'What's going on?' the boy thought and then asked out loud. He didn't want to believe what he was seeing.

"They're sentenced to death," Gordon replied. "Those who went against the prophecy."

It was the first time Ashe heard such a thing. 'Opponents of the prophecy?' What did that even mean, or who would have anything against the fragments?

'But to kill for it?' It was a hard pill to swallow.

All five criminals were led to the ropes. Their faces were covered as if they had been deprived of the right to have the last word. The people watched their trial without any empathy. Such cases weren't uncommon.

Moreover, they seemed satisfied, as if the most terrible criminals were punished.

Then one of them freed himself from the neck restraints and shouted, "The prophecy is false. There is no Chosen One, and if he is real, he will burn the world to ashes." He wasn't given the chance to continue.

A guard came with a huge axe and, without warning, hit him directly in the back. As a result, the man fell and lost his voice. The executioner wasn't finished. He swung the axe a second time and hit the fallen man on the neck. His body and head were separated.

The people watching this terrible event screamed at the last moment. They cheered and praised the guy who mercilessly killed a man for expressing his opinion. No disgust or fear was expressed after seeing the blood.

"He deserves worse," said Gordon, his voice filled with disgust. "They want to sow panic, to create fear and spread lies."

Ashe was silent. Could he even say anything? Life was unvalued, and what could he change with his meagre strength? The fact is that a hopeless man was killed because he had a distrust, and no one came to his defence. Moreover, his death was welcomed.

"Let's get back on track," the boy told Gordon and turned around on his own.

The man adjusted his glasses. He examined a bit more as Ashe turned back to look for a way out.

For some reason, the city didn't seem as pretty to the boy. He saw its ugly side, the one on which happiness had been built. Soon they passed through poor streets, the lack of vegetation and the low buildings testifying to this fact.

Hungry people were begging, but no one paid any attention to them. Zalindar wasn't as grand as it seemed at first glance. It wasn't beautiful to everyone. Ezio was wrong.

At the end of a few streets, they came to a two-story structure. It was a sight to behold, though Ashe didn't want to look any further.

"There it is," Gordon pointed, directing the boy's attention to the guild building. They entered together and saw the gathered crowd. Noise and arguments filled the room.

Most of them were Binders. Their Marks were in prominent places. Some hid them, some were ordinary people and were still enrolled in the guild. They had special ranks allocated to them, but Ashe had nothing to do with them.

Gordon took him to the receptionist and explained the situation. He told them that the boy needed to register and get an ID. The girl nodded and started asking questions.

Ashe interrupted lightly and said before she could even start, "I'm a Binder." He spoke briefly but carried the necessary information.

Gordon was surprised. He thought the boy was a common homeless person. He couldn't even imagine that he would possess such great powers. "I don't see Mark!" he called out and decided to check the boy.

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"You don't need to see it," Ashe answered and turned back to the receptionist.

The girl smiled, apologising when the misunderstanding wasn't her fault. She changed the sheets from the closet and asked the boy his name. "What can I call you, sir?"

"Ashe." He said immediately, already used to his new name.

"What about the family name?" There were more questions left.

"None." The boy said, and this time no one was surprised. He never really had a last name. He didn't even know who his actual parents were. The city where he was born thought calling him Hope was enough.

The girl waved the papers at him. "Can you read and write?"

Ashe nodded as he thought. 'In all languages.'

The employee turned to explain. "Knowing your Covenant level is required. There's no point in lying; we'll test you anyway. Recording your skills and oaths isn't required, but if you want to join the government's units, then you will need them."

The boy nodded again and signed after reading the document. The receptionist read it, and Gordon's interest wasn't lost either. Then the girl went into another room and returned with a circular device. "You need to touch this, and it will determine the number of fragments in you."

Ashe tensed a little. His 1.58% total number of fragments was too much for an Eclipsed level. There shouldn't be that much in one person, and if the device saw it, then he would be in deep shit.

He was about to protest when Gordon quickly grabbed his hand and placed it on the fragment counter. The boy immediately pulled his hand free and threw the man down, but it was too late.

Gordon still had his suspicions that the boy might be lying. He saw his uneasy reaction and found a reason to act.

A black colour appeared on top of the circular device. It had a crystal-like shape and slowly rotated. The boy's heart almost jumped out of his chest. This event would have spelt disaster for him, but the girl's next words brought him peace.

"Eclipsed. That's right, and everything is normal. I'll prepare your ID right now. Just give me two minutes." She said and then turned.

Ashe sighed. 'How does it measure fragments? It might only see the rank.' He had more fragments than the other Binders, but that didn't mean he could suddenly become Echo or Resonant.

Being the Chosen One meant that he would be able to collect fragments the fastest. Accordingly, he should be able to receive and store a large number. Therefore, only one percent wouldn't help him become Eminent.

Based on his calculations, he would need at least 10% to 20%.

When the device released the black crystal, Gordon felt a twinge of guilt. He regretted doubting the boy and approached him with his head bowed. "Forgive me for not believing you. I thought you were just lying, and as the city's guardian, I considered it my duty to expose you. That doesn't excuse me, but I apologise again."

Ashe didn't expect the sudden apology. The man extended his hand to shake. He didn't refuse this kind gesture and gave his own. "It's okay, you were just doing your duty." They tugged on each other's wrists for a few seconds.

Meanwhile, the receptionist returned and handed him an ID. "Here it is. It's ready, and from today onwards you are officially a member of the Zalindar Guild. Your starting status corresponds to your Covenant. You are Eclipsed and can only accept missions of this grade."

"Thank you." Ashe took it with admiration and examined the small card in his hand. There was his name, rank, and special code written on it. His achievements and missions would be stored directly in the database.

"May I see it?" Gordon asked and took the card. He wrote down his information in a notebook and left the guild. "I have received what was needed. Thanks for your cooperation, and if we meet up somewhere in the city, remind me to invite you to dinner."

Ashe stood in front of the receptionist and looked around blankly. 'I did it. Was it that easy?' He was registered and recognised as Binder, and the operation to save the world was starting today. He wanted to find the mission's corner when the girl stopped him.

"I have to ask you something, and you can choose not to answer me." The boy's attention shifted to the receptionist.

She was a tall, dark-haired girl, dressed in a green uniform. She was probably about Ezio's age. "How long have you been Eclipsed?" Perhaps she noticed Ashe's still childish appearance.

"Then you should be careful. You know that Eclipsed have difficulty subduing fragments and the power within them. Take care of yourself and be prepared for symptoms." She was sincerely trying to help.

Ashe thought about it and remembered that he had no problems controlling the fragment. He hadn't yet experienced any voices or hallucinations, which were common in novice Binders. He blamed this on his unusual condition and thanked the receptionist.

Then he walked over to the largest wall. It was completely covered with folded sheets of paper, on which were written the missions appropriate to his rank. Ashe had to save the world, and he had to start from the bottom. By completing the smallest tasks to at least take care of his empty stomach, dry mouth, and dirty body.