On the outskirts, between the East and North Districts, there were many raised areas and construction sites that together formed the lavish vision sponsored by the most influential people in half the world. All sorts of buildings soared there, be it towards the sky or below. Naturally, businesses sprang up where such interest lingered, and businesses they were.

  There were many headquarters that showcased their status by presence and elevated their relations with the simplest of methods. Architecture. Connections. Status. The close proximity to the docks and the water was also decent, as were numerous hubs for trading and bustling streets.

  In this place were also multiple high-rise buildings and a rare patch of the most glorious raised land, which seemed rather unconventional.

  It was like a bridge spanning several streets, looking exquisite, vast, and impressive, ensuring it wouldn't be a hindrance to businesses beneath. It was like an island above the city, a true land with buildings standing on top of it.

  It was the base of Prime Hunter, the High Pillar of the Assembly Island, and the churching conglomerations of his interests. Supported by pillars and quite some impressive architecture, it was a separate space for his business, family, and massive dealings, which undoubtedly enhanced his status. There was even grass and trees, a large mansion, and various small bridges that spanned below, creating paths to the streets.

  Private and hard to reach, this place was a one-of-a-kind land, as it was made custom for Prime Hunter by several capable Engineers who ensured it would function, while the rest went into the hands of powerful Walkers who could handle more than such projects.

  Sure, destruction was easier, but the creation process was often enjoyable and more than just something humanity excelled at. It had no name; yet it overlooked the lower District like a king, harboring quality and greatness, for Hunter was looking down at prey from the top.

  The most fabulous mansion of the Federation stayed there, away from people's eyes, who couldn't imagine living inside. It was about Walkers, and those were quite fierce and privileged, but not always.

  It was also a place where the Hunter Association held its prominence, located in a building called Hunter Tower, built opposite the mansion. It wasn't larger than the mansion, but it wasn't as impressive. It was separate, yet not weaker. It was about matching status, or, as it should be, for Prime Hunter was the testament to reputation and family.

  Stark Taker, a son of Prime Hunter, spent most of his life there, enjoying that sort of status, yet also hating such prospects. He had his own room, overlooking the docks from far away.

  He never understood why they made these sorts of shitty bridges, let alone a gruesome mansion that was excessively built and large for way too few people. At least there were some pretty darn great views because of it, closer to the sun and the moon.

  At the moment, he had no mind for views; he was still pissed and not thinking straight because something very upsetting had occurred today. It was humiliation. His heart almost stopped because of it, and he strode around his room in agony and kicked anything in sight.

  Then he angrily punched the ground, opting for an outlet of grief, work, and something worth doing. He went for push-ups as he mumbled gibberish, and sweating in his trousers alone as he moved up and down, pushing, trusting, and fucking himself up.

  Muscles moved as if possessed, sparkling in the room and moving as he wished. Then, there was his Emblem, neatly shocked and pulled in, showing its glow that Stark enjoyed himself much more when he wasn't concentrated like a total moron.

  He didn't even hear knocking on his door or notice a chubby youth barging inside without his consent. Again, his lone friend didn't care. It's not as if it were a problem either way.

  His name was Louise, and he walked in, took a seat on a sturdy chair, and whistled as he found Stark doing the unusual yet usual stuff. “You go at it again? How many this time? Thousand? It's still a day, dude.”

  Stark ignored him, keeping his gaze on the ground and continuing his exercises.

  “You that bad? Ah, man... I said to let it go at first. It isn't worth thinking of maniacs, but... here we are, dancing in the bloody colors of the sky. You are nothing better.”

  “Shut the fuck up,” Stark growled and punched the ground with both fists, which propelled him upwards, and let his upper body creak and show off. Sweating and with a bump on his forehead, Stark gazed at Louise, who almost laughed at him. He tried... then failed after a bloody third look that did far too much, followed by the fourth. He was unwilling to let it go, pointed at him, and knew this was hilarious.

  “What the hell happened to you, dude?”

  “Nothing. I slipped.”

  “Shameful ground, is it? Wait. No. Was it stairs? Don't... tell me. Wait... Who punched you? You brawled, right? Who was it? Who got the privilege of smacking a son of Prime Hunter and surviving to tell the tale? Was it Zach?”

  Watching Louise and hearing his unfilial ideas again changed the status quo, and Stark took a towel and wiped the sweat from his muscles.

  “You... You lost so much? Who are you? What happened to Stark?!” Louise panicked, but his smirk and voice revealed little concern about anything because it wasn't a big deal.

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  Stark grunted and looked at him in annoyance. “Who let you in?”

  “I let myself in. As always.” Louise said shamelessly, still sitting and wondering if that bump and brows went well together or not.

  “...”

  “So?”

  “I met that kid again.”

  “Can't you be more specific? There are many kids; even more reasons to call them out than not.”

  “He is annoying me.”

  “Who doesn't?”

  “... Do you want a beating right now or later?”

  “Oh, there is such a big demand already. I don't think I will have children before it is over. Such a long, long list already.”

  “Then shut up. I am angry.”

  “Ye. Nothing new. Nothing big. You will get over it.”

  “I tried. I am annoyed because it's pissing my damn morning off. Yesterday, I also learned the name! That fucker was far too arrogant, but I felt I could beat him to a pulp if it weren't for Connolly!”

  Louise wasn't sure what was true or an exaggeration, but at this point, it wasn't important. He didn't validate anything and shrugged. “So? What's the name?”

  “Some William. He wants trouble, let me tell you that, and we should think this through because that guy annoys me. He is around my age. Guess what?”

  “A Walker kid, right?”

  “What else!? Do you think a fucked up moron would trouble me? ME?! Fucking vagabond thinks he is good? Rubbish. He doesn't know what is good for him. Coming to the library and upper floors as if it's his, he'd better run away next time I meet him.” Stark said with contempt and felt more than fine to talk shit.

  “Doesn't sound all that bad.” Louise nodded and approached the window. “Forced Awakening is soon upon us. You and I have less than a month, and guess what that means?”

  “Yeah. Fucking finally.”

  “Hey, don't be in a rush too much. There are many kids, you know. It isn't fine to antagonize everyone. Few? Sure. I respect it because competition and family manners are important. There are many like us, waiting, trying, growing, so if you are gonna hit a wall like this, it won't be pretty.”

  Stark laughed at that because that's what happened to his head, but didn't become angry or upset at this reminder. The truth didn't matter either. Louise was pretty much the only one who understood him a little, and it should remain that way.

  Then, others should respect him, but not because of his father. That should go for himself! For ways and future!

  “Will you look at the name and further information? I managed to draw the rough sketch even if the shithead thinks a change of clothes does something. It doesn't, fucking shit.” Stark asked, basically demanding it from him.

  “Will do, but don't expect too much from someone who got here recently. Also, it is your guess and character, and it is even more shocking that you recognized him. So far, I get that he is new and looking at stuff in the library. That's what you said. He got to the upper floors, so he should have some support if he came from nothing.”

  “So what? Are we weaker? No!”

  Louise sighed and turned back to face that silly-looking head and almost laughed at him again. “You sure about looking for this sort of problem? We should focus on our last clear weeks and get what we've always wanted. Causing problems in the Kaufman Library is just stupid. Well, not always, but it sure as heck is not clever.”

  “Clear?”

  “Oh, sorry. Not clear, but you get what I mean.”

  “We worked our ass off for fucking years. I don't care who he is or where he is coming from, but any bastards from Outside better understand our differences because there is a fucking point in understanding these things.”

  “Or face the consequences, right? Alright. Alright. Calm and think about it, or you're gonna get another hill on your forehead.”

  “Fuckk off. I fell!”

  “And my surname isn't Savarra!”

  Both youths suddenly fell into a fierce staring contest, intense and silent, both smiling, ready to brawl.

  Then, both of them chuckled and hit each other's fists. “I will take care of it. It can be bad or good. Any kid who smacked you better be under my radar, you know.”

  “We have to be reasonable.. Otherwise, it's going to be laughable for every old fool out there or close to us.”

  “Yeah. Cuz fuck them.”

  “Fuck them.”

  Suddenly, another knock on the door echoed, halting both of them in their less-than-tranquil conversation, away from the responsibilities and concerns of their families, as well as one hella evil plan.

  A lady walked in, dressed in a black-and-white maid uniform. She was a young lady, pretty in every way, from her eyes to her face and chest. She bowed and faced the ground in a trained manner.

  “Young master, the Master wants to see you,” she said in a bow, not daring to look at anyone in the room.

  Louise hummed. “Someone is in trouble. Haha.”

  “Trouble my ass. This is nothing!” Stark said, fetched a shirt, and followed his maid to the grand hall where his father awaited. Louise wasn't invited, so he waited it out in his room like a good, clever boy who knew not to overstep his boundaries, which was one way to live his life in peace.

  But sometimes, specific and even uncertain shifts stirred everything, everywhere, and at any time, and with Stark, one should always expect the unexpectable.

  Soon, Stark stared at his father, a large man seated in a big chair. His stern face was powerful, his long black hair was rough at the back of his neck, and his black eyes seemed endless. His silver uniform was tight, muscles not huge yet still bulging in his clothes even when calm, and his demeanor was like that of a former king. It was a typical vision, emphasis, and fact that his father was never changing.

  “Father?” Stark gestured to his chest without much emotion and lightly bowed, as it was a custom he had to mind. He stood straight and wondered what this fucker wanted with this sudden call that hadn't been common lately.

  “There has been a change of pace, and something else has been happening, Stark.” Prime Hunter, Taker, said, speaking in a clear, powerful voice.

  “Something bad?”

  “Not necessarily, but you are in for a treat because living is about to get interesting. Follow me.”

  Sitting in a tall, big chair, Prime Hunter stood up and gestured to a side door. There was the private military room, and Connolly stood by a window, waiting and knowing what was about to begin. It was drama...

  There was also another person there, bearing the crest of the Academy and looking mysterious like a damn ninja.

  Stark never met that person, though their uniforms were impossible not to recognize. Prime Hunter took a seat at a round table in a room dedicated to warring and meeting methods and allowed Stark to stand before everyone.

  “What is going on?” Stark demanded.

  “Connolly briefed me on a certain event.”

  “Of what?”

  “Yesterday, you made a mess in the library, yes? Do you acknowledge your wrongdoings?”

  Stark cursed inwardly and glared at Connolly like a hurt dog. “Listen, I did nothing wrong. I was just...”

  To his shock, his father clapped and smiled in an uncomfortable glee. “I praise you, my son. There has been a sudden discovery of confident factors and histories, and you don't know them but would like to learn of them, I am sure.” His father, after a long time, halted his anger and praised his son, shocking Star enough to change his face and wobble his mouth.

  He wasn't sure what sort of cataclysm struck his old man, but he was all here for it.