Chương 1: Prologue

In the shadowed alleys of Starville, chaos echoed against the graffiti-streaked brick walls as a battered teenager sprinted for his life. His face was smeared with dirt, streaks of dried blood trailing from a split lip and a gash above his brow—evidence of a brutal beating that told a story of survival against impossible odds. Barely eighteen, his piercing black eyes burned with a mix of desperation and simmering defiance, contrasting sharply with the exhaustion etched into his lean frame.

The humid night air clung to his skin, each ragged breath searing his lungs as he wove through the labyrinthine streets. Overhead, a flickering streetlight cast distorted shadows, turning the alley into a jagged mosaic of light and darkness.

Behind him, the thunder of boots echoed closer, the barked orders of police officers cutting through the night like a knife. Panic twisted his features as he skidded around a corner, only to slam to a halt before an unyielding wall of cold, graffitied concrete.

Trapped.

His dark eyes darted desperately, seeking an escape that didn't exist. The officers advanced steadily, their silhouettes menacing under the sickly glow of a distant streetlamp. The crackling sound of tasers powering up filled the air, and Kael's trembling hands shot up in surrender.

He lowered himself to his knees, his chest heaving as he fought to stay upright. The weight of the night—the beating, the chase, the hopelessness—bore down on him. His vision blurred, but even as he gave in, his gaze flickered with something unbroken.

And then he saw it.

A sleek black car emerged from the darkness, its polished exterior gleaming under the faint light as it glided silently past the scene. Behind the tinted window, a face came into view for the briefest of moments. Recognition hit Kael like a sledgehammer, his exhaustion replaced with a surge of blinding rage.

"Lucian!" he roared, his voice raw, the name tearing from his throat like a battle cry.

His body exploded into action, thrashing against the officers who struggled to restrain him. Pure fury surged through his veins, overpowering exhaustion, pain, and logic. His shouts reverberated through the alley, a primal sound that seemed to shake the very air.

But his resistance was futile. A taser fired, its sharp, electric crackle slicing through the chaos. The prongs sank into his side, and his body convulsed violently. His knees buckled, and the ground rushed up to meet him as his vision dissolved into a sea of darkness.

The last thing he saw before unconsciousness claimed him was the black car vanishing into the night, and with it, the shadow of the man who had ignited his fury.

---

[6 Months Ago]

In the quiet hum of a classroom, the scratch of pens on paper was the only sound as students focused on their final exam. Among them, a lanky teen with unkempt black hair sat hunched over his desk, his brow furrowed in concentration. Kael Travis Wynthorne was deep in thought, his pen moving swiftly across the page. As the minutes ticked by, he finished with a small nod of satisfaction, placing the test to the side with a sense of accomplishment.

Leaning back in his chair, he rested his head on folded arms, allowing his mind to wander.

' I think I nailed that one. Shouldn't be less than an 80,' he mused, his lips curling into a faint smile.

But the smile quickly faded as a different thought crept in. School's almost over. No more classes, no more exams... but also no more pocket money. He sighed quietly, staring at the faint glow of sunlight on the classroom walls. I really need to figure out how to start earning something.

Kael's gaze drifted to the window, where the bright blue sky stretched endlessly. He turned slightly, letting the sight pull him out of his worries. The corners of his mouth lifted again, this time in genuine excitement.

' At least I'll finally have time for gaming and anime again, ' he thought with a spark of joy.

His mind danced with visions of late-night gaming marathons and binge-watching his favorite shows, free from school's grip.

Then, the bell rang. A sharp, resounding chime that seemed to ripple with finality—the last bell they would ever hear as high school students. A collective cheer erupted around the room, breaking the silence as students celebrated their newfound freedom. Pens clattered against desks; a few were even snapped in half in dramatic triumph.

Kael, however, remained still for a moment, watching the chaos with a small, wistful smile. Rising from his seat, he gathered his things methodically. While his classmates celebrated loudly, shouting and hugging, he slipped quietly out of the classroom.

As he stepped into the hallway, his mind wandered again, this time to the vast unknown of the future. The thrill of freedom mingled with a gnawing uncertainty.

What now? he wondered, his footsteps echoing in the nearly empty corridor.

"Hey, Kael, wait up!"

Kael halted mid-step, glancing over his shoulder to see Tyson jogging toward him, his backpack slung lazily over one shoulder. When Tyson caught up, they exchanged a quick handshake, transitioning smoothly into a casual dap before falling into step together.

"Bro, you and I have to play games tonight," Tyson declared, a grin stretching across his face. "I mean, it's been months since I even touched my controller. My fingers are itching to wreck you."

Kael chuckled, shoving his hands into his pockets. "Same here, man. Don't worry—I'll log in as soon as I get home. But don't get your hopes up; you're definitely getting your butt kicked at Sparking Zero."

Tyson scoffed, his grin widening. "Big talk for someone who hasn't beaten me once since freshman year. We'll see about that, bro. Anyway, I'll catch you later, Kael—don't flake on me. Log in, alright?"

"Yeah, yeah, I got you," Kael said with a laugh as Tyson veered off down another street, throwing a casual wave over his shoulder.

Kael continued walking, his pace unhurried as he mulled over the hours ahead. A part of him buzzed with anticipation at the thought of losing himself in the familiar world of gaming. But another, quieter part of his mind tugged him back to reality.

' Freedom's great and all, ' he thought, ' but I still need a way to make money. '

His thoughts drifted as he crossed the street, the afternoon sunlight casting long shadows on the pavement.

' I'm pretty good with computers. Maybe I could ask Mom to see if any of her friends need help fixing theirs.' The idea planted itself firmly in his mind, growing more appealing the longer he considered it.

Kael had always been a self-proclaimed computer nerd. From a young age, he'd immersed himself in the digital world, soaking up every scrap of knowledge he could find. Hardware, software, coding—he'd dabbled in it all. It wasn't just a hobby; it was a passion. Yet, until now, he'd never seen a real use for it beyond personal interest.

But this? This felt different.

' Yeah, that's a solid plan,' he thought, a small smile tugging at the corner of his lips.' I'll tell her as soon as she gets home.'

As the sun dipped lower in the sky, Kael's footsteps grew lighter, his resolve settling into place with each step.

TO BE CONTINUED