Chapter 10: Mistaken Identity
Troy stood at the edge of the forest, his gaze fixed on the city that had emerged from the mist. It was a stark contrast to the wild beauty of the rainforest—here, the glowing plants gave way to structures of metal and stone, illuminated by the soft, flickering light of lamps that hovered above the streets. It wasn't quite like the cities he had seen in fragmented memories of Base 0, but it felt familiar enough.
He approached cautiously, his body still humming with the remnants of mental energy from the forest. As he neared the gates, he saw figures standing watch—guards dressed in sleek armor, their faces obscured by helmets. They stood tall, their posture disciplined, the gleam of technology embedded in their suits catching the faint light from the city. The air around them pulsed with a subtle aura of control, a force that Troy could feel even from a distance. Mental energy, woven into the very fabric of their armor.
He stepped forward, his heart steady despite the uncertainty that gnawed at the back of his mind. He needed to get into this city—he needed information, a foothold. The guards stood silently as he approached, their visors locked onto him. They didn't speak at first, simply watching, assessing. Troy felt the weight of their scrutiny, but he kept his expression calm.
After a moment, one of the guards stepped forward, his voice distorted slightly by the helmet. "Identify yourself."
Troy opened his mouth, but the words didn't come. What was he supposed to say? He had no name, no identity here. Just a ghost from the labs, trying to make sense of a world that wasn't his.
Before he could answer, the other guard stiffened. "Look at his brainwave pattern," the second guard muttered, his voice hushed but filled with awe. "It's... refined. High frequency. Could he be...?"
The first guard nodded slowly. "Impossible. A Fourth Realm elite? Out here?" He turned to Troy, the suspicion in his stance shifting. "My apologies, sir. We didn't realize."
Troy blinked. Fourth Realm elite? He had no idea what that meant, but he kept his face neutral, letting the misunderstanding play out. He could feel their hesitation, the sudden deference in their posture. They were speaking to him with a new respect—fear, even.
The guard in front spoke again, his tone more formal now. "Please, enter the city. If you require accommodations, we can arrange that immediately. Is there anything else you need, sir?"
Troy fought to keep his expression calm, but inside, his mind was racing. They think I'm someone important. Someone powerful. It was a mistake—a dangerous one—but it was also an opportunity. He didn't have the luxury of correcting them, not when he needed to get inside. Not when he needed the very thing they were offering him—access.
"I'll need accommodations," he said slowly, his voice steady. "And information."
The guard nodded quickly, motioning for the others to step aside. "Of course. Please follow me, sir. We'll make sure you have everything you need."
Without another word, the gates to the city slid open, revealing the sprawling streets beyond. Troy followed the guard through the entrance, his mind still buzzing with the weight of the situation. He hadn't expected it to be this easy, but he wasn't about to question his luck. Not yet.
The city was a strange mixture of familiar and alien. The buildings were tall, constructed from sleek metal and stone, their surfaces covered in glowing sigils that pulsed with faint light. The streets were wide, bustling with people, but it was the technology that caught Troy's attention. It was advanced—mentally advanced. Vehicles moved without engines, hovering slightly above the ground, their movement powered by the mental energy that filled the air. People wore devices that shimmered with energy, communication panels floating in the air as they passed by. It was as if everything here was designed to harness the mental power that permeated Base 1.
The laws of physics were different here, and so was the technology. It was a reflection of the world itself, built around the manipulation of energy—energy that Troy was only just beginning to understand.
They led him through the streets, past towering buildings and open marketplaces filled with people moving about their business. No one seemed to notice him, but Troy couldn't shake the feeling that he was being watched. The mental energy in the air hummed with a quiet intensity, and he could feel the weight of the city's power pressing down on him.
Eventually, the guard stopped in front of a tall, imposing building made of smooth black stone. It was sleek, modern, and radiated the same aura of mental energy that seemed to pulse through the entire city. "This is the guest accommodation for elites," the guard said, bowing slightly. "Please, make yourself at home. If you need anything, we can provide it."
Troy nodded, his face still calm, though inside he felt a mix of unease and exhilaration. Elites. He had no idea what a Fourth Realm elite was, but the fact that they thought he was one had given him an unexpected advantage. For now, he could use it.
"Thank you," he said simply.
The guard bowed again, stepping back as Troy entered the building.
The room was lavish, far more than Troy had ever experienced. The bed was large, covered in soft, glowing fabrics that seemed to hum with energy. The walls were lined with panels displaying flowing streams of data—information about the city, the realm, even the fluctuations of mental energy in the air. It was overwhelming, but also fascinating. This was a world that revolved around the very power he had only just begun to tap into.
But as he stood there, staring at the walls filled with data, the weight of his situation began to settle in. He was living a lie—pretending to be someone he wasn't. And while that had gotten him this far, it wouldn't be enough to keep him safe. Eventually, someone would figure out the truth. Eventually, they would realize he wasn't some powerful elite, but a discarded experiment who had somehow clawed his way into Base 1.
He needed more than luck. He needed knowledge.
Troy sat on the edge of the bed, his mind racing. He had come to the city to find answers, to learn how this world worked, and how he could survive here. But now, more than ever, he realized how much he didn't know. Mental energy. Ascension. Realms. It was all still a mystery to him, and without understanding it, he would never be able to grow stronger.
I need information, Troy thought, clenching his fists. If I'm going to survive here—if I'm going to escape the fate of being nothing—I need to learn everything I can.
He looked around the room, at the panels displaying endless streams of data. Somewhere in this city, there had to be answers. Answers about Base 1, about the people who lived here, and most importantly, about how he could tap into the power that flowed through this world.
Troy stood up, his mind clear, his determination settling in. He didn't know how long this charade would last, but he was going to make the most of it. He had no identity, no history, and no place in this world. But that didn't matter.
He was going to make his own path.
And he would start by finding the knowledge that would make him more than just an outsider.
With that, Troy left the room, ready to find the answers that could change everything.
CREATORS' THOUGHTS 
solii
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Weekly Power Status
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