Zara could tell I was rattled, going from the way she was looking at me as I leaned against the wall.

“Are you okay?” she asked, genuine concern in her voice.

I looked into her large, oblong eyes. “How the fuck do you work for these monsters?”

Zara’s expression tightened, and she glanced nervously down the corridor. “It’s... complicated,” she said, her voice unsteady. “I’m lucky to have made it this far, but there’s always a price.”

She began walking, subtly gesturing for me to follow. As we moved, she continued, her words measured and careful. “I worked hard not to end up like the masses, you know? Their every thought dictated by the Empire’s brainwashing. But even at this level...” She trailed off, shaking her head.

“You’re still trapped,” I finished for her.

Zara nodded, her eyes darting around as if searching for hidden observers. “We all are, everyone outside the Empire’s inner circle. It’s just... a different kind of cage.”

“The whole galaxy... it’s all one big totalitarian state, isn’t it?”

Zara’s silence was answer enough. She quickened her pace, clearly uncomfortable with the direction of our conversation.

Suddenly, a wild thought struck me. I grabbed Zara’s arm and pulled her into a secluded alcove, ignoring her startled protest.

“The rebels,” I hissed, my heart pounding. “The Nyxarion Liberation Front. Are they real? I need to know.”

Zara’s eyes widened in fear. She tried to pull away, but I held her gaze. “Please, Zara,” I said, softening my grip. “I have to know.”

For a long moment, Zara stood frozen, conflict clear on her face. Then, almost imperceptibly, she nodded.

My breath caught in my throat. They were real. There was hope.

“We can’t talk about this,” Zara whispered urgently. “The Empire is always watching, always listening. Do you understand? We never had this conversation.”

I nodded, releasing her arm. “I understand. Thank you.”

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

As we stepped back into the corridor, I felt a mix of emotions churning inside me. Fear, yes, at the scale of the oppression we faced. But also a glimmer of hope. If the rebels were real, then maybe, just maybe, there was a chance to fight back against this cosmic tyranny.

Zara straightened her clothes, composing herself. When she spoke again, her voice was back to its professional tone. “We should get you back to the green room. You have little time left to enter the Second Circle.”

I nodded, playing along. But as we walked, my mind raced with possibilities. The game had changed, as far as I was concerned now. The Trials had to become a secondary consideration, and my main goal had to become fighting against the tyranny that held this galaxy in an iron grip.

Jesus, do you hear yourself? said a voice inside me. You think you’re going to dismantle a long established system of control in a galaxy bigger than you can even imagine? Get a goddamn grip. Focus on the Trials. It’s the only chance you have get to some sort of life back.

But despite the voice, I had already made up my mind. There was no other choice, as far as I was concerned. I was no one’s puppet back on Earth, and I wouldn’t be anyone’s puppet here either.

And I wasn’t alone in thinking that.

I just had to find a way to contact the Nyxarion Liberation Front.

* * *

Outside the green room, I thanked Zara. “I appreciate you being straight with me.”

Zara nodded. “Just… be careful out there, Kade. The Second Circle, it’s not like the First. It’s a lot more dangerous.”

“That doesn’t surprise me. I’ll make it through.”

“I hope so. And Kade?”

“Yeah?”

“What we talked about a minute ago… it’s many times more dangerous. I’d advise you to drop it, for your own sake.”

There was no chance of that. “I’ll take it under advisement.”

Zara just nodded, knowing full well I wouldn’t do anything of the sort. “Failing that, be careful with what class you pick in the next Circle. Choosing wisely can make all the difference.”

“Will do.”

“Okay then. Good luck, Kade.”

“Yeah,” I said as she turned and walked away. “You too, Zara.”

Inside the green room, Grik, Annalise, and Snuggles were all waiting for me.

“Holy shit!” Snuggles exclaimed when I walked in. “Who the hell is this guy and what did you do with Kade?”

It took me a second to realize what he was talking about. “I had to get cleaned up before going in to see Vorak. I’m sure it won’t last long.”

“Looking like the star you are, Kade,” Grik gushed. “So what did Vorak have to say to you?”

I stared at Grik for a moment, wondering if he knew what the meeting was about. “Nothing I had any interest in,” I said, keeping my eyes on Grik, who seemed disappointed with my answer.

“Oh, that’s a shame,” he said.

“Yeah, a real shame.” I looked over at Annalise. “How are you feeling?”

She stood up as if to show me she was all right. “Ready to go out there and kick some ass.”

I smiled at her. “You’ve changed your tune.”

“Yeah, well, I just took a leaf from your book, Kade. Don’t let the bastards grind you down, right?”

“Fucking-A, and we’re not going to.”

Grik rubbed his clawed hands together. “I’m liking the spirit in this room,” he said. “We’re all going to go far. Now, let’s teleport back to Infernum. The Second Circle awaits!”