Observed City

Shen was standing on the beautiful outside of the pyramid when he looked over at his brother, Geno Takeda, who was positioned at a high point with a commanding view of the city. With his shoulders squared against the immensity of Unitas below, Geno stood motionless as the ancient stone beneath his feet, a mute sentinel carrying a burden Shen could only begin to understand. Shen moved steadily closer, the only sound breaking the silence being the gentle scrape of his boots. He arrived at his brother's side, where they stood in a cozy stillness while taking in the expansive view. Shen was always amazed by the size and careful planning of Unitas; its shining skyscrapers and well-kept streets were a far cry from the house he was familiar with.

Without turning, Geno sensed Shen's presence and continued to stare at the metropolis. His voice was a low growl, tinged with a well-known blend of cynicism and hard-won knowledge.

"This city is very amazing, isn't it? Unquestionably strong, technologically advanced, and intelligent, Unitas rules. However, it's all a front, a brilliantly designed cage. Geno's eyes traveled across the bustling streets below. "The people here have faith that their chosen leader will always make the right decision, provide them with security, and administer justice." That seems like an irrational faith to me.

Shen looked up at him, his forehead wrinkled. However, Brother, what about the kingdom? We serve the King, isn't that the same thing?

At last, Geno's dark eyes met Shen's as he turned his head. As he considered the topic, a thick quiet descended between them, his eyes returning to the horizon as though he were weighing the entire globe. He said, "Listen, kid," with a deep weight in his voice. "If I've learnt anything, it's that you will defend something with your life if you think it is really yours. However, its protection is only momentary if it is only borrowed and does not belong to your soul.

Shen felt the weight of Geno's words descend upon her like a tangible burden in the cool air.

In our hearts, we serve our land and our people, even though we may claim to serve the King, his brother added. The King serves as our battle's emblem and banner. Our house, our lifestyle, and the families that rely on us are what we are genuinely defending. And believe me, Shen, no one knows this better than the King.

Shen nodded gently, grounded by Geno's philosophy's straightforward yet potent clarity. He answered in a quiet but firm voice, "I understand." Encouraged by this connection, he finally dealt with the problem that had been bothering him. "I need to apologize for what occurred earlier, brother. You were correct; I ought to have told you everything right away.

To chase the darkness away from his normally grim face, Geno's lips formed a rare, tiny smile. His voice grew softer as he said, "It's okay, Shen." You obviously trust that girl based on the way you described her. I will also trust her if you do.

In a wave of relief, Shen let go of a deep breath he had no idea he was holding. With a strong and revitalized sensation of brotherhood warming his chest, he responded, "Thank you, Brother."

As Geno placed a hand on Shen's shoulder, his smile turned into a lighthearted smirk. "The Takeda family appears to be expanding."

A sharp klaxon sounded from deep inside the pyramid before Shen could come up with a response. It was a tangible force, a deep, resonant cry that reverberated throughout the entire space and vibrated through the stone beneath their feet. Both brothers immediately snapped to combat preparedness. Soldiers erupted into frenzied movement all around them, their orderly formations melting into a flurry of action as their gazes flitted to the top of the pyramid. There was a terrible problem.

There was concern for the King's safety.

Shen's mind raced, looking for any information that didn't belong in the turmoil as commanders yelled commands and soldiers rushed toward the main entrance of the pyramid. In the midst of the growing panic, he noticed a small irregularity. Lina's jewelry started to glimmer softly and pulsatingly against his chest. A simple memento from a common history, the pendant was now serving as a beacon. It was not merely swaying as he moved; Shen sensed a slight, persistent pull, a pull from an invisible power.

Pushing past the chaos and commotion, he turned his attention inward and noticed something else: tiny, imperceptible currents of energy coursing through the atmosphere. Years of training had sharpened his senses, which allowed him to track them down to their origin: hidden systems that blended in perfectly with the pyramid's design. It was a system of carefully positioned magnetic devices, their activation purposed and their purpose concealed.

Shen's intuition told her that these magnetic networks were more than simply passive infrastructure among the frenzied footfall and growing tension. They seemed to be essential parts of a larger, darker system—a trap, maybe, that had just been set.

Shen concentrated his will and started to follow the magnetic energy's unseen track. It drew him more into the dim corners of the pyramid and away from the main hubbub at the entrance. The passage became smaller and darker, cloaked in a chilling calm that contrasted sharply with the din outside. He had the impression that he was being pulled toward an unknown threat.

Ahead, a shadow broke away from the darker darkness. Shen squinted and moved cautiously forward, his hand on his weapon's hilt. When the figure noticed him, it turned and ran away. Shen chased after him without hesitation. He chased the vanishing shape, his feet banging on the cold stone, his heart hammering against his ribs.

Through tight passageways and around abrupt, blind curves, the chase was a dizzying blur, with each turn unveiling new facets of the pyramid's intricate layout. The shadowy creature moved surprisingly quickly, but Shen's unadulterated will kept him right after it. Shen pushed his body to its limits against a spooky, strobing backdrop of icy stone walls and the desperate, flickering lights of emergency sconces.

He finally saw his opportunity in a longer section of the hallway. Shen rushed forward, closing the distance, putting all of his remaining strength into his legs. The figure's flowing robe was inches from his fingers as he stretched out, but it abruptly turned around another corner and disappeared.

Shen skidded to a stop, looking around the deserted junction, his chest heaving. It was too late. Then, however, his keen eyes spotted a little, dark piece of cloth on the ground.

Shen bent down and carefully picked up the tattered piece, which had probably been torn off the intruder's cloak in their hurry. Both the weight of the moment bearing down on him and the coarse material felt heavy in his grasp. Although he was unsure of the identity of the dark figure, he was certain that they constituted a serious threat to the King, and this little hint was now his sole lead.