It was a lovely day within central Ring 4 of Foruta. It was a bit warm, but with no humidity, it felt great. There was not a single cloud in the sky, and the only sounds that could be heard were the happy voices of relaxation that emanated throughout the park. Children ran around and played while their parents watched from the sidelines or talked among themselves. Everyone was having a great time.

  Everyone except for Praen.

  He sat on one of the few park benches that had yet to be repainted, which meant no one wanted to sit there, which meant no one was near him, and he was glad for that. He didn’t mind people, in fact on most days, he was a social butterfly.

  But these past few months have been exhausting. His superiors had lied to him when they said that with him doing the work of two people, he would also get two people’s time off.

  This was the first day in a month and a half that he was finally free to do what he wanted, and what he wanted to do was relax. He figured that the park would be a great spot to do so with its warm atmosphere.

  Unfortunately, he had underestimated his fatigue. As soon as he sat down on the park bench to bathe in the sun and the atmosphere, he felt his eyelids grow heavy. Apparently a month and a half with barely any rest was enough to exhaust even an orange-tier Starborn like himself.

  “No, no, no…” he muttered to himself. “I don’t want to sleep yet. I still have most of the day ahead of me.”

  He ran his hands over his eyes and face to rub the sleep away, to no avail. He only realized he was asleep when he felt himself wake up due to something touching the back of his head. He scanned the aura of whatever touched him to see if it was a threat, only to find that what touched him had no aura at all. It was just a mundane child. With Praen’s tension gone, he opened his eyes. When he did, he noticed a little girl no more than ten looking into his eyes and lightly blushing.

  ‘Not again,’ Praen thought.

  The girl jumped back, started that his eyes were open now.

  “Um, sorry for waking you, sir!” She apologized.

  “It’s fine," he said with a yawn. “What were you doing touching me anyway?”

  The light pink of her face reddened a bit further. Praen, with mastery over his expression, didn’t betray his inner exhaustion, both physical and mental. He hated how many little girls and old croons became infatuated with him at a glance. He wasn’t that handsome. And if he was, where were the women around his age?

  “You looked like the prince charming I’ve been waiting for all my life when you were sleeping…” she said, not meeting his eyes.

  Praen clenched his jaw but kept faking a smile.

  ‘All your life…You’re like eight! That’s way too early to be waiting for someone! Stop coming onto me!’

  “Especially your hair,” the girl pointed at his short, neat black hair with a single streak of icy white juxtaposed against the rest. “You look like a daring knight who tries to assault the dragon’s keep and save the princess. Can you save me next time you go on one of your adventures?”

  “Um, no. I try not to get involved with people who are younger than half my age plus seven.”

  As soon as he declined the little girl ran away crying, leaving Praen sitting on the bench feeling like the bad guy.

  “Yeah, no,” he realized after some thought. “There is nothing wrong with what I did.”

  He stared up into the midday sun and a smile crept onto his face. If there was a good thing about that interaction it was that it woke Praen up. His smile was a bit premature, however, as a deep irate voice echoed out from behind where the little girl ran to. Naturally, the yell was directed at him.

  “Hey you!”

  Praen turned to the voice and saw a stocky, muscular man in his thirties running towards him with fire in his eyes. Another check of aura later told Praen that this guy was as mundane as the little girl before.

  “Can I help you?” Praen asked, hoping to diffuse this situation.

  “Is it true? Did you really say that to my daughter?”

  “That was your daughter?”

  “Answer the question, or I’ll make sure you never have children of your own.”

  “What did she tell you that I said? All I said was that I didn't want to spend any longer with a child than I have to.”

  With Praen’s orange-tier sense, he could see the child hiding behind her mother who was also scowling at him from the pavilion they were all in. He could only hope this would end quickly.

  “Do you think lying about it will exonerate you?” the father raged.

  ‘So the girl lied.’

  “Why did you bother asking me in the first place if you already made up your mind about what your version of the truth is?” Praen replied while standing up. “Let me be clear about something: I don't go for children or old women. I am not pathetic enough to do stuff like that. Now, someone like your wife however…”

  “You piece of shit!” the father yelled, throwing a fist towards Praen, only for it to stop a few centimeters from his perfectly symmetrical face.

  The father couldn't move anymore. His eyes widened on realization that the person he just took a swing at was a Starborn.

  Praen patted him on the shoulder.

  “It's best we don't take this any further.”

  “...okay.”

  “I really didn't say anything to your daughter. If I wanted to do something to her, I have the power and influence to just do it. I don't know what she said about me, but it'd be better to take it with a grain of salt.”

  “...I understand,” the father said, deflating immediately. He had a soft spot for his daughter, but he wasn't about to just ignore all logic. Not for a second time at least.

  Praen lifted his hand from the father's shoulder, and the thin layer of sweat that had been holding the mundane man in place began to flow normally again, though now with an increased volume after the scare.

  Praen walked away from the place that he thought would be a good place to rest with a sigh. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the man head back to his family with a shaky smile. The wife looked suspicious at her husband's explanation of a misunderstanding, but she was willing to let it go. No sane individual would try to hook up with a child in a park in broad daylight.

  Praen continued on his way, in search of another place to relax. His mind turned to the various hospitality industries nearby that dotted Foruta like dandruff. Maybe he could rent a room for a day. Maybe he could try to hook up with someone his own age for a quick day of fun. The world was his oyster.

  Right up until he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. He wanted to cry when it played the ringtone that he had set for when his superiors came calling. Praen fished it out of his pocket and looked at the caller ID.

  Bastard Boss Uncle

  He stood in the shade of a tree near the front of the park, and a noise escaped his mouth that began as a guttural groan that gradually rose in pitch and volume until it was a growl. He answered the phone.

  “Hey,” the other end began. “Listen-”

  “No,” Praen cut him off. “This is my first day off in months. You promised me this, uncle. I'm not coming in.”

  “Look, I understand.”

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

  “Do you? Cause it doesn't sound like it.”

  “But this is something no one can ignore. Everyone is coming home for this.”

  Praen paused.

  “...Everyone?”

  “Everyone,” the voice confirmed.

  “What’s happening? The last time this happened was the cascade, and it was years between then and the time before that.”

  “Adam has returned.”

  Praen froze. Cold sweat began to run down the back of his neck. Unlike a few minutes ago, he did not have the wherewithal to control it.

  “Shit…” he swore. “When did this happen?”

  “Moments ago. The matriarch is meeting with him right now. She sounded the general summons for everyone, but you especially.”

  “Me? Why is she taking an interest in me now?”

  “I don't know,” his uncle said. “But if I had to guess, it would have to do with your sister. Just make sure you get back here ASAP.”

  The phone call ended as soon as his uncle said the words. Praen wouldn't have expected anything less from this family. Efficiency was the central tenet, just below survival of the fittest. He slipped the phone back into his pocket and took a long breath.

  “The progenitor is back…”

  *****

  As much as Praen hated having to come back on his first free day since before the cascade that devastated the slums, he knew that if he ever wanted to have another day off again, he had to respond to the summons, especially if the matriarch called for him specifically.

  As he expected, as soon as he returned to his family, a servant in a yellow semicircle mask covering the top half of her face escorted him through the vast property shrouded in dark.

  Praen still didn't have an idea where this place actually was. The method to get in and out were esoteric in nature, and after fulfilling the conditions, people entering would just appear in the courtyard of the castle-like property. For all he knew, the property could be inside of a stargate or a soul cluster.

  Praen and the servant came to a large door much larger than a human sized one. He thought this every time he was brought here, but he wondered why a door to the innermost chamber of a castle would require a door the size of a castle gate.

  “Matriarch,” the servant said. “I've brought young master Praen.”

  Rather than responding with words, the grand door opened in front of the pair. Only Praen walked in. The door began to shut as he entered, closing as soon as he passed the point where he would be crushed in it.

  Like everywhere else in this palace, lavish furniture was put on full display. Carpets with abstract patterns covered the majority of the floor, with only some of the ornately carved celestinite floor exposed. Several identical couches worthy of royalty sat at a 90 degree angle facing a small set of stairs, at the top of which sat a red veil and a silhouette sitting on a throne behind it.

  The matriarch was sitting on one of the couches and rose to her feet when Praen entered. With her long, silky black hair and pale skin, she looked beautiful. She had some wrinkles, as was expected of a woman in her late 40's, but all they did was further accentuate her beauty, especially when paired with her body. She was like the physical embodiment of grace and maternity.

  “I answer your call, mother,” Praen said.

  Her face didn't even move. If anything, she looked disappointed. Praen silently deflated, just as he did every time he tried to provoke a natural reaction from his mother.

  “...Matriarch,” he amended.

  He looked at the silhouette behind the veil. Praen felt no aura, but still managed to feel Adam's incalculable power.

  “I greet the progenitor Adam,” Praen said with a bow.

  Like the stoic matriarch, Adam barely responded. He only raised a hand, signaling that Praen could stop bowing.

  As Praen straightened his spine, he ground his teeth, wondering how this ancient being somehow had more emotion than his own mother.

  “It's been a while,” Adam said. “When was the last time I returned here?”

  The matriarch answered.

  “Lord Adam, the last time you came here was when I was crowned the successor 28 years ago.”

  “Where does the time go?” Adam said. “You were just barely any adult back then. Now look at you! You are the epitome of maturity now.”

  “Your words are kind as always, Lord Adam.”

  “Well, mostly,” Adam changed his words. “I assume this impressive young man is one of your children?”

  “Indeed,” the matriarch said.

  “Introduce yourself, young man.”

  “Yes, Lord Adam,” Praen said. “I am Praen. I am pleased to finally meet you.”

  “Likewise. It warms my heart to see you in good health again.”

  Praen furrowed his brows.

  “Again, lord?”

  Adam laughed. It sounded like an angelic choir.

  “Yes. Though I have not been here physically, I have been watching over this world constantly. You have done an amazing job, young Praen.”

  Praen couldn't control his emotions at praise from the patron god of his family. A wide smile broke out across his face.

  “Thank you, lord!”

  “He has trained harder than most,” the matriarch said. “I am proud to call him my offspring.”

  Praen's eyes twitched.

  ‘Not even “son.”’

  Adam seemed to notice the same thing, as well as the tension that followed the matriarch's words.

  “He deserves more praise,” Adam said. "Not just anyone can become as strong as him at 26.”

  Praen met his mother's gaze, and was disgusted by what he saw. There was no affection. She didn't even look proud of him. She only looked to be sizing him up.

  “Let's get to the real meat and bones of this meeting,” Adam said. “I've been watching. And there is something wrong with this family, despite its strength. Matriarch, would you hazard a guess as to what the problem I'm speaking of is?”

  ‘The progenitor is displeased!?’ Praen realized with shock.

  “Forgive me, my lord,” the matriarch responded. “Our greatest talent was cast out after we found that she was lacking.”

  “That is a problem,” Adam said.

  “We are using the majority of our resources to figure out where she went so we can bring her back if she ever awakens.”

  “You will do no such thing.”

  Both Praen and the matriarch shivered under the cold words that the patron shot. For the first time, his casual nature was gone.

  “L-lord?” The matriarch asked. Praen realized that this was likely the only time that she looked disturbed. He felt a strange dark satisfaction.

  “You made your choice, matriarch,” Adam said. “Now you have to live with it. You exiled her for such a superficial reason as having not awakened by the time she turned 20.”

  “But lord, according to the doctrine of the family, anyone who is unable to serve you by that age-”

  She was cut off by an explosive amount of aura washing over her. It didn't actually affect her, but it served its purpose, which was to get her to be quiet.

  “Not once have I ever required supplicants,” Adam said. “Your family made that rule, not me. Have I ever demanded obedience? Have I ever demanded subjugation?”

  “...You have not, my lord.”

  “The only thing I required was your daughter, but you cast her out.”

  “Forgive me, lord!” The matriarch said, falling to her hands and knees giving the patron the deepest bow she could give. “I will do everything in my power to bring her back!”

  “Forget it,” Adam said dismissively. “She’s where she needs to be now anyway.”

  Praen tried to school his expressions, but was finding it to be incredibly difficult. Watching the matriarch getting scolded by the being she dedicated her life to was extremely satisfying, as was learning that his decision to defend his sister from the executives’ decision to exile her was ultimately correct in the eyes of Adam.

  “Young Vera is not the problem,” Adam said. “And until you figure out what the real problem is, I will not return to the family. Is that understood?”

  The silence in response to Adam's ultimatum was deafening. Not even the sound of breathing could be heard in the inner chamber. For the first time since the founding of the family, the patron would be gone.

  The matriarch's eyes widened as she read between the lines. This was a test. She needed to prove that the family was worth being Adam's vassals.

  “We'll be seeing you soon, Lord Adam,” she said.

  “Confidence. I like that.” Adam stood up from his chair. Even through the veil, Praen was able to see the golden eyes of the family patron bearing down on him “Don't give her any hint, you hear?”

  “Understood, lord.”

  Then Adam was gone.

  As soon as the patron's presence vanished, the matriarch turned to Praen.

  “This is a level one directive. Bring Vera back. You will have access to whatever resources you need for this task.”

  “What?” Praen said, confused. “What part of Lord Adam’s spiel did you not understand? He literally just said that she was not the problem.”

  “It’s a test. We’ve wronged the lord. The only way to repent is to right that wrong.”

  “No, it's not. The lord wants the family to do better!”

  “This is how the family gets better,” the matriarch replied, as calm as ever. “When Vera is back where she belongs, she will usher the family into a new golden age. To do that, you must collect her.”

  “No,” Praen said sternly. “I’m not going to kidnap my little sister. Get someone else to do your dirty work. I know I won’t be able to stop you from doing this, but I won't be part of this.”

  Praen turned around and headed for the door, leaving the matriarch in silence watching him leave. Right before the door closed, he gave one last look to the matriarch and scoffed in disgust.

  “Family my ass.”

  ---End of Volume 1---