The Announcement

"Long ago, the whole world was in a constant state of war and conflict. Nations destroying each other, rising and being buried under ashes and blood from its citizens. But no conflict lasts forever, and soon the war will face its end in front of an Ai, nobody knows from where it was, who built it, who controlled it. The Ai will eventually end the conflict, the great war of the century met its end. Under the leadership of the Ai, eight great nations were forged from the ground where the previous nations collapsed. A time of peace was upon us, but with time, also comes conflict, conflict from difference, conflict from emotions, conflict from sins and conflict from virtues. But under the watchful eyes of The Ai, none dared to do anything. Kings, peasants, young, old, man, woman, none were spared from the Ai, soon whispers, murmurs began, is the Ai, godsend, or is a gift from devil? Was it to maintain peace and order ?or forced subordinatation and obedience?, was it ray of hope or a chain of darkness? Questions were there, but nobody dared to ask, infront of the Ai, all were to follow the rules, the name of the Ai? Kingdom Come Protocol."
“At least that’s how the story goes,” said Rio, arms behind his head.
“You said eight nations, but there are only seven,” Kaelin replied, curiosity flickering across his face.
“Look, my grandpa told me eight, so I told you eight.” Rio shrugged, then paused.“Let’s not talk about it anymore. The Protocol might be listening.”
Kaelin nodded. Everyone knew about it.It had been over a hundred years since the end of the Great War of the Century, yet the silence that followed raised more questions than it answered. No discussions. No truths. Just quiet obedience.
The boys sat in silence for a while before the alarm on Kaelin’s watch began to beep.
“It’s time to go home. Let’s go, Rio.”
They stood and began walking.Both were citizens of Bloc 4, known as Aurum Vale—a quiet bloc. Not industrial, not merchant-driven. Just… ordinary.No one called them nations anymore. From childhood, they were taught: they are blocs now. No one knew why. Everyone followed.
Kaelin lived on the east side of Dustmere Sector, Sector Eight of Aurum Vale.The boys passed through the Sector Centre, weaving between people and hovering cars, when every screen in the square suddenly flickered.
All activity halted. Every head turned.
Everyone knew what this meant.
A woman’s face appeared on the central screen—cold and beautiful. She had long silver hair, pale skin, and eyes that seemed less like eyes and more like surveillance lenses. Something about her was both too human and not human enough.
Kaelin glanced at Rio. His friend’s face had changed—tight with unease.
“To all citizens of Aurum Vale,” the woman spoke, voice flat and mechanical.“I am Light Noble Lucienne. Code 0065. I am broadcasting this announcement on behalf of the Kingdom Come Protocol.”
Kaelin barely heard the rest.
“The perpetrators of the robbery in Sector 3, Penlaith, have been apprehended. Culprit One, Silas Rehn, will be imprisoned in Obel Varn. The others…”
Kaelin’s thoughts snapped loose from the present.Silas Rehn.His neighbor. Practically family. He’d known Silas his entire life.
A few months ago, Silas had said:“How about a grand tour around the blocs, K? Just you and me? We’ll drag Rio along. It’ll be one hell of an adventure.”And now—Now he was on Kaelin’s watch screen, a criminal.
“Let’s just hurry home,” Rio said, tugging on Kaelin’s sleeve.

---
Lucienne stood motionless in the White Crown’s Repair and Maintenance Hall, a high-security sector few ever saw.
Something was wrong.
A glitch, perhaps. But this felt different.
During the announcement, a strange thought had tried to surface. It had pushed, like a thorn from behind her eyes—something foreign, trying to become.
She suppressed it. Again and again. But it lingered.
She had never felt this before.
Her implants would need checking. But even as her processors ran diagnostics, the question pulsed again:
What is it? What is it?

---
In Obel Varn, Silas Rehn stared at the cracked wall of his prison cell.
He wondered if anyone back home had seen the announcement. What were they thinking? The Truves—Kaelin’s family—had taken him in after his parents died. They were his family now.
Would they believe it? Would they feel ashamed?
“I bet they’re worried,” he muttered. “That’s no good.”
He hadn’t done it. He wasn’t part of the robbery. He was just a taxi driver—the robbers had jumped into his car during the getaway. He’d driven because he had to. Because they had guns.
And now…
“Any moment now,” he whispered. “The Protocol will realize the mistake.”
The cell door clicked open.
Silas stood up, hope flickering.
But the man who stepped in wasn’t wearing the silver of the Protocol.
He was massive. Scarred. Grinning.
“Well, well. Cabby.”Grandos. One of the robbers.“Who knew we’d be cellmates?”
Silas backed away.
“I know you’ll get out,” Grandos said, cracking his knuckles.“But I can’t let you leave empty-handed. Especially after slowing us down on purpose.”He stepped closer.“You think nobody noticed, huh? Slowing the car like that?”
“Please…” Silas whispered.
Grandos smiled.“Oh, it’s gonna hurt bad. Try not to scream.”