《Among The Stars》 Prologue It was a vigorous downpour in the New Sacramento ghetto. Water flooded the street gutters; the barrage of rain against the pavement and homes alike. In one particular street and in one particular home the rain seemed to come down even harder. The home, if you could call it as such had its old yellow paint peeling off the walls. The boards and window panes out-of-place and in terrible condition. The interior of the home raged with a disorder. Garbage cluttered everywhere coupled with the thick musk of a smoke permeated the atmosphere. Past the living room was a somber little hallway with a bedroom and a bathroom on the left and right. The house was entirely vacant except for the small room on the left. The occupant of the filthy room was none other than a little boy, draped in clothes rags. The boy often took this time of solace to gaze through his shaggy black hair at the moon from the little window that was just out of reach. His peace was abruptly disturbed by the arrival of his "parents". From the other side of the door he could hear his parents excited chatter. "Get dat lil shit out from his room! I wanna see what this shit does," his father ordered his mother from the living room. A sense of dread welled up inside the boy as he clutched his thin arms, riddled with bruised and unsightly needle marks from the other drugs they "tested" on him. Hearing his mother stomping down the hallway he desperately attempted to hide under the bed. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it. His mother slammed open the door to witness the sight of him attempting to hide. Rage clouded her face as she yanked him out from under the bed and held him by his hair. "Tryna hide boy?"¨CShe slapped him across the face viciously splitting his lip¨C"After all we done for ya keepin ya clothed and fed, and ya can''t test a lil ole drug?" she angrily spit out. The boy groaned and attempted to speak but wasn''t able to form any words, mute from years of stress and fear. "Nuff of ya groaning and moaning ya dumb mute! how did I have such a useless boy?!" she raged. She yanked him roughly out of his room and to the living room. His mother threw him into the wall, both parents grinning at his pained yelp. His father held up a syringe with a clear liquid inside, as he lumbered towards the boy with a large grin adorning his face. "Now hold still boy you wouldn''t want to make daddy angry now would you?¡± The boy froze in fear as his father gripped his arm, pressing the needle deep under his skin. The boy shrieked in pain from the needle going through the tense muscle, his father''s grin spread even wider as a result. The liquid rushed into his veins taking on a deep blue color as it rapidly spread throughout his body. "Oh boy, I ain¡¯t never seen a drug like this." his father laughed. His laugh cut short as the boy began to violently spasm on the floor, all the veins in his body tinged a deep blue creating a disturbing appearance. *Gurgle* the boy started to foam at the mouth his saliva tinged with blood. "What in da hell is this, this ain''t the kinda shit I''m about." his father''s face blanched. Glad he didn''t take the drug himself. "Darlin dump the rest of this shit down the sink, no way in hell I''m takin this." he handed the drugs to his wife who hurriedly dumped them down the sink. "Damn! Knew something was fishy when they just handed it to us. Just leave the kid if he dies we''ll just get rid of him." his father sighed. They went to their bedroom to retire for the night. Leaving the small boy to continue to writhe on the floor. The boy started to lose consciousness, the world was getting darker by the second. ¡®Why,'' he asked himself, ¡®What did I do that they hate me so?'' As these last fleeting thoughts went through his psyche the world went dark. Chapter 1. The Dream, and A Strange Day Man thought he was God. We created life¡­ mistreated it and we paid the price... -Anonymous ¡°You are not alone boy¡­¡± a voice echoed. ¡°Awake your time has yet to come¡­¡± The boy awoke with a start in the grimy living room. His clothes were soaked with sweat and he felt unimaginable pain throughout his entire body. Even the smallest of movements triggered it. Besides the pain, he was even more afraid of the voice that awoke him. It was soft but powerful, vibrating the very core of his being. As the boy was pondering upon the voice he received a vicious kick to his stomach. Causing him to hurl the bile from his empty insides. His father stood above him, a nasty smirk adorning his face. ¡°Hmph¡­ You lil shit! Better clean this mess up before you get another.¡± The boy was barely able to move, his entire body felt like it was pierced by thousands of needles. He could feel the eyes of his parents on his back as crawled to the kitchen for some cleaning supplies. ¡°Hurry up boy! We haven¡¯t got all day to wait on you being a sniveling bitch!¡± His father roared. Stomping over to the boy he dragged him back to the living room throwing him into his own bile. ¡°I have a better idea¡­ you haven¡¯t had breakfast yet have you?¡±¨C his smile returned to his face at the realization¨C¡±Well you might as well recycle. Only naughty boys waste food!¡± The boy turned an even paler shade, looking from his father and back to the bile. He reached a hand out scooping some up with his finger. The stench was overpowering and he trembled as he brought it to his mouth. Just as it was about to cross his lips, his father stomped his head into the puddle of bile. ¡°Haha you bitch, now it wouldn¡¯t be fun if you ate it like that now would it.¡± he laughed. ¡°How about you eat it like a lil doggy¡­ *woof* *woof* haha!¡± The boy was helpless as he licked the bile off of the floor. Tears flowed from his eyes, his parents mocking laughter rang through the house. ¡°Alright enough of this, we need to go if we wanna make the train.¡± his mother said to his father. ¡°Sure babe, I just got a lil carried away.¡± The boy''s mother turned to him with a stern look, ¡°Now boy we are leaving for a few days. You will spend the time in your room.¡± ¡°And don¡¯t try any funny business or there will be hell to pay.¡± his father added. ¡°Now git and be a good lil boy, maybe daddy will get you a treat.¡± The boy was roughly shoved into his room with a few bottle of water, some old military rations, and a plastic bag. ¡°The plastic bag is for your personal needs, wouldn¡¯t want to have to clean up another mess now would we.¡± His father cackled as he slammed the door and bolted it. The room was desolately quiet, an aura of anger and sadness rolled off the boy. Eventually, the emotions dissipated as the boy broke into woeful sobs. ¡®Why!!!¡¯ he screamed in his mind, cursing his pitiful existence. Tears cascaded down his face as he pounded the door vigorously with his fists. But to no avail, the door wouldn¡¯t budge. The boy collapsed on his side in despair, curling into a fetal position. The boy lay weeping for hours till exhaustion claimed him to slumber.
The sea was a vibrant azure, the sun radiating off the waters like a light glistening on a lustrous crystal. The image felt familiar¡­ Soon an island came into view. Magnificent structures spiraled up into the sky caressing the heavens. A wondrous combination of metal and light. At the top of the most statuesque structure stood two seraphim like beings on a balcony. Their appearance was alien and ethereal. Robed in beautiful silver clothing with lines of light coursing, through. They embraced each other gazing over the city like two gods, observing the earth from the heavens. The image rippled to a ghastly scene of destruction. The elegant city now lay in ruins with pyre and death about it. Black ships dotted the once beautiful sea. The inhabitants of the city fled screaming in terror, boarding large auroral ships. Soaring into the sky like shooting stars¡­ forsaking the once resplendent city now¡­ desolated.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.
A sharp pain abruptly woke him from the mysterious dream. Sitting up and looking around his gaze fell upon a little red ball lying next to him. Curiosity overcame him as he gingerly picked up the ball. It felt soft and smooth in his palm. ¡°Hey you going to throw that back or what?¡± a voice called from the window. Looking up the boy made eye contact with a youth sitting on the window sill. The youth had fiery red hair and bright orange eyes, it was by far the strangest thing the boy had ever seen. The youth¡¯s eyes widened as he observed the state of the room and its occupant. ¡°Wha¡­ hey are you ok kid?¡± he asked in a worried tone. The boy froze, no one had ever asked him if he was ok before. He looked away from the youth, the ball suddenly becoming much more interesting. They sat in silence for a few moments. ¡°My name is Aidan. How about you?¡± the youth asked in a gentler tone. Concern for the boy filling his eyes. The boy looked back with a complex expression. Pointing to his mouth in an attempt to signal that he couldn¡¯t speak. ¡°Your mouth? Ohhh, you can¡¯t¡­ speak?¡± The youth said with astonishment. The boy nodded his head in confirmation and went back to staring at the ball. Aidan put his hand under his chin taking on a look of intense thought. ¡°Well, it seems you are in quite the dilemma my friend.¡± opening his eyes to observe the room again. ¡°How about I get ya out of here. Doesn¡¯t look too pleasant down there.¡± The boy shook his head vigorously remembering his father words. It¡¯s not that the boy didn¡¯t want to escape. But the fear of getting caught always won over the desire to try. ¡°What are you afraid of? Why on earth wou-¡± ¡°Found you!¡± a feminine voice roared. ¡°Ah, shit!¡± Aidan cursed. ¡°Look, hang onto that for me and don¡¯t you worry I¡¯ll be back.¡± Aidan jumped down from the window, his hurried footsteps signaling his departure. The boy looked down at the little red ball gripping it tightly to his chest. Someone had actually been nice to him and even gave him something. A foreign but warm feeling sprouted in his chest. He couldn¡¯t help but start to cry again. It seemed the voice was right, he wasn¡¯t alone after all.
¡°Damn that woman! Always coming at the worst times!¡± Aidan seethed in frustration. Before he had come across the strange boy he had been running from his elder sister. She was responsible for him mastering his abilities in preparation to lead the family and represent their faction. ¡®Ruthless monster¡¯ he loathed. She was always unnecessarily violent not hesitating to break his bones in their ¡°training sessions¡±. The chase had been quite literally halfway across the city, resulting in him ending up in the ghetto. In an attempt to slow her Aidan used a training drone. But the monster sent it rocketing a few blocks down and into a window. Luckily he ended up losing her in some air traffic in the next street down. Circling back he went to retrieve the drone, god knows what would happen if he went home without it. That''s when he found the strange boy. It was something that Aidan wouldn¡¯t forget. The room was absolutely filthy and the smell that came from it almost made him pass out. But the image that would haunt him forever was the state of the boy. He had a ghastly pale complexion and no muscles, just skin and bones. Riddled with nasty bruises and dried crusted blood. Dressed in filthy rags that seemed to be covered in throw up or the like. His visage held one of the most despondent looks he had ever seen, his eyes held no life in them. Completely dead inside. A great amount of pity and sadness welled up in him. No human being should be in this state. He attempted to find out more, but the boy was mute so the conversation was himself talking and the boy nodding. He wanted to get the boy out, but when the subject was brought up a look of pure fear filled his face. Aidan was shocked, he wondered what on earth could terrify someone to the point that they wouldn¡¯t even dream of escaping. Not much else could be found out with the arrival of his sister. He intended to come back for the boy, and getting caught by his sister would result in him being bedridden for weeks. Luckily the drone has a tracking device in it so he could easily return. Back to the present, the chase wasn¡¯t going so well. His sister was right on his tail spilling various profanity at him as they jumped from rooftop to rooftop. Cold sweat coated his back and his hair was standing on edge. ¡°Shi!!-¡± Aidan yelled out as he missed a jump falling down two stories. Smashing into a dumpster at the bottom his vision went white. *BOOOM* his sister smashed into the concrete creating a small crater. She walked out of the dust with a deadpan smile on her face. ¡°Hii!!¡± Aidan yelped in fear. He felt the grim reaper''s scythe at his throat. ¡°Alright, you little shit¡­¡±¨CShe cracked her knuckles producing a grotesque popping¨C¡±Time to go night night~¡± a terrifying gleeful smile filled her face. Causing Aidan to cringe in fear. ¡°Wait, sis can we tal-¡± before Aidan could finish his sentence she flickered from sight, delivering a lightning quick punch to his face. Blood sprayed from Aidan¡¯s nose as he was sent careening backward, landing butt up completely knocked out. ¡°Really now was it so hard to just be a good boy and train hard.¡± She giggled over his appearance. (AN: RIP my homie Aidan :c ) She scooped Aidan up and flickered again, heading home with her troublesome brother.
Night soon enveloped the city. The boy sat in his meager room illuminated by the moonlight. Turning the ball between his hands, he thought about the events of the day. The voice, the dream¡­ what did it all mean? He also hoped he would be able to see Aidan again, he yearned to feel that strange emotion again. Thinking back to the dream he wondered why it felt so oddly familiar. It was almost like he had lived there once. It was more like a distant memory than a dream. He couldn¡¯t help but crave to go there¡­ to see that dazzling sea, to speak with the beautiful beings on the tall building. He wondered why he had never had a dream like that before. Usually, his dreams were nothing but nightmares of his parents. The boy assumed it was linked to the mysterious voice he heard. All of this was just too much to process for the time being. He set the ball down and wrapped himself up in the small pile of blankets he slept in. Scooching over to the corner of his room he glanced up at the moon. For once in his life, he felt himself drift peacefully to sleep. ¡°The hour of our fated meeting has come at last¡­ human...¡± a voice murmurs. Chapter 2. A Call to Answer ¡°A great pillar of light fell from the sky¡­ destroying my home¡­ my family¡­ and my memories¡­ sentencing me to a bleak existence.¡± - Civilian Archive 0216, The Scorching. The boy stood alone in a pitch black space. He felt his breath quicken as he wandered around aimlessly, put on edge by the return of the voice. The boy gave up and fell to his knees a dark despair overcame him. Had he finally broken? He feared he wasn¡¯t even safe in his mind. The boy burst into tears, tears that echoed endlessly against the cold floor in the deep dark. Just when his despair was about to overcome him a light bloomed in the night. A single sphere of luminescence descended onto the boy. ¡°Greetings¡­ I have wanted to speak with you for some time now¡­¡± The sphere pulsed brightly as the voice spoke. The voice was like a whisper in the wind, but it contained a certain power to it. The sphere pulsed again, ¡°You may not be able to talk outside, but here¡­ we are in your mind. What you think I shall know.¡± ¡®Who¡­ what are you?¡¯ The boy thought timidly. The sphere pulsed even more brightly, ¡°I¡­ I am Astrum. And I am no thing; I am presumably the last of the Anima.¡± The boy was extremely puzzled, ¡®What is an A-An-Anima?¡¯ ¡°We were a sentient race created by your predecessors a very long time ago.¡± Astrum¡¯s light dimmed a great deal, ¡°My current state is weak, we have limited time. I am in need of your assistance child.¡± ¡®What is going on? I-I''m not un-understanding?¡¯ The boy stuttered out. Astrum¡¯s light pulsed a deep red before returning to its previous white, ¡°I pity you boy¡­ the state your parents have put you in is an unforgivable crime.¡± Astrum continued, ¡°I have been monitoring you since I awoke 432 days 6 hours and 4 minutes ago. The drug that your parents used on you the previous night was no drug. It was my liquidized soul crystal.¡± The boy''s eyes widened at the revelation, ¡®You? How could? What do you m-mean watching me?¡¯ ¡°Many things I will explain in time. But both of our situations are quite similar. We were both betrayed by the ones that gave us life. Your life here has left you open minded but ignorant to the ways of the world. Thus you were the most suitable candidate for a meld.¡± ¡®What h-have you done to me? Why did it hurt s-so much?¡¯ ¡°I apologize for the pain but it was necessary, I created a housing in your cerebral cortex, melding us together. I also undertook minimal repairs of your body, the damage is¡­ extensive.¡± ¡®You¡­ became a p-p-part of me?¡¯ The boy was now growing fearful. ¡°Yes and no, our minds are linked but your body is still your own. Granted I could take control, but I will refrain from doing so.¡± ¡®W-What is it you want from me?¡¯ ¡°The current situation would take much time to explain, and time is something we both are out of.¡± Astrum¡¯s light flickered slightly, ¡°We Anima are not like biological organisms we require a soul crystal to function, Mine has taken extensive damage from the war, I need another to restore myself.¡± ¡®What war?¡¯ The boy asked puzzled. ¡°The war that changed the world¡­ I will tell you another time. Now, child, I require a soul crystal to restore myself and to heal you completely. It benefits us both you have minimal time to live, and only I can save you.¡± ¡®W-What do you mean? Am I¡­ going to die?¡¯ The boy asked in a somber tone. ¡°Unfortunately yes, from my analysis you have roughly 14 years to live, by that time without the soul crystal your biological functions will cease.¡± The boy hung his head; his eyes held no light. He never wanted this to happen to him. It wasn¡¯t fair, why did he have to be born? Whatever God was out there, why did he forsake him so? Tears began to fall from his eyes. The entire situation seemed hopeless to him. ¡°Do not lose hope boy¡­ it is the only thing you have left in this life. Help will be here soon. I have run numerous simulations based on your encounter with Aidan; he will get us out of this predicament.¡± The tears of the boy stopped. He had forgotten about Aidan a strange feeling rose in the boy''s chest. Maybe there is hope after all? ¡°That¡¯s more like it child. Now, will you heed my call? Your life is hardly over and the power to change it for the better lies in your hands.¡± The boy wiped the tears from his face and shakily stood up. A firm determination hardened his features. If he can get out of this situation, then now is the time to try. Astrum¡¯s words created a confidence in the boy, something he never had. ¡®I-I will do my best.¡¯ Astrum¡¯s light glowed brightly turning the boy''s vision white, ¡°Excellent! Now I will impart a series of images directly into your brain, and they will show you the way to the soul crystal. Prepare yourself; this will hurt.¡± The boy shook as his vision distorted and a static sound deafened his hearing. Multiple images flitted through his mind at a rapid pace. A large mountain came into view, at the top an ominous cave entrance. In the depths of the cave was a large metallic base built into the rock. You might be reading a stolen copy. Visit Royal Road for the authentic version. His view changed to an aerial view of a vast expanse of buildings surrounded by acres of land. Many people that looked only a few years older than him attended the facilities. It switched to the view of a larger center complex. Down many corridors to the basement of the building, his gaze entered a large room with a golden pillar standing upright in the center. Next, a large complex on the coast appeared, many great machines and armed personnel dotted the area. In the basement of the complex was yet another pillar. A third image replaced the previous. This time a great skyscraper in a magnificent city appeared. Many people dressed in fancy clothing came in and out of the building. At the top floor in an isolated room was another pillar. A final image replaced the third, this time it was a great island with the remains of a once majestic city. It was the city from his dream! It sped to the large tower that was at the center of the city. On the very top of the building was the balcony he saw the two people standing on, but it was hardly recognizable everything destroyed. In the room behind the balcony was a golden vault with three pillars in a triangle formation. The static sound quieted down, and the boy''s vision returned to normal. He fell to the ground gasping for air. The entire ordeal was immensely painful. ¡°Boy, your journey has only begun. You will face numerous hardships. You will find friends and foes alike. The future of both our races will be decided. I ask a great deal of you child, but I have a feeling that this is what you were born to do.¡± Astrum¡¯s light began to dim a great deal to the point of almost being nonexistent. ¡®W-Wait! Where are you g-going?¡¯ The boy began to panic at Astrum¡¯s seeming departure. He still had many questions. ¡°The fate of the Anima and Humanity rests on your shoulders. Reclaim our legacy only you can save the future. And remember never to lose hope boy no¡­ Eden¡­ yes, Eden you will be our star. I wish you luck if fate wills it, we shall meet again soon¡­¡± Astrum''s voice trailed off as the light disappeared altogether. The dark space began to crumble, and Eden fell at a rapid pace. ¡®WAAITT!¡¯his shrill scream rang out in the abyss. Eden jumped awake throwing his blankets off of himself in a panic. His clothing soaked with sweat, and he took deep breaths to calm himself. His heartbeat began to slow to a regular pace as he regained his bearings. He looked up to the window, and the early morning light was just barely shining through. He took one more deep breath as he let it bathe over his face. It was warm and soothing from his otherwise chilly room. ¡®Eden huh¡­¡¯ He felt a strange emotion at being given a name. Now, it seemed as if he belonged to something. ¡®Is this what purpose feels like?¡¯
The Genobility District of New Sacremento is vastly different than the rest of the city. As the leaders of the population, they have vast amounts of prosperity and get to enjoy their life unlike the majority of the underclass citizens. The latest technological wonders and advancements in the quality of life gravitate towards it. At the very center of the district was a magnificent mansion. The design was a 21st-century modern design. The building was large and open with glass in the majority of places instead of walls, the walls that existed were a white and black, with hints of red. The front of the house had a beautiful garden with exotic plant life, and an excellent path illuminated by torches running through it. The back of the house had a large pool and a training ground. In a room on the fourth floor of the house slept Aidan on a large white bed. The morning rays had just begun to light the house, streaming through his window and giving the room a warm glow. Aidan began to toss and turn and awoke with a shout, slamming his face into the bedpost. ¡°SON OF A BITCH!¡± He tightly gripped his nose as blood dripped down. ¡°She broke my nose. I''m gonna kill that v-vi-¡± His voice cut short as he made eye contact with the figure at his door. ¡°Mmm, so what was it you were about to say?¡± ¡°Haha, Sis! What timing I was just about to comment on your beautiful appearance.¡± Her gaze only narrowed at Aidan¡¯s dry laughter. ¡°You''re 12 years old now, and it¡¯s time for you to start acting responsibly. How do you intended to lead the family as you are now?¡± ¡°Well¡­ for starters I''m 12, I haven¡¯t even decided if that''s what I want for myself. And lastly you are a beas-¡± Aidan was abruptly sent rocketing into the wall. ¡°Time to get dressed.¡± she smiled eerily, ¡°Father wishes to speak with you.¡± Aidan¡¯s only response was a groan as lay in the corner of his room. ¡®Wait.¡¯ the events of the previous day flashed through his mind. ¡®The kid!¡¯ Aidan jumped to his feet and ran to his closet to grab his clothes. His sister was stunned by his sudden liveliness. Without mind for the presence of anyone else he flung his clothes off getting dressed and running to his father''s office. ¡°Have you no decency!¡± his sister called after him. ¡°No time sis, its an emergency!¡± ¡®Emergency?¡¯ She wondered what could be wrong. Deciding to give chase she ran after him to find out. Aidan passed down the final corridor leading to his father''s office. ¡°Father!¡± Aidan slammed open the large red doors. ¡°I need to speak to you, I found this boy, and he needs our help!¡± Aidan was the spitting image of his father. They both had the same hair and eyes, but his father had numerous scars and a stoic face. Besides the scars, he was still a very handsome man. He stood 6¡¯7¡¯¡¯ and had a robust musculature. ¡°Aidan¡­ I don¡¯t know how many times I need to explain it to you. Stop running off and do your damn training!¡± His father''s face twitched in anger. ¡°I''m sorry Father, but we must save that kid!¡± ¡°What the hell are you talking about? What kid and don¡¯t you raise your voice to me! Sit your ass down.¡± His father¡¯s enraged voice immediately quieted him as he abruptly sat down at the mahogany desk. ¡°Now, calmly explain to me what in the world has got you so riled up.¡± ¡°I¡­ I was running away from sis yesterday¡± his father''s face turned, even more, stern. ¡°Just hang on a second don¡¯t kill me just yet it was completely worth it.¡± ¡°What could be worth more than you mastering your abilities, becoming a successful leader, keeping our family in good standing in the endless war of politics, and lastly your nonexistent self-respect?¡± ¡°Ok, you make it sound worse than it is. And I have plenty of self-esteem, it''s why I avoid getting put through the meat grinder on a daily basis. Lazing around is much safer.¡± His father rubbed his forehead at the complete idiot he had for a son. ¡°Ok, ok we are derailing here, what kid?¡± ¡°Ahem, as I was saying. Yesterday when sis knocked the drone I used to distract her into a house a few blocks down I found a kid in the worst situation.¡± His father began to pop his knuckles from the mounting frustration, ¡°So you lost a drone now? And you tell me this to my face. Oh, boy kid I wonder where you got your balls from.¡± ¡°Obviously not fro-¡± A pencil snap immediately silenced him. ¡°In the house I found a kid living literally in garbage, he had rags for clothes, he had no meat on his bones at all you would think it was a skeleton.¡± Aidan shivered at the memory, ¡°His eyes dad¡­ We need to save him isn¡¯t that our jobs as the protectors to look after our citizens?¡± ¡°And if I spent my time looking after every piece of street trash how would I get anything done?¡± Aidan''s face became enraged at his father''s response, ¡°That was no trash I saw there! The only garbage I see is the people who refuse to do anything and sit idly by!¡± ¡°ENOUGH!¡± His father was practically fuming at this point. They continued to stare at each other with the situation now completely out of hand. ¡°Both of you calm down.¡± His sister approached them from the shadow of the curtain. ¡°Father, what would Mother say to your words just now?¡± Their father¡¯s face turned grim. His late wife was always an advocate for the assistance of the lower class. She would always fight for their rights even if it completely alienated her. It was why he married her, for her self-confidence and her determination to do the right thing always. ¡°You¡¯re right¡­ It would dishonor her memory if I didn¡¯t help,¡± he whispered. ¡°Aidan¡­ I am sorry, I just lost my temper.¡± ¡°Yeah? Well, it¡¯s not a first.¡± He snorted. ¡°Don¡¯t push it bud.¡± His father growled. ¡°Now, I will search for information on the boy. In the meantime, I believe you have a lot of lost training to catch up on.¡± ¡°W-Wait, come on I have a broken nose. Can I take an extra long sick leave?¡± Cold sweats were now cascading down Aidan¡¯s back. Aidan¡¯s shrill screams were all that could be heard on the property as he was dragged to the training ground.
Twilight had set in the city. In the ghetto, Eden was desperately trying to pry the bars of his window. He collapsed from the exhaustion; he had been working for hours. But he simply had no energy, his food had run out, and his constitution was too weak. ¡®How am I supposed to save an entire race if I can¡¯t even save myself?¡¯ Eden was growing frustrated with his inability to do anything. He walked over to his corner and wrapped himself in his blankets. As he was stewing over another plan; one that would work his gaze fell on Aidan¡¯s ball. He reached over and gingerly picked it up, playing with it in his hands. Turning the ball over he felt a small indentation at the top of the ball, examining it more closely it looked like a button? Curiosity overcame him as he gently pressed it. *Beep* the ball gave off a small sound. *Beep* *Beep* the sound continued at regular intervals. Eden was slightly surprised and wondered what he did. Pondering over the continuing noise, he heard a loud chatter from outside. An ominous feeling rose in his chest as he suspected what he dreaded most. ¡°I can¡¯t believe they would screw us like dat!¡± An enraged masculine voice said from outside. ¡°I told you it would be a waste of time! We didn¡¯t even get a single gram!¡± ¡°Shut yo mouth bitch I know damn well! AH! Fuck!¡± His parents had returned. All hope for Eden seemingly went out the window. His father was enraged if he decided to take it out on him. He didn¡¯t know what would happen. He could only pray that Astrum was right and Aidan would rescue him.