The students began to trickle out of the assembly hall, relief washing over them after the long speech. It was their day off, and no one wanted to linger any longer than necessary.Excited chatter filled the corridors — the Inter-Military Base Tournament had been announced, and Jack Truedream himself would be there to watch. For many, that was more than a reason to celebrate — it was a ticket to fame.
If Truedream noticed you, you were set for life. No endless grind through ranks or faction politics. One word from him, and your future was written in gold.
But not everyone shared that excitement.
When Duke read out the final names — "...Quinn Talen... and Erin Heyley..." — a ripple of shock spread through a small boys group near the middle rows.
SOmewhere near the front Layla's expression darkened instantly. Without hesitation, she grabbed Erin's wrist."Come with me," she hissed, already pulling her away.
"What—? Layla, where are we going?" Erin demanded, stumbling to keep up.
"Just move! Something's wrong. Really wrong."
Layla's urgency silenced any protest. She had been long enough Layla to know when she was serious and when she was trying to be funny.
Erin could see it in her eyes now, that cold seriousness.
As the two reached the boys, Layla waved frantically, motioning for them to stay put. "Don't go anywhere!" she barked.
Fex blinked, confusion painted across his face. "Uh... someone mind explaining? Why are we acting like we just got drafted for execution?"
Vorden turned sharply toward him. "Because you don't get it, Fex! Didn't you hear what I said about Truedream yesterday? His ability — he can steal powers. Take them away and give them to someone else."
Fex frowned. "Wait... you mean—"
"Yes," Layla cut in. "Every year, certain students are called out like this. Afterward, they either vanish or return broken without any abilities."
The group fell into stunned silence.
Even Quinn said nothing — his mind spinning, his chest tightening. He had barely come to terms with his ability, and now... it might be taken from him before he even understood it.
Erin, too, was pale. The color had drained from her face, and her composure was slipping. They wouldn't take me, she thought. I'm one of the top students. They need me... right?But deep down, she already knew. This was no coincidence.
Meanwhile, in an office a few days earlier, Duke had been sorting through a stack of candidate files — each one marked with the Truedream seal.When his eyes landed on Erin Heyley's profile, he smirked. "Now this one's... interesting."
A level five ability user. Ice element. Purchased, not inherited — rare, expensive, and refined. She had talent, but that wasn't why her name was highlighted. Her family's record told the real story.
The Heyleys had once worked under one of the Big Four, maintaining a settlement on an orange portal planet. They'd been loyal, competent, and profitable — until the invasion.
The Dalki had come without warning.
Erin had been home for the summer when it happened, celebrating her family's rise in rank. She remembered the sirens, the ground trembling, and her father's voice — sharp, commanding.
"Erin, get out of here! You're not ready yet!"
"But I can fight!" she had shouted back.
"You'll only get in the way!"
Those were the last words she heard before her father fell — the blade of a Dalki piercing his chest.
She had frozen, rooted in horror, until her father's friend grabbed her and fled. The rest of that day was a blur — fire, screams, the stench of blood. Two Dalki had destroyed everything her family built. The defenders managed to kill one, but the other raged on, unstoppable.
And then she appeared.
A woman clad in white armor, her sword dancing like light itself. Erin had watched her fight, silent and graceful, parrying blow after blow until she finally struck the Dalki down.
When the battle ended, the woman approached Erin — and instead of comfort, she gave her truth.
"If you never want to lose anyone again, you must become stronger. Strong enough that no one can take anything from you. Because tears don't bring the dead back."
Those words had carved themselves into Erin's soul. Since that day, they became her vow. She trained, studied, fought — chasing power like it was the only thing left keeping her alive.
But now, standing in that hall, she felt that strength slipping away. For the first time since the invasion, fear crept back into her heart.
And this time, there was no one left to save her.
*****
Quinn and Erin, for now, decided to follow suit and were led along with the others to a separate room. Erin walked in silence, her mind racing to understand why she had been chosen. Meanwhile, Quinn discreetly sent a voice message to two people — it was time to call his allies.
Before departing from the group, Vorden, Layla, Peter, and Fex decided to act quickly.
Although Fex could've easily stayed out of it, he chose to get involved. He had come to Earth hoping to enjoy life and experience new things, but instead, he'd been forcefully drafted into military school. So when this dangerous little mission came up, he found it exciting — a rare rush of adrenaline. Unlike Peter, who looked constantly anxious, Fex carried himself with effortless charm, the kind that made people hesitate before judging him.
Anyway, the whole group shared a common drive — and regardless of how close or distant they were, they were ready to work together.
Vorden quickly assigned tasks: Layla and Fex were to follow the students being taken away, and told to inform him for rendezvous. While he himself dashed off to acquire a useful ability.
While Peter was told to stay away and cover for Vorden and Fex incase any suspicion was drawn towards them amd make up an excuse for where they were.
*****