I regained my consciousness slowly, placing my hand over my face as I started lifting my body slowly from the floor. After I stood up fully, I started to open my eyes, rubbing them slowly, just to see that the room I was now in lacked any sort of light. There was nothing that could be seen, I couldn’t even see my hands. I tried to move around the room, being stopped by a barrier in front of me. I tried moving in every direction, but the barrier kept being there, stopping all of my movements. After a few minutes, a bright light, like a spotlight fell upon me, blinding me for a bit, I covered my eyes quickly as I saw the light, rubbing them slowly until the got used to the light. I then proceeded to take my arm off my eyes to take a look around. The spotlight only covered my immediate surroundings, showing that the barrier that covered me was like a witness stand in a jury hall. As I saw it, I tried to jump over it, just to be pushed back by an invisible force coming from my front

-Do not move from your spot- This was said by what seemed to be a femenine voice, not an old voice, but also not very young, It would be around her 20s or 30s

-Hey, come on, give him some type of respect, I mean you did just port him out of his comfort zone- This was said by a different voice, a masculine voice of around my age. This was said in a very laid back voice, almost relaxed in a sort of way.

-But still, he should at least respect the boundaries, there is no reason to try and leave this place- The female voice spoke up once more in an annoyed tone at the male voice

-Well, like I said, he’s at least trying to get his bearings on the situation-

-Could you two just stop arguing and at least explain where I am?!- I said this angrily at them as I started to stand up from the push, having to agree with the male voice, seeing how I wasn’t anywhere near my house by the looks of it

-Oh hey look, he finally decided to speak up- Said the female voice in response, in a faked surprise tone

-Well, what are you waiting for? Explain- This was said by the male voice, being directed at the female voice

-What?! Why me?-

-You’re the boss-

-Oh… right… well, let’s just get it over- She says this followed by a sigh, as she breathes in for a bit -Colin Striker, you have been chosen as part of the eleventh generation of SoulCrash, as bearer of the bracelet. You have been analyzed in recent times by your previous bearer, as he reached you as a possible successor-

My face tilted from the confusion caused by the words spoken, still with an expression of annoyance. -Okay, could you please state it in terms that I can understand?-

-… Why did you chose him?- This was asked by the female voice, directed towards the male one.

-Hey, don’t go questioning me now, I’m pretty sure he has some, untapped potential, believe me, he’s not this bad-

-And how would you know that exactly?- I asked this with anger as I tried to look around for the origin of the voices, which echoed all around the room, making it impossible to find them

-I’ve seen how you act from a day to day basis. I know what your parents are. I know what you can do… and I know why you hold back…- The male voice said this in a very confident tone.

After I heard that last part, I got paralyzed in fear, my arms trembling as I tried to keep calm on the outside, trying to throw a smile -Oh really, do tell? Tell me why I hold back- I kept freaking out on the inside, keeping my breathing steady

-You see, while I was examining you as a candidate, I got to tap into your mind, seeing all of your memories. I know of that one little experience, even if it was locked behind some very, let’s say, secure doors-

My breathing stopped after hearing those last words, as a light, white flame appeared on my hand. After noticing it, I called it back. I was losing control. -Look, that experience is something that I’d rather keep as a lesson than as a way to improve… I won’t ever do anything like that… again-

The female voice gasped in a low volume -Wait… that flame… I recognize that… are you, by any chance, related to James Striker?-

My eyes widened quickly as I turned around quickly -How… how the fuck do you know him?!- I shouted this in an angry tone, my arms going by my side

-Hey, there’s no need to be aggressive. Now, please, calm down. We do know his location. And, if you join us, you will know where he is… In due time, of course- This was said by the female voice in a relaxed, almost convinced tone

I stayed in my spot, fearing what I was thinking. James, my brother, had been missing for months, as if he had disappeared from the face of the Earth. If they did know where James was, this could make my family happy if I do get him back… but, they could also be hiding something from me. I tried to rationalize it, but my feelings got the best of me, as the next words flew out of my mouth without a second thought.

-Look, this is really shady, and I don’t know what to think of it, but if it gives me a chance to find my brother by joining your asses, then I have no other choice but to accept-

-Excellent- This was said by the female voice in a tone of joy as the rest of the room lit up. I turned my head looking for them, finding them right behind my back. I was right with the male voice. He was around my age, he had black hair, a scar over his right eye, a white and black spiraled t-shirt, along with some jeans and blue running shoes. In contrast, I was completely wrong with the female one, she seemed to be in her 20s, her white hair reaching down to her waist. She was around my height (Which is 1.71 meters). She had a pair of c-cups, along with a plain white shirt, a pair of shorts (Which reached down to her knees) and some formal shoes.

-Now then, if I may say, I welcome you… to SoulCrash. I am the boss, Martel Irving… this is the previous user of the bracelet, Regal Aurion… and, for the following week, he shall be your instructor-

-Instructor?- After I asked this, being confused by her words, I turned my head to look at Regal, who had a cocky smile across his face, looking back at me… He clearly knew how much I hated the idea…

END OF CHAPTER 2