Chapter 1: The Weight of a Name
Early morning sunlight spilled through Ridgewood High's high windows into state-of-the-art classrooms. Holographic screens were flickering with bright diagrams, while the steady hum of automated air filters filled the room. A slight scent of ozone hung in the air, one of the byproducts of a technology that had long replaced what was once known as teaching.
Caden Arden leaned back in his chair in the back of the class, his body lax while his mind was racing. There was a steadily blinking notification on his wrist communicator, a countdown to United Earth Military Academy entrance exams: four weeks. That was how long he had to prove himself. Four weeks to show that he wasn't just the son of Elias Arden, the man whose name had turned out to be a constant thorn in his side.
A voice cut through the comparative silence.
"Arden, still planning on becoming a traitor to Earth like your old man?"
The words cut through the chatter of the classroom and tense silence draped the classroom like a cold blanket. All eyes turned toward the speaker, Ryan Bolks, whose uniform looked as pristine as his father's reputation.
Caden's jaw clenched, his fists tightening, but he didn't react immediately. He had learned to pick his battles.
Ryan smirked. "Oh, come on. Don't be shy. Say something. Or are you saving your excuses for the Academy-when and if they let you in?"
"Enough, Bolts," the weary voice of Ms. Carter, their instructor, cut in. She did not even look up from her holographic screen, and it was perfectly clear that she really didn't mean it.
Caden returned Ryan's glare without a flinch. "Funny, coming from the guy who's only here because his dad is so high rank."
The laughter that bubbled up was a little nervous rather than hearty; a few of them looked at him with pity while others cast Ryan a glance of disgust.
Ryan's face twisted up ugly. He opened his mouth to retort, but Ms. Carter forestalled him. "Both of you, to the sparring room after class. Let's see if you have the energy to run your mouths unchecked then."
A few seconds later, the bell rang, and class drew to a close. Caden snatched up his bag in one swift motion and darted out, not waiting for any second person to do likewise. He was beyond being stared at or whispered over.
The hallway to the sparring room had hushed whispers. Students came in groups, pitiful or disdaining glances thrown his way as he passed.
"He's gonna get flattened," someone muttered loud enough for him to hear.
Ryan Bolts strode confidently ahead, his towering frame and broad shoulders cutting an imposing figure. He loved every ounce of attention and returned a cocky grin at onlookers.
As Caden entered the sparring room, he was immediately hit with the smells of sweat and metal. The room was open and flanked on every wall by sleek automated drones that were utilized in combat training. In the middle stood a circular arena with its edges defined by bright blue lines, marking the area of battle.
Ms. Carter was already there, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. She looked over at them both before letting out a sigh. "Standard rules: no abilities beyond Level 2 activation. First one to incapacitate or force their opponent out of the ring wins. Try not to break anything expensive; our funding only covers so much and is extremely limited."
Ryan stepped into the circle, cracking his knuckles. "Don't worry, Ms. Carter. This will be over in no time."
Caden joined him, rolling his shoulders to loosen the tension. His palms were a little damp with sweat, but he didn't let that show on his face. He couldn't afford to let his guard down-not here, not now.
"Ready?" Ms. Carter asked, the slightest tinge of boredom creeping into her tone.
The two boys nodded.
"Begin!"
Ryan sprang forward, surprisingly fast, and without warning, and for one instant, the physical enhancement was evident in his physique. The powerful punch he hurled at Caden's midsection was easily sidestepped at the last second by Caden, sending Ryan stumbling.
The crowd gasped with a hoarse murmur.
"Not bad, traitor's kid," Ryan sneered to mask his embarrassment as he regained his footing. "But let's see how long you keep dodging."
Caden didn't say a word. He watched Ryan's every move, every shift of weight, every twitch of muscle. Years of being on the defensive physically and emotionally had honed his instincts, making his perception far more advanced than anyone else's.
Ryan came at him again, feinting left before delivering a sweeping kick. Caden blocked it with his forearm, the impact vibrating through bones that shook to their core. He winced but stood firm.
"Come on, Arden! Fight back!" Ryan goaded, frustrated by his defensive strategy in this fight clearly enough.
But he wasn't going to give him that satisfaction of getting what he wants. He wasn't here to prove himself to Ryan or the crowd. It was about control, showing that he could keep his emotions and actions in check, no matter the provocation.
The next thing Ryan did was uncaring; he swung his arm at Caden's hesd. A gap presented itself, and under it, Caden ducked, righting a weighted strike with his body weight applied to the ribs. That wasn't enough to cause serious damage but did throw him off balance, and the crowd gasped.
More minutes passed, sparring. Ryan grew wild and sloppy, but Caden kept his cool.
"Enough!" Ms. Carter finally said, stepping into the ring. "This isn't a grudge match. Bolts, you're out of control. Arden, good defense, but don't think staying on the back foot will win you every fight."
Caden stepped back, his breathing hard yet controlled. Ryan scowled and clutched his ribs, turning and walking away without a word.
The walk home from school was quiet, the city humming softly around him. Skycars zipped on by up above on their magnetic tracks, while pedestrians moved through holographic crosswalks that guided them across the street safely. Advanced Earth's capital was a marvel of technological progress, but for Caden, it was just a backdrop place that was indifferent to his struggles.
{BG Sound: Blinding lights by the weekend}
By the time he reached the two-storey, unassuming house that had long since come to feel like home, much of the burden of the day started to lighten, replaced by an air of comfort. The unprepossessing external bearing of many years of wear and tear, yet it stood solidly upon its foundations, functional, and perhaps most importantly of all, not always under judgment with regard to his father's actions.
He slipped in as the door slid open with a soft hiss, releasing aromas of spices wafting from the kitchen.
"Caden? Is that you?" a warm voice called out.
"Yeah, it's me," he replied, dropping his bag by the door.
Standing in the kitchen was his adoptive mother, Lana Ward. Her auburn hair was pulled back in a messy bun, and her hands moved deftly-chopping vegetables with precision-a thousand times over, he guessed. She glanced up at him with a small smile.
"How was school?" she asked, though her tone said she knew how it was.
"Same as ever," Caden said, reaching into the counter for a glass of water.
Lana's smile faltered. "Ryan again?"
Caden nodded. "Nothing I couldn't handle."
"Still," she said, her voice softening, "you shouldn't have to put up with that."
"It's cool," he replied; he wasn't so sure he did believe what he said himself, though.
A heavy footfall upon the stairs turned their attention in that direction. Marcus Ward, his adoptive father, filled almost the entire doorway with his broad frame. An ex-military officer, Marcus had that aura of command and reassurance about him.
"Lana, let the boy breathe," Marcus said gruffly, though his voice carried warmth. He faced Caden then. "You hold out on your own today?"
Caden nodded. "Yeah. Ms. Carter made us spar after class. Ryan wasn't too happy about how it ended."
Marcus grunted in approval. "Good. Let them see you're more than just your name."
Lana shot him a look. "Marcus, that's not the point.
"It's precisely the point," Marcus cut in, his eyes on Caden. "The world is not fair, son," Marcus said, and his tone was firm but not unkind. "You will have to be outworking men, always, due to your name. That doesn't mean you can't reach over the top of that. It just means--"
Caden looked into his adoptive father's eyes and nodded with a bright smile. "I understand."
Marcus nodded in approval at him, looking pleased, before turning back to his study. Lana sighed; her face softened once more as she set a bowl of soup before Caden.
"You know he means well," she said softly.
"I know," he replied, picking up the spoon.
They ate in comfortable silence, the warmth of the meal chasing away the chill of the day. But as Caden finished his soup and took his bowl to the sink, something caught his eye.
A small box sat on the dining table, old and weathered, its surface marked with faint etchings that looked like a mix of symbols and numbers.
"What's that?" he asked, nodding toward it.
Lana scowls. "It arrived this morning. No clue who sent it or why; it was only addressed to you."
His heart racing, he asked, "Have you opened it?"
She nods. "We thought it might have been.personal for you."
Caden approaches the box slowly. The box is heavier than he had expected. It's cold to his fingertips. He can feel a hum, for reasons he cannot understand.
"Do you want me to step out and give you a moment alone?" Lana said after a moment, when he still showed some indecision.
"No," Caden hastened to say. "It's cool."
He opened the box gingerly; his heart danced. Inside lay a sleek, black bracelet, no larger than his palm. The surface was featureless except for a faint, tiny glow at the center. There was also a small data chip beside it, with a hand-scribbled note attached.
The note was short, but unmistakable.
"You'll need this. – From Dad"
Caden stared on at the device, his breath catching in his throat. The words on the note seemed to burn themselves into his mind.
**"You'll need this. – From Dad."**
His fingers were shaking as he picked up the bracelet, its smooth surface softly humming with some kind of warmth. The glow in the center pulsed rhythmically-almost like a heartbeat.
Lana's voice finally cut the silence. "Caden. are you alright?
He blinked, realizing she was still watching him, her brow furrowed with concern.
"I. I'm fine," he said, though his voice sounded distant, even to himself.
"Do you know what it is?" she asked gently.
Caden shook his head. "No. But. it's from him."
Lana hesitated, then laid a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Take your time. If you need anything, we're here."
She gave him a small smile before turning and heading back into the kitchen, leaving him to be alone with the box.
Caden sat down, his mind racing: years now since his father disappeared, leaving behind only questions and the weight of his betrayal, and now this shows up out of nowhere.
He picked up the data chip, studying its edges glowing faintly. It was ordinary enough, but the bracelet was another matter altogether. Turning it over in his hands, he searched for any markings or openings, finding nothing.
"What are you?" he muttered under his breath.
The glow suddenly flared brighter, as if responsive to his voice. Caden was frozen in shock. The bracelet softly hummed to life, a holographic interface flickering on above it in intricate patterns of scrolling symbols and numbers he had never seen in his life, before attaching itself to his wrist.
And without another word, a voice, cool and mechanical, emitted from the device.
**"Biometric match confirmed. Initializing system."**
Caden's heart was in his throat. "System?"
The holographic display flickered into a series of prompts and streams of data, with a little notification blinking in the corner:
**[System Activation in Progress. Welcome, Caden Arden.]**
The room seemed to fade out as the glow emanating from the device grew stronger. He could feel this weird sensation, the mix of warmth and pressure, creeping over him, like vibrating air.
Then the voice spoke again, personal, more human.
**"If you can hear this, Caden, that means I do not have much time left it I'm dead. I am sorry for everything. But this. this is my only legacy and my lifetime work. It is yours now."**
The breath caught in his throat as he heard it was his father's voice.
The hologram rippled, finally revealing the countenance of Elias Arden.
**"You shall know the truth soon enough, but for now, you must first survive. Just trust the system-it will lead the way."**
The voice suddenly went out, and Caden heard only a hum of the device in his ears.
Caden remained seated, astounded, in a whirlwind of thoughts and questions. Truth? Survive? What was he left by his father, and why now?
Without having a moment to put his thoughts in some order, yet another and already final message had sounded:
Tutorial Starting: Threat Detected. Prepare for combat."
The hologram vanished, and that knell-like knock tore the silence of the room.
"Caden?" Lana's voice echoed from the other side, laced with urgency. "There are soldiers outside. They're asking for you."
Caden's heart chilled as his eyes fell to the bracelet now inducted into his skin; its soft glow was pulsing faster. Caden was scared.