"When the world won't give you a place… build one."
---
[Scene 1 – The Dream Drafted]
A massive white tent stood on the edge of Brimvale, buzzing with energy. Engineers, healers, farmers, musicians, and even reformed ex-bandits gathered around a long glowing table — a holographic map of the future.
Zayden stood at the center, arms crossed, eyes glowing with ambition.
> "We're not waiting for approval. We're not asking permission. We're building the future. Right here. Right now."
M.A.I.A. projected the design:
CoreCity – a fusion of nature and technology.
Streets powered by sun-capture tiles
Water purified through nano-spring wells
Vertical farms, music towers, emergency med-hubs
And at its heart: The CoreSpire – a tower that beams knowledge and energy to all who enter
Sir Garrick pointed. "What's this ring around the city?"
> "A neutral zone," Zayden said. "No swords. No politics. Only ideas."
Juno smirked. "You're building heaven in a war zone."
Zayden nodded. "Exactly."
---
[Scene 2 – Spy in the Shadows]
As the team cheered and set off to break ground, a quiet figure slipped away from the crowd — a Core engineer named Kael. Young. Nervous. Talented.
He returned to his tent, opened a hidden compartment in his wristband, and activated a crystal communicator.
A voice buzzed through.
> "Status?"
Kael swallowed. "Zayden's plans are real. The city starts construction at dawn."
> "Good. Delay it. Sabotage it. And if you get caught…"
Silence.
> "We never knew you."
Kael turned off the device and looked down at his blue Core uniform.
His hands trembled.
> "I didn't sign up to destroy the future…"
---
[Scene 3 – The Hidden Secret of Lady Miren]
Later that night, as workers slept and G-Rock wrote lyrics for the CoreCity Anthem, Lady Miren stood by the river alone.
She stared at the stars, clutching a worn locket.
Zayden approached, offering a CoreChocoBar™.
> "You okay?"
She took it, smiled. "Not really. But this helps."
He sat beside her.
> "You've been quiet since the Crimson Order attack."
She hesitated.
Then she opened the locket.
Inside was a faded painting — a young girl, glowing eyes, with a man in royal robes.
> "My real name's not Miren," she whispered. "It's Mirana Velgarde."
Zayden froze.
> "Velgarde. As in…"
> "I'm the king's illegitimate daughter. Hidden. Forgotten. I ran away at 14."
She looked him dead in the eyes.
> "And now I'm helping you tear down my father's legacy."
Silence.
Then Zayden laughed softly. "Wow. You've got the most Netflix-worthy backstory here."
> "So… you still trust me?"
Zayden offered his hand.
> "You're not your blood. You're your choices."
---
[Scene 4 – Daybreak & Foundations]**
Morning.
Trumpets blared (thanks to G-Rock). People marched with tools, drones, seeds, bricks, and hope.
The first foundation block of CoreCity was laid by:
A farmer who once lived in famine
A healer whose child Zayden saved
A thief turned Core security chief
A monk who now teaches AI ethics
Zayden pressed his palm into the wet stone.
> "Let this place be more than steel. Let it be a statement."
Everyone joined in, pressing their palms into the slab.
One united print.
One united future.
---
[Scene 5 – The Clock is Ticking]
But far away, in a royal chamber dark with smoke and rage…
Prince Thalon watched through a spy orb.
He saw CoreCity's lights rising. He saw the people cheering for a man with no crown.
He clenched his teeth.
> "If he wants to build a paradise…"
He drew his sword.
> "Then I'll bring him hell."
And far beneath CoreCity's first foundation stone…
A small device Kael had buried blinked red.
> "SLEEPER CHARGE – ARMED"
Countdown: 7 days.
---
📘 END OF CHAPTER 8
Next up:Chapter 9 – "Whispers Beneath the City"