Beginning of the Raid

The air inside the TSM vehicle was thick with tension. Wrex sat in the dimly lit space, his wrists bound loosely in front of him. The Normalists had been silent for most of the journey, but now, as they neared the border of the True Residents, whispers of the upcoming Raid filled the cabin. Wrex listened closely, piecing together fragments of conversations that felt both familiar and foreign.

He closed his eyes, exhaustion weighing on him, and suddenly, his mind drifted. A memory—faded, fragmented—began to resurface.

He was young, barely a child, standing in a cold, sterile room surrounded by other children. Doctors moved among them, their faces hidden behind masks. One by one, they approached the children, performing some kind of test. Wrex’s heartbeat quickened as he recalled his turn. The doctor had leaned in close, speaking softly, but the words blurred before he could grasp them.

Only one phrase stood clear in his mind, echoing like a prophecy:
“Those who seek you will retain that which is yours.”

His eyes snapped open. Cold sweat clung to his skin. What did it mean? Who were "they"?

Before he could process further, Rizor’s voice cut through the murmurs inside the vehicle.

"Freol, one of the largest capitals of the Eight Superentis, will fall," Rizor stated, his tone steady as if announcing a simple fact.

Wrex stiffened. "That’s impossible. The Point Touch Zero ensures there is no crime, no war—nothing of this scale has ever happened."

Rizor smirked, shaking his head. "You’re still blind to the truth, Wrex. The world you live in is an illusion. The Eight Superentis maintain peace, yes, but at what cost? This isn’t harmony—it’s control. And now, the Royal Family will finally reveal its hand."

Wrex’s thoughts raced. The cryptic messages, the Raid invitation—everything was beginning to align.

"You already knew about the Raid, didn’t you?" Wrex accused, narrowing his eyes at Rizor.

"Of course," Rizor admitted. "I helped plan it. But things have accelerated faster than expected. The True Residents aren’t waiting anymore. They’ve already moved."

Wrex clenched his fists. "So, what’s your real goal? Are we supposed to be fighting the True Residents now? Who’s the real enemy here?"

Rizor leaned closer, his gaze unreadable. "You've been trained, Wrex. You come from that family, after all. Seek more. Advance. You’ll get what’s yours."

The words unsettled him. What did Rizor know about his past? About his family?

The vehicle rumbled as they neared the Wall of Lions, the impenetrable structure that had separated the True Residents from the rest of the world for centuries. A massive storm loomed in the distance, lightning flashing violently against the darkened sky. Something awaited them beyond that wall—something long forgotten, yet advanced in its own way.

The once-perfect harmony of Facilis had shattered. Screams echoed through the streets as citizens struggled to comprehend the chaos before them. The Point Touch Zero system had failed, and for the first time in generations, violence had returned to their so-called utopia.

The Royal Family had issued a statement, assuring the people that there was nothing to fear. The Royal Guard had taken to the streets, their presence meant to enforce order. Yet, their very existence contradicted the laws of Facilis.

Weapons. Real weapons.

The sight was surreal. No citizen had ever laid eyes on such things—guns, blades, batons—all objects that should not exist in a world without violence. And yet, the Royal Guard wielded them effortlessly.

One of the commanders spoke through a broadcast, his voice eerily calm.

"Citizens of Facilis, you are safe. These weapons exist only to protect you. The enemies of humanity have emerged from the shadows, and we must stand against them. Do not be afraid. Trust in the Royal Family."

Yet, even as he spoke, the streets were in disarray. People weren’t worried about their safety—they were questioning the truth. If no weapons existed, where had these come from? If no crime was possible, why were these men prepared for war?

Loria stood hidden in an abandoned alley, watching the chaos unfold. Her rescuer, the mysterious woman, had brought her here for safety, but now, she had more questions than ever.

The woman’s voice was sharp. "Do you understand now? Your peace was never real. It was engineered."

Loria’s heart pounded. "Then why keep it hidden? Why now?"

The woman exhaled. "Because the Royal Event is coming. The moment where every citizen will 'receive' something. Where they will 'learn' something new."

Loria’s stomach twisted. A grand announcement, an event for the people—what better way to manipulate the masses?

Her thoughts drifted to Wrex. He needed to know this. Whatever the truth was, he was caught in the center of it.

She clenched her fists. "I need to find him."

The woman shook her head. "For now, you need to learn. If you truly wish to stand by Wrex, you must first understand the world you are fighting for."

Loria swallowed hard. The words struck deep. She had believed in the system, trusted in the balance of Facilis. But now, she wasn’t sure what was real anymore.

She would learn. And then, she would stand by Wrex, no matter what.

Deep within a hidden surveillance room, Fozic sat in front of a wall of screens, his fingers gliding across the controls. The monitors displayed various locations—Wrex in the TSM vehicle, Loria with the mysterious woman, the Royal Guard maintaining order in the streets.

His lips curled into a smirk.

"Everything is moving as expected."

He tapped a button, switching to a secure feed. A grainy image of Rizor appeared, speaking with unknown figures. Fozic narrowed his eyes. "And what exactly are you planning, Rizor?"

His gaze flickered to another screen, one displaying encrypted files under the label "Project Montlaif."

The perfect energy source. The salvation of humanity.

Or was it?

Beneath the surface, something far more sinister lurked within Montlaif.

And soon, Wrex would come face to face with the truth.

"In some circles, whispers had already begun—Wrex was being named an intruder, a threat to the order of Facilis. If the right people decided it to be true, overnight, he could become the enemy of the very world he once called home."