Zteel

"Air conditioning's exactly what I needed!" Kilo sighed with relief, lacing his fingers behind his head as the three made their way back to their homeroom.

The final bell of the day chimed, and cadets from various squadrons began spilling into the hallways, chatting and preparing to leave. The energy in the air was a mix of exhaustion and excitement, a typical end-of-day atmosphere.

Nyota, however, was preoccupied with worry. He wondered if his earlier questions had upset the brothers more than they let on. Lost in thought, he nearly missed Sage's voice cutting through the bustling noise.

"You know, Nyota," Sage began, his tone calm but pointed, "if you feel like you've done us a disservice and you're thinking about making it up to us, you could always tell us more about yourself."

Nyota hesitated but eventually nodded. "Yeah… sure. I guess that's fair. Well," he started, "I never knew my parents."

Kilo turned to him, his expression softening into genuine concern. "Really?"

"Yeah," Nyota replied quietly. "I was one of those orphan kids Jora mentioned earlier."

"How was that for you?" Kilo pressed, his voice earnest, his gaze steady.

Nyota shrugged, struggling to articulate his feelings. "I… I don't know," he admitted, glancing at the floor.

"How do you cope with that?" Kilo asked again, his tone even more curious.

"I don't," Nyota admitted after a pause, his voice barely above a whisper. He looked up at the brothers, who exchanged puzzled glances. Searching for something—anything—he could share, Nyota added, "But I can tell you this: I owe Noriko, big time. She's the reason I had a community growing up."

"Noriko?" Sage asked.

Nyota nodded. "Yeah. Thanks to her, I had a place to live, though I can't recall many lasting memories. It's like the first day here—there's this weird fog over my childhood."

"But you lived there for years," Kilo pointed out.

"I know," Nyota said with a small shrug. "Maybe it's some trauma-coping mechanism, like they say. All I can really say is that it's tough growing up without parents."

He quickly added, "Not that my situation's worse than yours or anything."

Sage tilted his head, considering Nyota's words. "How do the orphanages work, exactly?"

"Well, I don't know all the details," Nyota admitted. "But from what I understand, Noriko implemented housing programs for orphans. Once we come of age, we're recruited into Lunanova's law enforcement. That's how I ended up here."

"Have you met her?" Kilo asked.

Nyota shook his head. "I don't think I've ever seen her in person. Everything I know about her is from what I've been told, and it's all been positive. But…" He hesitated, frowning slightly. "I guess it's worth wondering: who is she, really?"

Kilo gave Nyota a nudge, breaking the heavy silence. "Ah, well, forget it. Welcome to the group. It's gonna be nice having you around—especially since I won't have to be stuck with this idiot anymore." He pointed at Sage, who rolled his eyes.

Nyota couldn't help but smile. "Thanks. Looking forward to it."

As the trio continued down the hallway, the rising hum of chatter caught their attention. Cadets were gathering in clusters, whispering excitedly. Snippets of conversation reached their ears.

"Haven't you heard?" one cadet said to his group. "The Big Three are supposed to be the strongest and smartest cadets on campus. They're guaranteed to graduate at the top and get their pick of factions."

"I heard their names are Enki, Tatius, and Idalia," a girl whispered to her friends. "They're supposed to have phenomenal chemistry."

Kilo groaned, his voice dripping with annoyance. "Please tell me I'm not the only one hearing this nonstop chatter. Am I going crazy?"

Sage and Nyota shook their heads, their curiosity piqued as they approached a growing crowd.

"Here they come!" someone announced, and the hallway seemed to part.

At the center of the attention stood the alleged Big Three.

Enki, the largest of the group, was built like a tank. His dark brown hair framed a face split into a broad, confident grin. Flanking him were Tatius and Idalia, each exuding their own brand of quiet confidence.

The trio's presence was magnetic, their movements commanding respect without a word. Nyota, Sage, and Kilo exchanged glances, wondering what made these cadets the talk of the campus.

Idalia had red hair that stopped at her chest, and she carried a staff on her back inside a slim, fitting black case. Tatius was slim, with black hair that obscured his face, and he looked tired, his posture slouched as if weighed down by an invisible burden.

"That's right, you all know the drill, make way!" Enki's deep voice boomed through the hall, and he smiled widely, clearly enjoying the attention.

Tatius groaned, clearly fed up.

"For the love of the gods, Enki. Humble yourself!" Idalia's tone was sharp, commanding.

"I'm sorry, but I just can't help but to be a tease." Enki chuckled, undeterred.

"That's right, make way for me, your king has come!" he continued, his grin stretching wider.

Tatius, rolling his eyes, couldn't hold back. "What do you possibly look to gain from being filled with vanity? You're a complete idiot."

"Oh, please, spare me the shame. I know I wouldn't have gotten anywhere without you two." Enki's voice held a hint of sarcasm.

"So... this is the nut people keep admiring?" Kilo burst out into laughter, his loud guffaws echoing in the hallway.

Sage shook his head in disbelief. "I have no words."

Nyota, on the other hand, felt his frustration rising. As expected, he wasn't a fan of excessive pride, and this display was testing his patience.

"I can't stand him already," he muttered under his breath, his jaw tightening.

Eventually, Enki's eyes fell on Nyota and the brothers, a slight sneer curling his lips.

"Eh? Why are you still in my way? Don't you know who I am?" Enki's tone was dripping with arrogance.

Sage looked down at the ground, disbelief flashing across his face as he sighed deeply.

"This has got to be a joke!" Kilo laughed again, this time in mockery.

Nyota stepped forward, closing the distance between himself and Enki. His voice was cool and steady, but there was a sharp edge beneath it. "I guess I missed a memo."

The cadets around them murmured, the tension in the air palpable. Enki's face darkened with anger as the chatter grew louder.

"You humor me, but it's best you move and relocate if you know what's best for you," Enki snapped, his tone more threatening now.

Nyota, unflinching, moved even closer. "Here's the thing though. I don't know who you are, and quite frankly, I don't care. But let's get one thing straight: if you want compliance, you either ask or excuse yourself."

Enki's anger flared, his pride wounded by Nyota's defiance. He balled his hand into a fist and threw a punch, aiming for Nyota's face with a violent growl. "Why you—"

Tatius was quick to intervene, placing a hand on Enki's shoulder, pulling him back with surprising force. At the same time, a wall of shimmering crystal formed between Enki's fist and Nyota's face, the translucent barrier solidifying with a low hum.

Despite the sudden action, Nyota didn't flinch. He stood his ground, his expression stoic.

"Have you lost your mind?!" Idalia shouted, her voice sharp with alarm.

"See, this is what I've been talking about," Tatius muttered under his breath as he pulled Enki away, his grip firm but calm.

"You seem bold now, kid, but eventually, we'll meet again, and you're gonna want to dread that day!" Enki raged, still struggling against Tatius and Idalia's hold as they dragged him down the hall.

Idalia glanced back over her shoulder, still tugging Enki along. "Sorry about that, guys!" she called out with an awkward, nervous laugh. "He's a work in progress."

Tatius raised his hand in a silent gesture of agreement, his expression weary but resigned.

The hallway fell silent for a moment, the atmosphere heavy with the aftermath of the confrontation. Slowly, the other cadets resumed their activities, the tension dissipating.

The brothers and Nyota remained where they stood, staring after the retreating figures of Enki, Tatius, and Idalia. The crystal wall slowly crumbled into smaller shards that evaporated into the air, leaving behind small, jagged dents in the wooden floorboards.

Nyota could feel a rush of adrenaline coursing through his body, his heart pounding in his chest. His fists clenched at his sides as his mind raced. I'll be counting on it, he thought bitterly.

Kilo, still processing what had just happened, let out a half-hearted laugh, though his voice held a trace of nervousness. "What… What the hell was that? That was so… random."

He glanced down at the crater in the wooden floor, his grin returning despite the bizarre situation. "Whoever has to fix this, good luck to them."

Sage pinched the bridge of his nose and scratched the top of his head, clearly exasperated. "It's only the second day…" he muttered, his tone dry.

"Come on," he added, straightening his posture and stepping forward. "We've got places to be." He was eager to meet with Jora, not wanting to get caught up in any more trouble than they already had. "Let's go."

The three of them made their way back to their homeroom, where they found Jora alone hunched over his desk, flipping through a pile of papers.

"Jora, you said you wanted to meet with us?" Nyota asked, his voice curious.

Jora looked up, startled by their arrival. He quickly stood, closing the door behind them and casting a furtive glance around the room before lowering his voice to a near whisper.

"Jora, you said you wanted to meet with us?" Sage asked, his voice curious.

Jora looked up, startled by their arrival. "Ah, yes."

He quickly stood, closing the door behind them and casting a furtive glance around the room before lowering his voice to a near whisper. Nyota and Sage observed his peculiar behavior.

"I've been meaning to ask you—and you, exclusively. Why are you here?"

Nyota, Sage, and Kilo exchanged looks of confusion.

Kilo, never one to let a moment of awkwardness pass without a quip, grinned. "So, no post-instruction workout?"

Sage, with a sharp slap to the back of Kilo's head, shot him a disapproving look.

Jora, however, remained serious, his gaze focused on them. "I'm serious," he continued, crossing his arms and leaning against his desk. "For some kids who couldn't seem to care less about anything, what are you here for?"

The three of them froze at the question. It was unexpected, and none of them had an answer ready. Why was he asking? Why did it matter to him?

Sage was the first to recover, his voice steady as he spoke. "My father was an RSAA agent. He always taught me to protect others and use wisdom as a shield. One day, when he was on the job, I never got to see him again. Now, I'm trying to follow in his footsteps. His purpose is mine."

Jora nodded slowly, considering his words. "Sentimental," he said, his tone acknowledging the weight of Sage's response. He turned his attention to Kilo. "And you?"

Kilo jammed his hands into his pockets and shrugged his shoulders. "I guess 'cause he is," he nodded to Sage. Jora glared at him, expressionless, which Kilo quickly found intimidating.

"Alright, my reason is his, more or less. Pops meant a lot to me, probably more than him, and truth is I have no other place to go, so…"

Jora slightly shook his head. "Where's the conviction?"

Kilo paused. "Conviction?"

"The way you speak makes all that hard to believe. Make me believe it."

Kilo was stumped. He hadn't known how he could make his words sound more genuine, especially considering he did mean what he said.

He prepared to respond but struggled to formulate one. "I…"

Before Kilo could elaborate, Jora raised a hand, signaling for silence. "Think about it, then come back to me." He then turned to Nyota, who had remained quiet until now.

"I'm here because I owe it to Noriko to serve," Nyota finally spoke, his voice steady but revealing an underlying uncertainty.

Jora gave him a hard look. "Yeah, you and everyone else. Do you know her?"

Nyota paused, thinking carefully before answering. "I mean, no, not personally," he admitted. "I didn't know I needed to know how important she is."

Jora unfolded his arms and leaned in slightly. "C'mon," he urged, "even people pray. That's their way of getting to know the gods on a personal level."

Sage's face lit up with understanding. "Oh…" he murmured. "I see."

Kilo, however, shook his head in confusion. "Wait, what's your point? I'm not following."

Jora glanced around the room, exasperated. "Oh please. Someone put it in layman's terms for him."

Nyota stepped forward, trying to break it down. "How are we supposed to serve someone—or something—some cause we don't fully understand?"

Jora's expression softened into a grin. "Bingo! Somebody's getting it."

Kilo still seemed unsure. "So, what you're saying is that there's more than what meets the eye?"

"Even that should be a given," Jora replied, pacing slightly. "But I'm really talking about how the unknown should be at the forefront of your thoughts. Think about it."

Jora's voice grew more serious. "I haven't told the rest of your squadron yet, and I'm only allowed to do so at a later date. But come graduation, at the end of this year, you'll be expected to recite a creed and sign a contract."

The three cadets exchanged uneasy glances.

"Now, do you know what's in them, contextually?" Jora's eyes narrowed, studying them.

They all shook their heads.

"You're essentially signing your souls away," Jora continued, his voice growing heavier. "I'm sure you've heard the creeds before, but have you ever heard anyone talk about these contracts?"

Another round of headshakes.

"Exactly. That's because there's an incorporated non-disclosure agreement. You're legally bound not to discuss it with anyone, and if you do…" Jora trailed off, his meaning clear. "Well, you disappear."

Nyota felt a chill run down his spine.

"As I said, yeah, you're young, but you're at a point of no return—even as cadets." Jora's words were firm, his gaze intense.

"Then why are you telling us?" Nyota asked, his voice laced with both confusion and concern.

Jora's expression remained calm. "Technically, I haven't broken any rules. You'll see the contracts for yourselves when the time comes. The reason I'm telling you this is simple: I want you to realize that this is not a game."

He took a deep breath, his tone shifting to one of quiet conviction. "It's unfortunate, but most cadets don't understand this until it's too late. They're discouraged—legally—from consulting friends and family. I mean, this is politics, isn't it?" Jora glanced at Sage and Kilo. "But you'll learn soon enough that this is a matter of life and death. There's no time for play."

He raised a finger to his head. "It's one thing to fortify your physical strength. But up here…" He tapped his temple. "Up here is where the real battles are fought. So do yourselves a favor and get that through your heads."

Nyota, Sage, and Kilo sat in silence, contemplating Jora's words. Finally, Sage spoke up.

"Why us? Why tell us this, exclusively?"

Jora's gaze softened, as if considering how to answer. "Fair question. It's only day two, but I see something in the three of you—something that needs fixing. I wouldn't be doing my job as your instructor if I didn't address it."

He leaned in slightly, his voice becoming more earnest. "If you want to leave your mark on the world, if you really want to protect others, if you want to find a purpose—something god-given—you have to first break out of the 'pawn mentality.'"

Sage and Kilo exchanged a brief look of understanding.

Jora gave a small smile, almost begrudgingly. "So, make sure you take that whole wisdom thing seriously. That's the first step to refining your reasoning."

He paused, his gaze growing more intense. "Truthfully, I see potential in you. It may sound greedy, but my instincts are telling me that you're the future of Lunanova. The future of Saprius. The future of Nora. And I just hope my instincts are right."

Sage and Kilo were thinking the same thing. Even their father, as wise as he was, must have felt powerless in the face of Noriko's influence. Wisdom wasn't just a weapon against an authoritarian regime—it was also the key to preserving one's sanity.

Nyota felt the weight of Jora's words. Questioning Noriko's character wasn't just necessary; it was dangerous. He could sense that there were layers to this situation, ones that would be difficult—if not impossible—to navigate without consequence.

All at once, the three of them realized: Jora wasn't just giving them a lesson in politics or survival. He was warning them. They had long crossed the line into a realm where the rules no longer applied, a world of unethical dealings.

The unsettling realization hung in the air. They looked at each other, then at the floor, unable to speak for a moment.

Jora's voice broke the silence. "I expect this conversation to stay between us, for your sake as well as mine. If word ever gets out—about the contracts, Noriko's true character, or anything else we've discussed—everyone will feel her wrath."

Jora gave them a pointed look. "I'll continue to drop hints for you three. See you tomorrow—on time. Or better yet, early. I'm looking out for you. And remember, the queen can move just about anywhere, but the game doesn't revolve around her. And finally, it's not enough to simply live. You either thrive by beating the game, or die trying."

He nodded firmly and signaled for them to leave. Nyota, Sage, and Kilo made their way toward the door, but Nyota stopped abruptly, looking down at the ground, as if something was weighing on him.

"Jora, I've got just one question for you right now."

Jora's brow furrowed slightly. "What is it?"

Nyota hesitated for a moment before asking, "What exactly is your ability?"

Jora sighed, as though he had been expecting the question. "If you must know, I can briefly see into someone's future if I come into contact with them. My range is limited to a few hours, but I still get my hunches every now and then."

He adjusted his glasses, looking at Nyota with a knowing smile. "They're usually right. Don't believe me? It's perfectly sensible for you not to. I'd have speculations of my own, too."

Jora paused, then called Nyota back to him, placing a hand on his shoulder and closing his eyes for a moment, as if concentrating. With his other hand, he pointed at Nyota with a brief but decisive gesture.

"He's going to have one hell of a dream tonight," Jora predicted, his voice steady.

Sage and Kilo exchanged uneasy glances. Before they could say anything, Kilo yanked at his brother and friend impatiently. "Look, I'm tired. Let's get going. We'll talk about this later."

Jora called after them as they began to leave. "I'll do my best to mentor you under my discretion. And as I said," he raised his voice with a slightly amused tone, "Sage, Kilo, Nyota, I'll see you bright and early in the morning!"

The three cadets exited the room, making their way back to their dorm as the sun began to set, casting long shadows across the campus. The silence between them stretched on, heavy and contemplative.

Finally, Sage broke the quiet. "Well, I always kind of figured the public only knows so much."

Kilo scoffed, shaking his head. "I just can't shake the thought that by being here, we're digging our own graves. But there's no escape."

Nyota's eyes were distant as he spoke, his voice quieter. "Regardless, our lives will never be the same going forward."

The weight of Jora's words hung over them, the reality of their situation settling in. No matter what lay ahead, they knew they had crossed a threshold, one from which there would be no turning back.

--

Nyota struggled to fall asleep, his mind consumed by Jora's cryptic words. The weight of their conversation, the looming consequences of their actions, and now the strange dreams, all swirled in his mind, making it difficult to find peace. Sage stayed up, engrossed in his studies, while Kilo had already succumbed to a deep sleep.

Eventually, exhaustion took hold, and Nyota drifted off. He found himself floating in an infinite, dark space, scattered with stars like a night sky. The vast emptiness seemed endless, but as he drifted through it, he noticed a glowing figure ahead. A woman in a simple gown, radiating light, was approaching him with a warm smile. Her presence felt familiar, comforting even.

"Nyota! Nyota!" Her voice was soft, but it carried a sense of urgency. "Are you okay?"

Surprised that she knew his name, Nyota blinked in confusion. "Yeah, I'm alright, but who are you?"

She laughed gently. "Good. You could think of me as your guardian angel, I guess."

Nyota frowned, studying her for a moment. "Where exactly am I?"

He turned to his right, his gaze immediately locking onto a fiery horizon, one that looked all too familiar—the same one he had seen in his previous nightmare. Panic gripped his chest, and his breathing quickened as he realized the vision was the same as before.

"You'll figure it out," she said, as if reading his thoughts. "In this dream world, you'll learn of your true self. You'll begin to remember your real experiences."

Her hands gently settled on his shoulders, offering reassurance. "Don't worry. I'll be here to help you remember everything, bit by bit. Unfortunately, we can't figure it all out in one night."

Nyota swallowed hard, trying to steady himself as the scene before him intensified. "I… I know this place!" he said, his voice cracking. "Wh-Why can't I remember this? Any of this?"

She stepped back, her smile remaining warm, though there was a hint of sadness in her eyes. "We'll meet again. Plenty of times. I'll help you remember who you are."

"Wh-What do you mean? Why not now?" Nyota's voice was shaky, panic still rising in his chest.

She sighed softly, as though it pained her to explain. "Nyota, I've just explained why."

He was lost in thought for a moment, grappling with the oddity of her knowing his name. Rationalizing it as a dream, he tried to push the unease aside. But before he could question her further, he noticed her beginning to fade, drifting upwards into the sky like stardust.

"Fine then, 'guardian angel,'" Nyota said sarcastically, though his heart still pounded. "How can I trust you?"

She shook her head, her expression wistful. "It'll make sense one day. All I can tell you right now is not to panic. The people down there, they're yours. You see how they're being treated. There's nothing you can do from within this dream realm; this is just a review. I need you to remember…"

As her form dissolved into the starlit sky, her final words echoed in Nyota's mind.

"This is your purpose, and you're more than capable of fulfilling it."

The fire from the town below him began to grow, intensifying, accompanied by the sounds of chaos—shouts, cries for help, the screams of people caught in the flames. Nyota felt a desperate urge to act, but the dream started to slip away from him, fading into blackness.

His eyes snapped open, and he sat upright, heart racing. Sage and Kilo were standing over him, their faces etched with concern. The room was dim, the only light coming from the faint glow of the hallway outside.

"Yo... something is seriously wrong, man," Kilo muttered, rubbing his eyes.

"What goes on in that head of yours?" he asked, concern heavy in his voice.

Nyota shook his head, trying to shake off the remnants of the dream. "It's nothing."

Kilo wasn't convinced. "Nah, it's obviously something."

Sage, more measured, added, "This is the second night in a row. C'mon, man. We're here for you."

Nyota hesitated, uncertainty weighing on him. If he told them about the dream, would they think he was just having another nightmare? Or would they believe there was something more to it? After a long pause, he decided to share the details with them.

"I had the same dream. Burning city and whatnot," he began. "I don't know where or what it is, nor do I know why I keep having it. But for some reason, I feel as though I've been there before."

He continued, his voice quieter. "Then I saw this woman, she kind of looked like an angel, and she told me she was my guardian."

Sage raised an eyebrow. "And what did she say?"

"Then she said there are many things I don't remember or know, but she would help me remember them in due time," Nyota said, his tone laced with confusion. "I think these dreams of mine may somehow be linked to my memories. But that would be abnormal, wouldn't it?"

Sage gave him a thoughtful look. "Yeah, it would. But not too far-fetched for you. You don't seem to remember much at all."

Kilo yawned, stretching. "It's late though. We should get some rest, especially since we gotta wake up earlier in the morning. Maybe we can talk to Jora about it."

Sage nodded. "Based on what he told us—and his future vision that turned out to be right after all—something isn't right."

Nyota exhaled, still feeling unsettled. "Agreed. I'll try."

The three of them finally settled back into bed, the weight of Jora's words and Nyota's unsettling dreams lingering in the air. The night passed in uneasy silence, and though they tried to rest, each of them knew that things were no longer as simple as they had once seemed.

The future was uncertain, and the path ahead was murky at best. But one thing was clear: they were all in this together, and they would need each other more than ever.