Silence belonged only to this secluded alley. As Vizet and Baby Thunderbird approached the mouth of the alley, the clamor became more and more distinct.
This was Brooklyn, New York, after all. Even in the latter half of the night, it was still filled with restless energy, though tonight's unrest seemed especially pronounced.
The alley led to a rundown little square. The square was packed with people. Vizet gave it a quick glance; there were at least seventy or eighty of them.
There were men and women among them, dressed in coats or work clothes. They formed a semicircle, all raising their heads to look at the man standing in the center of the square.
They all held torches in their hands. Beneath the leaping firelight were face after face twisted by fanaticism.
The man in the center of the square was tall and wore a brown leather jacket. He was waving a torch as he gave a speech, his slightly hoarse voice extremely inflammatory.
"They think the events in Paris were their victory! A clarion call for the Magical World to step into the light! I'm telling you, that was nothing but the death knell of their arrogance!"
Baby Thunderbird seemed to be drawn by something. It stood on Vizet's shoulder, rubbing its beak against Vizet's cheek and letting out a cry full of confusion. "Chirp chirp?"
Just as Baby Thunderbird grew puzzled, the man's speech continued. "That Vizet! That evil wizard! He is the chief culprit behind the situation we face today!"
"We must never be fooled by him. What he brings is not change at all, but a naked threat! If he can make trees grow out of an iron tower, then he can turn our houses into great trees too!"
"If he can make white light