Blade Island

Passing through the Earth station, Quinn and Vorden stepped into a swirling haze of light — and in the blink of an eye, stepped out of another on the other side. The transition was so quick it almost felt like cheating space itself.

Most civilians and academy students lived on off-world shelters now, but Vorden's destination was still here, on Earth. That didn't make it easy to reach.

"Whoa… that was weird. I've never been through a portal before," Quinn said, wide-eyed as the shimmer of the gate faded behind them. He blinked, scanning his surroundings. "Wait… we're still on Earth?"

Before them stretched a wide expanse of glittering water, the sunlight painting silver trails across the waves. Quinn's jaw slackened. "No way… a seaside. I've never been to one. This is so gorgeous!

So… what now? Is your family sending someone to pick us up?"

Vorden turned to him, his voice steady but edged. "Quinn… remember what I told you about the rules. My family isn't like others. Do what they say, no matter what. And whatever you do, don't question my grandfather."

Quinn's expression grew serious. "Got it. You don't have to worry, hey thanks Vorden, you are doing this despite of your family's strict rules"

A faint, wry smile tugged at Vorden's lips before fading into something heavier, the weight of memory replacing it.

They ended up renting a small commercial vessel — little more than an oval pod with seats for two. After sliding inside, Vorden tapped in a set of coordinates.

[No registered location found at destination. Proceed?]

[Yes.]

On the map, their target was nothing but open water. In reality, that was far from the truth.

As the craft skimmed low over the waves, Quinn leaned forward, eyes narrowing. "You're kidding me… you actually live in the middle of the sea?"

Vorden chuckled softly but didn't answer. His gaze drifted over the ocean and the far-off horizon — and the silence struck him more than anything.

The Earth below them was quiet. Too quiet.

The human race had already been thinned to a fraction of what it once was, casualties of the long and brutal conflict with the Dalki. The moment the alien forces had arrived; their first targets weren't cities or armies — they went straight for the nuclear plants. Any facility housing weapons of mass destruction was obliterated almost immediately.

At first, people whispered theories about traitors working from the inside. But those ideas died quickly once the sheer scope of the Dalki's technology became clear. No human spy could have handed them such precision — it was as if their machines could sniff out every dangerous installation on Earth before they'd even landed.

The aftermath was catastrophic. Entire regions became uninhabitable, swaths of the old continents sank into the ocean, and sea levels crept higher. What little land remained was crowded to the point of bursting. Or at least, it used to be.

Now, as Vorden piloted his craft over these remaining zones, with Quinn seated quietly beside him, the world below looked like a graveyard. Towns and cities that had once been hubs of activity stood hollow and lifeless. Most who'd survived — or had family in the military — had already been relocated to secure bases.

After hours of travel, their destination finally broke the horizon — an island crowned with a castle atop a hill, a great stone monument looming behind it. There was no reason for anyone to venture out here unless they had business with the people who ruled from that fortress.

-----

Inside, the Blade family was gathered for their afternoon meal. A lavish spread of roasted meats filled the table, with the patriarch seated at the head, flanked by his children and grandchildren. Interrupting this ritual was unthinkable… but today, a servant had no choice.

"Sir Hilston, a vessel is approaching the island."

Hilston tore the last bite from a chicken leg before answering, wiping his mouth on the back of his arm.

"How large?"

"Small," the servant replied. "Commercial model. Two passengers comfortably, three at a squeeze."

Hilston's eyes narrowed. "For someone to find this place and come alone… they're either very confident, or they're family."

Vorden brought the ship down inland, avoiding a direct approach to the castle. He didn't want to tempt certain creatures that might decide to greet them with fire. The walk from the shore would also give him a moment to steady himself — and, for Quinn, a chance to take in the island without suspecting why they were really here. 

A stone path wound through dense jungle, branching off toward small villages staffed by the Blade family's retainers — skilled workers who shared the Blades' ability but not their blood, and thus lived outside the castle walls.

They pressed on, but at a crossroads, Vorden hesitated. One route led up toward the castle. The other pointed right, toward something marked on the weathered sign: Blade Temple.

so, which route are we taking? Quin said excited. 

But almost without thinking, Vorden's steps veered that way, Quinn following with a questioning look. The path widened until the sound of laughter and voices spilled through the trees. Vorden slowed, slipping between trunks for cover.

The temple grounds opened before them — a sprawling building fronted by a wide courtyard where children played. Six adults stood watch near the entrance while about thirty children, most with blond hair like Vorden's, darted about in games and chatter. Some smiled, some cried, all alive in their own little world.

Vorden's chest ached at the sight. In his mind, Sil's voice broke into sobs, rocking and muttering.

"Why did you even come back here, Vorden?" Raten's voice snapped. "Turn around. Leave."

"Caser! Caser!" Sil wailed.

The temple before them was a wound they all remembered.

"They can't be more than seven or eight," Vorden murmured to himself. "That means it's still happening… and if that's the case, they must have started again recently."

Quinn glanced at him, clueless about the meaning behind those words.

Hey Vorden you, okay? you've been really silent now. 

Vorden snapped back to reality as soon as he heard Quin's voice, "oh yeah, it's nothing you don't have to worry about me.