As we walk toward the building, every step requires my full focus. Sweat pours down my head, and soon, I'm gasping for air. I stop just before we reach the field to catch my breath. "What the hell is this? We're just walking, but I can barely breathe," I say between gasps.

"It's called pressure sickness. Think of it as your fight or flight system going into overdrive." Abby nods toward a group of armored warriors, " Whenever you look at them, you feel a heavy weight pressing you down, yes?" She doesn't wait for me to respond, "That's because they are much stronger than you. Your body recognizes it even if your mind won't. It wants to run. So naturally, your body reacts as it would if it was in extreme fear."

She gives me a small but cold smile, "To be honest, I'm surprised you're still standing. Most citizens in the city struggle to come within five blocks of this place. Quite admirable." I want to say something back, but I can't catch enough air. I take several deep breaths and force my legs to move. Abby nods and continues forward.

Every cell in my body is energized. It reminds me of when I once had too much sea bean coffee. Every nerve is on fire, and my heart pounds in my ears. We walk slowly to the large tower. Most people we pass ignore us, but a couple whisper and stare as we walk by and are silenced by a single look from Abby. Not that I can hear them, thanks to my eardrums practically bursting from the sound of my heart.

The doors to the tower open automatically as we approach. If I wasn't a nervous wreck, they might fascinate me. Inside is a massive lobby. Everything is made of black marble and gold. A massive crystal chandelier hangs above, scattering light all around. If I had to guess, this lobby was a quarter of a mile wide. Maybe bigger. Multiple circular desks stand at the center, manned by women in black office clothes. The desks make a circle around an elevator in the very center. Aside from that, dozens of tables make up the lobby where warriors, office workers, and various other people lounge. Warm yellow lights hang from the ceiling, giving the area a comfortable glow.

We approach the desk lady that sits in front of the elevator doors. "Hello, Abigail. I see you have our missing personnel. Sir Alexander is waiting in the keep." Abby nods and ushers us into the elevator. As the doors close, she turns to me.

"You are about to meet Alexander Bell. He's the minister of defense as well as the expedition leader. Mind your manners, do not speak until spoken to, and PLEASE do not ask him who he is or why you are here. Everything will be explained tomorrow at the academy."

The academy? Now I have even more questions. I'd ask if Abby wasn't staring daggers at me. I nod. She then turns to the trio, or more specifically, Zack.

He holds his hands up in mock defense, "I know, I know. I won't speak. I'd prefer not to push his buttons right now. He'll make me clean everyone's gear again." She says nothing and turns to the doors. We ride in the awkward silence that can only be replicated in an elevator for a while. I'm not sure how much time passes. Probably only a few minutes, but it drags on as questions fill my head. How come I don't get pressure sickness near these three? Am I going to receive some kind of formal training at this academy? What exactly do they want me to do? These questions and more bounce around until the elevator slows and the doors open.

The pressure almost knocks me off my feet, and I wobble unsteadily. In front of me stands a man in a white overcoat with gold buttons. His vest and pants are also white and embroidered with gold, and at his side, dangles a sword with a red velvet handle and a sheath inscribed with some kind of dragon or wyrm twisting up to the handle. A blue glow envelops the room, but I can't make out its source. The sound of people talking seems to be coming in front of him but out of sight. The stairs on the left and right of us go down, so we must be on some sort of platform.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

I don't look at his face as we shuffle out. Something tells me I shouldn't. He feels powerful, but more than that, a sense of authority exudes from him. I almost immediately want to do everything this man says.

He brings his sword in front of him, tapping it on the ground and resting his hands on the top of the hilt. Immidetaly all three of my previous companions drop to the ground on one knee, Heads bent to the floor. I hesitantly follow.

"Thank you, Abigail. I will take it from here." The man is Alexander Bell, no doubt about it. There's a raw but refined sound to his voice. It's deep yet firm. But not unkind. Most of all, it exudes confidence. I do not want to anger this man. Beside me, I can see Zack sweating.

"Explain." That is all the man says, but it's enough to knock the breath out of me. He does not sound pleased.

Zack clears his throat, "Well, you see-" Alexander taps his sword on the ground again, and Zack closes his mouth, his face paling as he stares at the floor. "I did not ask you, Zacarious. Or are you openly challenging Hearon? We can arrange that." Zack vigorously shakes his head and bows his head deeper.

I see Hearon stand out from the corner of my eye as he makes his report, "I apologize for the delay, sir. We had originally settled on a candidate based in the Calypso underworld when we heard of a boy who slayed a Bustal leviathan by himself. Under further inspection, we discovered he was tied to the Orphan tower and Mirin Jack."

Bell hums thoughtfully, "Yes, I could see how that could be a problem. He always sticks his nose where it shouldn't be."

Hearon continues, "Upon further inspection, we learned that Mirin has implanted a blac-"

"Yes, I am aware. However, that does not excuse your lack of silence. Explain to me why you three went completely off the grid?"

Hearon shifts his weight, "Azu had made a mistake. She was captured by one of the war generals in Calypso, and we had to expose the candidate as a smokescreen to free her. It required all our attention to keep Mirin off his trail afterward until we could approach him. I am sure you know the rest."

Those bastards. I clench my fist as rage surges through me. That explains the wanted posters in Atlas as well as the several dozen stalkers that I had to get rid of. They made my life hell for the last month.

"I see. Your story does seem to fill in the blanks our spies had. Very well. You three may leave. You have two weeks of vacation. However, expect to hear from me soon about your punishment. You WILL pay for the delay with your paychecks." The man taps his sword again, and the other two stand, quickly retreating to the elevator before Alexander stops them, "No, you three shall take the stairs."

They quickly thank him as a door closes. I can hear Zack groan as it shuts. The man's shiny black shoes clack across the floor as they stop just in front of me. I swallow hard.

"Stand, son."

I slowly rise, my legs shaking. The pressure is unreal. Even though he's not physically touching me, I swear he's pushing me down. I stand with my head still facing the floor until he grabs my chin with his fingers forcing me to look him in the face.

He's younger than I imagined. Maybe late twenties? His brown hair is slicked back, and his dark green eyes have flecks of gold in them. His face is hardened like he's seen one too many battles, and a scar lightly shows below his strong jawline.

He frowns as he tilts my head left and right, "So this is the one who entered the library?" My blood freezes, and I jerk my face out of his hands, taking several steps back. How does he know that? No one should know that. Why do both this man and Mirin know this?

"I see we have much to talk about." He holds out his hand, and Abyy gives him a clipboard, "Is this familiar?" He shows me a picture. Is that... Silo?