They drove in silence for a long time. River leaned against the reinforced window, listening to the soft hum of music as the cityscape of the NQSC passed by. Tall buildings stretched as far as he could see. Each building was intricately connected by a network of aerial bridges and reinforced alloy tunnels, forming a sprawling web that wrapped around the city like the threads of a colossal spider.
Most of the buildings were a dull shade of white, only being broken up by artificial trees, grass, flowers and bushes that ranged from a multitude of bright colors. Yet despite the sterile architecture, the streets pulsed with life as endless streams of people dominated the streets and sidewalks.
But what captured his attention the most, was the large screens that stretched across the city displaying breathtaking landscapes that River had never seen before. It was as if he glimpsed into another realm beyond his own that was full of life and beauty, one that was sculpted by the most loving of Gods.
River simply couldn't take his eyes off the city, ingraining each detail into his mind. The Western Quadrant, despite all its charm, felt small in comparison to the sheer scale of this place. It was almost like another world. But the thought of home twisted something in his chest. He wished—more than anything—that his family could've been here beside him, seeing it all for the first time together.
Eventually, the PTV approached a towering structure nestled deep within the district—a vast and heavily defended government complex. It loomed like a fortress, its walls lined with automatic turrets that tracked movement with mechanical precision. Awakened soldiers guarding the perimeter, armored and alert.
The soldier glanced at him through the rearview mirror. "We're almost there."
River didn't answer.
The PTV rolled through a security checkpoint, the soldier displaying her ID before scanners sweeped the vehicle, checking for anything that could pose a threat to the government. An Awakened guard stepped closer, peering into the front window. "Who's the kid?"
The soldier took a short glance at River before quickly turning back towards the Awakened. "It's confidential. I don't know how much I'm cleared to say, but it's safe to say that the higher ups requested him."
"The higher ups, huh? Well, you're all cleared to go then." The Awakened remarked before pressing a button that opened up the gate, allowing them to pass inside. But before they left, the Awakened gave him one last glance. "Good luck kid, you're going to need it."
The soldier rolled her eyes at the remark. "Don't listen to him, he's just trying to scare you." River, yet again, didn't reply, but he hoped she was telling the truth.
After taking a short drive around the facility, she parked in front of a smaller annex attached to the main facility and then opened the back door. "Let's go, kid."
River stepped outside, the cold breeze hitting his face as he took in the sheer size of his surroundings. "…woah." It was completely different seeing it up close than from a distance. The building was monumental.
Yet, the giant complex didn't rely on aesthetics to be impressive, instead it went for the opposite approach. It looked as if it was built solely for the purpose of defending against any threat imaginable. River wasn't even sure if even a titan could breach this without dying in the process. The defenses seemed almost a bit overkill with numerous turrets, soldiers, reinforced plating and other weaponry to count.
"It's impressive, huh? Though, I think it could use a little greenery, it's a little bland." The soldier remarked casually.
River stiffened, suddenly embarrassed to be caught staring. He didn't reply. Instead, he turned away, feigning indifference as if the building meant nothing to him at all.
The soldier let out a slight smile at the sight before placing a hand on her hip. "You know what kid? I don't think I've formally introduced myself. I go by Awakened Jet. But, you can call me Jet."
River turned his head towards her, and for the first time, he actually looked at her instead of avoiding her gaze. Her raven-black hair framed her face in soft, sharp contrast to her skin that was as pale as freshly fallen snow he'd seen on the massive screens. Her eyes were a piercing icy blue. It was safe to say that, outside of his mother, she was the most beautiful woman he's ever laid his eyes on.
"…river." He whispered, his voice barely audible as he stared at the ground. "…my name is River."
"River, huh?" She looked at him, glancing at him with a thoughtful expression before a small smile tugged at her lips. "What a nice name." She straightened, her tone shifting slightly. "But, c'mon kid, it's time for you to meet my superiors."
It took a while for River to finally get situated within the main complex. There were a bunch of screenings and safety checks, more than he thought made sense. He didn't really get it—why would they need to check a government soldier and a small child like him so much? It wasn't like he could pose much of a threat to the NQSC. At least, he didn't think he could?
But in the end, Jet didn't seem all that bothered by it, so he figured it was just some stupid government protocol. With all of the safety checks finished, Jet brought him to a quieter wing of the facility and left him in a medium-sized room outfitted with a bed, a couch, a dining table, and a private bathroom. It was way nicer than the room he had back home, but River didn't like it. Not even a little.
"How do you like it?" Jet questioned as she leaned on the doorway.
"Fine." River lied. He hated it. The sterile, impersonal space only reminded him of how far from home he was. But he wasn't about to tell Jet that.
"Yeah, I don't like it much either," Jet muttered, seeing right through him as she gave the room a quick glance. "But, try to make yourself comfortable, okay? I'm sure my superiors will be here soon."
"I'll try." River grumbled as he sank onto the couch. His small frame barely took up a corner of it, making the room feel even bigger and lonelier. Still, he couldn't let himself fall apart. There was a chance his parents were still out there, waiting for him. He just had to stay patient. Be good. Do what he was told.
Jet gave him a skeptical glance before sighing. "I'll try to check in on you when I can. If not, someone else will be there to make sure you're fed." She paused at the door, then added over her shoulder, "Also, the song from before, it's called 'The Fall of Fort Lauderdale' by Griffin Tyler."
The sudden remark caught River by surprise. For a moment, the weight on his chest lifted just enough to let a soft smile through. "Thank you, Miss Jet. For everything."
She looked back again, a small smile clear on her face as she closed the door behind her.
***
Despite what Jet had said, River had been kept inside the room for three days before finally getting the confirmation that someone would be coming to speak with him. Most of that time was spent sprawled out on the couch, listening to music through a communicator he'd asked for or sitting by the door waiting for the next silent official to bring his food. It had been an agonizingly long wait.
But worst of all? Jet never came back. Not even once. No one told him why or if anything had happened to her. They just remained silent and acted like it was none of their business.
But with the long wait finally over, River was brought to a large office buried deep within the labyrinth-like complex by a government official he had never seen before. The man didn't speak much—just a few clipped words to keep River moving forward.
Eventually, they stopped outside a tall, imposing door. The official gave a curt nod and opened it, gesturing for River to step inside.
The room was quite large, with cold grey walls broken only by the sleek lines of a long desk and the soft glow of a few recessed lights. Sitting behind the desk was an unfathomably handsome man who looked like he had been carved from stone. He was tall and gaunt, with features as sharp as a blade and hair as dark as a raven's wing. Just being in his presence, River could feel the sheer strength that he was radiating off. But the strangest thing of all was that the man had a subtle scent of rot permeating throughout the air. But he quickly dismissed the thought as the man began to speak to him.
"River," the man said, his voice calm but firm, "I am Master Cor. Please, sit."
River did as he was told, slipping into the chair across from him. His legs dangled slightly above the floor.
Cor studied him for a moment before leaning forward. "There's no easy way to say this," he said. "But you deserve the truth despite how highly confidential it may be."
River tensed.
"Your parents, as you know, were brought here to the NQSC under the orders of some unknown figure. What I presume you don't know, is that they were brought here under the orders of the Immortal Flame," Master Cor paused, giving River a moment to process the information.
"The Immortal Flame…?" River questioned, confusion clear in his tone. He couldn't understand what the man in front of him was saying. What did his parents have to do with the Immortal Flame clan?
"Yes. I know it may seem strange given your… unfortunate circumstances and limited knowledge. But, they were brought here in order to protect Lady Nephis, the daughter of the clan's former leader—Broken Sword." Master Cor let out a slow exhale, contemplating what he was about to say before continuing. "What I am going to discuss with you next is highly confidential material. It is so confidential, that many of the other government officials thought I was a complete moron for even suggesting that I explain this to a mere mundane child, but I believe it is necessary."
River didn't move. He just listened, barely breathing.
"After Broken Sword's death, the clan fell into utter chaos. Some of the Great clans saw an opportunity to destroy what was left… and Nephis became their target. They wanted to ensure that the lineage of the Immortal Flame would never be lit aflame again." Master Cor sat there for a moment, his face looking ever so slightly grim. "Thus, the Immortal Flame did whatever it could to keep themselves afloat, even if it meant contacting your father."
River, unable to restrain his curiosity, cut off the Master and asked a question. "…why? Why would they contact my father? What do we have to do with the Immortal Flame?"
Cor studied River's face before he came to a realization. "Ah. You don't know, do you?" He let out a soft laugh before leaning back in his chair. "It's simple really. You are a descendant of the Immortal Flame Clan. In fact… aside from Nephis, you're the last living bearer of that bloodline."
River's mind raced his thoughts a whirlwind of confusion and disbelief. "I—I don't understand," he stammered, his voice barely above a whisper. "How could I be part of the Immortal Flame? I've never… I didn't know anything about this. My parents, they never told me—" His voice faltered, the weight of the revelation pressing down on him like a massive stone.
Master Cor's gaze softened, but only slightly. "It's understandable that you would not know. It's a truth that even the Immortal Flame Clan wanted to keep hidden." he paused again, seemingly oddly reminiscent as he continued speaking. "Currently, what is known to the public was that the Immortal Flame was an only child. But that was a lie carefully woven into history. In truth, the Immortal Flame had a sister, one who had long since disappeared from the public eye, erased from records and history alike."
River's brows furrowed, eyes narrowing as he tried to make sense of it. "Wait… what? What do you mean he had a sister? Why would no one know about that?"
"Unlike her brother, she harbored an intense hatred for the Nightmare Spell. Her hatred for it ran so deep that many believed it possible she was infected by the Nightmare Spell, but that her will alone burned the darkness out—that she rejected the seed entirely, and in time, it withered away. Though, none of that was confirmed. But her hatred didn't end there." his voice grew quieter yet steadier. "What began as defiance against the spell became something more. She grew to despise what her brother had become. What the clan had become. And so, she made a choice. She walked away from it all and vanished, leaving behind not just her family, but the legacy of the Immortal Flame itself."
River stared at Master Cor, eyes wide and unblinking, the weight of the conversation pressing down on him like a stone. His mind worked furiously, thoughts spiraling, snapping together piece by piece until the shape of something impossible began to form.
Cor watched the realization settle, then spoke, his voice low but certain. "The sister of the Immortal Flame… was your grandmother."
The words struck like thunder, and for a moment, River forgot to breathe. "So… that's why my parents are protecting Nephis?" he whispered, his mind struggling to piece everything together. "But that doesn't explain… why they haven't come to see me."
Master Cor's expression hardened, and for a moment, there was a flicker of something cold behind his eyes. "As I mentioned before, some of the Great clans wanted to extinguish the Immortal Flame for good. Thus, they attempted to erase the last remnants of the clan's power by assassinating Nephis. But, as of now, that hasn't gone their way."
River felt a chill run down his spine. "If… nothing has happened to her, that means they're okay right?"
"They were killed," he finished, his voice flat. "It's unfortunate but they protected Nephis with their lives."
The finality in Master Cor's words sunk deep into River's chest. "B-but…" River's voice trembled. "Why? Why did they have to die? They were just protecting Nephis... they were just trying to keep her safe!"
The man sighed heavily. "It's complicated, River." standing up and walking around the desk, he placed a hand on River's shoulder. "But for now, you need to stay out of the public eye. It's possible that due to your connection with the Immortal Flame, you will also be targeted. Therefore, it has been decided that according to all public records, that you died at Port Havory with your grandmother."
River blinked up at him, still struggling to understand. "What…what does that mean for me?"
Master Cor stared down at him. "For your protection, you'll be sent to the outskirts, away from the great clans and their influence. We are giving you until tomorrow to prepare, we must not delay your departure any longer."
River's mind screamed as a thousand questions, and protests flooded his mind. He wanted to argue, to scream that this wasn't right. But he couldn't bring himself to speak. His heart ached too much to even consider fighting back.
Cor's gaze lingered on River for a moment longer before he turned toward the door. He called for the official, his voice steady as ever. But just before River was escorted out, the man spoke again, his tone softer than before.
"For what it's worth, River. I'm sorry it had to be this way."