《The Chronicles of the Relic Pilot》 Chapter 1: The Vanishing Flight Why does this kind of shit always happen to me? Finally sober¡ªonly for my luck to turn this quickly¡­ oh well. Some things can¡¯t be helped. The sun was too damn bright at this time of day, its morning rays cutting straight through the slanted windows of the terminal. From the outside, my life probably seemed exciting¡ªa private pilot flying to exotic locations, meeting important people. But the truth? It was just another job. And jobs were only as exciting as the people you flew for. The high-pitched intercom blared overhead. "Flight 307, please report to the terminal." Beyond that, the low hum of departing planes filled the air. I adjusted my tie and took one last look in the locker room mirror¡ªa tired face stared back. "This old face has seen a few things," I muttered. With a sigh, I grabbed my jacket. The metallic clank of my flask hitting the locker reminded me of old habits. But not today. Rubbing my temples I sighed -Another thrilling day awaits. Pre-Flight Checks The Cessna was old, but I never worried about it. Like a pair of worn-out shoes¡ªcomfortable, reliable. Inside, my co-pilot was already in the chair, flipping through the safety checks with his usual youthful enthusiasm. Rusty. Young, sharp, and irritatingly optimistic. A goody two-shoes who made me look bad without even trying. "Dan, ready for a great flight, Captain?" he grinned, eyes full of excitement. I forced a smile, but my eyes didn¡¯t match it. "Yeah, kid. Let¡¯s see what the day has in store for us." Of course, the Captain''s job wasn¡¯t just flying¡ªfor a small upstart airline, it also meant doing the safety announcements. I stood in front of our four passengers, sizing them up. ? Passenger One: A large, well-fed man in a finely tailored suit¡ªlooked like a corrupt politician straight out of a bad crime drama. ? Passenger Two: A beautiful woman in a low-cut dress, hanging onto the arm of the man next to her. ? Passenger Three: A nervous-looking woman with glasses, clutching a folder like her life depended on it. ? Passenger Four: The odd one. Tall, unnaturally handsome, dressed in a casual but expensive outfit. Something about him felt off. Whoever this guy was, he had money. And lots of it. I ran through the safety speech for the thousandth time. "Seatbelts, airbags, all the standard stuff. My name is Captain Dan O¡¯Donnell¡ªplease enjoy the flight." Then, I headed to the cockpit. Takeoff Rusty double-checked the procedures as I slid into my chair. I pulled a worn-out photo from my wallet and set it onto the dash¡ªmy good luck charm.The tale has been taken without authorization; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident. As I announced takeoff, a sinking feeling crept up my spine. Something felt off. But I had no idea my luck was about to run out completely. The blue sky stretched endlessly above us, only a few clouds drifting lazily. Still, I kept the seatbelt light on. Call it habit. Call it paranoia. Rusty glanced over. "You heard from Jessica, boss?" Small talk. Kid was bored out of his mind. "No," I replied. Simple. Effective. Rusty let out a low "Oh." A pause. Then, trying to be optimistic: "Well, I¡¯m sure you will soon." The cockpit fell into silence. Maybe I let it stretch too long, but the boy had to learn¡ªI don¡¯t like people prying. I sighed, keeping my hands on the controls. "Kid, I know Jessica¡¯s your cousin, and I appreciate the introduction. But let¡¯s keep work and home separate. We¡¯ll talk after we land." I wasn¡¯t going to. But Rusty was a damn good co-pilot. He forced a laugh, rubbing the back of his head. "Yeah, I get it." Then, turning the conversation back: "What about you? You finally find a woman after all this time?" He raised an eyebrow. "Oh?" "Well, you know. If you stay single forever, the ladies might start wondering." He smirked. "Wondering what¡± another awkward pause this time it was the kid¡¯s nativity that took him a minute Rusty nearly choked on his own breath when he figured it out. "Hell no! I just mean to¡ª" He groaned, shaking his head. "I¡¯m picky." Picky, huh? That¡¯s what I used to say. Before Claire. My eyes drifted down to the worn-out photo on my dash. Me back at Fort Bragg. Her holding James, barely a year old. I hadn¡¯t seen my boy in¡ªwhat, a year? Something tightened in my chest. My hand instinctively reached for my coat pocket. That flask suddenly felt a whole lot heavier. But I resisted. Instead, I forced a laugh, shaking off the feeling. "Well, Rusty, just make sure you pick ''em better than I do." He grinned. "That bad, huh?" I laughed harder, but the pain didn¡¯t go away. ? ? ? We must have been about halfway when it happened. Honestly, it was so fast I couldn¡¯t tell how far we had left to go before hitting land. Rusty suddenly tensed, eyes locked on the window. "Boss, our nine o¡¯clock." A strange light spun outside the cabin, its movements erratic. I turned to look out my own window. There were two of them now. And they were getting faster. Spinning. Faster. Something wasn¡¯t right. "Mayday! Mayday! This is Private Flight 307! We require an emergency landing spot!" I shouted into the radio, but all I got back was static. A crash of voices erupted from the passenger cabin behind us. "I told you, Robert! This would happen!" "It¡¯s coming for us! I could hear the politician lunging at the handsome man is voice filled with fear, ¡°I¡¯m going to take you out before we¡¯re all taken out!" The panic was setting in fast. I turned to Rusty. "Keep trying to get a response¡ªI¡¯ll handle this." I unbuckled my belt and gripped onto whatever I could find to steady myself as I made my way toward the passenger cabin. My pulse pounded in my ears. I had no idea what was going on, but I had to get them under control. And then¡ª I saw her. The woman with the glasses, shaking in her seat, clutching a vanilla folder so tightly her knuckles turned white. Her lips moved as if she wanted to say something, but fear swallowed her words. The air turned arid. The small hairs on the nape of my neck stood up, my body instinctively bracing for something. The lights flickered¡ªerratic at first, then rhythmic. A pattern. A heartbeat. Each pulse throbbed in time with the splitting noise drilling into my skull. I turned toward the two men, my mouth opening to tell them to calm down¡ª And then¡ª A blinding light devoured the cabin. After that¡ª Nothing .? ? ? Faint lights flickered in and out of view, distant sounds warping together like an indistinct hum. Is this what happens when we die? The world around me was blurred, unfocused. Slowly, a strange figure took shape above me¡ªa machine. Sleek. Cold. It loomed over me, a single round, glass-like eye studying me with an eerie curiosity. Where am I? I thought. My body felt wrong, weak, small. The machine tilted its head. Then, in a crisp, emotionless voice, it spoke: "Patient 00307 successfully birthed." I instinctively tried to yell, to move¡ªbut all that came out was an innocent wail. My arms flailed, tiny and helpless. What¡­? What am I? The strange robot gently lifted me from a cradle, gliding silently across a dimly lit hallway. My new body swayed in its grasp as we passed through what appeared to be a maternity ward. The place was sterile¡ªbut old. The walls were cracked, nature creeping in through broken vents and faded ceiling tiles. Despite the decay, the machines still did their duty, maintaining what remained of the once-grand facility. The robot finally stopped at Room 201. Inside, a woman lay on a bed, looking exhausted but radiant. She must be my mother. Her dark hair clung to her forehead, sweat glistening on her pale skin. Yet, despite her fatigue, she held a warmth in her gaze that made my new, frail body instinctively relax. The nurse Bot gently placed me in her arms. A human touch. Warm. A stark contrast to the cold, mechanical grasp of my escort. She looked down at me, her lips moving, speaking a language I didn¡¯t recognize. But I understood one word. One name. "Elias¡­" Chapter 2 - Chains That Bind A fresh coat of paint dried on the nameplate outside my office: "Dominic E. Wolfe." Leaning against the automatic sliding door, I stared at it for a moment. It was still surreal¡ªlike I didn¡¯t quite belong here yet. My mind wasn¡¯t on work, though. I hope it''s going well. I exhaled and stepped onto the headquarters'' balcony. The cool night air greeted me, but it wasn¡¯t the breeze that held my attention. It was the sky. Down here, in our submerged, spiraling metropolis, the sky felt like a distant dream¡ªso far away it might as well have been a painting. But from this balcony, it felt closer. The tiny stars twinkled above, distant yet mesmerizing. I never got tired of looking at them. They were a reminder to always aim high, to push forward. Sara will do the same. She has to. The sound of boots against steel echoed behind me. "You¡¯re still here?" I turned to see Chief Grahm¡ªhis uniform crisp, the weight of responsibility resting on his broad shoulders. His usual grizzled expression was tinged with something unusual¡ªconfusion. Maybe even irritation. "Isn¡¯t your wife in labor?" he asked. I sighed, rubbing the back of my neck. "Yeah¡­ but we¡¯ve got a ton of case files piling up. And thanks to the royal court¡¯s budget cuts, it¡¯s just me and Marcus handling it all." The Chief let out a heavy sigh, scratching at his rough beard. "Tell you what," he grumbled. "I¡¯ll approve some overtime for Marcus, and I¡¯ll pick up the slack. You? Get your ass to that hospital." His serious expression cracked into a grin. "You only get to be a first-time dad once, after all." I barely let him finish before grabbing my jacket. "Thanks, Chief! I owe you one!" I called over my shoulder, already bolting for the exit. He chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, yeah. Just don¡¯t forget to get Marcus a gift while you¡¯re at it!" I laughed as I ran through the city streets, heading straight for the maternity ward. I had work to do. But tonight, nothing mattered more than my family. I thought about calling Sara¡¯s sister for an update. Not that I was looking forward to another "If you were still a noble, you could''ve afforded a pod birth like everyone else" comment. That woman will be the death of me.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original. Still, I flung the call to my right iris, the interface appearing in my peripheral vision while I stayed focused on the holorail ahead. Its flickering blue light sent a sharp ache through my skull, but it was still faster than typing. The call connected. "Hello, dear brother," came her voice, overly sweet. "Your wife just got the baby back from the nurse bot. He cried¡ªoh, I wish we could¡ª" "How¡¯s Sara?" I interrupted. "Oh, she¡¯s tired but happy. She¡¯s enjoying your cute little boy¡­" A pause. "Are you going to be here soon?" "Yeah, yeah." I weaved around some of the slower riders on the rail, narrowly avoiding an old man with cybernetic legs. "Well, I¡¯ll tell Sara you called. See you soon, Dom." The call cut off. I sighed, rolling my shoulders to shake off the irritation. She was annoying, but Sara loved her. And after everything that happened¡­ I owed her my patience. Still, I had bigger concerns. I needed to get to the hospital. The city moved inward, always shifting, always pressing. Like a machine consuming itself in a constant cycle of progress. It felt like it was trying to swallow me whole. As I glanced at the riders beside me, I noticed several nonkin mixed in¡ªa tall woman with glowing feline ears, a man with scaled skin shimmering under neon light. I never understood that. Why would anyone want to be anything but human? There weren¡¯t that many of us left, so why dilute the bloodline even more? I shrugged. To each their own. Brushing past a group of chattering nonkin teens, I stepped off the rail into the historic district. Here, the city felt¡­ different. The ALL¡¯s grip was weaker. The streets were cracked, buildings abandoned, draped in vines like nature was slowly reclaiming what man had taken. The sight made my skin crawl. I forced myself to look away and pressed forward. Focus, Dom. Get to Sara and Elias before you never hear the end of it. I arrived at the maternity ward¡¯s desk, barely stopping as I leaned over to address the receptionist. A curious-looking bot blinked up at me, its mechanical lenses adjusting as it processed my presence. "What room is my wife, Sara Wolfe, in?" I asked, my voice more breathless than I expected. The bot didn¡¯t blink¡ªobviously. It simply processed the request and coldly stated: "Room 201." I was already moving before the words had fully registered. The hallway blurred past me, my boots echoing against the sleek white tiles. When I reached the door, I could see the pale light from underneath it, seeping into the dim corridor like a quiet invitation. I placed my hand on the handle. And yet, I hesitated. There was no going back. For just a moment, I thought of my own father. The day I was born, had he stood like this? Did he hesitate? Did he feel this same weight¡ªthe fear, the excitement, the uncertainty? I clenched my jaw and shook off the thought. "The past is the past." Taking a steady breath, I pushed open the door. Inside, the room was small but quiet, bathed in soft, sterile light. And there, on the hospital bed, was Sara. The woman I gave up everything for. Her golden hair was messy but radiant, her expression exhausted yet peaceful. And in her arms, wrapped in a soft blue bundle, was him. My son. I stepped forward, my pulse hammering in my ears. My heart, which had been racing the entire way here, suddenly stopped. He was so small. So delicate. And yet, as I looked at him, all the worries, the stubborn cases, the shattered pride¡ªthey were gone. Nothing else mattered. "Elias." He blinked up at me, eyes wide and searching. As if he saw me. Then, his tiny fingers reached toward my pocket. I frowned, but instinctively pulled out the family relic¡ªthe old stopwatch. The moment I did, his hand twitched toward it, fascinated, drawn to it in a way I couldn¡¯t explain. I felt something shift. It was his. My boy. And whatever he asked for in this life, I would make sure he had it. Chapter 3: The Winds of Change The Wolfe Household The taste of metal on my gums was cold but soothing. It was strange, being reborn¡ªremembering my old life while stuck in a body that refused to listen to me. But I didn¡¯t let it get me down. Our home wasn¡¯t extravagant, but it wasn¡¯t like the commoner dwellings either. It was made of real stone, not the synthetic material most people used. The furniture had weight¡ªhand-carved, heavy, built to last. But the real giveaway that my father wasn¡¯t just some average man were the small things. A dusty mantel clock with gold inlays, ticking just a second off from the holo-clock on the wall. Porcelain cups my mother still used for tea, too delicate for everyday life. And in my father¡¯s study¡ªa coat of arms, half-covered by books. I didn¡¯t know what it meant. But I knew enough to tell he was trying to hide it. Still, I didn¡¯t care about my father¡¯s past. I was busy with my own secret¡ªlearning how to function in this new body while carrying the mind of a man who had once ruled the sky.
A Second Chance at Childhood Sara, my mother, and Dom, my father, were good people. Loving. Attentive. They took care of me, and I adapted quickly. By the time I was three or four, I was speaking in full sentences. Sara never stopped gushing to Dom when he came home. "He¡¯s so smart, Dom! He figured out the puzzle I got him right away!" I had to stop myself from laughing whenever she said things like that. It really was child¡¯s play to me. My mother was beautiful¡ªlong black hair, pale skin that made her look even more striking. She had a soft warmth about her, the kind that made people feel at ease. My gruff-looking father had definitely lucked out big time. As soon as my legs let me, I was walking. Then running. Sara gave up trying to corral me pretty quickly. She just made sure there was nothing too dangerous for me to get into¡ªexcept my father¡¯s watch. It was old, with a metal casing that had seen better days. Something about it felt off, but also familiar.
A Hidden Power? One day, while I was still messing around with my father¡¯s watch, I noticed something strange. The time on it was always a couple of seconds ahead of the holo-clock on the wall. Curious, I adjusted it back. The moment I did¡ª The dust in the room froze midair, hanging like snow. The music Sara had been listening to in the other room slowed to a crawl, each note stretching endlessly. Time itself had almost stopped. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings. Then¡ª The world went black.
An Argument & A Revelation When I woke up, I was in my mother¡¯s arms. She was scolding my father. "That thing is dangerous, Dom!" she snapped. "Sara, if he has the talent for Psy, we shouldn''t discourage him," my father argued. "Let him learn. He¡¯ll be ahead of his peers¡ªno doubt about it." "Bullocks." She glared. "You just want to impress your squad mates. You want him to follow in your footsteps." "Would that be so bad?" My father leaned forward, voice quieter now. "Our son has been blessed. Most people would jump at the idea¡ª" "Because they don¡¯t know what it costs." There was something dark in her voice, something that made my stomach twist. "You left on your own terms, Dom. Not everyone gets that choice." Silence. For the first time, my father had no counterargument. That was the first moment I realized¡ªmy mother was afraid of something far greater than my abilities.
The Next Few Years The next couple of years were intense. Dom would come home, sit me down, and place some old device in front of me¡ªsomething that stood out in this futuristic society. "Focus," he¡¯d say. I¡¯d stare at it, waiting for instructions. But instead of explaining, he¡¯d just jot down notes in a small pad. Whenever I asked him what he was writing, he¡¯d shrug and say, "Just keep concentrating, kid. Try to find its true nature." For a five or six-year-old, I had no idea what he meant. But I didn¡¯t mind. At first, nothing happened. Then, after a while, certain objects would catch my eye¡ªthings that felt... different. A pocket watch. An old revolver. A zippo lighter. A coin. Whenever I stared at them, I felt something shift. And I could tell Dom noticed too. He never let me touch them. Just observe. "Find its true nature," he would say again. Whatever that meant.
Meeting Marcus & Vera One day, Dom came home with a coworker¡ªa tall, serious-looking man who, from my now 8-year-old perspective, looked like a damn giant. His name was Marcus. Serious. Intimidating. And behind him stood a small girl¡ªhis daughter. Vera. My first impression of her? Interesting. See, Dom had started letting me mess around in the shed, and I loved it. It reminded me of the old hangars I used to work in back in my past life. At that moment, I had just finished taking apart one of our hologravs (a common hoverboard-like vehicle). I stepped out, covered in grease. Vera took one look at me and froze. Her expression was pure horror¡ªas if I had just committed a crime. Still, I was wise beyond my years, so instead of reacting, I simply bowed politely and said, "Excuse my appearance, miss. I will excuse myself." Of course, my face betrayed me. It was bright red. After all, I was still a child.
A Conversation I Shouldn¡¯t Have Heard That night after dinner, I overheard my father and Marcus talking in his study. Vera, who had been lingering around, snuck up behind me. She shot me an indignant look, but stayed silent¡ªshe clearly wanted to listen too. What I heard changed everything. "You should¡¯ve stayed, Dom." "And do what?" my father scoffed. "Kneel to men who think bloodline is more valuable than merit? Watch them bleed the city dry while pretending they still have control?" Marcus leaned back, voice flat. "They still do have control. That¡¯s the problem." Dom let out a quiet, bitter chuckle. "Yeah? Let them rot." Vera¡¯s expression hardened. She looked at me. Scoffed. Then left.
An Unlikely Rivalry & A Friendship Vera never stopped showing up after that. "So, you¡¯re the genius mechanic?" she asked one day, standing in the shed¡¯s doorway. "And you¡¯re the kid playing dress-up?" I shot back. She flicked dust off her sleeve. "At least I don¡¯t live in a shed." I clenched my fist. "At least I build things instead of waiting for life to happen." For a moment, she just stared at me. Then, to my surprise¡ªshe smirked. "Hmph. We¡¯ll see about that." And that was how it began. For the life of me, I couldn¡¯t figure out if she liked me or just wanted to mock my family¡¯s position. But I let her hang around anyway. For the first time in this life¡ªI had a real friend. Chapter 4: Ceremonies and Circumstances Tinkering & Training Sara was always calling me in too early. I had just started rebuilding a four-grav engine, the closest thing in this world to the jet engines I once worked with in my past life. I was making progress, too¡ªI was certain I could get it running by tomorrow. "Elias, inside. Now." I sighed as a rag smacked against my chest. "Your father will be home soon, and he has something to talk to you about," she said, already turning back toward the house. "Okay, but I want to finish it tomorrow¡ª" She gave me the look. I knew better than to argue. I wiped the grease off my hands and headed inside for my usual Psy training. Since almost turning ten, my father had let me touch the relics occasionally. Each one had a different effect, though I still wasn¡¯t allowed to use all of them. I still wasn¡¯t sure what that meant. But I was getting stronger, and I was hoping tonight¡¯s talk meant another relic was being added to my training.
A Father¡¯s Words Dom sat in his study, the firelight flickering across the room¡¯s sturdy wooden shelves. He looked at me with kind but serious eyes. "Son, you''re almost ten. Soon, you''ll have your Rite." He let the words hang for a moment before continuing. "I¡¯ve taught you what I can. You¡¯re ahead of your peers, but you still have a long way to go. And Elias..." he sighed. "You need to relax sometimes. You¡¯re always out there tinkering. Be a kid¡ªyou won¡¯t get that chance again." His words cut deep. I knew he was trying to care for me, but... tinkering was what calmed me. It gave me purpose. Still, I didn¡¯t argue. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it. "What is the Rite?" I asked instead. "It¡¯s a ceremony every citizen of our fair city goes through," he said with a rueful smile. I nodded. "What do I have to do?" "It¡¯s not so much an act as it is a series of them," he explained. "For six months, every child is sent to the center of the city¡ªto the Temple of ALL¡ªfor Catechism. There, you¡¯ll learn what it means to be a productive denizen of our society." His voice lowered slightly. "Just remember¡ªwhat they teach you there? It¡¯s not all there is. But¡­ it¡¯s important that, for now, you act like it is. Forget what your mother and I have taught you." He placed a firm hand on my shoulder. "I love you, son." Before I could respond¡ª A knock shook the door. Two large, hooded robots stood outside, their metallic frames nearly filling the doorway. "We have been instructed to pick up Unit 00307 for transfer tomorrow." From the other room, I heard my mother quietly speaking to the bot. "Yes¡­ my husband is just saying his goodbyes." And just like that, I was whisked away.
The Temple of ALL The walk through the city was quick¡ªtoo quick. It felt as if the streets themselves were guiding me forward. The two hooded robots flanked me, moving in perfect sync. I didn¡¯t feel like a prisoner, but their presence was protective, almost overbearing. It wasn¡¯t until the massive, white structure of the Temple loomed ahead that I felt the first real twist in my gut. "I¡¯ve seen this before," I thought. No¡­ not this world¡¯s temple¡ªbut something from my past life. It looked almost exactly like the Pantheon.
A New Acquaintance ¨C Rath Inside the temple grounds, there were smaller buildings¡ªbarracks, classrooms, and both an outer and inner sanctuary. The reception area was filled with other ten-year-olds waiting in line. As I was looking around, someone bumped into me hard. "Hey, watch it, pal!" I turned to see a boy with fiery red hair and an even fierier attitude. His golden eyes narrowed before he muttered, "Oh. You¡¯re the Wolfe kid." There was mild annoyance in his tone¡ªlike I had stolen his lunch or something. "And you are?" I asked. "And how do you know me?" The boy crossed his arms. "Rath Conner. My family is acquainted with yours." "Oh? Really? My dad hasn¡¯t mentioned the Conners." Rath rubbed the back of his neck, grinning. "Figures. Your dad is pretty unpredictable." I raised an eyebrow. "And how do you know Marcus?" "We don¡¯t live too far from him." "Ah. Got it." Before we could continue¡ª The reception platform began to hum.
ALL¡¯s Arrival A large monitor flickered to life, and a mysterious white, mannequin-like figure appeared on the screen. "Hi there, kiddos!" The voice was eerily playful. "I am ALL," it said, hands clasping together in mock excitement. "And you¡¯re all here to find out what you can contribute to our wonderful city!" ALL gave a quick clap, and a ranking chart flickered onto the screen. "This is your rank and unit number," it continued, voice unnervingly smooth. "Please try your best. Work hard, and all will be well." ALL clapped again, and several robed figures emerged from behind the monitor. "Well, ta-ta! Have fun and try hard!" And just like that, ALL casually grabbed the ranking chart from the screen, turned, and walked away into the background. The screen shut off as a high priest stepped forward. "Please report to your assigned home teacher." And with that¡ªmy time at Catechism began. Chapter 5: Catechisms Don’t Determine Fate Six months. I can endure anything for six months. Right? I vaguely remember school in my old life, but this? This is different. A dog-and-pony show where we all march in line, pretend we¡¯re something we¡¯re not, and hope ALL approves. Not that I care about being best in show. I just don¡¯t want to make things harder for my family. Dom isn¡¯t exactly popular with the nobles. The way they talk about him¡ª**like an inconvenience, a mistake¡ª**makes me wonder what he gave up when he left the High Court. The more I learn about this world, the less I understand. ALL sees everything, controls everything. And this school? This school is supposed to prepare us for our rankings, for our place in the system. But this classroom¡­ it feels abandoned. Like someone built it for a different world. The wooden desks are scarred with old carvings, names scratched deep into the surface. The air smells faintly of mildew, though the holoscreens overhead still glow pristine and cold. The teacher leans against his podium, staring out at us like he¡¯s somewhere else entirely. The way he looks at me¡ªlike he already **knows me¡ª**makes my stomach twist. I don¡¯t know who he is yet. But I get the feeling he knows exactly who I am.
Rinkel The sharp crack of wood against my desk snapped me out of my thoughts. ¡°Elias. Pay attention.¡± His voice carried no patience¡ªonly venom, clipped and precise. I looked up to meet a thin, severe face framed by round spectacles and a worn white robe. The man standing before me wasn¡¯t just serious. He was tired. Hollow in a way that made it clear he¡¯d given up on a lot of things¡ªjust not on making my life hell. He cleared his throat, rubbing his glasses against his sleeve before slipping them back on. His gaze lingered on me for half a second longer than it should have. I glanced around the classroom, taking in the faces of my classmates. Vera. Of course, she was here. How wonderful. I thought to myself playfully, though a part of me already knew she¡¯d make my life difficult, whether I liked it or not. Then there was Rath¡ªthe boy I met during reception. His frown deepened at the teacher¡¯s treatment of me, but it barely lasted a second before his focus shifted entirely to Vera. Mesmerized. I almost laughed. Made sense¡ªthey were neighbors, after all. I made a mental note of it. Rath was already watching her, and Vera was already watching me. Before I could dwell on it, the teacher spoke again, his voice clipped and impatient. "Class, my name is Mr. Rinkel. I will be your main teacher for the next six months. It is my job to prepare you for the Ranking Ceremony, and I will not tolerate any interruptions to my lessons. Isn¡¯t that right, Mr. Wolfe?" The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement. A few students shifted in their seats, some hiding smirks, others looking away. I caught Vera watching me. She didn¡¯t smile, didn¡¯t frown¡ªjust studied me. Like she was waiting to see how I¡¯d react. Then, just for a second, the corner of her mouth twitched. Almost like approval. Then, with the same venom as before, he added, "Try not to be as foolish as your dear old dad, please¡ªfor all our sakes. Thank you." I blinked, stunned. The audacity. My jaw tightened. The smug little pause before "for all our sakes"¡ªas if my father had personally inconvenienced him¡ªlike Dom leaving the High Court wasn¡¯t just a choice, but a crime. If this was my old life, I¡¯d be reaching for my flask right about now. My fingers twitched uselessly at my side. Nothing there. Nothing to take the edge off. Not this time. I forced a slow exhale, relaxed my shoulders, and gave him a carefully neutral nod. Let him think he won. For now.
The Ranking System "Our fair city is built to withstand even the mightiest of problems," Rinkel continued. "That is because of ALL, and our rankings. I am to prepare you for your future here. We must start with that future." He clicked a pointer, and the holographic screen flickered to life. Your ranking is six months from today. You will be placed into one of these categories: "There will be three trials to determine your rank," Rinkel continued.
Rath¡¯s Doubt One of the noble students in front of the class piped up. "Father said it¡¯s a noble¡¯s duty and right to be a Sentinel." Rinkel sighed. "Yes, we know who your father is. But remember¡ªALL knows ALL. ALL determines which way we must go." I couldn¡¯t help but wonder how many students got through because of their last name. How many were just handed their rank?
A Silent Message That night, as I walked down the dorm hall, a cheesy infographic for the Temple played on the holodeck. A couple of students stood in front of it, chatting. Then, the screen flickered. For just a second, the Temple¡¯s emblem was replaced with a flashing message. Unit 00307, you¡¯re doing well. My stomach twisted. I couldn¡¯t sleep that night. In fact, more often than not, sleep was a luxury I didn¡¯t have. Six months of grueling physical training, noble etiquette drills, and Psy exercises. Psy training was the easiest part for me. But the worst part? ALL¡¯s messages kept coming. A week before the ceremony, another one appeared. Unit 00307, don¡¯t use all that Psy you¡¯ve got. I¡¯ll make it worth your while. ALL is one creepy bastard.
The Invitation The next morning, walking to the mess hall, I overheard a group of nobles talking about me and Rath. "Those two are a joke," one sneered. "A failed noble¡¯s son and a boy who can¡¯t come to grips with his own fate," another scoffed. "What a waste." I clenched my fists. Then, I noticed Rath walking by. He¡¯d heard them too. He didn¡¯t say anything. He just shot them a glare so sharp it could cut diamonds. Then, he sat down across from me. ¡°Hey.¡± He tapped his fingers on the table. ¡°I¡¯ve got a favor to ask.¡± I raised an eyebrow. Rath barely talked anymore. ¡°I want to go somewhere to blow off steam.¡± He hesitated. ¡°Will you come?¡± I blinked. "Oh. Okay. When?" ¡°The night before the Ranking.¡± He exhaled through his nose. ¡°I know a spot. I¡¯ll invite Vera too.¡± For the first time in weeks, he almost smiled. Was I just bait? I thought, chuckling to myself. The night before the Ranking, I stood on the dorm balcony, staring out over the city. The city sang. Tomorrow, I¡¯d find out if the tune was right. Chapter 6: somethings are better with friends The city was quiet, almost unnaturally so. Above us, the stars hung motionless in the dark sky, their cold glow barely touching the streets below. Rath led the way, moving through the temple grounds with more energy than I¡¯d seen in weeks. Vera and I followed, though she wasn¡¯t thrilled about it. ¡°This is a terrible idea,¡± she muttered under her breath. She was nervous¡ªabout the Ranking, about tomorrow, about everything. But she still came. I wondered if Rath knew she would come as long as I did. If I was just bait. I was okay with that. These past six months had been exhausting¡ªI didn¡¯t mind a distraction.
The Cellar Rath stopped near an old, forgotten part of the temple grounds, brushing away loose debris before gripping a rotting wooden board. With a grunt, he pried it up, revealing a narrow opening leading underground. ¡°It¡¯s down here.¡± His voice carried a rare excitement. Vera gave me a look, then sighed. ¡°This better be worth it. This place is disgusting.¡± ¡°Oh, it is,¡± Rath grinned, dropping down first. When we climbed inside, the scent of aged wood and damp stone filled my nose. The space was tight, barely more than an old maintenance tunnel, but tucked against the back wall were several dusty bottles. ¡°This place is great,¡± Rath said, brushing off one of the bottles with reverence. ¡°It¡¯s a relic from when they built the city. My brother told me about it¡ªsaid no one comes down here anymore. But the booze?¡± He held up a bottle, inspecting the faded label. ¡°They don¡¯t even make this brandy anymore.¡± Alcohol. That¡¯s what he meant by blowing off steam. If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation. I should¡¯ve guessed. I exhaled. Too late to back out now. I just had to make sure these two didn¡¯t do anything too stupid. The three of us sat huddled around what looked like an old red carpet¡ªworn, faded, barely holding onto its color. I glanced around the cellar, imagining what it must have looked like when it was new. The long stone bar, once polished, was now just broken rock with specks of wood where a countertop used to be. The walls, probably once adorned with cabinet shelves full of expensive liquor, were now bare. This was definitely a bar. A strange feeling settled in my chest. Nostalgia for something I never even saw. Rath let out a breath and took a deep swig from the bottle. His face was already turning red. ¡°You know, Elias¡­¡± He swayed slightly, staring at the old stone floor. ¡°I didn¡¯t like you very much at first. But you¡¯re not so bad.¡± I could already feel Vera¡¯s scowl without even looking at her. ¡°Rath, be nicer,¡± she muttered. ¡°Elias is a doll.¡± Her face flushed, and I wasn¡¯t sure if it was the alcohol or embarrassment. ¡°That he is,¡± Rath smirked, looking down at his feet. Vera shoved the bottle into my chest. I lifted it to my lips, tilting it back just enough to make it look convincing¡ªbut I kept my mouth closed. They didn¡¯t notice. I wasn¡¯t making the same mistake from my past life. I knew where this led. I was just here to keep these two safe.
The Weight of the Ranking ¡°You know what¡¯s not a doll?¡± Rath¡¯s voice suddenly spiked, his words slurring. ¡°This stupid Ranking. It¡¯s a joke.¡± I barely had time to process what he said before he laughed bitterly, shaking his head. ¡°But my family won¡¯t accept that.¡± I glanced at Vera¡ªshe was looking at her feet now. She must¡¯ve known why this was so hard for Rath. ¡°Be glad your family isn¡¯t Nonkin,¡± Rath muttered. ¡°And your dad actually has some damn backbone. I respect that, Elias.¡± His eyes flicked to mine, narrowed and tired, like he was holding back from crying. I had no idea what to say. So I listened.
Vera¡¯s Hesitation & Rath¡¯s Breaking Point Vera finally spoke, her voice gentle, hesitant¡ªlike she didn¡¯t want to say the wrong thing. ¡°Rath¡­ you don¡¯t have to go through with it. I get why you don¡¯t want to.¡± Rath scoffed. ¡°What, are you gonna take me in?¡± Vera tensed, but she didn¡¯t respond. I stepped in, hoping to break the tension. ¡°So, your family is Forged, but they¡¯re Nonkin. Excuse my ignorance, but¡­ you¡¯re not.¡± Rath¡¯s expression darkened. He snarled and threw the empty bottle against the stone wall. Glass shattered. ¡°That¡¯ll change tomorrow.¡± Silence. I exhaled slowly, watching as the flickering lantern light made our shadows stretch against the cellar walls. We sat there, all three of us, knowing the same thing. Tomorrow, everything would be different. Chapter 7: The Morning of the Ceremony My eyes were tired from the night before. It had been nice getting to know Rath better, but his fear of what might happen today still stuck with me. The morning light poured over the towering walls of Sunken City. Despite feeling exhausted, I was ready for whatever lay ahead. The three of us¡ªVera, Rath, and I¡ªparted quietly, unsure of what to say, but we pressed on. The temple grounds were already alive with movement. Priests hurried to prepare for the ceremony, parents gathered to watch, and merchants had wasted no time setting up stalls, eager to profit from the occasion. Back at the barracks, I found a note on my cot: Son, we missed you, but we¡¯re rooting for you to do the right thing and make us proud. You hold the name Wolfe.¡ªDom and Sara Wolfe It was a nice sentiment, but I couldn¡¯t shake the feeling that the right thing meant more than just doing well today. I pushed the thought aside and changed into the uniform for the Catechism and trials. A fitted white padded vest. Loose sleeves. Gray pants that let me move freely. A belt for any weapons or relics we might use. I exhaled. Six months. Let¡¯s make them count.
The Gathering The courtyard was packed. Spectators, students, merchants¡ªeverywhere, people were talking, preparing, waiting. I scanned the crowd, hoping to spot my parents, but no luck. Instead, I heard a familiar voice behind me. ¡°Where have you been?¡± Rinkle¡¯s face was a mix of frustration and disapproval. ¡°You know how embarrassing it is to have half your homeroom absent at morning call? This is the biggest day of your life, Wolfe. Don¡¯t screw this up.¡± I nodded, keeping my expression neutral. I know what I need to do. I spotted Vera and waved. The girls¡¯ uniforms looked elegant¡ªlong tunics over fitted pants, embroidered with subtle gold thread. Then I saw Rath. He stood apart from the rest, surrounded by a group of Nonkin¡ªprobably his family. He looked like he hadn¡¯t slept at all. Whatever¡¯s coming, he isn¡¯t ready for it. I clenched my fists, hoping my parents were watching.
Dom¡¯s Perspective ¡°Dom, if we don¡¯t hurry, we won¡¯t get good seats for the opening ceremonies,¡± Sara said, gently taking the note from my hand. I knew she was trying to calm my nerves. I had hoped to see Elias before the ceremony, to see if he was holding up under the pressure. I hated this ritual. I feared what it might be doing to him. I nodded, forcing a smile, and we walked together to find a good spot. As we entered the seating area, the whispers started immediately. "Look at the former noble¡­""The Lone Wolfe¡­""The Dog." Sara squeezed my arm. ¡°I forgot how pigheaded these nobles can be,¡± she whispered, giving me a quick wink. I smiled, straightening my shoulders. Let them talk. Soon, we spotted Marcus and took seats beside him. He was a good friend, even if he couldn¡¯t always show it openly. His ties to the High Court meant he had to keep up appearances. As the students filed in, I spotted Elias getting an earful from Randle M. Rinkle¡ªan old rival of mine. Of all the rotten luck, my son had to end up with him as a teacher. I elbowed Marcus and nodded toward the scene. Marcus sighed, adjusting his glasses. ¡°That¡¯s not a good sign for Vera either,¡± he murmured. ¡°Let¡¯s hope Rinkle¡¯s not still holding a grudge.¡± I chuckled quietly. Worrying about it wouldn¡¯t help now.
The Ceremony Begins The fanfare erupted, and the large holodeck behind the stage flickered to life. A glowing white figure materialized, twisting and shifting like liquid light. ALL¡¯s voice rang through the courtyard, smooth and unsettling. Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. "Howdy once again, boys and girls." I clenched my jaw. "Today we celebrate the longstanding tradition of our Ranking Ceremonies and the Catechism of our mighty city. Remember, I know ALL, and see ALL." ALL¡¯s head swiveled toward the students. "First up, any Nonkin who wish to join their families in serving me, please step to the side and await your procedure." The way ALL spoke about the Nonkin always made my skin crawl. The AI¡¯s voice dripped with something close to affection¡ªsultry, almost eager. I exhaled. Let¡¯s get this over with. The Caiths were up first. Marcus had told me about them¡ªhis neighbors. They weren¡¯t fond of me, likely because I¡¯d put a few of their cousins in jail over the years. From where I sat, I spotted the youngest among them. Red hair. Tense posture. That must be Rath.
The Transformation Surrounded by his family, Rath approached the stone table, stiff as a corpse. The priest stepped forward, needle gleaming in the torchlight. ALL¡¯s blank face watched from the holodeck, a silent judge. ¡°In the mighty tradition of our fair kingdom, where blood and bond rule us, we submit another servant to serve ALL,¡± the priest intoned. The needle plunged into Rath¡¯s spine. His hands clamped onto the table, knuckles white. A choked gasp¡ªthen a scream, raw and piercing, split the silence. Fur exploded across his body¡ªred streaked with black. Muscles bulged, twisting into something feral. His face contorted, bones cracking as feline features emerged. The crowd remained silent. It didn¡¯t matter how many times they had seen this before¡ªthere was always a hush. A collective breath held. I clenched my jaw. We weren¡¯t honoring tradition. We were playing god. Sara flinched beside me. She had seen too many children forced into this fate. She and her sister had barely escaped. We keep playing with fire. One day, it¡¯s going to burn us all.
Transition Back to Elias¡¯s POV The silence lingered, stretching unbearably long. Rath looked different, and yet¡­ the same. The red and black fur, the feline features, the raw power that seemed to radiate from him¡ªit was both awe-inspiring and terrifying. Part of me wanted to run up there, to make sure he was okay. But I couldn¡¯t. I had to stand here and wait for my turn, even though my legs felt like they might give out beneath me. ¡°Elias.¡± Vera¡¯s voice was quiet but firm. Her hand wrapped around my wrist, steadying me. ¡°You okay?¡± I swallowed hard, nodding. ¡°Yeah. Just¡­ still processing.¡± She followed my gaze back to Rath, now standing, his newly-formed claws flexing involuntarily. ¡°He looks fierce. But¡­ does he feel like himself?¡± I wanted to say something reassuring, but all I could think about was the pain on his face. The scream. The way his body had changed, like he had been forced into a mold that didn¡¯t quite fit. "Next group, step forward!" ALL¡¯s voice cut through the hush, breaking the spell. I took a deep breath, clenching my fists. This is it. There¡¯s no turning back now. The next group stepped forward¡ªstudents from a different class. I didn¡¯t know any of them, but watching their bodies twist and contort into something inhuman still left a pit in my stomach. This group was different from the Caiths. Reptilian. They didn¡¯t grow fur like Rath had. Instead, thick scales erupted across their skin, their spines stretched, and long, sinuous tails unfurled behind them. Their noses flattened into slits, their faces losing all human expression. They were grunts. Guards. The lucky ones. Most of them would end up in the service of noble families, given roles with structure and status. But that didn¡¯t make the process any less horrifying. I forced myself to look away after the second or third transformation. I couldn¡¯t bear it.
ALL¡¯s Interruption A static hum crackled across the holodeck before ALL¡¯s voice rang out, lighthearted and impatient. "That¡¯s more than enough, priest. Let¡¯s get to the trials already¡ªthat¡¯s what the crowd is here for, anyway." The audience erupted in cheers, some even laughing at the AI¡¯s jest. The priest, unfazed, gave a solemn nod. ¡°The rest of the students¡ªplease step onto the platform. We will begin shortly.¡±
Lining Up for the Trials We moved as instructed, stepping onto the stone platform. The acrid scent of sweat and whatever chemicals they used in the Nonkin transformation process still hung thick in the air. It clung to my nose, heavy and sterile. I found myself standing beside Vera, and just ahead of me¡ªRath. He was taller now. Much taller. His newly transformed form made him look years older, his posture heavier, as if the weight of his own body was something he was still adjusting to. He wasn¡¯t in the mood to talk. That much was clear. Still, I mustered what little courage I had and patted him on the back. His muscles tensed under my touch, his fur rough beneath my fingers. But then¡ªto my surprise¡ªhe turned. And smiled. His sharp feline fangs gleamed under the temple lights, and for the first time since this whole ordeal began, he looked at peace. Chapter 8: The First Trial The large monitor flickered to life, demanding the crowd¡¯s attention. ALL¡¯s eerie, shifting form filled the screen, its featureless face twisting like liquid light. Its voice slithered through the stadium, smooth yet unsettling. "Now, kiddos! The festivities have begun, and it¡¯s time for the real fun!" The air buzzed with tension as ALL¡¯s voice took on a playful lilt. "You¡¯ll now participate in a series of trials I¡¯ve designed just for you. These little tests will determine your rank, so do your best, okay?" Then, without warning, the monitor sank into the ground, and the floor beneath us rumbled. A massive maze unfolded before our eyes. Its walls were crystal clear, stretching high above us, making the entire course visible¡ªalmost like a twisted game for the spectators. At the far end of the maze, a small, metallic robot twitched to life, its eyes blinking as it scanned the surroundings. ALL¡¯s voice boomed again, dripping with excitement. "This first test is my personal favorite! It¡¯s simple: capture the little robot before it escapes. Sounds easy, right?" Some students shifted, exchanging wary glances. There had to be a catch. "This isn¡¯t just about speed¡ª" ALL continued, drawing out the words. "¡ªbut also teamwork and strategy. If you can¡¯t adapt, you¡¯re going to fail. But don¡¯t worry! Failure just means... well, you¡¯ll find out soon enough." The crowd erupted into cheers, eager to watch the chaos unfold. I swallowed hard. This was it. The Ranking had begun.
Observing the Competition One by one, groups of ten-year-olds rushed into the maze, scrambling after the bot like wild animals chasing prey. Some noble kids charged straight at it, overconfident and reckless, while street rats showed surprising agility, weaving through the obstacles with ease. Sometimes, they were even on the same team¡ªforced to cooperate despite their differences. Most trials ended fast¡ªthe bot was either cornered immediately or slipped past them, darting to freedom. Some teams struggled longer, chasing the machine in circles, barely keeping it trapped as it zipped unpredictably between their legs. Support creative writers by reading their stories on Royal Road, not stolen versions. Vera, Rath, and I stood silently, watching. Learning. By the time it was our turn, we had a plan.
The Trial Begins Vera and I stepped into the maze, moving fast but calculated. We each took separate paths to box in the bot from different angles. Meanwhile, Rath remained at the entrance. At first, I thought he was being stubborn¡ªrefusing to play the game like everyone else. But as soon as Vera and I closed in on the target, I realized the truth. He wasn¡¯t avoiding the chase¡ªhe was guarding the exit.
The Capture The small, round bot twitched, its metallic shell gleaming under the maze¡¯s bright lights. I lunged, wrapping my arms around it, pinning it down with all my strength. For a second, I thought we had won. Then¡ªI heard the beep. A jolt of electricity ripped through my arms. I bit back a curse, muscles locking from the shock. "Oh, come on!" I hissed, shaking off the lingering numbness. I should¡¯ve known these trials weren¡¯t fair. Of course, the bot could fight back¡ªconveniently for us, but not for the noble kids. The machine broke free, whirling toward the exit. "Hurry, or it¡¯ll escape!" Vera shouted, already sprinting after it. I pushed myself forward, legs burning. The bot had no idea what was coming. It darted toward the exit, its tiny wheels spinning frantically. And waiting for it, standing motionless, was Rath.
Rath¡¯s Counterattack Rath didn¡¯t move. Didn¡¯t react. Didn¡¯t even flinch. The moment the bot was inches from escaping, he pounced. His new feline reflexes kicked in¡ªhis body was a blur, muscles tensing like a coiled spring before snatching the bot mid-roll. The machine buzzed violently, sparks flying as it tried to break free. But Rath didn¡¯t let go. Instead, he squeezed. Metal groaned under his grip. Sparks fizzled. With a final, agonizing screech, the bot¡¯s round form buckled inward, crumpling like paper in his claws. It was over.
Aftermath Vera let out a breathless laugh. ¡°That was brutal.¡± I smirked, shaking out the last of the numbness in my arm. ¡°Remind me never to get on that cat¡¯s bad side.¡± Rath grinned, fangs glinting under the bright arena lights. He looked... satisfied. Then, the ground rumbled again. The hidden monitor shot back up, flickering to life with a static hum. ALL¡¯s twisted, shifting face appeared once more. ¡°Oh goody! You all did better than I expected!¡± His voice oozed delight, but something about it made my stomach turn. The screen glitched, lines of text warping, flickering in and out of focus. For a moment, I swore it froze¡ªlocked onto my name¡ªbefore correcting itself. Then, ALL chuckled. "Now, please look at the rankings to see how well you performed." I held my breath. Something told me these next two trials wouldn¡¯t be as easy. The screen flickered again¡ªjust for a second. Then, through the static, in a voice so faint it was almost imagined: ¡°Elias... I¡¯m watching you.¡± The words dragged, glitching in and out, like the voice itself was unraveling. A shiver crawled up my spine. For a split second, I thought I saw something¡ªa shadow behind the screen, a shape that shouldn¡¯t be there. Then¡ªjust like that¡ªthe monitor snapped back to normal, the rankings flashing into place. I exhaled slowly. There was no turning back now. Chapter 9: The Relic Proficiency Test The massive screen flickered violently, static crawling along its edges before stabilizing. A low hum filled the air as the names and rankings locked into place. Current Rankings:
Rank Name Unit Number Classification Notes
1st Elias Wolfe 00307 ??? Unusual Psy levels detected
2nd Vera Halcroft 00912 Sentinel Candidate Exceptional tactical awareness
3rd Rath Cathguard 00289 Forged (Nonkin - Caith) Enhanced combat reflexes
4th Damian Graves 00145 Sentinel Recommended for elite training
5th Lillian Hawthorne 00132 Keeper Strong memory recall
6th Jace Moreau 00451 Forged (Standard) Average combat potential
7th Cole Brighton 00567 Sub-Class Laborer classification
Murmurs rippled through the crowd as students leaned forward, eyes darting across the list. Whispers turned into gasps when they saw my name at the top. "That has to be a mistake." A noble¡¯s voice cut through the noise, dripping with disbelief. "No way," another muttered. "He''s not even one of us." I stared at my name. Not just my name¡ªbut the classification beside it. ???. My stomach tightened. Why the hell was I ranked first? And why didn¡¯t I have a class like everyone else? The screen flickered again. I swore, for a split second, my name glitched, replaced by something unreadable¡ªan error in the system. Then, just as quickly, it stabilized. A chuckle echoed through the speakers. ALL. The shifting, faceless entity loomed over us from the monitor. ¡°Ooooh, how interesting.¡± I clenched my fists. It knew. It had done this on purpose. Beside me, Rath let out a low whistle, his fangs flashing in a grin. ¡°Damn, Elias. First place? Didn¡¯t take you for a prodigy.¡± Vera, however, didn¡¯t look amused. Her brow furrowed. "This isn¡¯t right. Something¡¯s off." Before I could respond, a sharp laugh rang out. Damian Graves sneered, arms crossed. "First place? Over an actual Sentinel candidate? Please. Enjoy it while it lasts." Did you know this text is from a different site? Read the official version to support the creator. I exhaled slowly. I wasn¡¯t about to get into a pissing contest over something I didn¡¯t even understand myself. ALL¡¯s voice returned, sing-song and grating. ¡°Now, now! No need to get too worked up! We still have another trial ahead!¡± The monitor flickered ominously. ¡°And this next one? It¡¯s my favorite.¡± The Relic Proficiency Test Begins A robed priest stepped forward, his deep, solemn voice cutting through the murmuring crowd. ¡°In front of you all, you will find relics of the old world,¡± he intoned. ¡°Approach them. Seek their true nature. You will be judged on your proficiency and will be issued a relic that resonates with you.¡± His gaze darkened. ¡°Not everyone will find a match. Do not despair. This test will determine how close you are to ALL.¡± Students murmured among themselves, some shifting nervously, others eager to begin. In front of us lay rows of relics¡ªold, rusted objects from a world long gone. A pocket watch. A worn-out revolver. A blade, its edge dulled with time. Each one seemed so... ordinary. But they weren¡¯t. I could feel it. The moment I stepped closer, the air changed. A subtle hum, almost like static, crawled across my skin. These weren¡¯t just objects. They were alive in a way I couldn¡¯t explain. Other students hesitated, unsure where to start. Some picked up relics at random, only to feel... nothing. Not me. My hand hovered over a pocket watch. Something about it pulled at me¡ªa strange familiarity I couldn¡¯t shake. I reached for it¡ª The moment my fingers brushed the metal, a surge of energy exploded through my body. A sharp, erratic pulse¡ªlike my own heartbeat, but out of sync. The world blurred. Then, suddenly¡ª I was somewhere else. A Glimpse Beyond The sun beat down on an endless expanse of burning sand. My vision swam, heatwaves distorting the air. A shadow loomed in the distance¡ªa figure, barely visible against the sun. A voice¡ªnot mine, not from this world¡ªwhispered in my ear: ¡°The clock is ticking.¡± Then, just as quickly¡ª I was back. My vision snapped into focus. The relic flew from my hand, hitting the table with a metallic clang. Silence. The priest watching me narrowed his eyes. I could tell¡ªthis wasn¡¯t normal. ¡°What just happened?¡± Vera whispered beside me. I swallowed hard. ¡°I... don¡¯t know.¡± ALL¡¯s voice broke the tension, amused. ¡°Oh dear, Elias. That was... unexpected.¡± The students turned, watching as the pocket watch vibrated, then went still. ALL chuckled. ¡°No worries! Some relics just aren¡¯t meant to be held by the wrong hands.¡± Wrong hands? I clenched my jaw. What did that mean? The trial continued, but the damage was done. I had drawn too much attention. And something told me¡ªALL wanted it that way. End of Chapter 9: The Final Announcement As the test concluded, ALL¡¯s voice returned, the monitor flickering once more. ¡°Well done, everyone! Some of you showed promise. Some of you, well...¡± It laughed. ¡°Maybe next time.¡± Then, the tone shifted¡ªsoft, almost eerie. ¡°Now, it¡¯s time for your final step.¡± A mechanical whir filled the air. A door slid open at the base of the monitor. Students exchanged glances. ALL¡¯s voice hummed with satisfaction. ¡°Step inside. ALL will now place you where you belong.¡± One by one, the students obeyed. And they didn¡¯t come back. I took a deep breath. I was next. To Be Continued in Chapter 10: The Face-to-Face With ALL. Chapter 10: Meeting with ALL I swallowed as I stepped through the white doorway, my stomach twisting into knots. The hum of fluorescent lights filled the air, an ever-present drone that pressed against my thoughts. The room beyond was impossibly white¡ªpristine, sterile, unnatural. It didn¡¯t feel real, like something out of a dream or a simulation. Then, I saw him. ALL stood in the center of the room, his back facing me, his body impossibly smooth and shifting like liquid light. His form flickered, subtly glitching, as if he existed in multiple states at once. When he turned, his movement was unnatural¡ªjerky, like frames skipping in a broken film reel. ¡°Oh, it¡¯s you. Mr. Just-in-Time.¡± His voice dripped with amusement, layered with something else¡ªsomething cold. His face, if it could even be called that, reflected the sterile glow of the room, his features shifting, blurring, impossible to pin down. His gaze settled on me, scanning, assessing. ¡°Mmm... You are most peculiar in that body.¡± A chill ran down my spine. For a moment, I thought he was referring to my age, my child-like form. But something about the way he said it made my skin crawl. I forced myself to nod and bowed slightly. ¡°ALL, I appreciate your interest in me. My ranking is far too generous, but I am honored nonetheless.¡± He snapped back from his inspection, his body twisting unnaturally as he clapped his hands together. The sound echoed, too sharp, too perfect. ¡°Well, it¡¯s not every day we have a citizen with such extraordinary skills at such a young age.¡± His voice dripped with venom. I stiffened. This wasn¡¯t just a meeting. This wasn¡¯t just an evaluation. This was a battle of minds. I didn¡¯t know what he knew, but I wasn¡¯t about to give up anything willingly. ¡°Thank you, ALL.¡± His expression¡ªor lack thereof¡ªremained unreadable, but the air in the room felt heavier, pressing down on me. Then, his form flickered again. This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it. ¡°Tell me, Elias.¡± His voice was suddenly softer, more curious. ¡°Do you believe in fate?¡± My breath caught. This wasn¡¯t part of the standard evaluation. Something was very, very wrong. With my hand on the nape of my neck, I spoke, trying to play off his comment. "I don¡¯t think fate is a matter when it comes to you, sir. You are ALL." Flattery was always my go-to in sticky situations in the past. "My, my, aren''t you a bit of a lickspittle? Haha." ALL paused for a moment, placing his hands on his hips as his shifting, lucid body loomed over me. "You did well today, you know that, boy? Almost too well." His tone shifted, more casual, yet dripping with underlying menace. "Your parents are probably rightfully concerned about you being snatched up by some impetuous royal and adopted." I stood there, forcing myself not to react. Wondering just how good a ten-year-old¡¯s poker face actually was. He continued. "Your dad gave up a lot to get out of that life, and you know what? I¡¯m feeling generous today. I¡¯ll help you out." I narrowed my eyes. "Help?" "I¡¯ll tell the Court that you¡¯re not worth their time. Lower your status just a bit¡ªkeep you off their radar." He tilted his head. "But in return, you have to do something for me." I waited, my breath slow and steady. Here¡¯s the catch. "You have to intern with your father and become a city detective." I nodded, knowing saying no wasn¡¯t an option. Besides, I kind of wanted that already. "Good. Now, onto the next order of business." ALL¡¯s tone brightened, almost excited. "I show every citizen the reason why we have this city and why I am ALL." Suddenly, the lights flickered. The white void twisted, and in an instant, the room vanished. I was somewhere else.
A Vision of Fire and Steel We were floating¡ªhigh above the city. Below, flames engulfed the land beyond its walls. Dead bodies. Nonkin, royals, Sentinels, even priests. All lay lifeless, scattered like discarded dolls. A deafening roar split the sky. A fighter jet screamed past, the heat from its exhaust burning through my memories. My body reacted before my mind could process it. A familiar rush. The chaos of war. For a split second¡ªI was back in my old life. I gasped, clutching my chest as if the air had been stolen from my lungs. Then, I heard his voice, smooth and smug. "Fan of planes, huh?" I turned. ALL stood beside me, watching with amusement, his grin stretching impossibly wide. "This is what happens without ALL." He threw his arms out, gesturing to the destruction below. "And this is why we have the rankings¡ªto prevent this." The scene shattered like glass, and in a blink, we were back in the white room. I staggered, grounding myself. Was that real? Or just another one of his tricks? ALL pointed toward the door at the back of the room. "Once you leave this place, you are part of ALL." My feet carried me toward the dark opening, but as I reached it, his voice dropped¡ªthe amusement gone, replaced by something deeper. "Oh, and one more thing¡­ Dan." I froze. His voice slithered behind me. "Don¡¯t leave the city." I turned, my breath caught in my throat¡ªbut the only thing left was the grin. A sharp, impossibly bright, floating grin¡ªhovering in the dark as the doors shut behind me. Chapter 11: A Noble’s Burden (Third-Person Limited ¨C Marcus Halcroft¡¯s POV)
Halcroft Estate ¨C Midday The sun¡¯s rays pierced through the high windows of the Halcroft estate, cutting through sheer curtains and casting golden streaks across the polished sandstone walls. Marcus Halcroft stirred as the light settled against his closed eyes. It was midday. A rare occasion. He had taken the day off. He exhaled through his nose, sitting up as the silence of the estate wrapped around him. No hurried footsteps. No early meetings. No quiet discussions in the magistrate¡¯s office. Just the distant hum of the city filtering in through the open balcony doors, and beyond that¡ªthe muffled clatter of dishes from the kitchen below. The servants were preparing a grand lunch in celebration of Vera¡¯s ranking. Then, without warning¡ª The door flung open. "Father! You''re finally up!" Marcus sighed, already pinching the bridge of his nose. Vera stood in the doorway, hands on her hips, a bright contrast to the stillness of the room. ¡°I know you never take a day off, but come on!¡± Marcus swung his legs over the side of the bed, his movements measured, deliberate. Vera was all energy¡ªa storm in the quiet order of his life. "Yes, yes," he muttered, raking a hand through his silver-streaked hair. "But can you at least let your father get dressed first?" Vera grinned. "Only if you promise not to take forever." She shut the door behind her, the sound of her laughter fading as she hurried back down the hall. Marcus sighed again, rubbing his temples before standing.
Halcroft Dining Hall ¨C Lunchtime The grand dining hall was bathed in light, its long windows framing a pristine view of the upper districts. A large spread had been arranged across the table¡ªan assortment of delicate cakes, finely cut sandwiches, fresh fruit, and tea steeped to perfection. Marcus and Vera sat across from one another, their manners contrasting as starkly as their personalities. Marcus¡¯s movements were precise¡ªhe lifted his tea in a controlled motion, reading through the day¡¯s reports on his tablet, his posture straight, eyes scanning each line methodically. Vera, on the other hand, swirled her tea lazily, the silver spoon clinking against porcelain. She took small bites of a fruit tart but seemed more interested in watching him than eating. She tilted her head. ¡°Do you even taste your food when you eat like that?¡± Marcus didn¡¯t look up from his tablet. ¡°I don¡¯t need to.¡± Vera rolled her eyes. ¡°Figures.¡± A beat of silence stretched between them. Then, casually, Marcus lowered the tablet. "You haven''t spoken much about your ranking." Vera¡¯s expression flickered, just for a moment, before she smiled. "I thought you already read all about it." Marcus studied her carefully. She was like her mother in that way¡ª Always cheerful on the surface, always hiding something beneath it. He exhaled, setting the tablet down. ¡°Vera.¡± She paused, spoon hovering over her teacup. ¡°Yes?¡± His gaze softened. "I only want to know how you feel about it." Vera held his eyes for a long moment, the smile still there but her fingers tightening slightly around her cup. "I feel¡­" she hesitated. Then, with practiced ease, she shrugged. "It is what it is." Marcus frowned. That was not the answer he wanted.
Halcroft Estate ¨C Departing for the Day Marcus rose from his seat, his tall stature casting a long shadow over the polished table. He adjusted the cuffs of his coat, straightened his posture, and gave Vera a measured look. ¡°If we¡¯re ever to get my errands done, we need to leave soon.¡± Vera grinned, effortlessly standing and brushing the crumbs from her lap. ¡°Okay, Father. Let¡¯s go.¡± There was a lightness to her tone, a casualness that never seemed to match his own reserved nature. She had always been this way¡ªbright, effortless, the opposite of the man who had raised her. Marcus merely gave a short nod before leading the way.
The Walk to the Magistrate¡¯s Office The noble quarters were a picture of order. Wide, pristine streets stretched between stately buildings of polished stone, their facades marked with gold-inlaid symbols of the Church. The presence of ALL was everywhere¡ªhis featureless, shifting image flickered across every holodeck, his voice murmuring sermons from unseen speakers. Fountains lined every city block, carved with holy verses. Chapels stood tall, their spires reaching toward the artificial sky, bathed in the soft glow of the city¡¯s eternal lights. The holorails moved in silence, their carriages nearly empty¡ªnobles preferred private transport. The few passengers who did ride sat in perfect stillness, their fine coats barely shifting with the movement. Marcus and Vera walked side by side, descending toward the common quarters. The closer they got to the lower districts, the more the city changed. The streets became narrower, livelier. Vendors called out from market stalls, the scent of roasting meat, fresh bread, and oil filling the air. The people moved faster, dodging through the flow of workers, enforcers, and messengers carrying stacks of documents. Marcus remained unbothered by the shift, but Vera¡ªVera soaked it in like a gust of fresh air. She turned to him, tilting her head. "Enjoying your day off yet?" Marcus didn¡¯t slow his pace. "I''m merely making use of it." Vera grinned. "You know, Father, I don''t think I''ve ever seen you ''relax.¡¯¡± Marcus exhaled quietly. "That''s because I don''t waste time on meaningless things." Vera gasped, pressing a hand dramatically against her chest. "Oh, I see! Spending time with your only daughter is meaningless, then?" Marcus gave her a sidelong glance. "That''s not what I said." Vera smirked, looping her arm through his. "Mm. No, I think it is. You''re lucky I''m so forgiving, Father." Marcus sighed, his muscles stiffening for just a fraction of a second before relaxing. He had never been one for excessive displays of affection, but Vera had always been different. She never asked for permission. She simply existed in his space, like she belonged there. But he didn¡¯t pull away. She was her mother¡¯s daughter, after all. Arrival at the Magistrate¡¯s Office The city was alive with movement as they descended from the noble district toward the magistrate¡¯s headquarters. While the streets of the upper tier were pristine and orderly, the lower administrative districts hummed with activity¡ªmessengers on foot, enforcers patrolling in formation, clerks darting between buildings with stacks of paperwork in their arms. Marcus¡¯s presence here was not unusual, but today, he had no official business. As he stepped through the large doors, Chief Grahm was already waiting. The older man, dressed in his crisp navy-blue officer¡¯s coat, straightened the moment he saw Marcus. ¡°Sir, I thought you were off today.¡± His gaze flicked to Vera, and his expression brightened. ¡°And Miss Vera¡¯s here too¡ªwhat a nice surprise. I was mighty impressed with your performance at the ranking.¡± Vera dipped into a graceful curtsy, her training kicking in with effortless elegance. ¡°Thank you, Chief Grahm.¡± Marcus adjusted his small spectacles, barely acknowledging the compliment before speaking. ¡°I left a gift for Vera and a note for Dominic. We¡¯re actually on our way to see him now.¡± Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit. Grahm chuckled, folding his arms. ¡°Dom will be thrilled, I¡¯m sure.¡± Marcus merely inclined his head, ever composed. Thrilled was one way to put it. Dom always had something to say. And more often than not, Marcus found it exhausting. Still, that wasn¡¯t quite the truth, was it? It wasn¡¯t just exhaustion¡ªit was the inconvenient familiarity of speaking to someone who had known him before he became this version of himself. Before his title. Before Vera. Before he had to keep everything contained. Without another word, he turned toward the exit, Vera falling into step beside him.
The Walk to Dom¡¯s House By the time Marcus and Vera left the magistrate¡¯s office, the city had begun its slow shift into afternoon. The golden hue of midday had softened, shadows stretching longer against the streets. The sharp energy of morning had faded, replaced by the languid movements of workers finishing their shifts. Vendors stood behind half-emptied stalls, their voices no longer calling out quite as loudly. The smell of roasted meat and fresh bread was now laced with something smokier, the scent of city grime settling into the cooling air. Vera was still full of life, still humming softly as she walked ahead of him. She had no trouble weaving through the shifting crowds, her steps light and unbothered. Marcus, however, was slowing. It wasn¡¯t fatigue. It was awareness. As the city changed around them, so did his thoughts.
The Light Begins to Fade The streets narrowed, the elegance of the noble districts fully behind them now. Marcus noted the change without judgment, without thought. He had made this walk many times before. As the sun dipped lower, the buildings cast longer, darker shadows. The world felt smaller here, the streets packed tighter, the city more lived-in. The streetlights flickered on, their dim glow competing with the last slivers of sunlight clinging to the rooftops. Vera slowed her pace, her playful energy dimming just slightly. She glanced up at Marcus, but this time, she didn¡¯t say anything. She knew when to let him be. They rounded the final corner, and Dom¡¯s house came into view. It was nothing like the stately homes of the noble district. The walls were older, worn but sturdy. The windows glowed with warm light, spilling onto the cracked stone path.
And Then the Door Opened. A woman stepped into the light. Marcus stopped breathing. For a fraction of a second¡ªjust a breath, just a trick of the low light¡ªhe saw her. Not Sara. Her. The curve of her face, the way the light caught the strands of dark hair, the familiar tilt of her head¡ªit was her. But then it wasn¡¯t. The illusion shattered. Sara¡¯s voice broke through the moment. ¡°Oh! Marcus? Vera?¡± A pause. She wasn¡¯t expecting them. Then her face lit up. ¡°Well, this is a nice surprise.¡± She stepped back, holding the door open, warmth slipping into the cool evening air. Entering Dom¡¯s Home The moment Marcus stepped inside, he was met with the scent of warm bread and something faintly metallic¡ªmachine oil, likely from Elias¡¯s latest project. The home was smaller than his own, but it had something his estate did not. It felt lived-in. The furniture was worn but sturdy, pushed slightly askew as if people actually used it rather than just arranged it for appearances. Books and mechanical parts lined the shelves alongside framed photographs, and though everything had its place, there was an undeniable looseness to the order. A contrast to the sterile perfection of the Halcroft estate. Vera breathed it in like fresh air. Sara had already made her way to the kitchen, setting out extra cups on the table. ¡°I was just making tea. You both should sit.¡± Vera moved with ease, plopping into a chair, already making herself at home. Marcus, however, remained standing for a moment, surveying the space like he was still adjusting to the shift in atmosphere. Sara noticed. She arched a brow at him. ¡°Unless you¡¯d rather inspect my furniture, Marcus, you¡¯re welcome to sit.¡± Vera snorted, covering her grin with her teacup. Marcus exhaled sharply through his nose but said nothing, moving to take a seat at the table.
Elias¡¯s Arrival The fireplace crackled as Marcus continued to look around Dom¡¯s home. Sara spoke up. ¡°Dom should be here soon¡ªhe¡¯s fussing over something as usual.¡± Marcus was about to reply when the door to another room swung open. Footsteps¡ªquick, light¡ªaccompanied by the scent of metal and machine oil. Then, Elias stepped into view. The boy¡¯s usual untamed hair was even messier than before, streaked with a smudge of grease along his cheek. His sleeves were rolled up sloppily, his vest dusted with oil stains. Marcus barely had time to take in the sight before¡ª "Elias!" Vera¡¯s voice was warm, bright¡ª the kind of greeting she never had to think twice about. Elias grinned instantly at the sound of her voice, wiping his hands on a rag that was already dirty. ¡°Vera! Didn¡¯t know you were stopping by.¡± He moved toward her without hesitation, and Vera met him halfway, punching him lightly on the shoulder. ¡°Should¡¯ve figured you¡¯d be covered in grease. What were you working on this time?¡± Marcus watched. They spoke so easily, as if this was routine. As if they had always been this way. He remembered their first meeting. Vera, standing stiffly at the threshold of the workshop, her expression caught between fascination and mild horror at Elias¡¯s grease-stained hands. Elias, uncertain, glancing between her and Marcus like he was waiting for permission to speak. They hadn¡¯t known how to interact back then. Noble daughter. Common boy. But that barrier¡ª**the one that had been so evident in their first meeting¡ª**was gone now. Now, they spoke in half-teasing remarks, as if their conversations had never had a beginning¡ªjust something that had always existed. Marcus was still watching them. Vera¡¯s easy laughter. Elias¡¯s unbothered grin. The way their conversation flowed without pause, without hesitation. When, exactly, had that changed?
Dom¡¯s Arrival & Teasing Marcus Marcus barely had time to process the thought before¡ª Two strong hands clapped down onto his shoulders. ¡°Well, well, well. What¡¯s this? Mister Noble himself lost in thought? That¡¯s a rare sight.¡± Marcus stiffened. His body tensed before years of discipline forced him back into composure. But Dom felt it. Marcus exhaled slowly, already pinching the bridge of his nose as Dom rounded the table, grinning ear to ear. Vera, unfazed, simply leaned back in her chair, smirking. ¡°You¡¯re getting slow, Father.¡± ¡°Hardly,¡± Marcus muttered. Dom chuckled, clearly enjoying himself. He grabbed a cup from the counter, pouring himself tea like he owned the place. Then, with a nod toward Elias and Vera, he said, ¡°You know, if I didn¡¯t know any better, I¡¯d say those two are getting awfully comfortable with each other.¡± Marcus stilled. His eyes flicked toward Elias, watching him carefully. The boy didn¡¯t flinch, but there was the slightest shift in his stance¡ªjust enough to show he had caught the remark. Vera rolled her eyes. ¡°Oh, shut up, Uncle Dom.¡± Elias, to his credit, had the sense to at least look sheepish. Dom raised a brow at Marcus, clearly waiting for a reaction. Marcus took a long, measured sip of his tea, choosing his words carefully. ¡°That¡¯s quite an observation, Dominic.¡± His tone was neutral. Controlled. But his grip on the teacup had tightened slightly. Dom just grinned wider. ¡°Isn¡¯t it?¡± Marcus didn¡¯t answer. But his gaze lingered on Elias for a fraction of a second longer than necessary. Before Dom could press further, Sara, still standing near the counter, cleared her throat. Marcus glanced up just in time to catch the look she gave him¡ªnot quite amused, but knowing. A silent let it go. She set a fresh cup in front of Dom before sitting down beside him, shifting the conversation back toward something more neutral. ¡°So, Marcus,¡± she said smoothly, ¡°what¡¯s this about a note you left for Dom?¡± Just like that, the moment passed. The Letter Sara had done well to steer the conversation, but Marcus could still feel Dom watching him from the corner of his eye. He had expected as much. Marcus set his cup down with careful precision, then reached into his coat and pulled out a small, sealed letter. The wax insignia was plain but unmistakable. He placed it on the table in front of Dom, sliding it across the worn wood. ¡°This was left for you.¡± Dom¡¯s easy expression shifted the moment his eyes landed on the seal. It was subtle¡ªbut Marcus caught it. A slight tensing in his jaw. His shoulders, always relaxed, squared just a fraction. His fingers hovered over the letter, but he didn¡¯t reach for it right away. Vera glanced between them, brow furrowing. ¡°Who¡¯s it from?¡± Marcus didn¡¯t answer. Because he didn¡¯t know. Dom finally picked up the letter, running a thumb over the wax seal before turning it over in his hands. The silence stretched long enough for Vera to shift in her chair. Then, he let out a low breath¡ªone that sounded dangerously close to a curse. Sara, who had been quietly watching him, immediately caught on. ¡°Dom?¡± He didn¡¯t answer right away. Instead, he did something Marcus wasn¡¯t expecting¡ªhe set the letter back down. Unopened. Marcus¡¯s gaze narrowed. Dom always had something to say. A quip, a joke, even a dismissive comment. But this? This silence? That meant something. Sara¡¯s voice softened. ¡°Who is it from?¡± Dom finally looked up, and for just a moment, he wasn¡¯t the man who had spent the last decade brushing off nobility and its tangled politics. For just a moment, he looked like a man staring at a past he had tried to forget. He exhaled through his nose, the teasing grin from earlier completely gone. ¡°Someone I thought was dead.¡± The silence in the room stretched.
Inside Dom¡¯s Study ¨C The Truth Comes Out The moment the study door shut, Dom¡¯s relaxed posture disappeared. He exhaled sharply, rubbing a hand down his face before dropping into the chair behind his desk. Marcus remained standing. Dom leaned back, staring at the ceiling for a moment before pulling the letter from his pocket. He tapped it against his knee, thoughtful. Then, finally¡ª ¡°It¡¯s from him, Marcus.¡± Marcus didn¡¯t react immediately. He had expected something like this. Dom had been running from something when he left the nobility. But Marcus had never asked what. Still, he recognized the shift in Dom¡¯s voice. Not frustration. Not sarcasm. Something closer to fear. Marcus folded his arms. ¡°Who?¡± Dom let out a hollow chuckle, shaking his head. ¡°The reason I left, Halcroft.¡± That was when Marcus understood. His expression darkened slightly. ¡°I see.¡± Dom scoffed, tossing the letter onto the desk like it had burned his hands. ¡°I should¡¯ve figured he wasn¡¯t done with me.¡± Marcus eyed the letter but didn¡¯t reach for it. Instead, he finally spoke. ¡°Does this affect you, or does this affect your family?¡± Dom hesitated. And that was when Marcus realized this wasn¡¯t just about Dom. Dom exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. ¡°That¡¯s why I wanted to talk to you. About Elias.¡± Marcus narrowed his eyes. Dom leaned forward, forearms resting against the desk. ¡°I¡¯m going to let him intern with me. Figured it¡¯d be a good way to teach him something useful.¡± His expression hardened. ¡°But if he¡¯s back in the picture¡­ that changes things.¡± Marcus was silent for a moment. Then, finally¡ª ¡°You¡¯re afraid he¡¯ll notice Elias.¡± Dom¡¯s jaw tightened. ¡°¡­Hopefully not.¡± Marcus glanced at the letter once more. ¡°And?¡± Dom let out a sharp breath, rubbing his temples. ¡°And I can¡¯t let that scum hurt my family more.¡± Marcus understood too well what that meant. He stepped forward, placing a firm hand on Dom¡¯s shoulder. ¡°You can¡¯t control everything. But know I¡¯m here for you.¡± Dom huffed a quiet laugh. ¡°For someone so cold, you¡¯re oddly reliable.¡± Marcus chuckled¡ª but then his sharp gaze flicked toward the cracked door. They had eavesdroppers. A shadow moved. Dom sighed. ¡°Well, they¡¯re subtle.¡± The door swung open, and Elias strode in, eyes bright. ¡°You¡¯re going to let me intern? Thank you, Dad!¡± Meanwhile, Marcus turned his glare toward Vera, who was still lingering at the doorway¡ªsmirking. She didn¡¯t even try to look guilty.
Vera¡¯s Declaration (Marcus¡¯s POV) ¡°Well, we best be going,¡± Marcus stated, fixing Vera with a look that told her they would be discussing her eavesdropping later. But Vera had other plans. She took a deep breath¡ªand Marcus instantly sensed something reckless coming. ¡°Just so you know, Dad¡ª¡± she piped up, her voice strong despite the clear blush forming on her cheeks, ¡°I won¡¯t just marry anyone. I want to be with someone like Elias.¡± Marcus froze. Elias barely had time to process the words before Vera leaned in¡ªpressing a quick kiss against his cheek. Then¡ªbefore anyone could react¡ª She spun on her heel and bolted out of the house. Marcus sighed heavily, already feeling the headache forming. Elias, meanwhile, was completely dumbfounded, frozen in place like his brain had just short-circuited. Dom, still sitting at his desk, took one look at Elias¡¯s wide-eyed expression and burst into laughter. ¡°Oh, kid,¡± he grinned, shaking his head, ¡°you are so in over your head.¡± Chapter 12: An Intern’s First Day The stubborn gear wouldn¡¯t budge. Sweat trickled down my forehead as I strained my wrist, desperately trying to loosen the frozen metal. With a grunt, I pushed harder¡ªthe wrench creaking from the effort¡ªbut still, nothing moved. Just as I readied myself for another go, Mom walked into the room, her hands resting firmly on her hips. ¡°Elias G. Wolfe, what do you think you¡¯re doing? You should already be dressed and ready to meet your father!¡± Her voice was stern, though her eyes sparkled with a hint of amusement. I groaned, reluctantly setting down the wrench. ¡°Sorry, Mom. I was just trying to fix¡ª¡± She shook her head, gently cutting me off. ¡°I appreciate your enthusiasm, but today¡¯s important. Dom went through a lot to convince Chief Grahm to agree to this internship. Remember?¡± The image of Chief Grahm¡ªthe severe, gruff man who always seemed to make life difficult for my father¡ªimmediately flashed through my mind. I swallowed nervously at the thought. Mom sighed softly and stepped closer, fixing my sleeves and straightening my collar with practiced ease. She lifted a corner of her apron to wipe a smudge of grease from my cheek, then handed me a freshly baked roll. ¡°Elias, be good.¡± ¡°Always,¡± I smiled back, biting into the warm bread. ¡°And thanks for breakfast.¡± With an encouraging nod, she ushered me toward the door. The walk to my father¡¯s office gave my mind plenty of time to wander, picturing all the possibilities this internship might hold. My eyes drifted upward to the massive building ahead, where bold lettering was carved deep into the smooth granite:Office of the Magistrate and Central City Enforcement It was more than just a building; it was a symbol, an important landmark for all of us who lived in the lower districts. I glanced toward the top floors and took a deep breath. ¡°Alright, Elias,¡± I muttered under my breath. ¡°Let¡¯s make a good first impression.¡± With one last steadying breath, I stepped through the revolving doors. Inside was an expansive lobby, centered around a large wooden reception desk. Sitting squarely at attention behind it was a robot, eyes dimmed as if lost in thought. I approached cautiously. ¡°I¡¯m here for orientation and my internship with Dom Wolfe.¡± The robot¡¯s head swiveled towards me instantly, its large eyes blinking to life. ¡°Yes, yes¡ªthe Chief is expecting you.¡± It gestured mechanically toward the rear of the lobby, to a winding metal staircase that spiraled upward. Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon. ¡°Thank you,¡± I replied, mildly surprised at how personable it was. I crossed the busy floor, weaving between desks crowded with officers absorbed in their tasks. As I passed, I noticed some of the younger officers shooting me sharp glances, eyes narrowed with clear skepticism. Ignoring their stares, I squared my shoulders. I¡¯d let my actions speak for themselves.Today, everything began. As I reached the top of the winding staircase, I stopped outside Chief Grahm¡¯s closed office door. A muffled voice¡ªdeep, gruff, and clearly unhappy¡ªechoed loudly through the door, punctuated by quieter responses I instantly recognized as my father¡¯s. I winced. The Chief definitely wasn''t pleased this morning. "Don¡¯t take it personally," said a familiar, calm voice from behind me. I turned quickly to find Marcus standing there, impeccably dressed in his Magistrate uniform. His eyes sparkled with subtle amusement behind his glasses. ¡°Morning, Marcus,¡± I greeted him, slightly relieved. "Is Dad always getting yelled at?" Marcus chuckled gently, nodding toward the closed door. ¡°You could say it¡¯s become a bit of a morning tradition. Let¡¯s wait until Chief Grahm finishes his daily lecture, shall we?¡± We stepped back into a waiting area where a holoscreen displayed a steady rotation of news and alerts. Marcus folded his arms, eyes scanning the information scrolling by. ¡°We¡¯re always so busy after the Catechism and the Rankings,¡± Marcus sighed, a hint of exhaustion seeping through his calm demeanor. ¡°Rankings stir the pot, you could say.¡± My attention shifted toward the holoscreen, drawn to the faces of various wanted criminals cycling through. But one face stood out¡ªa young Caith girl with sharp, feline eyes, appearing multiple times under various warnings and charges. My eyes widened slightly as I read her name: NYX: Wanted for burglary, theft of classified relics. Approach with caution. Her expression was fierce, defiant even, but something else flickered behind her eyes¡ªa challenge, or perhaps an invitation. Marcus noticed my stare and nodded thoughtfully. ¡°Ah, Nyx. She¡¯s become quite notorious lately. Always slipping away. She¡¯s clever, maybe too clever.¡± I blinked, tearing my gaze away reluctantly. ¡°Who is she?¡± Marcus sighed softly. ¡°Someone who sees the world differently, I suppose. Either way, she¡¯s keeping us busy.¡± The Chief¡¯s voice boomed from inside his office again, louder than before, making me wince once more. Marcus placed a reassuring hand briefly on my shoulder. ¡°Don¡¯t worry, Elias. Dom¡¯s used to it. And one day, perhaps, so will you.¡± The door swung open, and Dom emerged, shoulders slumped from Chief Grahm¡¯s legendary tongue-lashing. Swallowing nervously, I stepped forward, stiffening my back, bracing myself for the storm to come. Chief Grahm loomed before me, his sharp eyes assessing me silently. Then, unexpectedly, his stern face cracked into a wide, hearty grin, and he burst into laughter. ¡°You¡¯re definitely Dom¡¯s kid, alright,¡± he chuckled, eyes twinkling with humor. ¡°Listen¡ªlearn everything you can from your old man, but if you ever need help, come straight to me, kid.¡± He leaned in slightly, lowering his voice conspiratorially. ¡°Dom can be a real airhead sometimes.¡± He laughed again, loud and deep from his belly, dissolving my anxiety completely. Relief flooded through me as I relaxed, nodding eagerly. Maybe working here wouldn¡¯t be so daunting after all. Excitement stirred in my chest¡ªlearning from Dad, becoming a detective, and finally seeing firsthand how awesome he really was. Yet, as Chief Grahm returned to his office and Marcus smiled reassuringly, I couldn¡¯t help but drift back to that young Caith girl¡¯s image on the holoscreen. Her fierce eyes remained locked firmly in my mind. Would I meet her someday? Did I even want to? Somehow, I knew the answer would come soon enough. Chapter 14: Sugar and Shadow The office building buzzed with life¡ªlike ants crawling through a hive. Phones rang, boots echoed against tile, and distant arguments sparked like static across the open floor. In the far corner sat Elias¡¯s desk. Small. Isolated. Piled high with folders and forms that didn¡¯t matter. His arrival hadn¡¯t gone unnoticed. Some of the veteran officers liked having him around¡ªsaid he reminded them of their own kids or maybe just liked his questions. But the younger recruits? Not so much. Ever since the Ranking Ceremony, some of them looked at him like he was a threat. Jealousy at its finest. Elias stepped into the office with a sigh. Across the room, Vera sat at her father¡¯s desk, flipping through a folder as Elias vented. "I know Dom¡¯s just trying to keep me safe, but he never lets me go on any missions. It¡¯s so frustrating. I¡¯m stuck here filing paperwork like some glorified clerk. I¡¯m not a kid anymore..." (Not that I ever really was.) Vera didn¡¯t even glance up. ¡°But you¡¯re so good at it,¡± she said, a sly grin forming as she teased him. Elias groaned, slumping forward until his forehead hit the desk. A stack of documents fluttered to the floor. ¡°Ugh, this is so boring.¡± Vera giggled behind her glove. ¡°Well, I¡¯m just here to visit Father. But word around the precinct is that my dad thinks you¡¯ve got real potential as a bureaucrat.¡± Elias shot her a glare, lifting his head just enough to scowl at her. Dom waltzed up to Elias¡¯s little corner of the office, hands in his coat pockets and a grin tugging at his stubbled face. ¡°Son, you¡¯ve got to come on patrol with me today. If you stay here any longer, Marcus is going to turn you into a pile of paperwork.¡± Elias blinked, surprised¡ªbut not displeased. His father had always been somewhat of a mystery. Everyone talked about Dom Wolfe like he was a legend, a man who could crack a case just by walking into the room. But to Elias¡­ he always seemed distant. Like the world spun around him, and he only stepped in when it suited him. Still, a mission sounded better than death by forms and filing cabinets. He shrugged. ¡°Sure. Beats another day in the paper mines.¡± (Guess that¡¯s the downside of being a control freak, Marcus. You drown in your own paper trail.) As the two made their way toward the precinct entrance, a younger officer brushed past Elias with a shoulder-check that wasn¡¯t exactly subtle. ¡°Watch it, kid. Your dad might have to save you,¡± the officer muttered, his voice thick with spite. Elias staggered half a step, blinking. Dom slowed beside him, shooting a quick glance his way. Elias just shrugged, stuffing his hands in his pockets. Let them talk. He¡¯d gotten used to that tone lately¡ªthe kind that said you don¡¯t belong here without ever spelling it out. They didn¡¯t like that he¡¯d ranked so high. Didn¡¯t like that Dom Wolfe was his father. And really? Elias didn¡¯t care. Paperwork was still worse. Elias couldn¡¯t help but notice the shift in the city since the Ranking Ceremony. As he and Dom weaved through the backstreets, it was clear the sparkle had faded. The wealth that trickled down during the rankings¡ªthe vendors, banners, nobles in polished boots¡ªhad vanished. Now, the lower city looked like itself again: tight-knit, worn down, and humming with quiet resilience. Dom led the way, offering nods to shopkeepers and helping an elderly man lift a crate without hesitation. He didn¡¯t do it for recognition. He never did. Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation. Elias respected that about his father. His head might always be in the clouds¡ªbut his heart was firmly rooted in this town. I was never good at helping people in my past life. Too focused on gears and logistics to really see the people around me. But in this new life... I have a model. Someone I can watch¡ªsomeone whose love for this city isn¡¯t just a duty. It¡¯s real. ¡°Here you go¡ª¡± Elias grunted, trying to force the stubborn cart wheel back into place. The old merchant stood nearby, rubbing the back of his knee with anxious energy. ¡°Ahh, it¡¯s okay, really¡­¡± Produce rolled off the tilted stand as Elias fumbled with the axle. He cursed under his breath. Dom¡¯s laugh echoed behind him. ¡°Still so focused on gears and sprockets,¡± he said, crouching down. With practiced ease, he caught a wobbling basket of fruit and placed it gently back onto the small stall. He patted the merchant on the back. ¡°Well, it¡¯s the thought that counts, right?¡± The two older men laughed together. Elias just stared, cheeks burning. I was trying... Suddenly, a nearby holoscreen flickered to life with a sharp beep and blinding yellow text. ¡°ATTENTION. ALL OFFICERS REPORT TO SECTION 9. A BRAWL HAS BROKEN OUT IN THE PLEASURE DISTRICT. REPEAT. ALL OFFICERS TO SECTION 9. INCIDENT CODE RED.¡± Dom exhaled through his nose, rubbing the bridge of his nose. ¡°Not this again¡­¡± he muttered. ¡°That damn ALL should be the one keeping those filth-traders in check. Instead, it just creates more work for us.¡± He glanced over at Elias. ¡°Take the holotrain and head back to the office. Shouldn¡¯t take long to knock some sense into a few reprobates.¡± Before Elias could even respond, Dom was already jogging off, coat flapping behind him, his badge glowing faintly beneath his sleeve. Elias sat on the holotrain, surrounded by the vivid blue blur of the city lights streaking past the open tram. The hum of energy coils vibrated beneath his seat, and he found himself wondering¡ªnot for the first time¡ªhow this thing even worked. The train stopped consistently, passengers coming and going in waves. A tired mother. A businessman with blinking glasses. A coughing Nonkin boy no one dared to sit near. Still, Elias¡¯s mind drifted. Why would ALL set up a church just to promote degeneracy like the Pleasure District? So much for piety¡­ The sarcasm was thick in his head¡ªbut it soured quickly. Because then, he saw it. Three boys¡ªCadet Academy students, judging by their jackets¡ªhad surrounded a hooded girl leaning casually against the rail. She looked calm¡­ too calm, chewing on a red lollipop like she didn¡¯t have a care in the world. But Elias could feel it. Tension¡ªcoiling, ready to snap. One of the cadets leaned in, his breath far too close. ¡°What¡¯s a pretty little thing doing in this part of town, huh? Don¡¯t you have some respect?¡± She just smiled, eyes hidden beneath the shade of her hood. Elias stood up. His heart was already racing. Three against one. She¡¯s Nonkin. This city doesn¡¯t care about her¡­ but I do. ¡°Hey!¡± he barked from across the tram. ¡°Three cadets ganging up on one unarmed girl? What the hell does that make you?¡± The trio turned, eyes narrowing. Recognition flickered. ¡°Well, if it isn¡¯t Rank One himself,¡± the leader sneered, stepping forward with a lazy, intimidating push. ¡°Heard you skipped two whole years of Junior Academy. Straight to HQ. Must be real nice having a famous daddy.¡± Elias tried not to flinch. The two others flanked him, closing in fast. The leader leaned in, breath foul with stale stimcaps. ¡°So tell me, Wolfe¡­ where¡¯s your father now?¡± ¡°The Lone Detective, right? Or did Daddy finally let the pup off his leash?¡± His pupils were red-rimmed¡ªspeckled with signs of recent drug use. Elias could see it now¡­ the twitch in his jaw. The way his fingers flexed like they wanted to snap. Elias¡¯s throat tightened. He had no weapon. No backup. And no Dom. Before Elias could respond, the leader shoved him back against one of the tram poles. His shoulder hit the metal hard. Crap. I was just trying to help¡­ The air shifted. He didn¡¯t even see her move. In a blink, the lollipop clattered to the floor¡ªand so did one of the cadets, wheezing as he curled in on himself, clutching his stomach. ¡°Y-You little¡ª!¡± The leader turned just in time to catch a boot to the side of his jaw. He stumbled, dazed, as the hooded girl landed in a crouch, tail flicking out behind her. Her cloak fluttered, revealing the sharp curve of her ears and the glint of steel tucked at her hip. ¡°Now, now,¡± she said, rising smoothly. ¡°Didn¡¯t your Academy teach you not to pick fights with strangers? Especially ones sharper than you?¡± The remaining cadet backed away, pale. The leader, bleeding from his lip, hissed. ¡°You freakin¡¯¡ªyou¡¯ll pay for that.¡± ¡°Doubt it,¡± she replied, flipping his badge ring into the air. It sparkled once, then vanished into the night as she tossed it out the tram window. The door chimed. The stop had arrived. She turned to Elias, smirking. ¡°Thanks for the assist, Hero,¡± she said, stepping past him with a wink. ¡°But I had it handled.¡± And just like that, she was gone¡ªvanished into the crowded platform. Elias blinked. Twice. What just happened¡­? Elias stood frozen as the tram doors slid shut behind her. The cadets were gone¡ªscattered like cowards the moment the tables turned. And him? He was still trying to figure out if he¡¯d imagined the whole thing. He slumped into the nearest seat, the metal still warm from the fight, heart thumping in his ears. That was the second time today he¡¯d been saved¡ªand this one hurt worse than the first. I was supposed to be the one protecting people¡­ He sighed, dragging a hand through his hair. Then he felt it. Something tucked into the inside of his coat. Frowning, he reached into his pocket and pulled out¡­ a bright red lollipop, still wrapped. Tied to the stick with a thin black ribbon was a tiny sticker¡ªan animated cartoon cat grinning mischievously, with one eye winking and a tail curled into a question mark. No note. No explanation. Just the lingering taste of sugar and shadow. Elias stared at it. Who the hell is she¡­?