The mood at the table was heavy, the weight of their conversation hanging in the air like a thick fog. Richard sat with his friends in the school cafeteria, the usual chatter and noise of the students around them barely registering as he replayed the events in his mind. His gaze was distant, still trying to make sense of what had happened the previous day.“What do we do now?” Richard asked, his voice tight with uncertainty. His hands clenched into fists as he spoke, the lingering worry over Thomas’s sudden disappearance gnawing at him.Christabel, who had been silently listening, gave Richard a concerned look. “You’re right, Richard. Something’s off about all of this. The men, the way Thomas just walked into that car without a fight… it didn’t feel like a random kidnapping.”Charles, who had been chewing his food thoughtfully, leaned forward and shook his head. “You know, I still think we should give it some time. Maybe Thomas just needed space. We’ve all had our moments, right? He c

The next afternoon, after classes ended, Richard and his friends made their way to Thomas’s neighborhood. The air was heavy with the weight of anticipation. Richard couldn’t shake the feeling that something was waiting for them, that Thomas’s strange phone call wasn’t the end of the mystery, but the beginning.As they walked down the quiet street, Richard noticed how different everything felt. The houses were small, neat, and almost identical, with carefully manicured lawns and fences that separated them from the rest of the world. It was a peaceful area, but there was something about it that felt... too ordinary, too normal, for the situation Richard was involved in.Thomas’s house was at the end of the block, nestled between two others. It was an unremarkable home—a small, two-story building with a wooden fence and a narrow driveway. There were no signs of struggle, no broken windows or doors—nothing that indicated something out of the ordinary had happened. Yet, Richard couldn’t sh

The next day, Richard took Thomas to the Prescott Empire’s compound, a sprawling estate hidden away in the countryside. It was a place Richard had visited countless times but had always kept hidden from his friends and classmates. As they approached the massive gates, Thomas looked around in awe, clearly overwhelmed by the sheer size and isolation of the estate.“Welcome to the Prescott Empire,” Richard said quietly, though there was no excitement in his voice—only the heavy weight of the responsibility he now carried.The gates opened, and they drove in, past long stone walls and towering trees. The estate itself was a massive mansion, perched atop a hill overlooking a beautiful, quiet landscape. It was a stark contrast to the chaos Richard had left behind.“This is where I grew up,” Richard continued, trying to explain. “This is where I’ve learned to fight back against the Consortium’s influence. I’ll make sure you’re safe here.”Thomas looked out the window, still processing everyt

Richard had barely left the gates of the Prescott Empire’s estate before his mind began to churn again. It had been a long day, showing Thomas around, giving him a glimpse into the world that Richard had inherited—a world of power, secrets, and responsibility. He knew it was a big step for Thomas, but Richard believed it was the safest option. Thomas needed to be hidden away, protected from the dangers that followed him.As Richard drove back to the Prescott estate, he couldn’t shake the nagging feeling in his chest. It was the same feeling he had when he first decided to take Thomas in—an instinct that whispered, something’s not quite right. He trusted Thomas, at least, he thought he did. But the pieces of the puzzle were still incomplete. The boy had been so eager to join their world. Could someone with such a background truly be trusted?When Richard arrived home, the weight of his thoughts continued to press down on him. He tried to shake it off, to focus on the immediate task at

Richard followed Reed through the hallways of the training facility, the weight of Reed’s words hanging in the air. They passed by various rooms, filled with other members of the Prescott team working on their own assignments, preparing for the inevitable conflict that loomed on the horizon. But despite the calm surroundings, Richard couldn’t shake the feeling that they were all preparing for a storm—a storm that was already starting to gather on the horizon.When they reached Reed’s office, Reed motioned for Richard to sit across from his desk. Richard obeyed, though he could sense the gravity of the conversation that was about to unfold. Reed settled into his own chair, the flickering light from the overhead lamps casting shadows across his face.“The Knight Consortium is not just a group of mercenaries or rogue leaders,” Reed began, his tone low and measured. “They are an organization built on deception. They hide in plain sight, their influence spreading like a shadow across the w