It had been hours since she ran, she didn’t remember how she ended up here after the lights went out.

  Koraia curled into a ball in the corner of an abandoned storage house, her knees pulled tight against her chest, her face buried between them. Tears streaked her dirt-smudged cheeks, silent sobs shaking her small frame. The cold office room was littered with broken furniture, scattered papers, and the faint scent of rusted metal. It was the only place she could think to hide.

  Outside the door, standing just beyond the flickering overhead light, was him.

  A towering figure, his broad frame encased in jagged, black armor with a blue pearlescent sheen. The plating moved subtly, as though it were alive, shifting and flexing in response to him. A thick, shaggy black fur cloak hung from his shoulders, streaked with dark red along the edges, like dried blood stains from wars long forgotten. His helmet was featureless save for three hollow, empty eye sockets, pitch black and staring forward with no discernible emotion.

  And yet, his voice was soft.

  "Koraia, I know you are afraid. But I swear, everything will be fine."

  "Shut up!" she screamed from inside the office, gripping her arms tighter. "Just stop talking! Stop following me! You ruined everything!"

  He didn’t move. Didn’t react. His voice remained calm, unwavering. "I cannot leave your side. You are the master of my tome."

  Koraia stood abruptly, storming toward the door, throwing it open with a furious glare.

  "Explain to me why I can’t get rid of it!" she demanded, her chest heaving.

  The armored figure tilted his head slightly, considering. "I do not know."

  Her hands clenched into fists. "Then what are you?!"

  "I do not know."

  She let out an exasperated, almost choked laugh. "Then what do you know?!"

  For the first time, the figure lowered his head slightly, as if reflecting inward. Then, his voice came, steady and sure.

  "I know my name. And that I must protect you. And the book."

  Koraia’s expression hardened. "That’s it? That’s all you’ve got?! Can you at least take that armor off?!"

  He shook his head. "It is not armor. It is my body."

  Koraia stared at him. "Then what are you, some kind of outworlder?" Her voice turned bitter. "Because from everything I’ve ever learned, appearing out of thin air isn’t something Affinity can do."

  The figure stiffened at that. "Affinity?"

  Koraia furrowed her brows. "You don’t even know what that is? It’s the life energy all races born on this planet have. It lets us control molecules, and everyone has an Affinity toward a specific molecule or compound, they teach it in school."

  "Then I do not have this Affinity," he stated simply.

  Koraia pointed at him accusingly. "Then you must be an outworlder. Which means you should go to the Council. Or turn yourself into the Seraphim. Just leave me alone!"

  For the first time, the figure hesitated, as if carefully considering his next words. Then, his head lifted slightly.

  "I cannot. I must protect you and the book. The Seraphim cannot be trusted."

  The certainty in his voice made her breath catch. She should have run. She should have screamed for help.

  Instead, she just asked, "Why?"

  Instead of answering, he knelt before her, one hand across his chest, his massive frame lowering itself as if in fealty. His helmet tilted upward, empty sockets staring at her with unwavering conviction.

  "I do not wish to be a burden to you. But please, help me find out what I am, my lady."

  Koraia froze. Her mind raced.

  A towering knight in black armor.

  A hidden past.

  An oath of loyalty.

  A spark of pure fantasy burned in her chest. A memory of old adventure stories she used to read, of knights and lost kings, of grand quests and powerful relics.

  The reality of her ruined life loomed behind her.

  The absurdity of the situation clashed with the wonder of it all.

  She laughed.

  A genuine, small, uncontrolled laugh.

  "Fine, I guess I can help you. Just don’t do this in public."

  The figure looked up at her, silent for a moment, before bowing his head slightly.

  "As you command, Lady Koraia."

  The drive into the capital was long, but the towering skyline of the Grand Archive, the sprawling megastructure that housed Lexico and countless other corporate offices, made it clear they were finally reaching their destination. The towering spires of the city gleamed under the artificial sun, their intricate designs blending ancient grandeur with sleek, modern efficiency, an emblem of Axiom’s vision of a perfect world.

  Vitaros, focused on maneuvering through the dense city traffic, spoke dryly. "So, any stops before we get there? Grab some food, see the sights?" His voice was more out of obligation than genuine interest.

  Prism, stretching in the passenger seat, smirked. "Ooh, can we stop at Heavenly?"

  Nyx and Luminar immediately looked over, their expressions flat.

  Vitaros blinked, half-glancing back at Prism. "Seriously?"

  Prism leaned back, half-joking, half-serious. "What? I could go for some greasy Seraphim-certified fast food right about now."

  Nyx shook his head. "No stops."

  Luminar, scrolling through her Lexicom, simply said, "Let’s just get there."

  Vitaros exhaled. "Good. No Heavenly. No stops."

  They continued through the capital’s winding traffic lanes, the city buzzing with hovercrafts, high-speed trams, and corporate drones gliding between towering buildings. Eventually, Vitaros turned into a massive underground parking structure, a massive sprawl beneath the Grand Archive and Lexico headquarters.

  He parked smoothly in one of the reserved spots, shutting the engine down before glancing back. "Pretty sure Kimba's still in his office. We can go see him, drop off the book, and figure out the next steps from there."

  "Finally," Nyx muttered, stretching as he stepped out of the car.

  They moved through ornate, gothic-styled hallways, towering pillars and gold-inlaid data screens flickering with news updates and corporate stock information. The blend of historical Ossari architecture and modern corporate excess made the Grand Archive feel like both a temple and a business empire.

  Vitaros led them toward the main reception desk, flashing his ingot card at the attendant. "Here to see Kimba."

  After a quick confirmation, they were sent up to Lexico’s executive floor, the elevator’s smooth ascent taking them to the heart of the company’s operations.

  When the doors slid open, they immediately spotted Kimba, an imposing albino Chimera with a regal, leonine appearance, his pristine white mane groomed to perfection, dressed in a custom-fitted dark suit lined with gold-threaded embroidery. He stood in casual confidence, his expression relaxed despite the clear tension in the air.

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  Opposite him stood an Ossari in long, flowing robes, his skeletal frame stiff with impatience, glowing blue eyes narrowed in irritation. Even without context, it was obvious this was someone important.

  "You assured me this would be handled swiftly, Kimba," the Ossari said, his tone cold and measured. "The tome’s disappearance was an oversight. The fact that it took this long to retrieve is… disappointing."

  The gang arrived just in time to hear this, and Vitaros wordlessly approached, holding up the tome in one hand. "Didn’t you want it done quietly?"

  The Ossari turned, looking first at the book, then at Vitaros. Without a word, he simply took the tome and walked past them, not even acknowledging anyone else in the room.

  Prism, blinking at the tense silence left behind, turned to Kimba. "So uh… what’s got his bones in a bunch?"

  Kimba let out a deep, hearty laugh, his large frame shaking slightly. With a rough but affectionate motion, he reached out and ruffled Prism’s hair, much to her immediate annoyance.

  "Oh, cova," Kimba grinned, ignoring her swatting hands. "That was Councilman Kaelith."

  Prism froze mid-motion, eyes darting toward the door the Ossari had just exited from. "Oh. Oh."

  Kimba laughed again, his pale pink eyes full of amusement. "You’re lucky he’s used to dealing with me. Otherwise, you’d have gotten a real earful."

  Vitaros, adjusting his sleeves, simply said, "Job’s done."

  Kimba nodded approvingly and tapped a few commands into his ingot, transferring the payment to Vitaros. "I appreciate it. Smooth work, even if it took a while."

  Vitaros checked the transfer before pocketing his ingot card. "Good pay’s good pay."

  With business done, Kimba turned his attention to Nyx, Luminar, and Prism, his expression warming. "And as for you three… I hear you’ve been making a real name for yourselves. I’m glad Vitaros ran into you. I think this opportunity could be good for all of us."

  Prism crossed her arms, smirking. "Told you I wasn’t making it up."

  "For once," Nyx teased.

  "Shut up."

  Kimba clapped his hands together. "Alright. Let’s celebrate properly. Dinner’s on me. We can talk shop over food."

  "Now you’re speaking my language," Vitaros said, already moving toward the door.

  Nobody objected.

  They headed back down to the lower floors, stepping into one of the luxury restaurants lining the base of the Grand Archive Tower, ready to enjoy a rare moment of relaxation before whatever came next.

  The base level of the Grand Archive Tower was a constant whirlwind of motion. Corporate employees streamed out of their offices, some heading straight for the bars that lined the district, while others made their way into high-end restaurants or luxury shopping centers. The towering structure above loomed with gothic majesty, its intricate Ossari-inspired architecture blending with sleek, modern glass overlays. The entire area had an air of prestige, the kind of place where only those with wealth or influence could freely roam.

  Kimba led the way, his broad frame cutting through the evening rush like a ship through water. "Before we eat, we need to get you three properly dressed," he said, glancing at Nyx, Luminar, and Prism with an amused smirk. "We’re going to a fine dining establishment, not an arena brawl."

  Prism groaned. "Cova, we look fine."

  Kimba chuckled. "You’re walking into one of the most exclusive restaurants in the capital, no offense, but your ‘underground fighter’ aesthetic isn’t going to cut it."

  He guided them into an upscale boutique, the air inside heavy with the scent of polished fabrics and finely tailored materials. The walls were lined with elegantly woven suits and gowns, each piece reflecting the precision and skill of its maker.

  At the front of the store stood their tailor, an Arachnae artisan, tall and regal in posture, with an elongated, willowy frame and four arms moving fluidly as he adjusted garments on a mannequin. Unlike native Arachnae, this one had a distinct Ossari-influenced appearance, his chitin was bone-white with subtle, faintly glowing Ossari-blue etchings woven across his plating. His multifaceted eyes had pale rings around them, a clear adaptation from living among the Ossari for generations.

  "Master Kimba, what an honor," the tailor said, his voice smooth and articulate. "And I see you've brought me some new projects."

  Kimba grinned. "You’ve made every suit I own, Xyrel. Think you can work your magic on them?"

  Xyrel’s many fingers tapped together. "Of course. Step forward, all of you. Let’s see what we’re working with."

  Before long, Nyx was fitted into a dark, structured ensemble, a matte black high-collared coat with subtle violet lining.

  Luminar was dressed in a glowing white silk suit, cut to reflect her natural radiance, with gold-thread embroidery.

  Prism chose a form-fitting asymmetrical gown of deep crystalline blue, shimmering as it shifted with her every movement.

  Vitaros opted for a deep navy-blue ensemble, sleek yet structured, with silver accents.

  Kimba, already dressed to perfection, simply admired Xyrel’s work, tapping his ingot to pay before leading the group onward.

  They arrived at Orbis Lux, an elite dining establishment nestled in the heart of the Grand Archive district. The entrance was adorned with cascading golden lights, reminiscent of a starry sky, while the interior featured floating luminescent sculptures crafted from crystallized mist, shifting colors with the room’s atmosphere. Prism’s eyes widened as they were guided to their table, suspended on a platform that gave the illusion of dining among the stars.

  Their meal was as much a performance as it was a dining experience. The first dish arrived, Spherified Ocean Essence, where delicate pearls of concentrated deep-sea flavors burst upon the tongue, paired with a foam of crystallized citrus mist that dissolved into fragrant vapor.

  The next course, Flash-Frozen Petal Carpaccio, presented Xyleari-grown floral proteins, frozen instantly with liquid nitrogen and shattered into delicate layers, releasing floral aromatics upon contact with warmth.

  When the main course arrived, a cut of Affinity-seared prime meat, each bite melted with a tenderness only achievable through precise elemental heat manipulation, its texture a perfect contrast to the ethereal plating.

  The meal concluded with the Celestial Bloom, a sugar-spun dessert shaped like a flower, slowly unfurling as an edible vapor infused the air, turning the act of tasting into a sensory experience.

  Prism, eyeing the Celestial Bloom, grinned. "Now this? This is gold."

  Vitaros, sipping his aged spirit, smirked. "Free corpo food is why I love being a merc."

  As they finished their meal, Kimba leaned back, directing his attention toward Prism first. "So, how’s Auntie’s beauty salon these days? You ever think about going back?"

  Prism almost choked on her drink. "I’m not going back to zapping cellulite off No Lives for minimum Coin."

  Kimba chuckled. "Hey now, they’re customers."

  Nyx leaned forward. "So, how’s this official arena sponsorship actually going to work?"

  Kimba nodded. "I’ve seen the streams of your recent matches, and I like your style. Lexico is expanding its partnerships with the official arenas, but they aren’t the only ones. Other corps are also stepping in to sponsor fighters."

  Luminar frowned. "What’s that mean for us?"

  Kimba leaned in slightly. "It means that your last fight proved something important, you weren’t just outmatched in experience. You were outmatched in raw power."

  He gave them a knowing look. "So I have an idea. Something off the books. A way to help you get stronger."

  The table fell silent for a moment, before Prism grinned. "Now you’ve got my attention."

  Kimba leaned back in his chair, his pale red eyes scanning the group as he took a sip from his glass. "I want you all to spend a month at Adventure Corp, sign up as a party, and start doing dungeon runs."

  Nyx and Luminar immediately perked up, their post-dinner relaxation vanishing in an instant. "Wait, what?" Nyx asked, excitement creeping into his voice. "You want us to become adventurers? At Adventure Corp?"

  Kimba nodded. "You’ll be getting real, practical combat experience, not just arena fights. I’m also going to hire Vitaros to go with you, not that he’d need much convincing."

  Vitaros smirked, shaking his head. "Like you even had to ask."

  Nyx lit up, practically bouncing in his seat. "Does this mean we’re gonna be on Lair Legends?!"

  Lumi glanced at Prism, a knowing glint in her eye. Prism rolled her eyes so hard it looked painful. "And just like that, you’ve lost my attention."

  Kimba chuckled. "No, you’re not going to be on Lair Legends. That’s a different branch of Adventure Corp. What you’ll be doing is the practical side, where thrillseekers go to form parties, become adventurers, and take on dungeon runs to clear out marrow spawn in the labyrinths."

  Nyx blinked, still riding the high of the idea. "I thought Adventure Corp was just the show runner. I didn’t know people could actually sign up and do this."

  "It’s not as popular as it was forty years ago," Kimba admitted, shrugging. "Generations of luxury and security tend to do that. But there’s still a good number of thrillseekers who make it their full-time profession."

  Luminar leaned forward, resting her arms on the table. "What exactly are marrow spawn?"

  Vitaros, arms crossed, answered without hesitation. "It’s something we Ossari learned in history class as kids. Over time, the bio-tech from the old Ossari space stations, the ones that sank into the ground and formed the labyrinths, started resonating with the planet’s Affinity. That interaction created hostile life, or something close to it. The bone-like structures of the labyrinths formed marrow, and from that marrow… creatures started to appear."

  Prism frowned. "Wait, isn’t creating life with Affinity illegal? Why hasn’t Axiom stopped this?"

  Kimba exhaled, steepling his fingers. "A century or two ago the first CEO of Adventure Corp lobbied with the Council to allow Axiom to let Adventure Corp handle it. Since no one person is directly responsible for the creation of the marrow spawn, Axiom allowed it under the condition that adventurers keep them under control."

  Nyx, Luminar, and Prism shared equally amazed reactions, the layers of information sinking in.

  "Gotta love a god that doesn’t want his people to be bored." Prism said grinning.

  "Alright, I’m in," Nyx said, leaning forward with renewed excitement. "This actually sounds frekkin’ gold."

  "Yeah," Luminar agreed. "If this is how we get stronger, then let’s do it."

  Prism exhaled, shaking her head. "Fine, fine. As long as I don’t have to be part of that dumb show."

  Kimba smirked. "Don’t worry. No cameras where you’re going."

  As dinner wound down, they all rose from their seats and headed toward the exit. Vitaros stretched his arms, rolling his shoulders. "I’m heading back to my apartment for the night."

  Kimba nodded. "The rest of you, I’ve got a company suite booked for you to stay in tonight. Get some rest. Meet Vitaros and me in the lobby tomorrow at o’eight hundred. We’ll get you set up at Adventure Corp."

  Nyx and Luminar exchanged an excited glance while Prism simply shook her head, already bracing herself for whatever came next.

  Tomorrow, their journey to the labyrinths would begin.