The night was crisp and silent. Cars didn't fly down the road like usual, and office building lights were shut off. The silence was typical for a cold night like this.

Avery accompanied his father to the towering gray walls that reached the sky. It was heavily protected by SCAR units, with security checkpoints every hundred feet.

The checkpoint itself was a massive wall of steel. Inside was a narrow hallway where no crowd could fit. The only sound was the metallic footsteps of SCAR units. The checkpoint protected the exit to the outside world.

Retinal scans, genetic codex locks, and biometric pulses were embedded in the gate's interface. Only two people were authorized to unlock the small gate: Avery's father and Archon. Anyone who dared would be drilled to the ground with raining bullets, an instant death.

Avery had been through this twice before, more than anyone his age.

"This is our only chance to introduce ourselves to the new King of the Outside world," Kajo said with an unclean throat.

Kajo explained everything in detail to Avery before their quick round trip.

Kajo met with the previous King to ensure no harm to outsiders. Their relationship was friendly, and whenever Kajo went to meet him, he was greeted with the most exquisite brewed tea.

However, ever since Avery's mission to kill the King for propaganda usage, which hadn't been used yet, Kajo never had the opportunity to introduce himself to the new King. There was a reason why he waited this long.

Archon had to approve Kajo's departure from Ionia, but he wasn't active. He was in neural stasis.

The human brain isn't a simple file system. Every memory, instinct, and reflex is stored in trillions of synaptic connections. For a normal lifespan, neural maps could be extracted and rewritten into a fresh host in under a week. But Archon had lived far longer. His memories alone would overwhelm any ordinary brain. The process required careful reindexing and the aid of tiny neural implants to slowly update the new host while the old body rested in stasis. For him, a complete transfer took roughly six months.

Archon's reign in Ionia wasn't something new. Archon switched bodies roughly 18 times and was in charge of SCAR for around 800 years.

No one knew this besides Kajo and Avery. Archon would 'pass away' of old age and elect a new ruler, who was himself in a new body. There was no such thing as democracy besides the Chancellor elections. And if anyone tried to protest against Archon publicly, death would be their outcome.

Since Archon wasn't active, Kajo didn't need his approval. Ridley could act in his place, but he lacked the authority for matters of this magnitude.

Archon rarely showed himself to the public or to his own circle. However, orders came from Archon that either Ridley or Kajo take care of. For the next six months, Avery's father and Ridley would be left to mask Archon's absence, dressing it in excuses and half-truths.

Before the gate opened, the ground SCAR units revealed the vehicle that Avery would be traveling in.

The Igies Recon was a two-person SCAR–grade vehicle built for deep ventures across the outside world. Its frame was heavily armored, and the reinforced smart-glass provided visibility overlaid with a tactical HUD. Instead of wheels, the Igies Recon hovered a few feet above ground, giving it the advantage to glide over water and rocky ground without losing momentum. Additionally, it included a cloaking mechanism that made the vehicle and everyone inside it invisible.

"Automatic driving mode is activated," the SCAR unit said in a robotic voice. "Come back within 24 hours, or will deploy an active manhunt for you."

Avery's father nodded and hopped into the vehicle, with Avery following his move.

"I wonder how the new King is," his father said while looking straight ahead.

Avery didn't answer. He lay his head low.

The gates opened, the vehicle lifted off the ground, and turned invisible before leaving. The journey to meet the new King of the Outside world had begun.

***

They arrived at a small cave leading to a familiar dungeon that Avery had walked through. In the vehicle, Kajo explained that he sent a paper note to the King, which a swift SCAR unit delivered, to prepare them for their arrival. That explained the heavy security at the cave.

Around a hundred Royal Guards were posted in front of the cave, mainly equipped with spears, while some had swords and maces. Their armor was most likely made of fake gold with clean silver, which they individually polished. They lined up in strict formation, leaving no opening to the cave.

Kajo revealed the vehicle in front of them, and their mouths moved in whispers to one another, in awe of Ionian technology. They got out of the vehicle before turning the invisibility on again in case someone wandered through the area.

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Avery hung his head low. Last time he was here, he was sent on a mission to execute the King. To keep some of the guards from recognizing him, he bowed his head in shame.

In the sea of the Royal Guard, one man stood out. He made his way to the front, his broad shoulder and towering figure overwhelming Avery, who broke a cold sweat.

"We shall be placing a blindfold over your eyes, as you are not allowed to see the inside of the palace," he said in a rather friendly tone.

Two soldiers placed blindfolds on Kajo and Avery and guided them through the cave without a word exchanged. The only sound was the boots clanking on the stone floor.

Avery's chest tightened as they ascended on spiral stairs. He wanted to know how his father felt, but didn't want to break the silence.

At flat ground, the creaking wood filled the air as the doors swung open. Avery heard the subtle crackle of fire from the corner.

Light stabbed him in the eyes once the blindfold was removed. Similar to his last visit, there were no candles. It was all electricity. Ceiling lights so bright that they could act as the sun in a home. The Royal Room was clean with a maroon bed surrounded by golden decor. The same garden paintings on the walls remained, and multiple fluffy, maroon couches were settled at the far corner of the room near the fireplace.

There was a small, round table with three seats, one of which was occupied by a woman with orange hair neatly tied into a high ponytail. She was tall and wore a forest green cloak that was tight around her muscular arms.

"My, my, have a seat, gentlemen." Her voice was nonchalant, just like her slouched posture.

Avery's father cleared his throat and sat across the round, glass table, with Avery following.

Kajo placed his arm across his chest and gently bowed. "My name is Kajo, Chancellor of the City of Ionia. Besides me is my one and only son, Avery. It is an honor to meet you, King—no—Queen of the Outside world."

"My, my, no need to be so formal. Sylvia is my name. Pleasure to the two of you."

Her grey eyes pierced through Avery's soul. He swallowed and refused eye contact.

Last time here, he did the unthinkable. Something that weighed on him like planets on each shoulder. Guilt remained in his blood, with this room as a reminder of his grave sin.

"I take it you got my notice without an issue?" Kajo asked.

"Yeah. It was left with a guard. Initially, I thought it was fake and some knucklehead was playing a sick joke. But then it dawned on me. You met with the previous King a handful of times. Since you knew about the new position opening, I take it you shot your shot?"

"Uh—of course," Kajo said, hesitating. "As someone who has been Chancellor for a while, it is only right to share some insight and advice for a novice like yourself."

"My, my, that would be wonderful." She turned her head to Avery. "You, why don't you speak?"

"I—"

The words died in his throat. The thought of being at the crime scene. Sitting at the same table, in the same chair. The same room. Nothing had changed.

He was a murderer. A wretched title he would carry forever. The guilt was too much to bear.

"Son, are you okay? You look pale."

Avery shook his head. "I need to wash my face."

"R–Right. Queen…"

"No formal antics, please. Guards, take this gentleman to the bathroom and some water. No need to place the blindfold."

The guards left their position by the door and tended to Avery, who was breathing heavily. The dizziness came in a short wave. He felt the cold sweat on his forehead, and each step was a struggle.

A guard guided Avery down the quiet, large hall that was cooler than the room he was in. He pushed the door open and gestured to enter. The inside of the bathroom was polished with pale stone and a single mirror above the sink.

"I will stand outside," his voice was rough, but not blunt.

Avery nodded in silence and closed the door behind him. That's when it really hit him. For a moment, he froze, staring at his own reflection.

The man in the mirror wasn't him. His eyes were hollow and carried the weight of someone older than his age. His hands trembled as he turned the faucet on. When he splashed his face, the guilt didn't go away.

"I killed him…" he said softly.

The thought cut him deeper than any blade. He closed his eyes tightly and splashed his face again. Nothing. The guilt was still there.

His stomach twisted, and he leaned forward, fighting the urge to vomit.

Avery breathed heavily and turned off the faucet. Each breath scraped his lungs. He tried to swallow the guilt and bury it where he couldn't find it, but failed miserably.

There was only one thing he wanted.

"I don't want to be a sinner anymore. I want to be a better person."

Someone knocked on the door. "Sir, do you wish for water?"

Avery forced himself upright. "I'm fine." He took one last look in the mirror before leaving the restroom.

"With all due respect, sir, you don't look well. May I suggest a seat on the balcony for fresh air? I can inform my Queen. Surely, she would approve."

Avery puffed air out of his nose. "I can use some air," his voice was frail.

The guard guided Avery to the balcony, which was down the hall. He left Avery alone and waited just outside the balcony.

Avery wore a jacket to combat the chilly winds. The outside was dark; the only light visible was from street torches. Live music was played at an open space, with people gathered to enjoy the performance, unfazed by the cold temperature.

His forearms leaned on the mezzanine as he swung his head low.

"2A check the heart—uh—is—uh—the brain?"

"Vitals are clear. My hypothesis is a mild shame spiral."\

"Mild…? Shit." Avery dragged his hand down his face and inhaled deeply. "Why—I agreed to come?"

The night was calm enough to fool him into thinking he was alone. That was until he heard his father's voice.

"Dad? The meeting finished?"

"Not quite. I cannot focus knowing you are unwell. I left Sylvia here with a device that allows her to contact me directly. We shall finish our meeting another time."

"My, my, I hope you feel better. Rest up for the night and take it easy tomorrow." She said with those cold, gray eyes.

"Sorry. I don't want this to be my fault."

"Son, please do not worry about this. Let us go home and rest."

Avery nodded and pushed himself off the mezzanine.

"Sylvia, I do have a question to ask before it slips my mind," Kajo said. "There is a house on a hill that is protected by a SCAR agent. We know your people claim that the house hosts answers to any question one may have. That SCAR agent was destroyed not too long ago. Do you reckon who would be able to destroy, or would do anything to enter that house?"

Sylvia's chest gently rose as her eyes widened. Silence lingered before she exhaled with a warm, genuine smile. She clenched tightly around the folds of her forest green cloak with a sense of pride.

"I wouldn't know," she said with a lingering smile.

"Is that so?" Kajo said. "Very well. Please excuse us as we take our leave."

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