Author's Preface
Blue followed Eve and Aaron down the street toward the towering Association building. Five A-rank awakeners moved with them. Two in front, and three to the rear. Close enough to act, but far enough away as not to impede. Blue looked from the escorts back to Aaron. Confusion written plainly on his face. Aaron looked back and smiled. "I hate driving. Used to walk this route everyday, back when it was still THEE Ohio State University campus." Aaron scanned the area. "Reminds me what we are fighting for."
Blue let out a quiet chuckle, Eve sighed. "My guild won't let me walk alone anymore. Apparently I'm not allowed to be a normal person."
"That sounds rough." Blue walked a little faster and met Aaron's pace till he caught up and walked beside him.
"It is." Aaron looked at him and smiled.
They continued their walk towards the Association. "We put in a new football field there, some basketball hoops. A few flux users created some playground sets for the youngins'. Ya know, trying to get things back to normal." Aaron said as they passed a park. Every few blocks citizens would pass the group and shake Aaron's hand and thank him. Aaron would point out new construction, or areas that were off limits. Finally, after miles of walking they stood in front of the Association building. Easily the tallest building in Columbus. Reinforced and busy. Hunters, staff and guards flowed in and out of the front doors in a steady stream. It was the place that everything important passed through. Blue stared at the building. "This is new."
Aaron chuckled. "Yeah, the Association had some flux users construct it, so it went up fairly quickly." Aaron pointed at the light at the top. "That light can be seen for hundreds of miles in every direction. Its like a lighthouse, anyone heading for our stronghold from the surrounding areas can see it and it guides them. The President ordered it to be built in every major stronghold left."
"What powers it?" Blue asked as he strained his neck to look up.
"Crystals from gates and some tech from Nytherra. I'm not sure how exactly it works. Alot of things are kept under wraps by the Association." He said as he walked toward the front doors. Aaron stopped at the entrance. "I have business with the Association Leader. You two go on ahead." He opened the door. "I'll find you when I'm done. Oh and Blue, doors stay on their hinges yeah?"
Blue chuckled. "Wait a second. I thought I had to just let them test my system. You're saying there's more you want from me after this?" Blue walked up to Aaron. "No offense, but when this is over. I'm going home, whether you allow it or not. Even if more doors need to be wrecked."
Aaron stared at him for a moment, then the corners of his mouth lifted. "You're welcome to try... little one."
Before Blue could respond, Aaron was already heading towards the private elevator leading to the Association Leader's office. Blue smacked his teeth and looked back at Eve. "That's who you work for? He's kind of a dick isn't he?"
Eve walked past Blue who was holding the door open. "You have no idea how big of a deal that golden gate is. It's the only one in the country." She said as she walked past. She stopped and turned as Blue entered the building. "So yeah, he might seem like a dick right now. But he's not... he is just responsible for a lot more than you can imagine."
Blue didnt reply. The chaos inside the main lobby of the Association caught him off guard. Different from Murim. Different attitudes, different rules. "Yeah... I'm starting to see that." He muttered.
The main hall was alive with movement. Hundreds of awakeners filled the space. Some stood in long lines waiting to be registered. Others moved between testing stations. Preparing for their advancement trials. Other hunters walked down a hall with bags of materials from gates to sell to the Association. Conversations overlapped in ever direction. Anticipation, the joy of success and the sadness of failure filled every face inside. Blue took it all in. The looks were the same, but different. Instead of failing or succeeding through training. It all came down to someone sitting behind a desk. As Blue watched standing next to Eve a voice called out.
"Eve!" A clerk behind a counter waved frantically. "Come over here." As Eve and Blue approached she spoke again. "Aaron said you'd be coming. Her eyes moved towards Blue. "Is this the new recruit?"
Eve nodded. "It is."
The clerk looked at Blue and stuck both her hands across the counter. "May I see your arm please?"
"Uh... sure." Blue placed his arm in her outstretched hands.
The clerk moved his arm into position. "Hold still for me." She reached up and grabbed a metallic sphere that hung from the ceiling. "Now. You may feel a tingling sensation throughout your body." She adjusted the sphere and Blue's arm one last time. "Please don't move."
Behind the counter a system screen flicked to life. Lines of code and data began racing across as she typed. "This device will analyze your core and also interface with your system. It will forcefully open your system to display your stats and abilities."
Blue gave a small nod then he felt it. A crawling sensation spread through him, like thousands of tiny insects moving just under his skin. He didn't flinch. Compared to the rod, this was nothing. For a moment his thoughts drifted. His grandfather's jian. Still hidden in the bushes outside the house.
"...Shit." He muttered under his breath.
"Please remain still." The clerk reminded him. "Movement could interfere with the scan."
Blue exhaled and held himself still. A few seconds later he heard it.
BEEP. BEEP.
The sensation vanished from his body. Blue blinked. "Are we done?"
The clerk didn't answer right away. "I... I'm not sure." Her fingers hovered over the keyboard. Something about her expression made Blue nervous. He looked back at Eve with concern. She shrugged her shoulders. A moment later, the supervisor stepped in behind the clerk, focused on the screen. He spoke. "Sir, could you verify a few things for us?"
"Umm, sure?" Blue said.
"What does your core consist of?"
"Qi."
The supervisor nodded. "And what else?"
Blue flinched backwards. "What do you mean what else? Just qi."
The supervisor and the clerk exchanged a look. "And your system... it didn't open did it?"
Blue grabbed his chin and stared at the supervisor. "You're right, it didn't."
"Could you open it manually and show us?"
"Sure." Blue focused and opened his system. "Done!"
The clerk and supervisor stared at each other. Then they looked at Eve and back to Blue. Even Eve gave Blue a confused look. The supervisor spoke first. "Sir... are you attempting to make a joke?" The supervisor stood up straight. "I'm aware Aaron Kade brought you in. But this is not the place for your jokes."
Blue looked at his system. "Is this guy fucking crazy. It's literally open right here." Blue thought to himself. "No one in Murim ever saw it either, even when it opened in the gates." Blue shook the thought away as he looked at the supervisor. "I'm not sure what you mean, but if you'd like. I can give you a taste of what qi feels like." Blue took a step back. "I didn't ask to be here. I'd rather be at home. So if there's a problem fix it. If not I'm leaving, and you can handle the aftermath.
Eve immediately reached over and grabbed his arm. "Jesus, calm down. They are just trying to do their job."
For a moment no one moved. The supervisor let out a deep breath. "Why don't you have a seat sir. We will recalibrate the machine and run the test again. It will take us approximately fifteen minutes."
"Fine." Blue turned and found two open chairs.
Behind the counter the supervisor leaned into the clerks ear. "Pretend to recalibrate it. I'll be right back." The supervisor turned and headed for the private elevator.
A knock echoed against the Association Leader's door, cutting through the conversation with Aaron. "What is it?" The leader called out, irritation was clear in his voice. The door swung open and a man stepped in, slightly rushed, trying to steady himself.
"Excuse me sir... we-we have a problem regarding the person Mr. Kade brought in."
Aaron turned in his chair as he recognized the voice. "John... I told you to stop calling me Mr. or Sir. Just call me Aaron, man."
John gave an awkward nod. "Right sorry si...ugh Aaron."
The Assocation Leader leaned forward in his chair. "Well, what is the problem exactly?"
John hesitated, searching for a clear explanation. "Well... Sir. We ran the test like we do with every awakener." He paused. "And honestly, I don't know what we are looking at."
Aaron's expression tightened. "What do you mean you don't know?"
John exhaled. "It scanned his core. B-but there's something wrong with the result. And his system didnt open. We asked him to open it manually so we could verify everything." He swallowed hard. "He said he did, but nothing appeared."
John stood there looking between Aaron and the Association Leader. Silence filled the room until the Association Leader leaned back in his chair slowly. "Well." He looked at Aaron. "I suppose I'll be meeting him sooner than expected." He rose in one smooth motion. "Come, why don't you introduce me to your new recruit." He put his hand on Aaron's shoulder and smiled. Aaron stood and followed the Leader to the elevator. Whatever just happened, whatever this was. It just escalated far beyond what anyone could imagine.