Chapter - 6 [ Gathering ]
In the quiet stillness of a small park, Victor Kal sat on an empty bench, earphones nestled in his ears as a soft tune played.
The song was one of his own compositions—a melody from Earth that had found unprecedented success on Gazzile.
Despite its alien origin, the tune had struck a chord with the people of this world, quickly becoming a sensation.
His father, Rusto Kal, had spared no expense in producing the music video, pouring money into it to ensure its quality and reach.
The gamble paid off, with the song amassing 500 million views within a year of its release.
It had earned Victor a modest but growing name in the music industry of Gazzile, marking him as a rising star.
The sun dipped lower on the horizon, casting golden rays across the park. The trees swayed gently in the breeze, their leaves rustling softly.
Despite the beauty of the scene, Victor remained lost in thought, his fingers tapping rhythmically on his knee in time with the music.
"Mommy! My balloon!"
The sudden cry snapped Victor from his thoughts. He glanced up to see a mother and her young daughter not far from him.
The child stood pointing at a balloon caught in the branches of a tall tree, tears streaming down her face.
"You should have held it properly," the mother scolded, trying to mask her own frustration. "I can't reach it now. It's too high. I'll get you a new one later, so stop crying."
But the child was inconsolable, her gaze fixed longingly on the balloon.
Victor removed his earphones, the scene pulling at a long-buried sense of compassion. He stood, brushing off his jeans, and began to make his way toward them. However, before he could reach the pair, a figure darted past him.
A young woman in trackwear sprinted toward the tree. With a graceful leap, she soared into the air, her body twisting slightly as she reached for the string of the balloon.
Her movements were fluid and precise, like that of a trained athlete—or perhaps something more.
She landed lightly, holding the balloon, and crouched down to hand it to the child.
"Miss, thank you so much!" the mother exclaimed, relief washing over her face. She nudged her daughter. "Come on, say thank you to the big sister."
The child clutched her balloon tightly, beaming through her tears. "Big sister, thank you so much!"
The woman smiled gently, brushing a strand of faintly red-streaked black hair from her face. "Take care of your balloon this time, okay? Don't let it fly away again."
The girl nodded enthusiastically. "Hmm!"
With that, the mother and daughter turned and walked away, their figures disappearing down the park's winding path.
The atmosphere shifted. The once lively park now seemed eerily quiet, devoid of other visitors. It was as if the world itself had orchestrated the isolation, creating a stage for what was to come.
Victor remained unfazed. He had long since grown accustomed to such situations.
If anything, he found it mildly amusing. His sharp instincts told him the woman's sudden presence wasn't a coincidence.
"Victor Kal," she said, her voice clear and confident. She had a striking appearance—her fair skin glowing faintly under the setting sun, her sharp jawline accentuated by her tight features, and her brown eyes piercing in their intensity.
She carried an air of authority, one that made it clear she wasn't an ordinary citizen of Gazzile.
Victor met her gaze without hesitation, his expression calm and unreadable. He recognized her immediately.
"Ariana Phoenix."
The name carried weight, tied to one of the most influential families in Gazzile. Her beauty, though remarkable, didn't stir him. He had long since built walls around his heart.
Ariana nodded, her tone formal but not unfriendly. "Will you come to the gathering this week? Grandpa has high expectations for you."
Victor crossed his arms, his posture relaxed. "I will. Since the Phoenix family is hosting, it would be rude not to attend. Besides, I'm curious to see what grade I'll be assigned."
She smiled faintly. "Mm. I'm looking forward to seeing mine as well. Until then, Victor. Let's meet again in a week."
Without waiting for a response, she turned and resumed her evening jog, her movements smooth and deliberate.
Victor watched her retreating figure for a moment before heading toward the park's exit.
As he approached the gates, a row of black-suited bodyguards came into view. They stood at attention, their gazes sharp and alert. Victor smirked inwardly.
'No wonder she seemed so confident, he thought. Her security detail was right here the whole time.'
The guards watched him closely as he walked past, their expressions betraying a mix of wariness and respect.
They knew who he was—and more importantly, what he was capable of. Victor's aura was no longer a secret among the top families.
In just four months, he would turn eighteen. With his coming of age, there would be no need to hide his abilities anymore.
The gathering hosted by the Phoenix family would be the perfect stage to reveal his strength.
As he strode through the quiet streets, his mind wandered to the darker undercurrents of Gazzile.
Over the past three years, reports of teenage kidnappings had skyrocketed. Though the mayor publicly boasted of cracking down on the perpetrators, Victor knew better.
The so-called arrests were nothing more than a façade, scapegoats offered up to appease the public.
Behind the scenes, the true mastermind operated with impunity—a shadowy organization pulling the strings.
Victor's lips curled into a faint smirk. He had no interest in playing the hero.
The lives of the kidnapped children were of no concern to him. Their suffering was regrettable, but he had his own path to walk, his own ambitions to pursue.
As long as the organization didn't cross him, he saw no reason to interfere.
He wasn't a savior, nor did he aspire to be one. In this world, strength was the only currency that mattered. And Victor Kal intended to amass as much of it as he could.
The city's skyline loomed ahead, its towering buildings bathed in the warm hues of twilight.
The gathering was just a week away, and with it would come the next step in his journey. Victor slipped his earphones back in, the familiar chords of his song filling his ears once more.
For now, he would prepare. The world of Gazzile was watching, and he was ready to claim his place within it.
---
The grand gathering organized by the Phoenix family was, without a doubt, a major event for the city.
It was the kind of occasion that everyone in Gazzile whispered about. Invitations had only been sent to the elite—those from the great families and top government officials. For those not invited, speculation ran wild.
A silent rumor circulated among the citizens: a special guest of immense importance would be making an appearance at this gathering.
Adding to the air of mystery, media outlets were strictly prohibited from attending, which only heightened the curiosity of the public.
The venue, a magnificent hall belonging to the Phoenix family, was a breathtaking sight.
It was adorned with intricate gold and crimson designs, befitting the family's status. Outside, lines of luxury cars created a spectacle as they arrived one by one, ferrying some of the most influential individuals in the city.
The air buzzed with excitement and intrigue as guests stepped out of their vehicles, dressed in their finest attire.
Security was tighter than ever, reflecting the high-profile nature of the event. Police officers and military personnel were stationed at every corner of the hall, ensuring nothing could disturb the gathering.
Their presence alone was enough to make anyone think twice about causing trouble.
Among the endless procession of luxury vehicles, a black Titan SUV worth 15 million dollars rolled up to the grand entrance.
The vehicle was a symbol of wealth and power, its imposing presence turning heads.
Two valets stationed at the entrance quickly moved to open the car doors, showing utmost respect for the arriving guests.
Victor stepped out first, followed by his parents, Rusto and Rosha. Each of them carried beautifully wrapped gifts for the Phoenix family, a gesture of courtesy and gratitude for hosting such an extravagant event.
"Looks like everyone is here today. Do I look good enough?" Rusto asked with a grin, adjusting his suit as he struck a playful pose.
Rosha chuckled softly, shaking her head. "You look fine, dear. Now come on," she said, taking his arm and leading him inside.
Victor followed behind his parents, observing the crowd of guests streaming into the hall.
It was a sea of familiar faces—powerful figures whose names carried weight not only in the city but across the region.
As they reached the grand staircase leading to the first floor, Rosha turned to Victor with a kind smile.
"Victor, your father and I will be upstairs with the other family heads. If you need anything, come find us. And don't forget—try to make some friends!"
Victor nodded, watching as his parents ascended the stairs to the exclusive area reserved for the heads of great families and their spouses.
The first floor provided a perfect vantage point for observing the main event below.
The ground floor was the heart of the gathering, where the much-anticipated grading process would take place.
All eyes were drawn to the centerpiece of the hall—a massive grading machine, prominently displayed in the middle of the room.
It was covered with an elegant red cloth, leaving its design a mystery for the moment.
Around the machine stood a group of young men and women, all close to Victor's age.
They were the chosen heirs of their respective families, each eager to have their Auras graded and to prove their worth.
The room hummed with a mix of anticipation and quiet tension as everyone prepared for what was to come.
"Victor!"
A deep, commanding voice broke through the noise, calling out from the crowd. Victor turned his head toward the sound and spotted a towering figure waving at him.
It was Peter Damentri, the eldest son of the richest man in the city—and one of the wealthiest in the entire country.
Even among the elite, the Damentri family stood out for their immense influence and near-monopoly on trade and business dealings. It was often said, "If you want to buy something, get a Damentri involved, and the deal is as good as done."
Peter himself was an imposing figure, standing even taller than Victor. At 1.93 meters tall, Victor was used to being the tallest in any room, but Peter easily dwarfed him, his height adding to his already commanding presence. The sight of the two giants in the same space drew the attention of many onlookers.
"How have you been, Peter? It's been a while since we last met," Victor said with a warm smile, extending his hand.
Peter's massive hand engulfed Victor's as they shook hands. "I've been well, Victor. Busy, as always, with family business and preparations for events like this. You know how it is," Peter replied, his deep voice carrying a hint of good-natured humor.
The two young men exchanged pleasantries, standing out not just for their stature but also for the quiet confidence they exuded.
Both were seen as rising stars within their respective families, and it was clear they shared a mutual respect.
As they spoke, Victor couldn't help but glance back at the grading machine. Even beneath the red cloth, its sheer size and aura seemed to demand attention.
He wondered what secrets it held and how it would shape the futures of those present.
"So," Peter said, following Victor's gaze, "you ready for your grading? I hear this machine is different from anything we've ever seen before. Accurate to the smallest detail. No room for doubt or speculation."
Victor nodded. "That's what they're saying. I'm curious to see how it works—and how I measure up."
Peter laughed. "Well, whatever happens, I'm sure we'll both leave an impression today. Let's give them something to talk about."
As the two of them continued to chat, the atmosphere in the hall grew more charged.
The event everyone had been waiting for was about to begin, and the fate of Gazzile's next generation of Aura Users would soon be revealed.