The atmosphere outside the Irongate Bastion was electric and buzzing with energy.
Dozens of youths who had managed to awaken bloodlines of D-grade and above were scattered across the area, chattering nervously or excitedly to one another.
Everyone was on edge, waiting for the carrier to arrive that would take them to the camp—a place where their real training would begin.
For most, this was their ticket to something bigger. For all, it was the start of a new chapter.
Laughter and chatter filled the air, with some nervously discussing what the training camp would be like.
Others made bold declarations about how they would climb the ranks, become heroes, or even legends.
Ares stood alone at the back of the group, his mind far from the noise and excitement around him.
He couldn't shake the earlier offer from the ZMA Commander. It was a life-changing invitation from one of the world's best organizations to join their academy.
The benefits were alluring, more than he ever thought he'd be offered. But he'd declined.
Why?
Why did he decline?
It wasn't just his gut telling him something was off. The system was still absorbing the newly acquired bloodline, and he had no idea how long it would take or if he could hide it in time.
If he signed a contract with the ZMA and they found out, he'd be bound to them. They could do anything they wanted with him, and with that much power at stake, trust was a luxury he couldn't afford.
"Did I make the right choice?" he muttered under his breath, watching the others who were filled with excitement. 'Was I just being paranoid?'
Ares sighed, running a hand through his hair. He glanced up just as the roaring sound of engines split the sky. The crowd grew quiet and every head turned upward.
There it was—the carrier.
Although they had all seen multiple versions of it countless times on the internet, it looked way more impressive in person.
The carrier looked like a majestic, futuristic version of an aeroplane, with curved wings and a streamlined body that seemed to cut through the air with ease.
Massive turbines hummed, and light glowed softly along its hull, giving it an almost ethereal appearance.
It was like a spaceship from a sci-fi movie, descending from the heavens.
The carrier touched down with a soft thud, its landing gear barely making a sound against the ground. Everyone stood in awe, their eyes wide with wonder.
"Wow…" Ares breathed, a feeling of excitement finally flickering within him.
As he stared at the machine, it struck him—this wasn't just a ride to camp. This was a step toward a future far beyond anything he'd experienced back at the Bastion.
The automatic doors pushed open, and a silver staircase unfolded downwards.
One by one, the youths began boarding the carrier. As Ares stepped inside, he felt his breath catch. The interior was just as stunning as the exterior.
The walls were lined with sleek, silver panels, and soft blue lights glowed from beneath the floors, giving the entire space a futuristic, almost spaceship-like vibe.
The seats were wide and comfortable, and there were clear glass walls that allowed passengers to see the inner workings of the carrier's engines.
'This... looks like a spaceship,' Ares muttered to himself. The smooth hum of the engines beneath his feet, the soft glow of lights... it was like nothing he had ever experienced.
Seats were arranged in rows, but there were also recreational areas, lounges, and even private cabins for them to rest in.
An official handed him a small tag. "Here's your identity tag," the official said briskly before moving on to the next person.
Ares looked down at the tag. His name, bloodline grade, and identification number were neatly printed across the surface.
He clipped it onto his jacket and moved deeper into the carrier.
"You are free to explore the carrier or head to your cabin to rest until we arrive," the voice of an official crackled over the intercom.
The atmosphere inside was a mixture of awe and excitement as the youths began to disperse. Some couldn't sit still and ventured off, while others went to their cabins to rest.
Ares, curious about the carrier's design, chose to explore.
As he walked, admiring the advanced technology and sleek designs, the intercom crackled again. But this time, the voice was somber.
"Attention all passengers. We regret to inform you that we have lost Eastern Gate Bastion to the Primordials. One minute of silence for our fallen comrades."
The lively chatter instantly died. Everyone bowed their heads, the weight of the announcement hitting them like a ton of bricks.
The ZMA officials in the cabin stood to attention, saluting their fallen comrades in silence.
Ares clenched his fists at his sides. Another Bastion had fallen. The reality of how dangerous the world truly was began to sink in.
He had lived his entire life in Iron Gate Bastion, a Tier 5 Bastion, the lowest rank.
Bastions were the last defence against the Primordials, and losing one, even a Tier 5, was a devastating blow.
If one Bastion can fall, what's stopping others from following? he thought.
The urge to grow stronger clawed at him. He had awakened an SSS-grade bloodline, but that alone wouldn't protect him. He needed power—real power—if he was going to survive in this world.
Determined, Ares continued exploring the carrier, but his thoughts were a whirlwind of doubt, fear, and ambition.
Without realising it, he wandered into a restricted section of the carrier. It was quieter here, the hum of the engines barely noticeable.
As he walked, a faint sound caught his attention. It was a series of loud thuds and crashes, like something heavy being tossed around.
With his curiosity piqued, he stopped in front of a door marked Training Room.
Crack! A loud thud echoed from within.
'Training?' Ares' brow furrowed. 'What kind of training sounded like this?'
His hand hesitated on the door, but his curiosity got the better of him. Slowly, he pressed the button, and the door slid open with a soft whoosh.
His eyes widened the moment he stepped inside.