Fractured

The recruits moved through the bustling crowd in the Solaris Empire's grand event. The towering atrium illuminated the golden designs on the walls and floors. Holograms hovered in mid-air, displaying highlights of the Yellow Clan’s achievements: towering machines powered by yellow Lumina, sleek vehicles gliding through the air, and ambitious plans for further innovation.

Rows of yellow-clad citizens moved below, their chatter echoing through the grand hall. Excitement filled the air, though tension rippled beneath the surface. Guards patrolled every corner, scanning for any signs of trouble.

Renjiro’s gaze darted nervously between the patrols as they slipped into the crowd.

“This place is incredible,” Taro whispered, his eyes wide as he stared at the sprawling displays.

Kana didn’t slow her pace. “Keep moving,” she muttered. “We’re not here to sight-see.”

As they blended into the sea of yellow uniforms, they noticed that the true focus of the event wasn’t on the civilians gathered on the floor level, but on the elevated balconies surrounding the atrium.

“There,” Kana said, pointing discreetly. High above, Yellow Clan officials stood on platforms that jutted out over the crowd. Their golden-trimmed uniforms and relaxed postures made them easy to spot, but the sheer number of guards stationed nearby was intimidating.

Kairro frowned. “How are we supposed to get up there?”

Kana smirked faintly. “ I guess We will have to climb.”

The group weaved through the crowd, keeping their heads low. As they reached the edge of the atrium, Kana led them to a side corridor guarded by two Yellow Clan soldiers.

“Act natural,” Kana said under her breath.

“Define ‘natural,’” Taro muttered.

Kana ignored him and approached the guards with confidence. “Maintenance team. We’ve been sent to check the panels near the balconies. There was a report of flickering.”

The guards exchanged a glance, then stepped aside with a shrug. “Make it quick.”

As they slipped past, Renjiro exhaled in relief. “I can’t believe that worked.”

The corridor led to a narrow staircase that spiraled upward. The recruits moved quickly, as their footsteps echoed in the confined space.

At the top, they found themselves on a walkway overlooking the grand atrium. The officials stood in small clusters on the balconies ahead, speaking in hushed tones. The recruits crouched behind a low railing, listening intently.

One official, an older man with a stern expression, spoke first. “The Supreme Councillor is too trusting. Allowing Blue Clan recruits into our city was a mistake.”

A woman with sharp features scoffed. “They’re spies, plain and simple. This nonsense about diplomacy was just a cover. ”

Another official, younger and more reserved, hesitated before speaking. “But what if they’re innocent? We shouldn’t act hastily.”

“Hastily?” the woman snapped. “The Blue Clan has always envied our technological superiority. They’ll do anything to weaken us.”

The older man nodded. “Agreed. Tavik’s proposal is clear. We eliminate the threat and secure our future.”

The group edged closer to the VIP section, careful to stay out of sight. The officials were too engrossed in their conversation to notice.

“There,” Kana whispered, pointing to an officer standing near the platform's edge. A small, key dangled from his belt.

“How do we get to him?” Emi asked.

Kana scanned the area. “We need another distraction. Kairro, you’re up.”

Kairro raised an eyebrow. “Why me?”

“Because you’re good at being loud and annoying,” Kana said with a smirk.

Kairro rolled his eyes but moved into position. He casually bumped into a nearby server carrying a tray of drinks, causing the glasses to crash loudly to the floor.

“Watch it!” the server snapped, drawing the attention of several guards.

“Sorry, sorry,” Kairro said, holding up his hands innocently.

While the guards were distracted, Renjiro and Taro slipped forward. With precision, Renjiro unclipped the key from the officer’s belt and tucked it into his pocket.

“Got it,” he whispered as they retreated.

A hush fell over the crowd as Dreyva began to speak.

“Citizens of the Solaris Empire, we gather here today amidst a time of great uncertainty. The presence of Azeron Guardian recruits in our city has raised questions and concerns, and rightfully so. It is no secret that the clans have their differences, but we have always maintained a delicate balance—a peace that has allowed each of us to thrive in our own way.”

She paused, her gaze sweeping over the crowd.

“However, recent events have tested this balance. The incident at Azeron Academy. The rise in attacks on human settlements. The whispers of forbidden powers sought by the Crimson Dynasty. And now, the troubling claims that one among these recruits—a boy—may wield Lumina energy as a human.”

A murmur ran through the crowd, civilians and officials exchanging shocked glances.

“This is unprecedented,” Dreyva continued, her tone steady. “But it is not cause for rash decisions. The Solaris Empire must remain strong, impartial, and focused on the prosperity of its people. We will not allow fear to dictate our actions.”

An older official standing nearby interjected, his voice sharp. “And what of these recruits? You speak of balance, but what proof do we have that they aren’t spies? Their very presence endangers us!”

Another official, a woman with a severe expression, nodded in agreement. “The Blue Clan has long envied our advancements. How do we know they haven’t sent these recruits to weaken us from within?”

Dreyva raised a hand, silencing them. “We have no evidence to support such claims. Until we do, we must act with reason, not suspicion.”

A younger official hesitated before speaking. “But what of this boy? If he truly possesses Lumina as a human, doesn’t that make him a threat?”

Dreyva’s expression softened slightly. “If these claims are true, it is a matter of great concern—but it is also an opportunity. To learn, to understand. We cannot act blindly. The Solaris Empire was built on innovation, not fear.”

Her words were met with a mix of nods and scowls.

Suddenly a deafening blast ripped through the atrium.

Renjiro and the others stumbled as the shockwave tore through the crowd, sending civilians screaming and scrambling for cover. A blinding flash of blue light illuminated the hall, followed by a cloud of smoke that engulfed the balcony where the council had stood moments before.

Renjiro’s heart raced. “What just happened?”

Kana’s face went pale.

Through the haze, a figure emerged—Tavik. His calm, purposeful strides cut through the smoke, his hand gripping a pistol infused with yellow lumina sparking violently.

Dreyva’s breath hitched as she recognized him. Her voice was shaky, “Tavik? What’s going on? What are you doing?”

He stopped a few paces away, with a cold, unreadable expression. “Ensuring the future of the Solaris Empire.”

Dreyva’s eyes widened, disbelief etched across her face. “This isn’t the way! You know it’s not. This will only divide us—destroy us!” She clutched her side, yellow Lumina flickering faintly from the wound. “Tavik, this isn’t what’s best for our people!”

Tavik’s lips curled into a cold smirk. “You’ve always been so idealistic, Dreyva. Too blind to see what truly needs to be done.”

“Tavik,” she rasped, her voice thick with betrayal, “don’t do this…”

He raised the gun, aiming it squarely at her chest. “They’ll remember you as a hero,” he said, his tone almost mocking, “and me as the one who avenged you.”

Before Dreyva could respond, Tavik pulled the trigger. A sharp beam of yellow Lumina shot out, striking her chest. She gasped, her yellow Lumina flickering wildly before fading out completely as she crumpled to the ground, motionless.

Tavik lingered for a moment, his gaze cold as he looked down at her. Then, without a word, he turned and strode away, his footsteps echoing through the devastated balcony.

Moments later, holographic displays flickered to life throughout the atrium. Tavik’s towering image filled the screens, his voice calm yet commanding.

“Citizens of the Solaris Empire,” Tavik began. “It is with great sorrow that I inform you of a devastating act of treachery. Our Supreme Councillor has fallen, murdered by spies sent from the Azeron Guardians”.

The crowd gasped, their shock quickly turning to anger.

“These traitors infiltrated our city under the guise of diplomacy, only to bring chaos and destruction. But fear not. As your new leader, I will bring them to justice and ensure the safety of our Empire.”

Kana froze, her face twisting with disbelief. “No…”

Renjiro’s stomach sank as the holographic displays shifted to show his face, along with those of the other recruits.

“They’re blaming us,” he whispered, his voice barely audible.

Kana grabbed his arm, her voice urgent. “We have to move. Now.”

The group used the chaos to their advantage, slipping through the panicked crowd as guards mobilized in every direction.

“We can’t stay out in the open,” Emi said, her voice strained as she glanced nervously at the guards pushing through the throng. “Where do we go?”

Kana’s eyes darted around, scanning for an escape route. “The lower levels if we’re careful, we can still make it to the core.”

“It’s the only way out now. Tavik’s pinned the whole city against you. If we disrupt the core, it’ll buy us enough chaos to escape.”

Kairro shook his head, his voice tinged with frustration. “That explosion wasn’t even Blue Lumina. How can anyone believe this garbage?”

“Because they want to,” Kana replied bitterly. “It’s easier to believe a convenient lie than an uncomfortable truth.”

Taro gritted his teeth. “So what now? We sneak into the most secure part of this place, tamper with their precious core, and hope we don’t get caught?”

Kana gave a sharp nod. “Exactly. But we don’t have time to second-guess this. We move now, or we don’t move at all.”

Yumeru sighed, “She’s right. It’s not safe here anymore. We need to act fast.”

Kana motioned for them to follow. “Stick close, keep quiet, and don’t look back. If we get split up, meet at the service shaft by the western corridor. Got it?”

The group murmured their agreement, their faces tense but resolute.

As they slipped into the shadows, the distant echoes of Tavik’s announcement rang through the atrium, a chilling reminder of the danger they faced. Their path was clear: reach the core, disrupt it, and escape the Solaris Empire before it was too late.