Faro Faros lay fast asleep in the Cave of Falcon, the cool air of Thundarr Forest drifting in through the hidden vents in the cavern walls. The faint glow of Thundranum-powered lamps illuminated the stone chamber where he rested, his breathing slow and steady. Today was different, though. As he shifted beneath his blanket, the first light of dawn slipping through the cracks of the cave’s entrance, an unfamiliar sensation brushed against his chin.
His eyes fluttered open, groggy from sleep. Sitting up, he rubbed his jaw and felt the coarse texture of beard stubs—his first real facial hair. A small smile crossed his lips as he realized what this meant. He had turned sixteen today.
Rising from his bed, he made his way to a small mirror affixed to the stone wall. Studying his reflection, he ran his fingers over his chin and jawline. He had never shaved before, but he knew it was time. From a shelf near his sink, he picked up his electric razor, a sleek device powered by a small Thundranum cell embedded within its handle. As he switched it on, a soft hum filled the air, the glow of the energy source flickering blue.
Carefully, he guided the razor along his jaw, feeling the tiny hairs vanish beneath its edge. It was a strange but oddly satisfying ritual, marking his transition into manhood. As he wiped away the last traces of shaving cream, a sudden chime echoed through the cave—a noise he hadn’t heard in months.
The cave doorbell.
His security monitor flickered to life, revealing a figure standing outside. Waving cheerfully at the camera was Aunty Rita, her signature wavy locks cascading over her shoulders. She wore a fitted brown leather jacket over a short black dress, her smile warm yet mysterious. Faro’s eyes widened. This was the first time they were meeting in Thundarr Forest.
Rushing to the cave entrance, he pressed a hidden panel on the rock wall, and the heavy steel door slid open with a mechanical hiss.
“Aunty Rita!” he greeted, stepping forward and wrapping his arms around her.
Rita pulled him in closer, her lips brushing against his before pressing a deep French kiss onto him. Faro froze for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest. She finally pulled away, brushing his freshly shaved cheek with her thumb. “You missed a few spots,” she teased, her voice smooth.
Still catching his breath, Faro let out a small chuckle, trying to mask his nerves. “I, uh… I just shaved for the first time.”
Rita grinned knowingly. “Then let me show you how to do it properly.”
Guiding him back inside, she led him to the sink, taking the razor from his hands. With slow, careful strokes, she moved the blade over his skin, the warmth of her fingers steadying his face. He let her work in silence, feeling a strange mix of comfort and tension. When she finished, she ran her hand along his now perfectly smooth jawline and smiled.
“Much better,” she murmured before leading him to the small dining table in the cave’s dining area. They sat across from each other, the soft hum of the cave’s energy sources filling the quiet.
Rita exhaled deeply, her playful demeanor fading. “Faro, I need to tell you something important.”
He leaned in, sensing the weight in her voice.
She looked down at the table, her fingers tracing absent patterns on the surface. “One year ago, Murder Dog killed my husband, Falc.” Her voice wavered. “He… he jumped from the top of this very cave, just as Falc opened the door—naked—right after we made love.” Her eyes shimmered with held-back tears. “Fireworks in the sky distracted him. And then…” She clenched her fists. “Murder Dog drove a screwdriver into the top of his skull.”
Faro’s stomach tightened. He had always known Murder Dog was brutal, but the sheer cruelty of the act sent a chill through him.
Rita wiped her eyes. “And as if that wasn’t enough, right after Falc died, the Plate of Falcon went missing from this cave. The crest that symbolized everything.” She met his gaze, her expression dark. “I thought it was lost forever. But recently, I saw it again—in the Museum of Artifacts in Thundarr City.”
Faro’s fists clenched. “Someone stole it and put it on display?”
Rita nodded. “I need you to go to Thundarr City, Faro. My son, Cal, just graduated and is taking over Drink Inc. I want you to stay at his mansion while you figure out what’s going on.” She handed him a slip of paper with an address. “Go find him. He’ll help you.”
Faro inhaled deeply, nodding. “I’ll go.”
After saying their goodbyes, he mounted his Falcon Bike and rode to the train station. He purchased a ticket from the ticket master and boarded the train, parking his bike in the designated compartment before shifting to the passenger section. Settling into a seat, he picked up the latest issue of the D.E.C Monthly Magazine from a nearby rack.
His breath caught in his throat as he flipped through the pages. A bold headline stared back at him:
“Faro Faros: Missing in Action – Pilot Vanishes Over Thundarr Forest”
It had been exactly nine months since he found the Power Ring of Falcon and took on the mantle of Falcon the Third. As far as the world knew, Faro Faros was gone.
The train rattled on for three hours before finally pulling into Thundarr City Central Station. As Faro stepped off, he pushed his bike through the crowd, emerging onto the bustling streets. Towering skyscrapers stretched toward the sky, their glass facades reflecting the vibrant city lights. The sound of honking cars, chattering pedestrians, and distant sirens filled the air.
He took a deep breath, the scent of the city’s familiar mix of asphalt and industry washing over him.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been here,” he muttered, gripping the handlebars of his bike.
And with that, he rode off toward the unknown future awaiting him.
