•Kellin•

*I've been dragged into this place without MY consent, without telling ME what I'm gonna see, and without telling MY boss that I'm not gonna be able to pass out . . . . Oh, who am I kidding. This is better than standing around giving flyers to people who don't even care. I think.*

I let out a huge sigh. I walked around the room, looking at the different things inside. I looked at that one side of the room with all the Essence Capsules.

*Essence . . . The first time I saw one in real was two years ago. On that day.*

I can never forget that day. The first time I saw an Essence user kill another. In a gruesome way, at that. My hands started shaking again, and sweat dripped from my forehead.

*Get it together, Kellin. You still gotta know what you're here for.*

Raine approached me from behind.

"Hey, I think Sol wants us to come over to that room over there." she said, pointing at the door on the left side of the room.

Raine and Chase started walking towards it, so I followed. We found Sol inside the room. It was . . .

"Empty. Why the hell's this room empty?" Raine asked.

"Patience, young lady. You'll find out soon enough. For now, I'll explain what the Seekers Program is. Take a seat." Sol said

Suddenly, a bench surfaced from the ground.

*What in the f--*

"Mr. Sol, how'd you--?" Chase asked.

"Shush." Sol said.

Chase reluctantly sat down. It doesn't take a scholar to know that we are all surprised by this.

"You three are all Essence users, right?" Sol asked.

"Yes, we are." Chase answered.

"Uh, hello? I'm not. I'm just a normal kid that you guys abducted. I have NEVER been an Essence user in my whole life." I said, annoyed.

"And that's where you're wrong, Mr. Ward. Some Essences are just hiding in plain sight. Like yours." Sol answered back.

"Ok, look, I don't know what the hell you're talking about. I'm not an Essence user. I've never been. Now if you would excuse me. I would like to go home now."

I stood up from the bench and walked towards the door. Or at least, the door we walked into earlier. Which was not there now.

*Okay, this is starting to get on my nerves.*

"Where the hell's the door?" I asked, with a seemingly annoyed look.

"You'll know if you sit down and listen to me." Sol said.

"What for? I already told you that I'm not the guy you need."

"Hey, Kellin or whatever your name is. Just listen to what Sol has to say." Raine said to me.

*This is really annoying.*

"I told you. I have no reason for being here. You guys got the wrong guy. I know some other Essence users. I can recom--"

"No." Sol mildly shouted.

I was shocked at his tone. I looked at him, and he shot me a very serious look.

"Please, Mr. Ward. Just listen to what I have to say. I promise to make it worth your while."

"And what could I possibly gain from this?" I snapped back.

Sol let out a sigh.

"Tell you what. You can leave right now, and we won't stop you. You won't hear anything from us ever again. But--"

"I'll take it."

"Let me finish. But, if you do leave . . . . " he said

Sol paused for a moment.

"You'll never find out why Scola saved you two years ago."

At this moment, silence fell upon the room. I was paralyzed. I couldn't move at all. In just the span of one day, I've heard more of that incident two years ago than before.

*W-what's he talking about? Saved . . . . me? The f-fuck kind of shit is that?*

My hands started to shake. Sweat began to drip from my forehead. At that moment, my vision became hazy.

*Save m-me? Why the . . . . hell would Scola save me? I . . . . think I'm gonna pass out.*

"Sit down before you pass out, idiot." Raine said.

She then grabbed my arm, pulled me towards the bench, and helped me sit down. I still could barely move myself after hearing what Sol said.

*I have no idea what he's talking about. Is he even telling the truth?*

"Mr. Ward. I hope you're well. I know that hearing things about that incident stresses you out heavily. I'm very sorry to put you on this spot." Sol said.

*Damn right, you are.*

"But, I decided that you should know the truth. Considering you were a part of it." Sol said.

I let out a big sigh. I looked over at Raine and Chase. They're both staring at me. I saw Chase give me a slight nod. I let out another sigh. I raised my head, and looked at Sol. I want to know what happened with Scola. I gotta know.

"Fine. But you better tell me EVERYTHING." I said.

Sol nodded.

"I will, Mr. Ward. Thank you. But for now, let's focus on the matter at hand." Sol said.

At the edge of my eye, I saw Chase give me a slight smile.

"Now. As I have said, you three are now part of the new and exclusive program here in LUSCRA, called the Seekers Program."

Sol snapped, and a table surfaced from the ground.

"I swear, that's getting really creepy. How are you even doing that, Mr. Sol?" Chase said.

"I'll explain later. Now, the primary aim of LUSCRA is to contain and research ancient artifacts scattered throughout Arainea, and some in the other parts of Altragaea. But the Seekers Program is a very special order implemented by me and some other chairmen of LUSCRA."

He paused for a moment, then continued.

"The Program's main concern is the safe retrieval and containment of Essences and Relics throughout Altragaea."

"What, really? This is kinda new, Mr. Sol. How come I've never heard of this before?." Chase asked.

"That's because I intend to make you a part of this." Sol said.

"What do you mean?"

Sol approached Chase, and urged her to stand up. She stood up from the bench, and Sol started to speak.

"Chase Aurum, I hereby remove you of your rank of Bookmaster."