasn't going to be easy.
But then again, nothing ever was.
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Yes independence blue is a real color hope you enjoyed