Chapter 1: The Weight of a Name
The morning sunlight spilled through the towering windows of Ridgewood High, illuminating the state-of-the-art classrooms. Holographic screens flickered with bright diagrams, and the steady hum of automated air filters filled the air. The room smelled faintly of ozone which was a byproduct of the advanced technology that had long replaced traditional teaching methods.
Caden Arden sat in the back row, his posture relaxed but his mind anything but. On his wrist communicator, a blinking notification counted down the days to the United Earth Military Academy entrance exams. Four weeks. That was all he had to prove himself. Four weeks to prove he wasn't just the son of Elias Arden, the man whose name had become a thorn in his flesh.
A voice pierced the relative calm.
"Arden, still planning on becoming a traitor to Earth like your old man?"
The words sliced through the classroom chatter, and a tense silence covered the classroom like a cold blanket. All eyes turned toward the speaker, Ryan Bolts, whose uniform looked as pristine as his father's reputation.
Caden's jaw tightened as he clenched his fists tight, but he didn't react right away. He'd 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, assuming they even let you in?"
"Enough, Bolts," came the tired voice of Ms. Carter, their instructor. She didn't even look up from her holographic screen and It was clear she had no intention of actually stepping in.
Caden met Ryan's gaze evenly. "Funny, coming from someone who only made it this far because of their dad's rank."
A few scattered chuckles broke the tension, though the laughter was more nervous than genuine as some people looked at Caden in pity and they looked at Ryan in disgust
Ryan's face darkened. He opened his mouth to retort, but Ms. Carter cut him off. "Both of you, to the sparring room after class. Let's see if you have the energy to run your mouths unchecked then."
The bell rang moments later, signaling the end of the lesson. Caden grabbed his bag and headed out without waiting for anyone else. He wasn't in the mood for anymore stares or whispers.
The corridor leading to the sparring room buzzed with faint whispers. Students clustered in groups, casting pitiful or disdaining glances at Caden as he walked past.
"He's going to 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 reveled in the attention, flashing a cocky grin at the onlookers.
When Caden entered the sparring room, the smell of sweat and metal greeted him. The room was spacious, its walls lined with sleek, automated drones designed for combat training. In the center stood a circular arena marked by glowing blue lines, the designated battlefield.
Ms. Carter was already there, leaning against the wall with her arms crossed. She glanced at them both and sighed. "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 are extremely limited"
Ryan cracked his knuckles as he stepped into the ring. "Don't worry, Ms. Carter. This'll be over in no time."
Caden joined him, rolling his shoulders to loosen the tension. His palms were slightly sweaty, but he kept his expression neutral. He couldn't afford to show weakness—not here, not now.
"Ready?" Ms. Carter asked, her voice carrying a hint of boredom.
Both boys nodded.
"Begin!"
Ryan launched himself forward with startling speed, his enhanced physical abilities immediately apparent. He aimed a powerful punch at Caden's midsection, but Caden sidestepped at the last second, causing Ryan to stumble slightly.
The crowd murmured in surprise.
"Not bad, traitor's kid," Ryan sneered to cover his embarrassment, regaining his footing. "But let's see how long you can keep dodging."
Caden didn't respond. He focused on Ryan's movements, his eyes tracking every shift in weight, every twitch of muscle. Years of always being on the defensive both physically and emotionally had honed his instincts and given him a perception far advanced beyond that of anyone.
Ryan came at him again, this time he made a feint to the left before delivering a sweeping kick. Caden blocked with his forearm, the impact reverberating through his bones as they vibrated. He winced but stood his ground.
"Come on, Arden! Fight back!" Ryan goaded, clearly frustrated by Caden's defensive strategy.
But Caden wasn't going to give him the satisfaction of getting what he wants. He wasn't here to prove himself to Ryan or the crowd. This was about control, it was about showing that he could keep his emotions and actions in check, no matter the provocation.
Ryan's next move was a careless move as he swung his arm at Caden's hesd, and Caden saw his opening. He ducked under the wild swing and delivered a calculated strike filled with all his body's strength to Ryan's ribs. It wasn't enough to do serious damage, but it knocked Ryan off balance, drawing gasps from the spectators.
The match continued for several more minutes, with Ryan growing increasingly aggressive and sloppy while Caden still maintained his composure.
"Enough!" Ms. Carter finally called, 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 heavy but controlled. Ryan scowled, clutching his ribs as he walked off without another word.
The walk home from school was quiet, the city humming softly around him. Skycars zipped by on magnetic tracks overhead, while pedestrians moved through holographic crosswalks that guided them 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.
{Background music: Blinding lights by the weekend}
As he reached the modest two-story house he called home, the weight of the day began to lift, replaced by a cautious sense of comfort. The house wasn't fancy—its exterior showed the wear of years—but it was sturdy, functional, and, more importantly, a place where he wasn't constantly judged because of his father actions.
The door slid open with a quiet hiss as he entered, the scent 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.
In the kitchen stood his adoptive mother, Lana Ward. Her auburn hair was tied back in a messy bun, and her hands were busy chopping vegetables with a precision that suggested she'd done it a thousand times before. She glanced up at him with a small smile.
"How was school?" she asked, though her tone hinted she already knew the answer.
"Same as always," Caden said, grabbing a glass of water from the counter.
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 fine," he replied, though he wasn't sure if he believed what he said himself.
A heavy footstep on the stairs drew their attention. Marcus Ward, his adoptive father, appeared, his broad frame nearly filling the doorway. As former military officer, Marcus had a presence that was both commanding and reassuring.
"Lana, let the boy breathe," Marcus said, his voice gruff but it gave warmth. He turned to Caden. "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 exactly the point," Marcus interrupted, his gaze steady on Caden. "The world's not fair, son," Marcus said, his tone firm but not unkind. "You'll always have to work harder because of your name. But that doesn't mean you can't rise above it."
Caden met his adoptive father's eyes and nodded with a bright smile. "I understand."
Marcus seemed satisfied and gave a him an approving nod before heading back to his study. Lana sighed, her expression softening again as she placed a bowl of soup in front of Caden.
"You know he means well," she said gently.
"I know," Caden replied, picking up the spoon.
They ate in comfortable silence, the warmth of the meal chasing away the day's chill. 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 frowned. "It arrived this morning. No sender, no note it just had your name on it."
Caden felt his pulse quicken. "Did you open it?"
She shook her head. "We thought it might be... personal."
Caden hesitated before reaching out. The box felt heavier than it looked, its surface cool to the touch. Something about it seemed familiar, though he couldn't place why.
"Do you want me to leave you alone?" Lana asked, sensing his hesitation.
"No," Caden said quickly. "It's fine."
He opened the box carefully, his heart pounding. Inside was a sleek black bracelet, no bigger than his palm, its surface smooth and featureless save for a faint glow at its center. Alongside it was a small data chip and a handwritten note.
The note was simple, the handwriting unmistakable.
"You'll need this. – From Dad"
Caden stared 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 trembled as he picked up the bracelet, its smooth surface humming faintly with a strange warmth. The glow at its center pulsed rhythmically, almost like a heartbeat.
Lana's voice broke 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 placed a comforting hand on his shoulder. "Take your time. If you need anything, we're here."
She gave him a small smile before retreating to the kitchen, leaving him alone with the box.
Caden sat down, his mind racing. It had been years since his father had disappeared, leaving behind only questions and the crushing weight of his betrayal. And now, out of nowhere, this appears.
He picked up the data chip, examining its faintly glowing edges. It seemed ordinary enough, but the bracelet was another matter entirely. Turning it over in his hands, he searched for any markings or openings, but found nothing.
"What are you?" he muttered under his breath.
The glow suddenly brightened, as if responding to his voice. Caden froze. The bracelet emitted a soft hum, and a holographic interface flickered to life above it. Symbols and numbers he didn't recognize scrolled across the air, forming a complex pattern before it attached itself to his wrist.
Before he could react, a voice—calm, neutral, and mechanical—emanated from the device.
**"Biometric match confirmed. Initializing system."**
Caden's heart raced. "System?"
The holographic display shifted, revealing a series of prompts and data streams. A small notification blinked in the corner:
**[System Activation in Progress. Welcome, Caden Arden.]**
The room seemed to fade as the device's glow intensified. Caden felt a strange sensation wash over him a mix of warmth and pressure, as though the air around him was vibrating.
Then came the voice again, this time more personal, more... human.
**"If you're hearing this, Caden, it means I don't have much time left it I'm dead. I'm sorry for everything. But this... this is my only legacy and my lifetime work. It's yours now."**
Caden's breath hitched. It was his father's voice.
The hologram shifted, showing an image of Elias Arden, his expression grave.
**"You'll find out the truth soon enough. But first, you need to survive. Trust the system. It will guide you."**
The message cut off abruptly, leaving only the hum of the device.
Caden sat there, stunned, his mind reeling. The truth? Survive? What had his father left him, and why now?
Before he could gather his thoughts, the device emitted one final message:
**"Tutorial Initiating: Threat Detected. Prepare for hostile engagement."**
The hologram blinked out, and a sharp knock at the door shattered the silence.
"Caden?" Lana's voice came from the other side, filled with urgency. "There are soldiers outside. They're asking for you."
Caden's blood ran cold as he glanced at the bracelet which entered into his skin, its glow now pulsing faster and Caden was frightened.