Author's Preface
A year after the two golden gates to Nytherra in Paris and Thalorin in Seoul appeared alongside the gates that brought monsters, another golden gate emerged.
This time, it appeared in Rio de Janeiro. It was kept quiet from the majority of the world, now that the Association was established. The gate stood just down the hill from the Redeemer statue.
It led to a world called Veltrax. Few people resonated with it. One of them was a scientist from America. She had been placed in charge of studying the gates, the monsters, and the systems, tasked with helping establish a baseline for the Association and the formation of guilds.
The President of the United States at the time had ordered a team to remain stationed at the gate around the clock.
They had already lost citizens to France and South Korea, people who entered the golden gates and returned before terms could even be discussed. Taken right from under them. He wasn't going to let that happen again.
Six months later, Dr. Laura stepped out of the gate. The American team moved immediately, greeting her briefly before escorting her into an SUV. From there, she was taken straight to a nearby airstrip where a private jet had been waiting.
She landed in Washington, D.C. Waiting for her were the President and directors from every branch of the Association that had been established.
The President stepped forward and shook her hand. "It seems you didn't come back empty-handed."
"I did not, sir," she replied. "In fact, the amount of knowledge they shared was overwhelming at times."
"Well, Doctor," he said, "we've prepared accommodations for you. There's no rush. Take whatever time you need to acclimate." A slight pause. "When you're ready, we'll convene and discuss what you've learned."
"If it's alright with you, sir, I'll take the night. But what I have with me is too valuable to waste time acclimating."
The President studied her for a moment. "Understood. Would you like us to hold onto it for you?"
Laura shook her head slightly. "Actually, sir, I think I'll keep it for now."
"Wonderful," the President said. "I'll have a car pick you up at noon tomorrow. How does that sound?"
"Thank you, sir."
The next day, Laura was taken to a building a few blocks from the White House. From there, a massive elevator carried her and a group of armed guards nearly a hundred feet underground. She passed through scanners, biometric checks, and thick steel doors before finally stepping into a secured facility.
A military base. The guards led her into a large room. The President stood waiting. Beside him were the Midwest Association Director, Titus, along with the West Coast and Southern directors. Scientists and technicians moved throughout the room, already at work.
"Well, Dr. Laura," the President said, gesturing around, "how do you like your new office?"
She looked around, taking it in. "I'm flattered, sir."
"I'm glad," he replied. "Now, down to it. What's in the box that wouldn't let you take a break?"
Laura stepped forward and placed the case on the table. With a press of a button, the metal unfolded. A polished sphere rose from within, hovering just above the center. She didn't explain. Instead, she took Titus's hand and guided it near the sphere.
A system window appeared in front of her.
Aether Core.
Next, she did the same with the President.
Earth Core.
She finally spoke. "This device can identify the core of anyone awakened by the system." She glanced around the room. "No more guessing who can resonate with golden gates. No more false claims. This gives us a way to properly classify awakeners."
She handed the sphere to the President and placed her own hand beneath it. Another window appeared. The President's eyes widened slightly.
"Flux Core." A pause. "It even displays your attributes, abilities." He looked back at her. "This is a game changer. Can you reproduce it?"
"I can, sir," Laura replied, "but I'll need to return to Veltrax for materials."
"No problem," he said immediately. "We'll make it happen."
Titus stepped forward, unable to hold back. "What else did you learn there? What kind of world was it? What is Flux?"
"Easy, Titus," the President said. "All good questions, but let's not overwhelm the doctor on day one."
Laura shook her head slightly. "It's alright, sir." A faint smile. "As a scientist, I've been waiting to share what I found."
Laura sat down, and the President and directors joined her. All of them leaned in, listening like children around a campfire. Laura began. "It's a world of machines."
The President raised a hand slightly. "Relax, Laura. Talk to us like colleagues."
She nodded. "Right, there aren't humans there. The machines are highly intelligent. They use a power the system labels as Flux, but to them it's called the Will of the Architect." She paused briefly. "It's almost religious. They revere intelligence over strength. Their entire civilization is built around creating, understanding, and building."
She shifted in her seat. "They know more about cores and powers than we would discover in a hundred years of study." She leaned forward slightly. "They explained that the Architect grants the system. It assigns power based on will, constitution, compatibility, and even the planet itself, its history, its environment." She paused and took a deep breath.
"There's something else," Laura added. "The system doesn't just grant power, it limits it." The room stilled. "Everyone can grow. Stronger, faster, more abilities, but not equally." She glanced between them. "Some will rise quickly. Others will plateau, no matter how hard they train."
A brief pause. "The machines told me it's intentional. The Architect's way of maintaining balance. They warned me not to question the Architect." She sighed and looked at the floor. "I'm still not entirely sure what it is."
Titus leaned back slightly. "Sounds like they've got their own version of Jesus."
Laura gave a small laugh. "Something like that." She continued. "That's why most human awakeners develop abilities that resemble things from our own history, knights, samurai, assassins, paladins. Even non-combat roles like clerics and priests."
Her eyes shifted toward Titus. "And then there are people like you. Individuals with extreme will, exceptional talent, or high constitution. The system identifies them, and pairs them with power from other worlds."
Laura stood. "We've already seen it, mana, aether, spirit, and now Flux." She gestured toward the sphere on the table. "They've agreed to help us develop technology. Battle suits for awakeners. Methods to evaluate gates before entry."
She placed her hand near the sphere. "With this, the Association can properly classify awakeners, and gates. We can monitor growth. Track abilities." A pause. "And when another world appears, we won't have to rely on guesswork or trust someone's word."
She looked directly at the President. "We'll be able to verify everything. We can control who enters the gates."
Silence settled over the room. The President stood and shook Laura's hand. "This is your space now. You'll have full control to work as you see fit, with minimal oversight. We'll discuss what will best benefit our awakeners and our citizens." He paused briefly. "Then you can head to Brazil, Veltrax, you said?"
"Yes, sir." Laura nodded. "And when I return, we can begin exactly as you outlined. Scanning awakeners. Classifying them properly. Stabilizing society again, with the help of this technology."
The President gave a slight smile. "Thank you for your work, Dr. Laura. I'm looking forward to seeing what you accomplish, for your country, and for the world."