Eventually, after hours of driving, we descended into an underground tunnel. The walls glimmered faintly with fluorescent strips, guiding us to a colossal base that seemed to hum with quiet menace. It wasn't just a headquarters—it was a fortress built for people who lived and thrived in chaos.
When the car stopped, Iseph was the first to step out, stretching with exaggerated yawns, hands stuffed in his pockets.
"C'mon, Caspian! Get your big ass out of that van," he called, his grin wide, eyes scanning the massive interior as he owned it.
I stepped out slowly, taking in the environment. Emblems of the NDC gleamed on the walls, flanked by the flag of Telios. The scale of the place pressed down on me, a silent reminder of the power housed within these walls.
"So, are you finally going to go more into depth about what you meant when you said I probably won't live very long?" I had asked while looking at Iseph as we entered the Concord Division's HQ.
"In time, impatient brat. Meet your teammates first—then I'll see what you can do," Iseph replied, looking bored.
We eventually made our way into a lounge that smelled like civilization for the first time in months—fresh sandwiches, brewed coffee, and the faint metallic tang of high-grade machinery.
The space was both functional and oddly inviting. Plush chairs were scattered between workstations, holographic displays hovered above tables, and the subtle hum of unseen tech lent the room a constant, low rhythm. It was impossible to ignore the presence of five people who entered like living hurricanes.
The room didn't get quieter when they walked in.
It got awkward.
Not the nervous kind—more like when five people who knew exactly how dangerous they were all decided to stand in the same place.
Iseph leaned against the table, flipping his cigarette between his fingers.
"Alright," he said. "Introductions. Try not to scare him too much."
"That's not possible," someone muttered.
I looked up.
The first man stepped forward, Kael Virex. Broad shoulders, sharp eyes, posture too relaxed to be accidental.
He glanced at me once.
Then sighed.
"So this is him," Kael said, with a bored expression. "He looks breakable."
"I heard that," I said, glaring at him.
"Good," Kael replied. "Means you're awake."
Iseph nodded approvingly. "Executioner. If Kael's here, someone's already messed up beyond repair."
"I prefer 'efficient,'" Kael added. "Executioner sounds dramatic."
"You killed someone last week, buddy. 'Executioner' fits. Or maybe 'muscle head,'" Seraphine said flatly.
"What the hell did you say about me? You tryna end up like that guy you damn–", Kael said while walking towards her, before Iseph held him back.
"Relax, muscle head. The more you try, the more I want to burn you alive~" Iseph grinned.
Seraphine stood across from Kael, chuckling, immaculate as ever. Hands clasped behind her back, posture perfect, eyes calm.
She gave me a brief, measured look.
"Vitals stable. Breathing shallow," she observed. "You're stressed."
"That obvious?" I asked.
She walked closer to me, putting her hand on my face, and began to examine me closely.
"You're sweating," she said. "And you haven't blinked in twelve seconds."
I blinked.
She nodded once and smiled. "Better."
Seraphine seemed like a calm ocean breeze compared to the hurricane of a man that was Iseph.
Iseph glared at me, sensing that thought. I forgot that this psycho had some bullshit psychic power.
"The Warden," Iseph said while looking at Seraphine. "She locks things down. People. Places. Occasionally, Kael."
"He resists," Seraphine said, chuckling.
"I do not," Kael argued.
"You screamed," she replied.
"I was surprised," Kael said with an embarrassed expression. I suppose even the toughest individuals can feel embarrassed.
Behind them stood Rhex Calder, frowning as if the universe had personally inconvenienced him.
He squinted at me.
Then sighed.
"Your Karma's uneven," Rhex said. "Spikes where there shouldn't be spikes."
"I don't know what that means," I said.
"It means you're dangerous in stupid ways," he replied.
Iseph smiled. "Auditor. He ruins everyone's fun."
"I prevent disasters," Rhex corrected. "Fun is a byproduct."
Nyra put her hand on his shoulder and said, "I guess this is why women don't enjoy your company, huh, Rhex~." Rhex suddenly tried to hit her, but she disappeared in a flash.
I looked around, surprised by her speed, only to see her leaning against a wall.
Nyra waved from the wall.
I jumped.
She hadn't been there a second ago.
"Hi," Nyra Vaal said brightly. "You're louder than expected."
"I keep hearing that," I muttered.
She tilted her head, studying me like a puzzle. "You'll get quieter. Most people do."
"That's not comforting," I said, while still regaining my composure.
"It's not meant to be," Nyra said with a calm smile.
"The Reclaimer," Iseph said. "If she's involved, something's getting erased."
Nyra smiled wider. "Sometimes people. Sometimes paperwork."
"Mostly paperwork," Rhex muttered.
Finally, Iseph stepped forward, claiming the space naturally.
"And you already know me," he said. "Arbiter. I make decisions. I break ties. I get blamed."
"Frequently," Seraphine added.
"Unfairly," Iseph said.
His crimson eyes met mine.
"We don't save the city," he said lightly. "We don't protect innocence."
Kael cracked his knuckles.
Seraphine adjusted her gloves.
Rhex sighed.
Nyra hummed.
"We keep things from spiraling," Iseph finished. "And right now…"
He smiled.
"You're spiraling."
The room grew heavier.
The gaze of five monsters settled on me.
It felt like death had already decided I was next.
Then Iseph clapped his hands once.
"Good news, though," he added. "You're interesting."
"But, bad news, now it's time for your assessment!" Iseph said, looking oddly much happier than usual… almost too much.
"Why are you so damn happy?" I asked, while following him to one of the many training rooms in the HQ.
"Well, I guess it's because we can finally see if you are only good for shooting a random bum in a bar," Iseph led me to the training area, a massive hall that felt part gym, part armory, part laboratory. Weapons of every type lined racks along the walls, from ordinary firearms to devices that looked like they were ripped from science fiction.
Holo-screens flickered in the corners, displaying combat scenarios and analytics, while the floors were scuffed from years of rigorous training. Mechanical contraptions moved in quiet, precise motions, ready to test reflexes, strength, and coordination.
Iseph tossed me a wooden sword and caught one himself with ease.
"You and I are gonna have a little spar," he said casually. "Hit me once, and you can team up with whoever you want. Miss…"
He smiled.
"Then you get Kael."
That last part made my grip tighten.
"Fine," I said, forcing confidence into my voice. "Deal."
How hard could it be to hit him once?
I lunged first, raising my sword and bringing it down in a clean, vertical strike.
The impact never came.
Iseph deflected it effortlessly, his blade barely moving—then his foot slammed into my stomach.
My breath exploded out of me as I stumbled back.
"Seriously?" he said, disappointment clear in his voice. "You think you can overpower me?"
I clenched my teeth.
"That was stupid," I admitted. "But I won't miss again."
I rushed him again.
This time, I feinted left, twisting my wrist mid-swing and stabbing forward toward his stomach.
Too slow.
Iseph parried the thrust like he'd seen it coming from miles away. In the same motion, he vanished from my vision.
A sharp whistle cut the air.
His blade grazed my back—I barely twisted aside in time, the strike missing my spine by inches.
Damn it.
His movements were smooth. Refined. Every step was precise.
No wonder he led the Concord Division.
He didn't stop.
A flurry of slashes came next—fast, relentless. I retreated instinctively, feet sliding across the floor as I tried to create distance.
It didn't matter.
No matter how far I moved, he was always there.
Closing in.
Pressing me back.
Then he stopped.
Just for a second.
The air around him felt heavier—like something invisible was gathering, tightening.
And then—
He vanished.
My instincts screamed too late.
A palm struck my back.
The world flipped.
My body was launched like a ragdoll, smashing into the wall with a thunderous crack. Pain exploded through my bones as I crumpled to the floor.
I couldn't breathe.
I couldn't think.
Every nerve screamed at once.
Get up.
If I stayed down, I knew, without a doubt, this man would kill me.
I forced my hands against the floor. My muscles trembled violently as I pushed myself upright.
Each movement felt like my bones might snap.
I staggered to my feet, gasping, vision swimming.
Iseph stared at me, confused.
"Hey," he said. "You know if you keep moving, those fragile little bones might break, right?"
I lifted my sword anyway.
"If I don't stand up…" my voice shook, but my grip didn't. "Then what kind of man am I?"
My eyes locked onto his.
"I'll fight until I die. Because if I don't… that's all I'll ever be good for."
For a moment, Iseph didn't speak.
Then he grinned.
"I guess you really are worth the investment."
We moved at the same time. But before our blades could clash— time froze.
Just for an instant.
I felt something shift inside me. A pull. A pressure. Not around me—but through me. I stepped sideways. No—behind him, and my sword slashed forward.
The impact landed.
Silence followed, and Iseph stood still. Then he slowly turned his head, eyes wide.
Shock.
Pure, unmistakable shock. For the first time, Iseph Eldra had been hit. He laughed softly—not with joy, but something darker."Damn, Caspian…" he said, eyes burning, "I was really right about you, huh?"