Aidan stirred awake, his body aching as if he had been crushed under the weight of the Ravager all over again. His eyes fluttered open to the dim lighting of a metallic chamber. The walls were smooth and featureless, save for faintly glowing blue lines that pulsed rhythmically, giving the space an almost otherworldly ambiance. The ceiling was dotted with small, circular vents that emitted a soft, sterile hum, and a faint antiseptic scent lingered in the air. The bed he lay on was cushioned but unfamiliar, its surface adjusting subtly to his movements as if alive.
Aidan's gaze shifted to the tray of food on a nearby table - simple rations, their packaging sleek and marked with symbols he didn't recognize. His stomach growled audibly, a sharp reminder of how long it had been since he'd eaten. He tried to sit up but winced as pain flared through his side. Looking down, he noticed a bandage-like material wrapped tightly around his torso, glowing faintly blue in synchronization with the lines on the walls. He touched it hesitantly, feeling a cool warmth that soothed his aching ribs.
The room itself felt advanced beyond anything he had ever seen, with panels embedded into the walls that occasionally flickered with symbols and holographic readouts. Though Aidan had never learned the symbols or the language they represented, he was somehow able to understand their meaning instinctively. This realization sent a shiver down his spine, and unease gnawed at him as he realized just how far removed he was from the life he knew.
As he stared at the glowing displays, a faint chime echoed in his mind, and the system's interface appeared faintly before his eyes, presenting information about his surroundings. Aidan's heart raced, and he made a tentative guess: it had to be the system enabling him to comprehend the symbols.
Before he could sit up, the door to the chamber slid open with a soft hiss. Daren entered, his tall, composed figure cutting a stark contrast against the cold surroundings. In his hands, he carried another tray of food, more elaborate than the one already present. His piercing green eyes settled on Aidan with a mix of curiosity and mild disdain.
"Awake at last," Daren said, setting the tray on the table. His voice was calm but carried an undertone of authority. "Eat. You'll need your strength."
[System Scan: Target Identified]
[Name: Daren Lirian]
[Cultivation: Orange Stage - Initial]
[Affiliation: Aeloria Branch Family]
[Role: Assistant to Elder Kael]
[Additional Information: ???]
Aidan hesitated, his instincts warning him against trusting anything offered by these people. Still, the gnawing hunger in his stomach won out. He reached for the simpler tray and began eating cautiously, his eyes never leaving Daren.
Daren leaned against the wall, arms crossed, observing Aidan like one might a peculiar specimen. "You're lucky to be alive," he remarked. "Few survive an encounter with an Obsidian Ravager, let alone manage to bring it down."
Aidan didn't respond immediately, focusing on his food. After a few bites, he asked,
"Where am I?"
"Aboard the Aeloria Ascendancy," Daren replied. "A vessel belonging to the Aeloria branch family. You've been placed under Elder Kael's protection. For now."
The mention of Kael sent a chill down Aidan's spine. He remembered the cold, calculating gaze of the man who had killed the Ravager with such ease.
"Why am I here?" Aidan asked cautiously.
Daren's lips curled into a faint smirk. "You'll find out soon enough. For now, finish your meal."
Once Aidan had eaten, Daren gestured for him to follow. They walked through the ship's corridors, the faint hum of its engines a constant backdrop. The walls were adorned with subtle engravings of the Aeloria family's insignia - the crescent moon encircling a star - and the occasional glowing panel displaying navigational data. As they walked, Daren glanced back at Aidan, his expression unreadable.
"Do you even understand where you are?" Daren asked, breaking the silence.
Aidan hesitated before responding. "A ship? Beyond that, no."
Daren smirked faintly. "Not just any ship. This is the Aeloria Ascendancy, a vessel crafted by the finest engineers under the family's banner. It's not something a miner would ever dream of stepping foot on."
Aidan didn't reply, his attention drawn to the glowing panels on the walls. Symbols he couldn't recall learning seemed to make sense as he looked at them, their meanings forming instinctively in his mind. He frowned, realizing this strange understanding must be the work of the system.
"Keep moving," Daren ordered, his voice snapping Aidan back to the moment.
Aidan couldn't help but notice how pristine and advanced everything looked compared to the mining outpost he had called home. The corridors were wide, with soft lighting emanating from hidden fixtures, and the faint hum of machinery was a constant reminder of the ship's complexity. Occasionally, they passed individuals dressed in uniforms marked with insignias and rank indicators, their expressions professional and detached. Each uniform bore subtle symbols on the cuffs and shoulders, denoting their roles and affiliations within the Aeloria family. At the entrance to a chamber, two guards stood at attention. Their uniforms bore red accents, and their collars displayed two silver stars, marking them as High Red Stage cultivators. The system's interface flickered faintly before Aidan's eyes, presenting information about the guards:
[System Scan: Targets Identified]
[Name: Calen Rhys
Cultivation: High Red Stage
Affiliation: Aeloria Branch Family
Role: Security Guard
Additional Information: Member of the Rhys family, known for producing elite guards for the Aeloria family.]
[Name: Maira Tann
Cultivation: High Red Stage
Affiliation: Aeloria Branch Family
Role: Security Guard
Additional Information: From the Tann family, specializing in defense tactics and loyalty training.]
Aidan blinked at the information, the display fading as quickly as it had appeared. The realization that these security guards, mere sentinels at the chamber's entrance, held the same power as Orlan unsettled him deeply. The system's ability to provide such detailed insights into their cultivation and affiliations both amazed and unnerved him. He couldn't help but feel a growing unease as their sharp gazes lingered on him, a silent warning not to try anything foolish.
The guards gave Daren a salute as he approached, stepping aside to allow entry. Aidan felt their sharp gazes linger on him, a silent warning not to try anything foolish. "These are the chamber guards," Daren said quietly.
Daren led him to a room larger than his chamber, dominated by a circular table at its center. Kael stood on the opposite side, his blue robe immaculate, the three silver stars on his collar gleaming under the soft light. His piercing silver eyes locked onto Aidan as he entered, and the boy felt an almost physical weight under that gaze.
"Sit," Kael commanded, his tone leaving no room for argument.
Aidan complied, sitting on the lone chair positioned at the table. Kael remained standing, his imposing presence filling the room.
[System Scan: Target Identified]
Target: Kael
Name: Kael Aeloria
Cultivation: ???
Affiliation: Aeloria Branch Family
Role: ???
Additional Information: ???]
Without any greetings Kael said, his voice cold and precise. "You were found with a shard of Lumanite - a quality so pure it's rarely seen outside ancient ruins. Explain where you found it."
Saying that he took out the piece and placed it on the table, Aidan seeing it immediately understood it was the same stone he kept in his pocket inside the cave.
Aidan hesitated, his mind racing. He knew the truth could put him in even greater danger, but lying to someone like Kael seemed equally perilous.
"It was in the mines," Aidan said carefully. "I stumbled upon it while digging."
Kael's eyes narrowed. "Don't waste my time with half-truths, boy. The mines have been thoroughly explored for years. No such vein has ever been discovered. Where did you really find it?"
"Speak," Kael demanded, his voice snapping Aidan out of his thoughts.
"I… I don't know," Aidan said finally. "It wasn't like anything I've seen before. The walls in that part of the mine glowed, and the air felt… different."
Kael's eyes narrowed further, and he exchanged a glance with Daren. The assistant's expression betrayed a flicker of concern, but he quickly masked it.
"You expect me to believe you stumbled upon a hidden vein of Lumanite by sheer chance?" Kael said, his tone dripping with skepticism. "Do you take me for a fool?"
"It's the truth!" Aidan insisted, his voice rising slightly. "I don't know why it was there, but it was!"
Kael's gaze bore into him for several long moments before he spoke again. "If you're lying, you'll regret it. We have ways of extracting the truth, even if you're unwilling to share it willingly."
Aidan's blood ran cold at the implication, but he forced himself to remain calm.
Kael turned to Daren. "Have the boy escorted back to his chamber. Ensure he's monitored at all times. And prepare the interrogation chamber. If he continues to withhold information, we'll use the Mind Probe."
Daren nodded, stepping forward to guide Aidan out of the room. As they walked back through the corridors, Daren's demeanor softened slightly.
---
"You should cooperate," Daren said quietly. "The Mind Probe isn't pleasant. If you tell us what you know, it'll be easier for everyone."
"I've already told you everything," Aidan replied, his voice tense.
Daren sighed, shaking his head. "You don't understand how important this is. That Lumanite could change everything for the branch family. If you're hiding something, it's not just your life at stake."
They reached Aidan's chamber, and Daren gestured for him to enter. Before the door closed, Daren added, "Think carefully about your next move, boy. Kael isn't known for his patience."---Left alone, Aidan slumped onto the cot, his mind racing. The system's display flickered again, offering a brief message.
[Warning: Hostile Intent Detected]
[Recommendation: Remain Vigilant]
Aidan clenched his fists. He was in the lion's den, surrounded by people who saw him as nothing more than a tool or an obstacle. If he wanted to survive, he'd need to find a way out and fast.