“It really is a long walk. We’ve moved so far from the entrance, but we aren’t getting any closer.”

  Chris unfastened his tie. He had already taken off his jacket and slung it over his shoulder. The hot weather was killing him.

  “It must be another illusion.” Alek didn’t look bothered at all.

  “You are correct.” Abugan appeared between them. “Let me do you both a little favor.” He snapped his fingers.

  In an instant, they were near the crowd. Arwenwel came toward them, looking angry.

  “Where have you two been? The ceremony is about to begin. Chris, what happened to you?”

  Chris didn’t have time to answer before she was already fixing his tie.

  “That’s better. Now, why are you so late?”

  “We took the stairs since the elevator was crowded. After we got here, we walked toward the crowd, but no matter how far we walked, we couldn’t get close. It felt like we were getting farther away instead. Then Abugan came, and here we are.”

  “You idiots. Do you think I told you to take the elevator for fun? On a normal day, the stairs would’ve worked. But during an awakening ceremony, the whole floor is under a barrier. You’d have been stuck in a loop without him.”

  ‘Another debt to repay’, Chris thought bitterly.

  “Let’s go. It’s about to begin.” She signaled them to follow.

  Up close, Chris could finally see the strange structure clearly. From far away, it had looked like a black tower, but now it resembled a massive tree trunk. Four roots formed into pillars, joining together to create a dome. In the middle stood a platform with thirteen seats. The one in the center was empty, while the others were filled with ghostly figures, waiting.

  “What is this place?” Chris asked, eyes wide as he tried to take in every detail.

  “This is Saddar’s Codex of the Worlds. Our protector, and our passage to other realms.”

  “It’s extraordinary. I’ve never seen anything like it. The outside appears to be a fortress, but the inside feels alive, like a living tree. The outside is strong and protective, like a father, but the inside feels warm and welcoming, like a mother.”

  “What an interesting comparison. You are the first to see it from the perspective of a family.”

  A whisper brushed Chris’s ear.

  “Alek, did you say something?”

  “No. Maybe it was Arwenwel.”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  But it wasn’t her. Chris was sure it had been a man’s voice.

  “Shh! It’s about to begin. Pay attention to the platform!” Arwenwel scolded them.

  A shadow stretched across the ground outside. Curious, Chris stepped out to look. At first, he thought it was an eclipse; something was blocking the sun. Then he realized it was coming closer. An enormous dragon, its wings swallowing the sunlight, was descending.

  Chris’s blood ran cold. He ran back inside, gasping for breath.

  “We have to go! Now!”

  “What’s wrong with you?” Alek’s expression hardened as he sensed the danger. “Something’s coming. We’re not safe here.”

  “There’s no danger,” Arwenwel insisted. “This is the safest place in the world right now.”

  “If it’s that safe, then why is a giant dragon flying straight at us? It looks like the end of the world out there!” He tried to pull Arwenwel by the hand.

  “Chris, wait!” She pulled free. “There is no dang….”

  A deafening impact outside the tower cut off her words.

  'We’re dead.'

  But nothing happened. No flames, no destruction. Only silence.

  Chris and Alek exchanged nervous glances. They had been the only ones looking outside. Everyone else’s eyes were on the platform. Arwenwel nudged them to turn back.

  The twelve ghostly figures were kneeling before a new arrival.

  'What’s going on? Where’s the dragon?'

  The stranger spoke. His words should have sounded like a whisper at that distance, yet they thundered through the dome.

  “Welcome, new employees. And welcome to the fresh blood who managed to be chosen as Reapers. My name is Saddar Shadowstar, CEO of this company. I see some of you were frightened by the scene outside. Rest easy, it was only my way of testing who has the potential to survive in this business. I must say, I’m impressed.”

  Chris felt the man’s eyes lock onto him.

  “Some of you are better than others. But enough speeches. You’ve waited long enough. Let the Awakening Ceremony begin!”

  Above each new hire’s head, a glowing orb appeared; their souls. Chris’s, however, was different. Chains wrapped tightly around it.

  Every soul except his flew into the Codex. Chris tensed, expecting something to happen, but then the whisper came again:

  “Don’t worry. Your time will come. Enjoy the show for now.”

  Moments later, the souls returned to their owners.

  “Congratulations. You have all been blessed and awakened your ‘gifts’.” Saddar’s voice boomed. “But one remains.”

  He appeared in front of Chris.

  “So, you are the young human under Arwenwel’s wing.”

  He touched Chris’s shoulder, and in an instant, Chris was standing at the center of the platform, surrounded by the twelve ghostly figures and Saddar himself.

  Voices echoed all around him:

  “He’s the one.”

  “Doesn’t look like much.”

  “He won’t last long.”

  “Enough!” Saddar’s voice silenced them. They retreated to their seats.

  “Apologies. They talk too much. Let’s see what I can do for you.”

  He grasped Chris’s soul and tore away the chains binding it.

  “That’s better. You’ve already been blessed, but I sealed your ability for fairness. Now, let’s see what you can really do.”

  The soul shot back into Chris. His vision was instantly flooded with pop-ups, his head exploding with information. He dropped to his knees, clutching his skull.

  'Too much… too fast…'

  He gritted his teeth and endured, refusing to collapse. His body was drenched in sweat, his legs trembling, but he forced himself to stand.

  At last, Saddar eased the flood, dulling the pain. Chris staggered, barely upright.

  “I like your style, kid. Keep it up.”

  In a blink, Chris was back beside his friends. The CEO had vanished, though his voice echoed through the hall.

  "Enjoy this day. Tomorrow, your work begins.”

  The crowd was transported to another chamber, a ballroom filled with music and food.

  High above, in a lonely dark room at the top of the Codex, a frail figure appeared. He slumped into a chair beside his desk. His voice was weak.

  “My time is nearly gone… but at last, I’ve found the star who will lead us out of the darkness. Grow strong, my friend. You will need that strength for the storm to come.”