The Trail

Chapter 2: The Trail

Hikaru opened his eyes, feeling dizzy.

He slowly sat up—

…and froze.

He was in the center of a massive hall.

A grand castle interior.

In front of him stood eleven thrones, arranged in a semi-circle.

Above them all—

one single throne.

Higher.

Dominant.

His eyes narrowed slightly.

“…What is this…?”

He tried to move—

Clank.

His hands and legs were bound with heavy chains.

Cold.

Unbreakable.

Before he could react—

voices filled the hall.

Figures appeared.

One by one—they took their seats.

The Illuminates.

All except one.

Hikaru looked around, confusion clear in his eyes.

“…What’s going on…?”

From the highest throne, she observed everything.

The Queen.

Her gaze passed over each throne—then stopped.

One seat remained empty.

Her expression shifted slightly.

“…He’s late again?”

A faint sigh escaped her.

“For someone who acts like a big shot… missing an important meeting?”

A small pause.

“…Unbelievable.”

Her eyes moved to Hikaru.

Sharp.

Cold.

“State your identity.”

Hikaru flinched slightly.

“…Hikaru Foster.”

“Origin?”

“…I don’t understand what you mean.”

A pause.

“Where am I?” he asked. “Who are you? What did I do?”

The Queen’s gaze hardened.

“You expect us to believe that?”

Silence filled the hall.

“You violated the laws of the Realm.”

Hikaru’s eyes widened slightly.

“…What?”

“You created a reality on Earth—”

Her voice turned colder.

“—and erased it.”

A ripple of tension spread across the hall.

“Reality Benders are forbidden from entering Earth without authorization.”

Hikaru shook his head.

“I’m human. I don’t know anything about this!”

His voice grew tense.

“What happened to my friends?!”

One of the Illuminates leaned forward.

“Ronova Kai.”

His voice was calm—but sharp.

“In a life-or-death situation…”

“…you still choose to lie?”

Hikaru clenched his fists.

“I’m not lying!”

The Queen turned her gaze toward the two illuminates.

“The ones who retrieved him.”

The boy stepped forward.

“I confirm—he possesses Reality Bender traits.”

A slight pause.

“But…”

His expression changed.

“…his imaginative energy feels different.”

The hall went silent.

The Queen narrowed her eyes.

She looked directly at Hikaru.

Long.

Carefully.

“…Interesting.”

She leaned back slightly.

“Further examination is required.”

Her voice echoed with authority.

“He will be investigated.”

She turned slightly.

“Emiliya Pendragon.”(The girl who brought him)

The girl stepped forward.

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“Take charge.”

Hikaru struggled slightly as the chains loosened.

“Wait—!”

No response.

Emiliya grabbed his arm.

“Move.”

As they walked—

Hikaru spoke.

“…You could at least explain something.”

She didn’t look at him.

“You’ll get answers if you survive.”

“…That’s not reassuring.”

A small pause.

“…You talk too much.”

“…And you don’t talk enough.”

A brief silence.

“…Emilya Pendragon,” she said.

“Third-ranked Illuminate.”

Hikaru blinked.

“…That sounds important.”

“It is.”

“…Great. I got kidnapped by VIPs.”

She didn’t respond.

They entered a lab-like room.

A woman stood inside.

She smiled.

Too sweet.

Too calm.

“Ah… so this is the subject?”

Her eyes sparkled with curiosity.

“…Interesting.”

“Serina Fox,” Emilya said.

“Handle it.”

Hikaru stepped back slightly.

“…Why does she look more dangerous than all of you?”

Serina tilted her head.

“Because I am.”

Time passed.

Tests.

Silence.

Observation.

Then—

Serina stopped.

Her expression changed.

“…This is impossible.”

Emilya narrowed her eyes.

“What is it?”

Serina turned slowly.

“He has both.”

“…What?”

“A human heart…”

A pause.

“…and a core.”

“…Fused together.”