“...what?”

Davie replied, spitting with venom, “I just checked what else Danny could have done besides terminating your Live Stream account and being a piece of shit! He emptied your shared accounts from the streaming and sent a letter of eviction. It says they have rights for forceful eviction of violation over bullshit. They're going to clear out your studio. We need to get over there now.”

Uncle Juan lowered his head in shame, unable to look at his third son for what his first had done.

Lily looked panicked as more tears streamed down her face.

Aunt Mary got out of Uncle Juan's embrace as all frailty left her countenance, replaced by the strict authority figure of their youth.

“Okay,” she said, wiping the moisture from her eyes as she took charge.

“Juan, you take the boys to the studio and figure out what's going on while Lily and I take care of things here. We can think about everything else afterwards. Got it? Good. Now go.”

And with that, Aunt Mary turned to address the crowd when a group of distinguished professors rushed over with crazed looks, demanding answers.

Jun was still dazed when a pair of firm hands found his tired shoulders.

He looked up to see Professor Kindley's face an inch from his own, their noses so close that he could feel the elder's breath on his lips.

Gross.

Jun jerked back but couldn't escape the clutches of his professor that was spitting in his face as he asked questions in rapid fire.

“JUN! Was that spirit fire?! You've ascended to S-Rank?! What did your flames do to the runes?! The RUNES Jun! The RUNES!”

Jun was getting dizzy from all the shaking as he tried to protect his face. Flames? That's right, people were on fire? Frozen? Drugs?

“You hid a perfected third tier spacial Rune Jun?! SPACIAL RUNE?! And what are these runes?! These RUNES!” the Professor shouted, red faced in agitation as he'd lost all composure after what he'd experienced. His poor old heart couldn't handle so many surprises from his monstrous prized disciple. He was in so much shock he didn't even know what he was doing anymore.

“PROFESSOR! Comport yourself! You are a distinguished professional and a leader of the community. Now please unhand my son.” A sharp reprimand cut through the professor's meltdown.

Jun looked to see a seething Aunt Mary. She looked like she intended to get physical if he wasn't let go in a second. The professor looked embarrassed as he quickly let go of Jun's shoulders, clothes wrinkled.

Jun didn't pay attention to his apologies, having not stopping looking at his Aunt Mary.

She'd called him son.

Sensing lil Davie's impatience, he looked to his professor.

One thing at a time.

“Professor. The Garden is a gift to the University. I hope it can find a home here somewhere. I have to take care of an urgent matter.... and sorry for digging up the ground. Cough.”

Not giving chance for a reply, he next addressed the drone cam. Gates, how long has that been that close?

“Thank you so much for everyone's continued support for my work. I honestly wouldn't have been able to become who I am today and come as far as I have on my journey without you. Thank you.” Jun said before looking down at a virtual screen that only he could see that connected him to the Local Nexus Market, messed around and hit a confirmation key.

“To show my appreciation to all of you for your continued support, I've sent you all a gift. I'm excited for my work to find its way into the hands of those who will treasure them. Until next time...”

Jun signaled Davie to cut the feed before leading the others past the gawking crowds. Familiar and unfamiliar faces crowded all around, but made way for the three without any fuss.

Stand in the way of an angry S-Ranker? Do you have a death wish?

Uncle Juan drove his beloved classic cherry red Titan 32 Runester through traffic as if a demon were chasing him.

If any other person tried driving like that, Jun would never get in the passenger seat, but Uncle Juan was the best driver Jun had ever met.

A skilled but reckless, illegal street racer in his youth, Uncle Juan raced dangerously through traffic with one hand while his other was tightly wrapped around a pendent at his neck. His anxiety had nothing to do with the road.

The ride was silent, each to their own thoughts.

Pulling into the old warehouse lots where Jun was renting from Danny, what they saw drained the remaining blood from Jun's and Uncle Juan's faces while the safety handle lil Davie had been depending his life on was threatening to break from his trembling hand. That fucker.

Several roughly customized rune cars, along with one garish luxury rune car that jun recognized, were parked messily in front of his studio. All three doors, including the large garage door on the front side, were left wide open while everything he owned was being destroyed and piled into heaps out front by a group of young thugs.

All his work.

The hundreds of finished and unfinished projects from his journey as an artist.

All the glass and crystal sculptures were shattered into mountains of glittering trash. He could recognize the glass hand, now missing fingers and a body, of a piece that was made for Lily. She’d always admired the dancers she’d see in the old era vids, but with her health condition, couldn’t even dream of dancing on her own, so Jun had been sculpting a series of crystal dancers for years. That one took over a week to get just right.

Stone, clay, metals, glass and crystal, each had designated mounds, weirdly organized for such destruction.

Jun pushed down lil Davie's shoulder, preventing him from rushing out.

“Uncle, please stay inside with the doors locked. Don't let this kid out.”

Uncle Juan looked at Jun hard before nodding gravely while lil Davie struggled to contain himself.

“I can help,” he managed through gritted teeth.

“Davie,” Jun's grip tightened in reassurance, “sometimes a man's gotta take care of his personal matters, personally. Don't worry. I'm not weak. I'm stupid strong.”

Jun waited to see Davie give a grudging nod before he left alone with heavy footsteps.

Seeing Jun slowly approach, one thug called out to someone inside his home.

Walking inside, Jun saw he was too late.

Everything was gone.

Years of work. Hundreds of sculptures that had so much of his heart.... all destroyed.

While Jun was looking blankly at what remained of his sanctuary, fifteen kids playing men carrying sledge hammers and crowbars leisurely encircled him.

Slam! X3

Click X3

“...what have you done, Jonathan?” Jun didn't see him, but of course he was there.

The sounds of boots stepping on the shattered pieces of Jun's life’s work revealed his presence. He turned to see the smug face that had been tormenting Jun for the last four years.

Jun didn't care about the sneering idiots and their childish attempts of intimidation with their backstreet weapons or that they'd foolishly locked themselves in there... with him.

“Junny Boi! It's so great to see you!” Decked out, head to toe, in the latest blaring trends and the most prestigious brands, Jonathan Steeltower, AKA Johnny Steel - blegh - swaggered over like he'd seen an old friend. His butt-lickers made way for their boss as his welcoming smile transitioned into a proper villainous sneer.

It was impressive. It was just the right mix of pride and condescension with his head tilted back just right, so that it was clear he was looking down on you.

He must have practiced a lot.

“Believe it or not, this isn't personal. We just got commissioned to do some good, honest work.”

If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.

Jun ignored the mocking laughter as he looked at the idiot who still didn't know how far beyond the line he'd gone.

“Your landlord called up, needing some muscle to clear out his old tenant's trash so that he could have it ready for the next tenants. There was so much junk here that we really had a hard time, but we made it fun for us so the work went by so quick. You missed out Junny Boi, we had all kinds of fun. Cleaning out the trash can be such a tonic for the soul, let me tell you. I feel like I've really contributed to society, you know?”

Jonathan came from a separate branch of the Vaults Family then Danny's mother. Apparently, the two had gotten along well enough in their youth before their paths were forcefully cut with Danny's mother's abandonment.

When they reunited years later, it was as hostile rivals, but when Danny's talents bloomed, he left Jonathan's mediocre talents so far behind it was despair inducing. He couldn't do anything to Danny, so he quickly set his sights on his weak little friend that he found more hateful than even his annoying cousin.

Jun never knew why Jonathan hated him so much, but understanding a bit about his pain and seeing as how the harassment never escalated beyond childish pranks and name calling, Jun never took him too seriously. Just a yapping dog on the side of the road. Pitiful thing, really.

He'd been rather scarce in the last year, so Jun was surprised to see him here like this.

“You know Junny Boi, I used to hate you. Some nobody orphan brat getting so close to the princesses of the Silverwave and Firestorm families. The. Fucking. Nerve.” He'd spoken calmly enough, but the last three words were spat with such sudden venom that Jun feared for his mental health. Look, he just switched back to smiling in a blink. That can't be normal.

At least that was one question answered. Maybe they could go find a therapist together.

“But then when I found out you were living that cuck life, well, I thought I should lay off you a bit. I mean, that's fucking rough, man. Having your own bro bangin’ your chick behind your back for over a year like that? I heard she got knocked up too. Is it too soon for you to see who the daddy is yet? Hahahahaha!”

Jun had been trying so hard to hold back.

“Wha- ACK – Kegh - KIK!”

He was fully aware of what kind of damage he could cause if he didn't control himself.

“SHI- ARGH!!”

He'd promised himself that this new life would be a peaceful one.

“GATHER TOGE- hurggg ARRRGH~!”

He concealed his cultivation base and his past from even his new family, only to reveal it live-streaming to who knows who. Foolish.

“FIRE?! HE, H- KEHACK!”

There were so many important considerations for his next actions and decisions if he wanted to protect his future peace.

“Pl, pl, plea- ARRGH!”

But all he could see was his lover laying with his brother.

“FUC- shhGAH!”

For over a year? Of course, he could just be lying. But why would he need to?

“I go- ARGH - puk!”

Looking back, suspicious signs had appeared starting about that long.

“Regroup! Toge- HACK - ACK!”

Just little things that seemed strange. Time lines that didn't quite add up. Excuses that were a little odd. Gatherings that were a bit random. But he trusted them, so he had never even considered it.

“Open the doors! Hurry u- KEH!”

But looking back with clearer eyes, they were fucking suspicious.

“The windows! Out through the win- ARGH - KA!”

Was the child... not his?

“We're all going to die he- KEH!”

Jun had thought their lives had been perfect.

“STOP NOT THE- hiiingg ~ ”

They had been perfect.

“Mommy was right, moomy wa ri- KAK!”

But a year was a long time to fake it. Weren't they tired?

“I swear I didn't do noth- bllleagh!”

How many faces did they have, he wondered.

“Get back I, I, I HAVE A KNIF- KEEEEEK!”

In the end, what did it matter? Diving any further was only an exercise in self torment without destination.

“Haah haaah plea – ACK!”

If he let himself sink into the 'what if's?' he'd lose his mind. It was better to focus on what was in front of him before he thought about the next problem.

Twitching bodies lay in heaps, with limbs twisted and bent in odd directions.

Even momentarily blinded by rage, Jun kept it to mere violence. The consequences of this were enough to alter his plans further already. He didn’t need the deaths of insects tying him down.

Doing a last sweep, Jun found a single sculpture that had missed the purge. On second thought, it was possible they merely saw it as a random misshapen piece of dried clay.

This had been the first gift he had made for Desi.

All those years ago, Desi came home one day and found their families had adopted a wounded feral child that needed guidance and she had made him her personal responsibility. She tutored him in all the basics of being a kid and was there for every step of his journey to becoming civilized. To Jun, she was the most beautiful girl in his little life and he wanted to give her a gift. So he dug into the ground and found some clay and made a clay flower like he had done in a distant memory for someone else that was beautiful.

She had not recognized what it was when it was presented to her, so Jun had kept it away in shame behind an embarrassed smile.

He'd make something better. And better. And better.

This oddly shaped piece of earth was the center. This was where Jun's journey had started.

A heartfelt gift that wasn't good enough.

Jun never explained its significance to anyone, even to Danny, merely keeping it close.

Jun stretched out his hand.

As his fingers grazed familiar surfaces and ridges, polished from years of caresses, a pulse from his index finger reduced the dried clay to dust.

His art didn't need that kind of insecurity at its center.

Since everything else was changing today, might as well start anew here as well.

He'd find a new center.

—

Kicking away a twitching body, Jun calmly unlocked his door for the last time and stepped out to meet a group of anxious faces.

Aunt Mary and Lily had caught up and were standing with Uncle Juan and lil Davie. Nicole and Tiana again stood awkwardly by the side. Those two seemed to have really bonded today.

They relaxed when they saw he was unharmed, but couldn't hide their many other emotions.

“Um Jun, the screams from inside,” Nicole asked in a stammer.

“Don't worry, nobody was hurt too bad.... probably.” Jun said, looking almost certain.

“More importantly, now that we have a moment, did Nicole catch everyone up on her end?”

Seeing the round of uncomfortable nods, Jun pressed on.

“I'm sure you noticed that I've hidden some things from you all. I just want you to know that it's only in your interests that I've always withheld getting into my past. The more you know, the more dangerous it can be. Even for you, Nicole and Tiana, and your families.”

The two would normally scoff at anyone inferring their families incapable of anything, but they knew that the one who spoke wasn't some ignorant brat. It was an awakened S-Ranker. If he said it was better for them not to know, they wouldn't question it, but it pained them to be so useless in this man's eyes.

“The major families have powerful abilities. Their interrogators will see through all lies and deception, but it's fine since I've only been what I want to be with you all as the people that I love that have accepted me as family. Nothing you know of me will endanger you, so if they come, just cooperate, please, don't fight back.” Nobody liked the direction the conversation was taking.

“Nicole, Tiana, I hope that I can ask this favor from you. Can you look out for my family and make sure nobody bullies them? I'll owe you biggies.”

“The fuck is 'biggies'?” Nicole couldn't help herself, fighting the growing moisture in her eyes.

That wasn't important right now.

“Where are you going Jun? Why do you have to go? Just stay here with us!” Lily cried out as she rushed into Jun's arms. The strong protective arms that was her third favorite after her mother's and Davie's.

The thought of losing her big brother, right after what her sister had done to his heart, she couldn't accept it. It wasn't fair.

“What's the matter Honey? We can figure it out together, so let us in,” Aunt Mary plead, almost begging. It wasn't fair to her either.

Jun wrapped an arm around his second mother and brought her in close beside her crumbling daughter. He tried to be reassuring as he spoke gently to the lovely ladies in his life.

“It's only temporary. I'll be back to you all soon. It's just that my mother and I had some conflicts that I'm very close to being able to resolve. It will just take some time.” Jun hugged them tighter and whispered in their ears, “I love you. Thank you for helping me find myself. Mom. Little Sis.” The last words were spoken with all the feeling Jun could pack, and Mary and Lily trembled, their little faces buried in his tear soaked chest.

He embraced them one last time before he went to his Uncle Juan and lil Davie. Jun gave his lil brother a fierce hug and whispered something only lil Davie could hear. He disengaged to grab his little brother's shoulders in a firm grip while demanding a response with his eyes.

Davie looked back with firm conviction and gave his response. “I got it. Leave it to me.”

Jun smiled with pride before repeating the process with his uncle. Only when Jun looked at Uncle Juan, the response was a bashful mumble of consent.

Jun's grip firmed while his eyes grew more demanding. Only then did Uncle Juan roll his eyes before saying out loud, “I got it you little bastard. I will!”

Jun's teasing smile was so revolting that Uncle Juan wished he could kick it.

Finally, he looked to his friends for a response.

It came quick.

“You have my word as the daughter of the Silverwind family that I, Nicole Silverwind, third daughter of the main line, will do my utmost to protect your family's peace and safety.” Nicole said, hand saluted over heart.

Tiana stepped up and made a similar vow as a daughter of the Firestorm with an equal passion.

His friends were awesome.

He was grateful.

'I'll repay this debt,' Jun vowed deep in his heart.

It would be better to move faster from now on. He wanted clear records of his departure from the city to lessen any potential interest in his family. He could only have faith in his friends beyond that.

After dispersing his reluctant family and friends, Jun changed out of his formal clothing and into his exploration gear, and did something very ordinary. He rode the public tram.

The route towards the Southern City Station was even duller than traveling through the Middle City.

The Outer Ring was where most of the city's industrial and 'agricultural' facilities were rooted. Vast stretches of land were dominated by the ugly, lifeless automated monstrosities with their constant belching clouds of foul odors.

The areas around the city entrances along the boundaries were different. All the facilities associated with the Southern City Entrance Station was constantly alive with human and vehicle activity by design.

The routes connecting the different Gate Cities were only sustainable with constant use. Too much time between travels could lead to unknowable dangers. This led to the current system of small armored convoys dispatched on a staggered schedule that meant each convoy was traveling at a distance to provide support to another when in need.

Jun's plan was simple.

Bully his way onto the next convoy to anywhere with a discreet display of his strength. Learn the trade routes and the locations of the surrounding Gate Cities and disembark to.... somewhere.

Gates. Where was he going?

All he had been thinking about was making his exit as fast as possible to make as much distance from the last people he had left worth protecting.

But then, where was he going?

So much had happened that day that he really needed a moment to process his shit.

It was in this state of mental weariness that he approached a well dressed portly man that seemed to be the convoy leader. A column of heavily customized all terrain rune trucks was patiently waiting for their turn by the giant steel gates that served as one of four portals that allowed access in and out of the rune barriers that protected the Gate City.

The man had just received some kind of confirmation and was just about to enter the lead truck when an iron hand clamped down on his shoulder and brought his rising jiggles back down to the earth with a heavy thunk. Without a chance to react, another hand came around from behind and presented a loosely clenched fist.

“Please allow me to freely offer my services along this perilous journey. Behold, an insignificant demonstration of my strength.” After the lifeless voice whispered something ridiculous into his ear, the fist was clenched.

A ripple of pressure that only a master of peak third cleansing was capable of producing proceeded an even more shocking pulse of ethereal white flame.

This was an awakened S-Ranker.

He wanted a ride?

No problem.

Does he want his whole convoy? Fuck! Who dares to grumble?!

No?

Oh, thank the Nexus...