There hadn't been a time I'd gone to sleep and seen nothing. The cold of the pod I rested in from my nightmares had been absent. For a moment I thought I was dead as time passed by in the void I'd been stuck in. Fate, however, had more in store for me than I thought. I'd woken up once staring at a white ceiling as surgeons appeared to operate on me. I could barely understand what they were saying and the blinding light from above kept me from making out who'd been there. One of the surgeons seemed to bark orders at the others and from then on I'd fallen asleep again.

I couldn't figure out how much time had passed since I'd been out. It could've been just hours, days, or maybe even weeks. The time I spent wondering if I'd been dead or not had been maddening. Sometimes I found entertainment in counting sheep or remembering lines from Erratic Code. On other occasions, my anger from that day boiled so much that I could barely contain it. I'd get a weird feeling every time it happened too. Like I'd been burning something or my body was on fire. It wasn't the regular fire I used to lob around in fights and it wasn't the same as the white flame I used. It came whenever I thought about being beaten by Lucian. Remembering every word he said, everything he did. It was so nauseatingly irritating that I almost wanted to tear myself out of this limbo. It was a good thing I didn't have to.

The next time I'd open my eyes I'd come face to face with the Erratic Code poster that hung from my ceiling. Looking around for a moment I realized that I'd been in my dorm room. Trying to sit upright in the bed I realized that I still couldn't move my left arm. It was a strange feeling but nothing I couldn't get over in the next few seconds, or so I thought. As I peeked to the left I noticed the empty sleeve where my left arm should've been poking out at. I tried moving my shoulder but nothing moved at all. I reached over where my arm should've been but all I could feel was something extremely hard. Taking off my jacket I'd begun to realize that a large portion of the upper left side of my body had been completely replaced by black metal. I'd started feeling other places to make sure I hadn't been completely turned into a cyborg. My legs, right arm, and face had still been flesh. But as I felt my face I realized that I couldn't see that well. Bandages covered my left eye and when I tapped against the cloth I expected to jab myself in the eye but I felt nothing.

I'd lost my entire left arm and my left eye in the fight. That couldn't be right. I regenerated my intestines when I fought Butch. Surely I could regenerate from this. Whatever the case the very fact I'd been in my room rather than a hospital bed told me all I needed to know. Swinging my legs over the side of the bed I tried standing up. Though I was a little wobbly at first I managed to stand. Before I could take the first step my bedroom door opened. Behind it stood the girl from the arena, the one who spoke to me. She'd been dressed in a blue military uniform of unknown origin. Her armored boots along with the hat with a visor made her seem like some very important official. Before I knew it fear and instinct took control of my body and I held my hand out. White flames flickered into existence taking the form of the beam sword Ninth Light.

"Stay back," I warned. "I don't know how you got in here but you won't get me." The woman held her finger to her lips and she closed the door as quietly as she could. She then raised her hands and made her way over to a chair in the corner of the room.

"I know you're confused," she said. "But know that I am not your enemy."

Even though I didn't want to point my weapon at her I wasn't certain of the situation. The last thing I remembered was nearly dying inside of Bahamut. I think I was saved by someone but the memory just wouldn't come to me. I wondered if there was a way I could confirm she was trustworthy and as I examined her features once more I thought of something.

"Are you Alara or just an engram of her?" It was a strange question at the moment but given the resemblance between the two, it made sense at the time. The woman's jaw dropped and her gaze fell.

"I am no engram," She answered, "Nor am I, my mother." She smiled and put her hands down. "I will take that as a compliment."

Her not being an engram confirmed that I'd at least been in reality. Though I wasn't expecting her to be Alara's daughter. Then I recalled my nightmare and it clicked. Lowering my weapon, the blade faded away as the emitter closed. "If you're not Alara... Then who are you?"

The woman placed her right hand on her chest and bowed. "It is a pleasure to meet you Soran Xenthos. I am Alice Milos, an Arcadian like you. I hope we can get along."

It was a little embarrassing seeing her bow slightly. But given I could see a blue aura shrouding her form I looked for wherever a Marker could be. Located on the left side of her chest was an image depicting a robed woman holding a rod above her head. There was also the symbol of infinity floating right over her.

"You have one of those Markers too," I said.

"Yes... I am one of the 22 Majors just like you. I possess the Mark of the Magician, and as the Magician, I am to serve as your ward and guide."

"Wait... What's a Major?"

Alice's smile faded, and she seemed a bit annoyed with my question. "It appears Solomon did not explain everything as he should've. Please sit, there is much I'll have to explain. You've been out for quite some time.

Even though I still didn't know much about Alice, the fact she was Alara's daughter at least gave me some reassurance. As I sat at the foot of my bed, Alice took off her hat and placed it on her lap. She sighed and her expression became serious.

"Firstly, you've been out for three months," she said. "As you might've guessed your left arm and eye have been destroyed."

Three months... I'd been unconscious for three whole months. I tried looking around to see if anything could tell me the time. Finding my alarm clock I'd notice the date. It was August 16th, 3999. A little over three months since I'd come off suspension. Sinking back down onto the bed I tried to process this as best as I could. Then there were my injuries. If I'd been just a few more inches to the left I could've died.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"The Arcana Order were the ones who attacked your school," Alice continued. "Their Leader Lucian was a former leader of our Empire. He holds the Marker of the World and like you, he is one of The Brothers."

"There's no way I'm brothers with a guy like that," I said. "I might look like Solomon, but I'm not him."

She shook her head. "You misunderstand. Though I don't know if you're related by blood. The Brothers' Trinity is an order within the Arcadian Empire that leads our people. They each possess the most powerful Markers that belong to our kind. As Lucian holds "The World," the embodiment of existence, you possess the "The Fool," the embodiment of the Beginning and the End."

I held my hand up to see the Marker on my hand. Remembering the podiums from my near-death at the hand of Butch, both mine and Lucian's Markers were there. Yet, there was a third. Even though I wanted to ask what that may have been, there was something else on my mind. Picking up my weapon I examined it for a second.

"Alright... I think I get the Markers somewhat. And I'm starting to understand a little more about the Arcadians. But what about this thing?"

Alice didn't speak for a moment. Instead, she held her hand up and suddenly the temperature in the room dropped. Ice began to form in the air just above her palm until it formed a long blade resembling a cutlass. The ice shattered revealing the blade's pure white color. "Like most living beings we all possess a source. As beings of Ether, our source manifests in two forms. The first is the Markers which are the symbols of our power. Then there are the Astras, manifestations of our will. They will never weaken or break as long as we have the will to live."

Her weapon faded away and her smile returned. "Is there anything else you wish to know?"

I did want to know a lot more, yet my brain was still processing the fact that I'd been in a three-month coma. But I realized I hadn't done something important.

"U-Um... No, I think I'm good for now. Though I honestly should be thanking you." Alice tilted her head seeming confused.

"I'm not sure why you should be thanking me," she said.

"You saved my life... You saved all of our lives. Without you, Lucian would've blown us out of the sky."

Alice shook her head, "No... You were the one who saved your friends. Without you more would've perished that day. Additionally, I was only doing my duty as your ward."

"I don't understand a lot about being an Arcadian. But I was raised to thank the people that help you. I owe you one for what you did."

"You are most welcome Soran," she said as she bowed again. "Your friends were right about you. I thought you'd be a bit more like Solomon." She rose to her feet placing her cap on her head. "Now then, I believe you should probably get dressed."

"What for?" I asked as I put my saber down again.

"Prime Minister Yalta instructed me to bring you to Parliament. The Prime Council will convene there."

My body stiffened. There weren't many circumstances in which the Prime Council was never anything good if they wanted someone to be brought before them. Then there was the matter of my Dad being the one to order it. It was more likely that he was being forced to.

Alice headed to the door but it swung open before she touched it. "Alice, you've been in here longer than... Oh, wait you're awake."

The woman that I'd seen with Alice back at the academy now stood in the doorway. She'd been wearing a sleeveless white garment and a black hakama and red sash. Even though I saw her from behind in a crowd I thought she'd just been tall. To call her athletic would be an understatement. Despite her feminine features remaining apparent, this woman was built like a brick house. I was honestly worried if I said the wrong thing she'd snap me like a twig.

"My apologies Seraph," said Alice. "I was only going to check on Soran when I found him awake. I was bringing him up to speed."

The woman, known as Seraph looked me over as if she was trying to find something. "You know... If you put a bit more protein in your diet and exercise, you'd probably bulk up."

That was rich coming from a woman built like an amazon. I bet one could probably grind meat on that six-pack.

"Come now Seraph," said Alice. "Introduce yourself already."

"Oh yeah," chirped Seraph. She bent down placing her left hand on her knee and holding her right hand out. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Soran. I am Seraph Xenthos... Solomon's and now your older sister."

"P-Please... Just Soran is fine," I stammered. "Also older sister?"

"That is correct," she responded. "I was tasked by my younger brother to protect Lady Alice here and when the time came I was to serve as protector and mentor to you."

I began to wonder how much planning Solomon had put into all of this. It was like the guy knew the future or something. "Alright, I guess that makes sense."

Seraph smiled and then rose from her stance. "You can call me Big Sis if you want. Now go on and get dressed. You got a big meeting to attend."

As she and Alice left the room I tried seeing the aura Seraph exuded. The strangest thing was that I only saw the large Marker on her back. It resembled a lion's head.

I decided to rummage through my drawers for something comfortable yet appropriate for the occasion. A white t-shirt with my school jacket along with some black pants and my fire boots. It was a bit difficult to put on clothes with only one arm. Plus my messed-up depth perception wasn't helping either. Even though it took about 25 minutes I'd been ready to go. Stepping outside into my living room I found Seraph and Alice waiting for me. Alice had been reading something on a tablet while Seraph had been watching one of my anime. Seeing the dark-haired warrior beauty on the screen I recognized it as Yasuka: Femme Desperado. A little series about a female samurai traveling in the wild west. I guess that piqued Seraph's interest.

As the three of us left my dorm I noticed the place was fairly empty. It would make sense given that Albion was on summer break but even still there'd be students that lived here still due to being from different worlds. As rode down the elevator I tried activating my U.A.D. to see if I had any messages, yet nothing appeared.

"Your U.A.D. is being modified," Alice said seeming to have noticed my attempt. "It was damaged and had to be removed."

I felt the back of my neck and even though my Animus connection was still there the spot just above it was empty. It was a bit strange being without a U.A.D. but getting a new one would just be one of the many other things I'd be doing.

"I guess I haven't been getting many messages then," I said.

"No, but, rest assured your friends are all fine. They have been working hard these past few months."

Alice mentioning my friends reminded me of Talia. I would've liked it if she or any of the others were at my dorm to greet me. But whatever was going on I was sure they were doing something important.

As we made it to the main atrium a Promethean man in a black suit awaited us beside a black Aeromobile. He opened the door for us and Seraph and Alice climbed in first. As I entered the vehicle I would finally see a familiar face. His lush and unkempt white hair and striking red eyes nearly matched mine. He'd been flanked by two more agents as he read something on a datapad. When he looked up I could see his eyes sparkle with relief behind his pair of designer glasses.

"Soran my boy, you're finally awake!"

Seated in front of me was one of the most powerful men in the entire Prime System. Prime Minister Preston Yalta, otherwise known as my Dad.