Chapter 9

  AN ESSENTIAL MISSION

  Once lunch break was over, Aaronn and the others returned to the mine. A drone dropped an empty crate beside Linart.

  “If I sum it up,” Linart began, “all the ore we extract goes into this bin. Then the drones sort the stones and calculate the volume of amarite each prisoner has mined. We’re expected to gather about five kilograms per person, per day.”

  He struck the rock with his pickaxe, sending several stones clattering down. Bluish crystals were embedded in one of them. He picked it up and showed it to Aaronn.

  “As you saw earlier, amarite is fairly easy to find.”

  “I already know that. What does it have to do with your objective?”

  Linart glanced behind them to make sure no drone was nearby, then turned his back to the other prisoners. He pulled a small pouch from his pocket and clasped it tightly between his hands.

  “This pouch is a sacred treasure, protected by a powerful enchantment. Not even the Eyes can see through it. Milla and I take turns carrying it.”

  “A sacred treasure?”

  “Yes. I’d have liked to show you what’s inside, but the Eyes might be watching—even if I don’t think he is right now. It’s risky enough just carrying it around. What you need to know is that we can put absolutely anything we want into this pouch. No limits.”

  Aaronn’s eyes widened briefly. Nothing like that existed in the Arcane—at least not within the bounds of conventional technology.

  “Impressive. Very practical. What do you use it for?”

  “To collect amarite. Right now, several Resistance members are on missions to obtain amarite through different means. We have to gather one hundred kilograms before we leave. We’re halfway there.”

  Aaronn extended his hand toward the pouch.

  “May I?”

  Linart hesitated before handing it over.

  “Don’t worry. I just want to feel its texture and weight. The magic imbued in it as well. It’s the first step if I’m going to try materializing something similar.”

  Yet Aaronn felt nothing but ordinary fabric. Nor did he sense the weight of fifty kilograms inside. He handed it back. Linart carefully slipped it into his pocket.

  “I don’t think you can reproduce it,” Linart said. “Each sacred treasure is infused with divine magic. No mere human could replicate that.”

  A faint smirk flickered across Aaronn’s face before fading.

  “I suppose…”

  He was dying to tell him not to underestimate himself—that being a mere human was more than enough to perform miracles. But such words would only spark an endless debate.

  “I’ve got a question for you, Aaronn… If you really come from another planet, why are you alone?”

  Aaronn’s face lit up with a broad grin. He pointed toward the sky.

  “But I’m not alone! My sister is watching over me from the heavens.”

  Confusion creased Linart’s face. Seeing his teammate’s lack of enthusiasm, Aaronn’s smile softened.

  “It’s complicated,” he said. “I’ll explain more once we’re out of the mine. We’ve got a lot to do before then.”

  “Alright. We’ll have to work harder than the others to meet our daily quota and gather surplus for our mission. How do we speed things up, Aaronn?”

  Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “What I’m about to suggest might sound completely insane. But I recommend helping the other prisoners meet their daily quotas. Give away the surplus you mine. Same for Lunamilla.”

  “You’re joking?” Linart shot back. “That surplus is literally how we’re completing our mission.”

  “I know. But don’t forget—my power accelerates the universe’s giving and taking. You can be certain the return will be swift. Test it yourself.”

  Linart struggled to accept the idea, but eventually relented.

  “Fine. If it’s as fast as you say, I’ll try—for one week, maximum. If nothing happens, we go back to normal,” he concluded gravely.

  A drone hovered overhead.

  “Mine! Mine! Or you will be reported to the guards!” it barked before flying off.

  Aaronn and Linart resumed their work.

  “There are two last things you should know,” Aaronn continued. “Most of the time, you receive what you’ve given in the same form. Sometimes, though, it returns as something similar. And most importantly, the emotional state in which you give matters more than what you give. Gratitude ensures a swift and abundant return. Fear and frustration reverse the process.”

  At the end of each day, two prisoners from every group carried the sorted crates to the surface. Aaronn and Linart watched Lunamilla ascend with another prisoner. Linart had summarized Aaronn’s explanations for her before she took the lift.

  “Why don’t the drones handle that?” Aaronn asked.

  “You know, it’s important to feel sunlight and fresh air—even if only briefly. Otherwise, mining performance drops.”

  “That sounds a lot like slavery.”

  Linart crossed his arms firmly.

  “That’s why the Resistance fights. The king stands above all jurisdiction. In the Lower World, each noble family elects a representative who becomes a senator. They try to preserve balance and justice. But in the end, the king’s orders always prevail. Not all nobles have good intentions—but some genuinely try to serve the people.”

  “To be honest, politics have always irritated me… And yet I’m a prince on my planet. I probably should pay more attention.”

  Linart’s mouth fell open.

  “You’re a prince? Really?”

  “Yes. But I rarely attend Council meetings. I prefer acting. Sharing my perspective doesn’t always appeal to me.”

  “Everyone has their way of serving the world. I still can’t believe you’re from another planet.”

  “That’s normal,” Aaronn laughed. “In any case, thank you—for your help and your open mind. You’ve made this much easier.”

  “What would you have done if we weren’t here?” Linart asked with a grin, clapping him on the shoulder.

  “Well… I always have a backup plan… but honestly, I don’t know. The Eyes is a major obstacle.”

  “Right. I promised to tell you more about him. The Eyes is a valiant warrior of light. He possesses several abilities, all derived from his ocular blessing. He can see everything within a two-kilometer radius. Powerful magic rests in his eyes, allowing him to fire an iridescent beam just as far. His sword is forged from a special material: verrun. A kind of crystal that stores and redirects energy—amplifying it. He charges it with his beam, then unleashes it on his enemies. You don’t want to take that head-on. And finally, all Chosen have enhanced physical abilities.”

  Aaronn let out an amused laugh. He almost wished his own abilities were limited to a light beam.

  “That’s a lot of variables to keep in mind.”

  “Now you see why Eile?n is considered a divine island. Every Chosen has that kind of potential. What can we do against such superiority? The Resistance has to remain in the shadows and strike swiftly if it hopes to move forward. We’re clearly weaker than them. That’s also why I’m conflicted about what you said earlier. I don’t believe an Eleusian can rise to the rank of Chosen. It’s impossible. Our destiny is sealed at birth.”

  “Then why do you fight?” Aaronn countered, his tone darker. “Why did you accept my proposal? That’s not what you told me earlier.”

  Linart’s gaze lowered slightly. The weight of the question settled visibly on his shoulders.

  “Because, despite everything, it’s what makes the most sense to me—to claim my right to freedom. To live. I suppose I’m hoping there’s some truth in what you’re saying. I want it to be true.”

  “The Will is a latent power sleeping within all of us. You’d be surprised what you’re truly capable of.”

  With those words, Aaronn walked away, crossing the walkway toward his cell. The women’s dormitories were separate from the men’s. At his door, he pressed his hand against the biometric reader.

  Access granted.

  “Hey, you! Hold it,” a deep voice ordered from behind.

  Aaronn turned. A bald, broad-shouldered man stood before him.

  “Hi,” Aaronn replied calmly. “What’s the matter?”

  “Let me see your eyes up close. I know a Chosen when I see one. There’s no way you survived the Eyes—or did what you did yesterday—otherwise. What does the king want with us? Why send one of his own here? To spy on us?”

  “I’m not one of the Chosen,” Aaronn said evenly. “And why would the king send someone into the mine if the Eyes is already watching us?”

  “I don’t know,” the man replied. “But only the Chosen can perform feats like that.”

  Aaronn frowned slightly. Telling Linart the truth hadn’t bothered him. But this man seemed far less capable of hearing it. Now that he had a plan to escape, he didn’t want unnecessary attention. What should he do?

  Laughter rang from the dormitory entrance.

  “Don’t worry, Rin—he’s with me!” Linart called as he approached.

  “Linart, stay out of this.”

  Linart placed a hand on Rin’s shoulder, smiling broadly.

  “Trust me. There’s nothing to fear.”

  Rin still eyed Aaronn with suspicion, his stern expression unwavering. Yet, unexpectedly, he relented and returned to his cell.

  Aaronn gave Linart a grateful nod before stepping into his own.