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.

Where he found strength, even he didn't know. With a burst of panic, Kael threw himself off his shoulder and hit the muddy ground below. Rain splashed around him as he scrambled to his feet, coughing and gasping for air.

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 when he saw him. “Tucker!” he yelled, but the man gave no answer.

Then he heard those awful, familiar screams fill the air. 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. Without hesitation, he threw Selena at the figure’s feet.

Kael’s eyes went wide. He couldn't look away no matter how he tried. ‘That one, that has to be their leader,’ he thought in his panic.

And somehow, It made sense. If this was really 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, surrounding 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 that seemed almost ceremonial.

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, 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 on her neck.

The girl gasped, her fingers clawing helplessly at his leg. Imagine waking up to discover you could barely breathe. That was her reality.

“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 at him, he felt a slight shiver go down his spine because he felt nothing. There were no emotions emanating from the man. Despite the girl’s agony, he just stood there in the rain, watching.

“Help her—please! Do something!” Kael begged.

Tucker remained unmoved.

“Why are you doing this?!” Kael shouted. Thunder cracked across the sky, as if echoing 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… do as the Romans do.”

Kael just stared, too stunned to speak.

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

Kael stared wide-eyed, his breath trapped in his throat. 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. 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 the boy. “Maybe you don’t belong here.”

In that moment, Kael’s heart sank. ‘All these... 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 little boy.” He reached a hand out toward Kael. “Come now, child. Let me take it from you.”

Kael could tell just by looking at him. This one was more dangerous than the others.

He 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 harder against her throat. Selena gasped, struggling for air. Only this time, her death felt imminent. Her eyes dimmed, and the strength in her arms faded.

“Stop!” Kael screamed, causing the man to laugh. It was a long, cruel sound that echoed through the pouring 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.”

"Something of yours?" Kael’s brow furrowed. “What are you talking about?”

Tucker crossed his arms. “The Disc, kid. No games. 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.

He squeezed his eyes shut and shook his head. He could barely stay upright as much as he tried. His whispered admission felt pathetic, but it was true. His fragile body wasn't capable of assisting anyone.

“Kael!”

The voice suddenly snapped him out of his thoughts. It was Selena.

“He means your armband! Don’t give it to him!”

“My… armband?”

Kael looked down at his wrist in disbelief only to discover it glowing more, but this very moment, that didn’t matter. Not compared to what was happening in front of him.

“Why would you want this?” he demanded.

Selena’s voice shook regardless. “Just run! Whatever you do, don’t let them take it!”

The man let out a long sigh, dragging a hand down his face, as if the whole exchange bored him. “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. Slowly, he reached for the armband on his wrist. Blood smeared his fingers as they trembled.

“This?” he asked, raising it slightly. “This is what all of this is about? This is what you want?”

“Oh yes. Oh, it’s beautiful, is it not?” 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 thrust his arm forward. With a horrible crack, a long, bone-like spike shot out from his elbow. He moved faster than Kael’s eyes could follow and drove it straight through Selena’s shoulder, pinning her to the muddy ground.

She screamed in agony as the word 'agony' could best describe it. Blood ran from her shoulder, mixing with the rain on the ground while Kael stood frozen. His whole body shook as he stared at her in horror.

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

“Stop it!” Kael screamed. 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’s laughter only grew, 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 he held so tightly as though losing it meant certain death.

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

“You want it that badly?” he said at last. “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's cold smile widened. “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 turned cruel. “…even better.”

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

“Well, go,” the man ordered, turning to his lieutenants next. “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 didn’t hesitate. They nodded in response and sprinted into the darkness, chasing after the boy.

---

Kael ran as fast as his injured body would allow for him to, clutching the armband tight against his chest. Rain hammered down harder now, and behind him, the sounds of pursuit grew closer and closer behind.

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

‘This thing… Whatever the word “normal” used to mean, it doesn't apply anymore.’

“I can feel it,” Kael muttered between ragged breaths, slowing just enough to steady himself. “Whatever they want… It’s powerful. And if Selena was willing to risk her life to keep it out of their hands… then it’s worth protecting. Even if it kills me.”

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

And with that thought, Kael sprinted into the darkness.