The atmosphere in the basement grew cold and tense. Aurum's sweat dripped profusely as he stammered fearfully, "I think... th-that's not for the greater good... It's just selfishness and a thirst for power!" His voice trembled with a mix of fear and resentment. Clarke stared at him with a sinister smirk. "If that's what you believe... then you're not one of us," he replied coldly, flicking a blade of Ren that slashed Aurum's arm.
Aurum stumbled backward in terror, clutching his bleeding arm. Gasping for air, he scrambled away and fled toward the basement door. Clarke watched him leave, still smiling. Beth interjected gloomily, "Should we let him go?" Her eyes followed Aurum's retreating figure.
Clarke responded calmly, "It's fine... This is part of the prophecy. Our task is to follow its guidance. Once he leaves on his own, we'll focus on gathering resources to strengthen ourselves. We must compete with the 'hero' for the Triangular Cores." He then walked away, storing the Amulet back in place.
Aurum rushed out of the orphanage, sprinting breathlessly into the northern forest of Trillion City as if chased by a looming threat.
---
In the heart of Trillion City, a large bulletin board plastered with job postings stood crowded. Avanz pinned a note that read: *"Hire Me for Any Job, So Long as You Grant Me Access to Space and a Spaceship. We'll Do Whatever It Takes."* A QR code was attached to the corner.
Nearby, Hiba sat on a roadside bench, happily munching on cilok bought by Avanz. He swallowed a bite and wiped his chin. "This seems smooth so far, but will anyone actually trust us?" he asked, confused.
Avanz glanced at him coolly. "Of course," he said, chewing his cilok. Hiba jerked in surprise. "Huh? How?" The skewer in his hand slipped, dropping a cilok. Avanz explained, "The QR code links to my profile—a former mercenary who once defeated one of Trillion's commanders. That'll convince them."
Hiba bent to pick up his fallen snack, then turned back, wide-eyed. "Wait, *former mercenary*?!" He dropped the rest of his cilok, his face inches from Avanz's, who glared back in annoyance.
From a nearby window, a hooded figure observed their squabble. He turned to a large, buzzcut-haired man sipping tea. "Found someone capable?" the broad-shouldered man asked gruffly.
The hooded figure nodded. "Avanz Moretz. A former soldier... He demands space access in exchange."
The man laughed deeply. "Avanz Moretz? The one who defeated a commander in sparring? How amusing." He stood, his tone turning serious. "Bring him to my office. His mission will be... challenging, yet simple for someone like him."
---
Time passed swiftly. In the main office of Intergalactic Rose Company, its leader—Greko Mikaela—faced Avanz and Hiba. Greko whispered into his mic, "Who's this kid?"
Avanz interjected, "Sorry, he insists on tagging along! Total nuisance!" He ruffled Hiba's hair roughly.
*"Did it have to be like this?!"* Hiba screamed internally, forcing a grin. "I'm his top student! I'm strong!" he declared, mortified.
Greko sighed. "Let's get to the point. I need you to collect fragments of the Triangular Cores. Their numbers are dwindling..."
Avanz slammed the table, alarmed. "The fragments are *disappearing*?!" He bit his finger nervously as Hiba frowned. "What's a Triangular Core?"
Avanz shot him a mental reply: *"They're replicas of God Cores studied when Veole visited Earth. Veole still resents humanity for that era."*
Hiba blinked. "Wait, you're *projecting* your thoughts now?!"
Avanz muttered, "Technology lets us do this without chips. Keep it secret."
Greko interjected, "The fragments' known locations have been raided. Multiple groups are after them. My daughter, Mikaela Sarosa, will guide you to their current sites."
---
Elsewhere, The Children trekked up a hill. Eleph panted, "Clarke, are the fragments really here?"
Clarke smiled. "According to the prophecy, a bird will fly here, fall, and regurgitate the fragments."
Nuue eyed a bird nesting nearby. "So the fragments are in its stomach?"
Clarke nodded. "They've drifted for centuries. The bird must've swallowed one. At 12:45, it'll drop."
Eleph marveled. "One minute left! You're so smart, Clarke!"
When nothing happened, Beth teased, "Where's this bird, boss?"
Clarke's eyes glowed green-gold. Invisible Ren energy seeped into the bird, seizing its heart. It plummeted, and three fragments spilled from its body.
Eleph gasped. "Wow! Just like the prophecy!"
The Children gathered the fragments.
————
In deep space, aboard the AUD (Association of Universe Darkness) warship, Fetora lounged on a throne. He smirked, studying a prophecy: *"When The Children reach the hill, Clarke will control the bird, forcing it to disgorge the fragments."*
"Even after altering the prophecy, it unfolds... As the Storyteller said, this path will lead me to the hero harboring God Cores," he mused.
—————
On the north side of Trillions City, in a forest, Mikaela Sarosa Hiba and Avanz were walking, through the forest. In the middle of the road, Avanz asked "Why are we in the middle of the forest?" in a serious and cold tone. Mikaela Sarosa, a girl with long red hair like blood, and elegant black square glasses, replied in a cool and firm voice, "The fragment seems to be mixed in the food of an orphanage child who recently ran away, it seems like... he stole an Amulet" while walking slowly.
Avanz stroked his chin, "I see" flat tone. Hiba heard confusion, before he could ask, a beautiful girl with short, messy yellow hair and shabby clothes flew right in front of them, crashed into the bushes and hit a tree.
Hiba turned towards the girl, then he looked in the opposite direction, a large man with pale green skin, and a pink-skinned girl walking leisurely, but bringing a tense atmosphere.
—To Be Continued—