MY RIDER SYSTEM

07. For the Wish

Rain fell cold and heavy on Kael’s body. He felt it first as drops on his face, then the chill that ran through him.

Groaning, he opened his eyes. The world was blurry at first. Then, he saw the ruined shop in the distance but to his surprise, it was getting smaller and farther away with each passing second.

He blinked, confused. ‘Why am I moving?’

When his vision cleared, he realized the truth. He was slung over someone’s shoulder.

Kael twisted weakly, glancing down to see what was happening. He was being carried—by Tucker, of all people.

With a burst of panic, Kael threw himself off his shoulder and hit the muddy ground below. Rain splashed around him as he scrambled up, coughing.

Tucker only glanced back. He didn’t say a word. He just kept walking forward through the rain, carrying Selena limp in one arm.

Kael’s heart pounded. “Tucker!” he yelled, but the man gave no answer.

Then he heard those awful, familiar screams. Shadows began to emerge from the darkness one after the other and before he knew it, dozens of monsters surrounded them. Some crawled on all fours, while others stood upright with hungry eyes.

Kael’s heart raced. He froze where he stood, trembling. But Tucker didn’t even flinch.

The man walked calmly through the horde and right up to a massive figure waiting in the center. He threw Selena at the figure’s feet.

Kael’s eyes widened, darting between them as he watched. ‘That one, that must be their leader,’ he thought.

It made sense. If all this really was some kind of twisted game like he’d been told, then spotting the leader among the grunts was second nature to him. He’d played enough games to recognize the pattern by the way the others moved, protecting that one figure at the center like pieces guarding a king.

The leader stepped forward. He was a short, broad man with white hair and a face that showed his age and cruelty. He wore heavy armor, decorated with gold and red designs.

And on his forehead, he bore the Roman numeral VII on his skin. The mark gave him a terrifying presence.

When he spoke, his deep voice carried authority and pride.

“With every age that comes to pass,” he said slowly, “there is one born to greatness, sent from the heavens to reshape the world.” He raised his arms in dramatic flair. “I am that one.”

Kael ignored him. He was already limping toward Selena. All that mattered was her.

“Selena! Selena!” he shouted, clutching his side in pain.

Selena stirred weakly, confused and disoriented. “Kael…?”

Before she could rise, the armored man brought his boot down on her neck.

Selena gasped, her fingers clawing helplessly at his leg. She could barely breathe.

“Stop!” Kael screamed, stumbling forward through the mud. “Get off her!”

Admitting his own weakness with tears in his eyes, he couldn't help but turn desperately to Tucker for help. When Kael looked him, he felt a slight shiver go down his spine because he felt nothing. There were no emotions emanating from the man. Despite the agonizing state of his female partner, he didn't even blink an eye.

“Help her—please! Do something!”

But Tucker didn’t move. He just stood there in the rain, watching.

“Why are you doing this?” Kael shouted. Thunder cracked across the sky, as if answering his rage.

Tucker let out a long sigh and finally met Kael’s eyes. His face was worn, almost sorrowful but there was no pity left in him.

“There’s a saying I learned when I was about your age, kid,” he said quietly. “When in Rome… act like the Romans.”

Kael just stared, too stunned to speak.

“This world,” Tucker continued with a steady voice, “isn’t that different from ours. The rules might change, but the main idea stays the same. Survival.” He gestured toward the creatures circling in the rain. “You do whatever it takes to live. Even if that means siding with the enemy."

Kael’s jaw tightened. The thought of siding with monsters made his skin crawl, but the look in Tucker’s eyes told him this wasn’t just talk. It was experience. And then he realized...

“These monsters. You brought them here. You betrayed us… for them?”

Tucker’s expression didn’t change. “Because of them, I’ve outlasted more Riders than I can count. I’ll get my wish, eventually. That’s what this game is about, kid. And if you don’t get that…” He glanced at Selena, then back at Kael. “Maybe you don’t belong here.”

In that moment, Kael’s heart sank. ‘All for a wish…’

The armored man finally spoke, clearly tired of the noise.

“Ah,” he said mockingly, “such a heavy burden for such a fragile boy.” He reached out a hand. “Come now, child. Let me take it from you.”

Kael stepped back, clutching his wounded side. Whether fear or resistance, he didn't care.

“Kael, listen to me!” Selena cried. “Go! Get away from here—now!”

“Shut up,” the man snarled, pressing his boot down harder. Selena gasped, struggling for air. Only this time, her death was imminent. Her eyes dimmed and the strength in her arms faded.

“Stop!”

Kael screamed, causing the man to laugh. It was a long, cruel laugh that echoed through the rain.

“You think I care for your tears? I’ve walked this world for centuries, boy. If you wish to understand me, understand this—I have something of yours…” He looked down at Selena, “…and you have something of mine.”

Kael’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

Tucker crossed his arms. “The Disc, kid. There are no two ways about it. Hand it over, and you walk out of this alive.”

“Disc?” Kael blinked, clearly confused by what he meant. He hadn't been with any disc, nor could he recall ever acquiring one.

The leader just turned toward Tucker, a cruel grin spreading across his face.

“If I let him walk out alive, you mean.” he chuckled darkly.

Then Selena shouted, as if alerting him. “Kael! He means your armband! Don’t give it to him!”

“My armband?”

Kael looked down at it in disbelief. It still glowed faintly but he barely paid attention to that. There were more urgent things happening right in front of him. “Why would you want this?”

Selena’s voice trembled. “Just go! Whatever happens, don’t let them have it!”

The man sighed loudly, dragging a hand down his face as if he were tired of the conversation. “Now that wouldn’t be very wise at all, now, would it?” he said mockingly at her comment, flashing a grin full of sharp teeth. “Think, boy—what would become of your little friend here if you refuse?”

Kael hesitated. He slowly reached for the armband, his bloody fingers trembling. “This?” he asked, raising it slightly. “This is what all this is about? This is what you want?”

“Oh yes. Oh, it’s beautiful,” the man said with sick delight. “Yes, yes, I like that very much! Give it to me, and I might even spare her life. Or refuse—and I’ll make her suffer in ways you cannot possibly imagine.”

Before Kael could react, the man extended his arm. With a horrible crack, a long, bone-like spike shot out from his elbow. He moved faster than Kael’s eyes could follow.

SHNK!

The spike drove straight through Selena’s shoulder, pinning her to the muddy ground.

Selena screamed in agony. It was a sharp, painful scream that could be heard from miles away. Blood ran from her shoulder, mixing with the rain and spreading across the wet ground.

Kael froze. His whole body trembled as he stared at her in horror.

The man watched her struggle, a satisfied grin curling across his face. “Now,” he said softly, “let’s try this again. Give me what’s mine or—”

Kael yelled in horror, “Stop it!” he couldn't bear it anymore. He couldn't bear to watch her put herself through more pain for him. It reminded him too much of his sister.

He breathed heavily, watching the same scene play out all over again with him standing there, helpless to stop it. And that pained him most of all.

The man only laughed louder, his voice filled with sick amusement.

“Kael—listen!” Selena managed through the pain. “Run! Take it far away from here! Please…”

Kael looked down at his shaking hands, and at the armband. His thoughts raced. ‘If I stay, she dies. If I give it up…’

He took a breath, forcing himself to think clearly. Until he came to a decision.

“You want it so bad?” he said quietly, his tone steadying. “Then come and get it.”

Before the man could answer, Kael turned and ran. Every step sent sharp pains through his body, but he didn’t stop. He couldn’t. Selena’s voice echoed in his head to not let them have it.

And he planned on keeping that promise.

Behind him, the man smiled coldly. “Don't forget, I asked nicely,” he said, raising a hand in a casual gesture of command. “Bring me that Disc. And if he still happens to be attached to it…” His grin widened. “…so much the better.”

At his command, the horde roared and charged after Kael.

“Well, go,” the man ordered, turning to his lieutenants. “Tucker. Nervanine. What are you two standing around for? You’re leading the chase.”

A tall, graceful creature stepped forward. This was Nervanine. Her skin shone like scales, with long fins going down her arms and back.

Tucker and Nervanine nodded and sprinted into the darkness after Kael.

---

Meanwhile, Kael ran as fast as his injured body could take him, clutching the armband tightly. Rain poured harder, the sound of things chasing after him growing closer and closer behind.

He glanced at the glowing band in his hand, feeling a strange warmth from it.

‘This thing… Whatever the word normal was, this wasn't it anymore.’

“I can feel it,” Kael said, taking a deep breath and a slight pause. “Whatever they want, it’s powerful. And if Selena risked her life to keep it from enemy hands… then it must be worth dying for.”

He tightened his grip. “If having it makes me a ghost of flesh and blood… then maybe I already was one.”

And with that thought, Kael vanished into the darkness.