The boy slowly opened his eyes, his head still pounding with a dull ache. A bright light above him made him squint as he stared at the white ceiling.
Ugh… where am I? Am I dead or something? he thought.
He pushed himself up into a sitting position.
"A couch?"
He blinked and looked around. The room was small but clean. A TV sat across from the couch with a small round glass table between them. To his left was a tidy kitchen, and directly ahead, a closed door.
"Okay, this place isn't bad. Definitely not a gang hideout. Last thing I remember, I lost. That guy from ZEAL knocked me out. Or maybe even ended me."
He frowned, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Those ZEAL punks. So what is this? Heaven? Doesn't look like it. But maybe I have to go through that door to reach the afterlife or something."
He stood up slowly and walked toward the door, cautiously gripping the handle. He opened it just a little and peeked inside.
It was a bedroom. Simple and organized. A single bed covered with a white sheet, and by the window, a desk with a computer on top. But what really caught his attention was the man sitting in front of the screen.
His eyes widened.
"You! Where am I?!" the boy shouted.
The man flinched and turned around with an annoyed look.
"Jeez, keep your voice down. You'll wake the neighbors," he said, rubbing his ears. "You're in my apartment."
"Who the hell are you?" the boy demanded.
The man stood up casually and gave a light smile.
"Well, I guess I should introduce myself. Might help you calm down a little," he said, walking over. "Name's Kaien Arashi. Warden of Gale."
"Warden, ZEAL's seven blades, only second to the leader itself." the boy muttered. "The strongest, most feared members in the whole gang."
He looked at Kaien, eyes filled with suspicion.
"Why did you bring me here? Why didn't you just finish me off? You gang types are all the same, vile creatures. And ZEAL, a famous notorious gang. Tick one off, and you're as good as dead."
Kaien scratched the back of his head and gave a small shrug.
"Man, where do these rumors even come from? Well... I mean, we are a gang, so I guess it makes sense that people not from around here would talk like that."
He turned toward the door. "Anyway, how about I show you what we're really like? And how we're different from them. Come with me."
The boy narrowed his eyes. "And if I don't?"
Kaien flashed a teasing grin over his shoulder.
"Then I guess I'll just have to repeat what happened yesterday. Your choice."
The boy's expression twitched. "Wait, I've been out for a whole day?"
"Yep. So I suggest you come along before you end up losing another one."
The boy clicked his tongue but followed without another word. His pride hated taking orders, especially from someone he didn't know or respect. But deep down, he understood one thing clearly.
Kaien was stronger than him. Way stronger.
And he really didn't want to get knocked out again.
"Oh yeah," Kaien said, glancing back with a casual tone. "I forgot to ask, what's your name, kid?"
"Ren. Ren Asakura."
Kaien simply flashed a laid-back smile and turned toward the door. Without a word, he stepped out, and Ren quickly followed.
He still didn't trust him, not completely, but given the situation, he didn't have much of a choice. At the very least, Kaien didn't seem dangerous right now. There was no killing intent in his presence, and that alone helped Ren relax just a little.
They walked through the city streets, with Kaien about a meter ahead of him.
To Ren's surprise, the area they were in didn't feel anything like Ward 6, where smoke and chaos filled the air. This place felt normal. Peaceful, even. Like an actual city.
The buildings were clean. The shopping district was alive with people smiling and chatting happily. And every time someone passed by Kaien, they greeted him with a small bow.
It wasn't fear.
It was respect.
Something Ren never expected a gang member to receive.
"Hey, where are we?" Ren asked, glancing around.
"The First Ward of Aetherpolis," Kaien replied. "ZEAL's territory. We call it the Central Citadel."
Ren blinked. "Then… why? Why is it so peaceful here?"
Kaien didn't answer right away. Instead, he gestured forward. "Come with me first."
Still filled with questions and confusion, Ren followed him again, but this time, with a bit more curiosity rather than retaliation.
Kaien led him to a tall building near the center of the ward. It stood about seventeen floors high, sleek and well maintained. As they approached, Ren suddenly stopped.
In front of the building were several people wearing the black jackets with white wings, the symbol of ZEAL.
Ren instinctively tensed, his hand twitching toward where his katana would be. But instead of drawing weapons or acting hostile, the group all bowed politely toward Kaien.
He almost forgot, Kaien is a ZEAL Warden.
"Greetings, sir!" one of the men called out. He looked intimidating, ears filled with piercings, a scar across his left eye, and a bald head that would've scared most people away.
"Who's the kid behind you? A visitor? A friend?"
Kaien smiled. "A recruit."
"Oh! Well then, welcome to HQ, kiddo!" the man said cheerfully. The others behind him grinned and nodded in unison.
"H-Hey! I never agreed to anything yet!" Said Ren.
"Yet," Kaien replied with a grin. "Sounds like I'm slowly winning you over."
They entered the building and took an elevator up. When the doors opened, they climbed one last stairwell that led to the rooftop.
Kaien pushed open the final door and what Ren saw took his breath away.
Kaien just smiled as he watched Ren's reaction.
Ren stood frozen, eyes wide in awe as he looked out over the rooftop view. The entire ward stretched out before him, clean streets, bright lights, peaceful neighborhoods, and people going about their lives with genuine smiles.
For a moment, he couldn't believe it.
Is this really... Aetherpolis?
As someone who's not from this city, he'd grown up hearing nothing but stories of chaos, gangs, violence, and the constant struggle for survival. And yet, here it was. Calm. Safe. Almost… normal.
Bit by bit, he had to accept what he was seeing wasn't a dream.
"How… how is this possible?" Ren asked quietly. "Aetherpolis isn't supposed to be like this. It's known for being violent and lawless. That's why no government or military dares to touch it. So how?"
Kaien folded his arms, still smiling as he gazed out at the cityscape.
"Well, most of Aetherpolis is like that," he admitted. "But our turf? It's different."
He turned to face Ren fully.
"Yes, we're a gang. And yes, we rule a ward. But we don't rule through fear. We don't burn or steal. We build. We protect. We give people a place to live without looking over their shoulders every second. Even if they were born here, even if they have nowhere else to go, we make life livable for these people."
His voice grew a little more serious.
"We don't let this ward get tainted by the evil that's swallowed the rest of the city. And ZEAL's been doing that for two generations, ever since we first took it back and made it ours."
"Then are all the wards like this?" Ren asked. "Because the 6th Ward sure wasn't."
Kaien shook his head. "No. This is the only place in Aetherpolis where true peace still exists."
He looked out over the city again, his voice calm but firm.
"The rumors are true, ZEAL is one of the few gangs fighting for peace, not power. Sure, there are a few allied wards and groups who share the same goal, but most of Aetherpolis is still ruled by fear, violence, and corruption. And it's getting worse. That's exactly why I want you to join us."
He turned back to Ren, eyes serious.
"Join us, Ren. Help us restore the Aetherpolis that once stood, so this generation and the next can live without fear. A city where law still has meaning, and peace isn't just a dream. That's the vision ZEAL fights for."
Ren looked down, his grip tightening slightly.
"But… I'm not even from here," he said quietly. "I didn't come to save a city. I'm just looking for my brother. Every lead I've found points to Aetherpolis, to this city. If he's even alive."
"I see," Kaien said with a soft nod. "I guess I really can't force you into this. Fine, I'll let you go."
He started to turn away but paused. "What's your brother's name? If we happen to run into him, I'll give you a call."
Ren looked him in the eye. "Kade. Kade Asakura."
"Got it. Then, shall we head back?"
"Wait."
Kaien stopped and turned around again.
Ren took a breath. "I'll join you."
"Huh? Why the sudden change?" Kaien asked, raising an eyebrow. "You said it yourself, you're not even from here. You've got no reason to risk your life for a city that means nothing to you. I understand that now and I'm sorry for jumping into conclusions"
Ren nodded. "That's true. But I hate evil. I lost my parents to a gang war they weren't even a part of. Our hometown was a lot like Aetherpolis, not as big, not as powerful. Just a small place where everyone wanted to play gangster. Until the government finally stepped in and wiped them all out last year."
Kaien's eyes narrowed. "Wait... did you come from Crux?"
"Yeah."
Ren's voice grew steady. "So I'll join. Your vision, it lines up with mine. And maybe, just maybe, if I fight for what's right, I'll become someone I can actually respect. That my power isn't something meant to destroy. Well that's one of the main reasons, the other one might be a little selfish. But if my brother really is in Aetherpolis, joining ZEAL might be my best shot at finding him."
Kaien stared at him for a moment, then grinned.
"You know what, Ren?"
"What?"
"We barely know each other. But one thing's clear, you've got a good heart. And that alone? That's something worth respecting. Also, we'll find your brother, that's a promise."
Ren blushed, looking away. "Tch! Stop it. You're a gang member. You're not allowed to say cheesy stuff like that."
Kaien laughed. "Yeah, yeah, fair enough."
He extended a hand.
"So… you sure about this?"
Ren looked at it, then smirked and shook it.
"Yeah. I'm sure."