Tianus sprinted down the dimly lit streets, his breath heavy, but fear kept his legs moving.
He dared a glance behind him and his heart nearly stopped.
The creature chasing him was monstrous—easily twice the height and bulk of a large man. Its milky white skin gleamed with a metallic sheen, and its featureless face was smooth, as if carved from stone.
He cursed under his breath, taking a wrong turn and ending up in a dead-end alley.
Desperation took over as he spotted a series of pipes leading to the rooftop. He scrambled up the wall, his hands and feet moving quickly, a skill honed from years living on the streets, but his hands still felt as though they were being shredded against the material.
Once he was halfway up, he glanced down and saw the Cloudling had already started climbing, closing the gap between them at an alarming speed. His stomach lurched as he realized how quickly it was gaining on him.
After reaching the top, Tianus bolted across the flat rooftops of Heartfield, the sprawling city where he had lived as a vagrant. But then he hit a gap that was far too wide to jump.
With no other choice, he turned to face the creature, now caught between a deathly fall and the Cloudling closing in fast.
The towering, white-skinned entity approached from the other side of the roof, its body a terrifying contrast against the dark night sky.
For a brief moment, Tianus wondered if this was the end. But something strange happened—the Cloudling hesitated. Its muscled neck twitched, and its blank face tilted upwards, focusing on something high above. Following its gaze, Tianus saw the large clock tower that loomed over the rooftops. There, on the massive clock hand, sat a dark figure, almost blending into the shadows of the night.
It wasn't until the figure moved that Tianus noticed the enormous hammer dangling from its hand, the head of the weapon glinting in the faint moonlight.
The figure leapt from the clock tower, landing on the rooftop with enough force to crack the stone beneath his feet.
He positioned himself between Tianus and the Cloudling.
Now up close, Tianus recognized who it was. The man's dark, bulky armour made him look impossibly large, even compared to the Cloudling. The weapon he carried, a massive hammer, seemed far too heavy for any normal human to wield.
But the symbol painted in gold on his back, a circle split into three segments, left no doubt in Tianus' mind.
"Cloudbreaker Gemral," Tianus whispered in awe.
Gemral lifted his helmet, revealing a face marred with scars, the largest cutting through the grey stubble of his beard and down his neck. His buzzed hair was grey as well, and his piercing green eyes locked onto Tianus.
"What are you doing out so late, boy?" Gemral's voice was deep, raspy, but carried a surprising warmth.
Tianus remained silent, unwilling to admit to the Juggernaut that he had been out stealing. The man shrugged, replacing his heavy helmet, it's angular white eye slots making it seem fuelled with rage.
"Silent? Fine. Just stay back."
As if the conversation had triggered it, the Cloudling surged forward with unnatural speed, its massive hands clasped together, swinging down like a club aimed at Gemral.
But the Cloudbreaker was faster. He met the blow with his hammer, the two forces colliding in a resounding crash that echoed across the rooftops.
The air itself seemed to ripple from the impact, and the Cloudling slid far backwards, almost falling off balance.
Without wasting a second, Gemral charged, his hammer now impossibly gripped in one hand.
He closed the distance with heavy steps and jumped as high as his bulky armour allowed, swinging the hammer overhead with devastating power.
The Cloudling raised both arms in a futile attempt to block, but the hammer smashed through its guard, driving straight into its head.
The creature crumpled, its skull flattened against the stone surface of the roof.
"Hit the head hard enough, and anything dies," Gemral remarked, pulling his hammer from the remains of the Cloudling.
He glanced back at Tianus, his voice muffled through his helmet.
"But I wouldn't recommend you trying it yourself. Should probably leave that to us."
He let out a rough laugh. "Go home now, boy," Gemral said, before leaping effortlessly from the rooftop, disappearing into the night as quickly as he had arrived.
Tianus stood frozen, his heart still pounding, unable to fully grasp what had just happened.
---
To Tianus' misfortune, the cities were lit with large lanterns placed overhead, brightening the entire streets even at night.
A problem for someone who often tried to go unnoticed. Luckily, the streets of Heartfield were empty.
Tianus had no place to truly call home; he hadn't for as long as he could remember.
However, he did have a place where he often slept during the nights. It was an abandoned house, its owners long dead, killed by an invading Cloudling.
Nobody had ever wanted to move into the place, fearing it was cursed. Tianus, though, never cared much for superstition, and beggars could not be choosers, so he had no problem sleeping under the now-damaged roof.
It was a large house, with two stories like most houses in Heartfield these days. Its neighbouring homes were all built similarly, and its Neighbors were people Tianus had yet to properly acquaint himself with. He did, however, know of some of their possessions—every Heartfield resident was at risk of falling victim to the young thief.
He entered the house through its second-floor balcony window, a spot he was familiar with, and once inside, he made his way downstairs toward the parlour. It was an empty room, save for a sofa that sat in front of the fireplace. Of course, he wouldn't light it, in case someone noticed the glow from outside.
He settled onto the sofa, getting into a relaxed position, ready to sleep off the frightening night he'd had. Until he heard a sound behind him.
He turned in the chair and looked toward the doorway. It was blocked by a figure that looked almost human, and if it weren't for the inhumanly white skin, Tianus might not have known what it was.
The Cloudling had a face like any other man, with a sharp jaw and full lips. Its eyes were normal, except for the red irises, and its hair hung long and white over its shoulders.
It even wore the common clothing of Heartfield residents—a shirt, trousers, and a long coat to fend against the cold and rain.
Tianus stood and slowly backed away until he pressed against the fireplace wall. Two cloudling encounters in one day made him think that he was cursed with poor luck.
"I'm not here to hurt you, Tianus." His heart lurched.
It almost spoke like a human, though its voice was abnormally monotone, and its mouth didn't move as the words came out.
Tianus remained silent, still in shock from the night's earlier events, and now he had come face to face with a talking Cloudling, something unheard of among humans.
"We have watched you for a long time, and now I've come to ask something of you," the Cloudling said, its six-foot frame still blocking the doorway.
Tianus finally mustered the courage to speak, though fear was clear in his voice.
"What do you want?" he managed to say. The figure finally began to move.
"I would ask that you help our cause."
The Cloudling spoke as it walked into the room, each heavy step increasing the rate at which Tianus' heart beat in his chest.
"My name is Alecante. Do not fear me," it said, though the attempt to ease Tianus' nerves failed.
Alecante walked over to the sofa and lowered his weight onto it, resting his hands on his knees.
His red eyes glared at Tianus, whose back remained pressed firmly against the wall.
"What is this cause you speak of?" Tianus asked, trying to muster courage.
"For years, we have descended upon your land, wreaking havoc wherever we walk. But it has not been without purpose. Every action we take is with meaning, a step toward the visions of our leaders," the Cloudling said, remaining perfectly still as its voice filled the room.
"Dominion over all human beings."
Tianus was confused, the concept foreign to him.
"What do you mean, and how could I possibly play a part in this? I'm nothing but a young street urchin," he replied.
"Human age means nothing to Highereals. We are everliving," Alecante said.
Highereals, Tianus thought, that must be the name of their people. The ones we call Cloudlings.
"And your part in this will be great, if you choose to accept it. If you do not, the outcome will not change—only the time and manner in which it comes to pass. Regardless of what happens, we will replace whoever sits on the emperor's throne and place upon it a human whose purpose aligns with ours. You however, were our first and greatest choice."
Tianus couldn't believe the words he was hearing.
"You wish to make me Emperor?" he asked in shock.
Instantly he thought back on the early days of his childhood, now presented with an opportunity to get back at those who wronged him. Alecante's face twisted into what looked like a surprisingly human smile.
"Yes, Tianus. Emperor of Empril. Though, of course, you could change the name of the land if you wished. It hardly matters to me, and even less to our ruler."
"Who is that?" Tianus asked. He only knew of one living emperor, and that was Erlanel, the Third Emperor of Empril.
"Work with us, and in time, you will meet him." The Cloudling rose to its feet and stepped toward Tianus, extending his open hand.
"You're faced with an opportunity that will change your life, a chance to become someone who will be remembered for the rest of humankind. Take my hand, and I will make you the embodiment of glory."
Tianus didn't notice it at first, but he no longer felt fear in the presence of Alecante. Instead, he felt something else—excitement. Curiosity. Desire.
He grabbed the Cloudling's hand, its skin cold, like dead flesh.
"Show me this glory you speak of."