Kairos arrived earlier, as usual.

  He desired time alone in these halls that echoed every sentiment he kept close to his heart. This library has existed since the days of ancient Atlantea, which his estranged family once owned, albeit under a far more complex name. A civil war that took place hundreds of years ago broke up the lands of Atlantea, dividing this magnificent continent into two power structures. The seasons may change, but Ravens Camp Library, with its marvellous architecture, stood against the test of time. The ash-white architectural monolith stood in the backdrop of flowers blooming in the new season as reddish leaves created a sea of crimson waves while the winds from above caressed his skin.

  With the habit of a ghost floating without a sound, Kairos entered and walked the halls of paper towers lined up to the heavens, soaking in the grandiosity of its intricacies and beauty. The library, in name, was leased to the administration, but he knew the title deed still belonged to its founder. These placeholders–politicians and technocrats–can play whatever game they dream of, but everything in Atlantea belonged to them since the founding day.

  With the blood link established, Kairos could quell his doubts whenever he wondered if any genius survived. He knew the majority had assimilated into the Smart Grid which remained dormant behind guarded doors in the wastelands. Without embarking on that dangerous journey northward, triggering the censors that would place him in the crosshairs of the military police, he had, by the red string of fate, established contact with a comrade who would architect the end of the Drazen Empire.

  Kairos hoped Neptune would become the comrade he always wanted, to reclaim the birthright he desperately desired–the missing piece in his glorious comeback story.

  It didn’t matter if he had to spill another person’s blood.

  It also didn’t bother him to know the Drazen Empire’s serfs would suffer a worse fate than death by his hand.

  It didn’t make him lose sleep over the reality that he would become the devil in the eyes of the Drazen Empire.

  Kairos would willingly sell his soul to the devil to achieve the one thing he lost fourteen years ago. As the door creaked open, he closed his eyes and muttered a silent prayer, ready to descend into madness.

  “You’re unsurprisingly early.”

  Neptune strolled into the library, noticing Kairos looking up to the heavens from where he stood.

  “Neptune.”

  Kairos had sensed Neptune’s presence from a mile away but allowed him to close the gap as the hostile intentions from months ago had ceased. After establishing common ground, they finally greeted each other as allies.

  “Yes?”

  “You aren’t that vigilant, are you?”

  “What do you mean by that?”

  Kairos dropped his gaze downward from the heavens, looking deep into Neptune’s eyes with a cold, emotionless glare.

  “Did you check if there are people following us?”

  “My right-hand man has taken care of that.”

  “That guy…”

  “Bray…remember him?”

  Neptune had recalled that time when Bray had himself caught in the act by Kairos, who seemingly “appeared” to confront him.

  “Of course. Recruit Rotunda, if I can recall.”

  “You even remember his surname.”

  “Didn’t know you are one for small talk.”

  “Likewise.”

  Both soldiers exchanged a look of approval as librarians circled the towers of historical paper-based relics in the background, as it cast an immense glow upon two men whose fates had finally intertwined. Their attire as uniformed personnel was a stark contrast to the scholarly vibe this institution had.

  Kairos reached out his hand and offered a handshake. “He must respect you that much to undertake the ridiculous task of stalking me like the paparazzi.”

  “Paparazzi? Don’t people from your family get stalked often?”

  “We don’t stand out in the crowd and there certainly aren’t people pointing at us like zoo animals. Here’s the kicker: you’re the first person I met who has identified me from physical traits alone.”

  “You make it sound like the other citizens are not that bright.”

  “That knowledge isn’t circulated in the mainstream media.”

  “You’re awake.”

  “...And if I were to compare you to them, there obviously is a stark difference.”

  You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

  Neptune accepted the compliment and handshake, realising he had not introduced himself formally to his ally.

  “Neptune Smith.”

  There was a slight pause, where Neptune noticed Kairos hesitating to introduce himself.

  “My apologies…I’ve forgotten about–”

  “I,” Kairos remained silent, thinking whether it was appropriate to share his birth name with his comrade, “Kairos Black. The pleasure is mine.”

  Both young men exchanged the long-awaited handshake, knowing they had cleared the first hurdle in their relationship.

  “–How are you affiliated with the New Atlantis Project?”

  Kairos quickly raised his eyebrows as Neptune’s question caught him off guard.

  “You are quick to drop bombs, slowdown.”

  “My apologies, I don’t like to waste time.”

  Pausing for a while, Kairos spoke again, conveying a tone as vague as he could be.

  “My parents were affiliated with the New Atlantis Project fourteen years ago.”

  “Hold on, does that mean your parents…know my father?”

  “I can’t answer that question.”

  “Why not?”

  “Within my capacity…I don’t know.”

  “Your parents never told you about it…?”

  “Why would they? We were children back then.”

  “...I figured.”

  “I don’t know about this connection because,” Kairos shook his head, “There are no official records. Your father did not officially exist. Nobody knows if he ever lived. That means your father’s book is technically a ‘glitch’ in this system unless everyone presumes the author used a pen name, basically a pseudonym.”

  Neptune had a depressed look, but at least he knew his father didn’t disappear alone.

  “Neptune,” Kairos switched to his default authoritative tone, his sapphire eyes fixed upon Neptune, causing him to stand at attention. “You must understand that the masses had accepted the official tale as the truth. There’s nothing we do from here that can change the public sentiment. We need to focus on what’s ahead, the Drazen Empire and–”

  “W-what do you mean?” Neptune blurted out.

  “To what extent do you know about your father’s work? Is there anything noteworthy you can recall?”

  Neptune could sense Kairos’s hastiness in switching topics.

  “What? Nothing, of course. Hey, how is the New Atlantis Project not important?!”

  “You must forget about it,” Kairos replied intransigently.

  “At least give me a reasonable explanation.”

  “Before you rudely interrupted me, I was about to get to the main point.”

  “Sorry.”

  “The Temporeans are getting ready and we must prepare for what’s to come very soon.”

  “What do you mean by that?!”

  Neptune felt Kairos’s cryptic tone carried a tinge of confidentiality.

  “The sins of fourteen years ago are coming home to roost.”

  “Wait, I don’t understand!”

  “I need your help. Only you and I can solve this together.”

  With his mind made up, Kairos solemnly declared. “We can destroy the Drazen Empire. That’s the first step.”

  “Hold on. Wait, you’re moving too fast. I don't get what you’re saying.”

  Somehow the conversation they had flipped on its head like a pancake. Before Neptune could finish what he had to say, Kairos had seemingly disappeared like a gust of wind. Turning his head to the door, Neptune saw Kairos standing close to the exit, with his entire frame seeming to have teleported there in an instant.

  “We’re not done!”

  “We don’t have time for the Drazen Empire’s empty threats. That’s a problem for another day. We are not getting the truth from the Federation. But I’m sure our ‘presumed enemy’ would gladly share it with us on our deathbeds.”

  “Wait!”

  “We’ll carry on this conversation soon. Until that day comes, remain vigilant. In the meantime…”

  Kairos exited the library, his voice fading into a spectre’s whisper in the winds.

  “...Your father’s work. It’s still incomplete. I know you can do something about it within that institute.”

  “You’re making me more confused than ever. Hold up!”

  Kairos exited into the sea of crimson flowers, disappearing into the inner halls of Ravens Camp, leaving Neptune standing alone under the library’s dome in astonishment.

  “What am I supposed to do now?”

  Neptune had initially arrived to gain enlightenment in his struggles. Instead, he left this encounter, scratching his head, with more unresolved questions.

  *

  A small stack of binders filled his table as he braced himself to finish the assessments of the recruits before the weekend. After spending the past few days since returning to his quarters carefully selecting the recruits who would enter the officer’s course, he finally found the time to enjoy a delectable assortment of fruits left for him by his subordinate.

  “Lieutenant Nicola, how is everything?”

  “Sir, I have streamlined the selection. All I require of you is your signature,” Anastasia walked over to her OC’s desk and placed the binder on his table. “This will be quick. Only one recruit from Batch 77 has passed the assessment.”

  Captain Pershing looked at the binder with the “Top Secret” tag and added it to the pile of his binders. All the chess pieces had fallen into place by design. “ I’ll sign this later.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  “You can see yourself out, Lieutenant Nicola.”

  “Sir, I have an update.”

  “We can discuss this later with the task force.” Captain Pershing pierced a delectable cut of melon on his plate, bringing it to his eye level.

  “Sir, I believe I should inform you before bringing it up during the meeting.”

  Understanding the implication of his subordinate’s words, Captain Pershing placed his porcelain plate of cakes on his magnificent table with immaculate precision.

  “Take a seat.”

  “Yes, sir.”

  As Captain Pershing gazed into the eyes of Lieutenant Nicola, he nodded at her before casually placing his hand on a switch under his table.

  “It’s safe now. Speak.”

  “It’s about the Carbon’s Edge.”