The metallic door of the room slid open, and a woman stepped in.  She had a thin frame and wore glasses while her auburn hair stopped just above her shoulders. Behind her glasses were greyish-brown eyes. Her skin was a tan that reminded me of Reyna and Regis’, while her freckles reminded me of my own. She wore a white lab coat and pants, held up by a belt with an attached holster that kept a pistol. In her hand were an electronic clipboard and a stylus.

Who’s she?

“Stace Everett, at your service, Sir Corzon,” she announced with a bow.

“Dr. Everett, you've made good timing. I was just about to send guards to go get you.” Corzon said.

“Yes, sir. I just finished checking on some lab results. Is this the new patient?” she said as she checked the electronic clipboard. 

“Let's see… Mr. Kaden Vars. Orphaned at the age of two years old….later adopted by engineer 17B, Laros Rama….Now lives among three others.” she went on as she tapped and scrolled down the screen with her stylus.

“Crimes committed… one, charged with medical supply theft- ah so this is the thief who attempted to steal my supplies a few days ago,” she said while cocking an eyebrow at me.

I faked a smile at being reminded of what got me into this mess in the first place. I was looking for medicine because Mari was getting sick. But of course, I got caught and ended up in a cell for a couple of days, and became an unwilling participant in the arena.

“Given your new position, and the completion of your sentence I’ll look past this. However, this will not happen again, understand? Also going forward, your friend will be administered the medicine she needs, as long as you cooperate in your Awakening training.” she said.

Mari’s gonna be okay? I guess this is one less thing to worry about.

“Yes ma’am, I understand. Thank you.” I sighed.”

“Do not thank me just yet, I’m still keeping a close eye on you. I’ve been instructed to be your new Doctor. As you undergo training and learn to control your newfound powers I will be there to make sure you do not overdo yourself.” she responded.

“I’m sorry but training? I never asked to awaken or whatever.” I said

“Now that another Awakened has been found, you have no choice. You will now be joining the other awakened in helping retake our planet” Aeris chimed in.

Others? How many others are there and what exactly are we capable of?

“If I may ask how strong are Awakened? How far can these magical abilities go?” I said.

“Usually manifesting around the late stages of adolescence, an Awakened person goes under strict training to better control their power. They manifest in different ways including fear, anger, sadness, and more. Awakened abilities can vary, ranging from healing, controlling fire, to even freezing an entire room.” Dr. Everett answered.

Woah.

“We’ve also studied that one’s durability and physical strength is much higher than the average human.”

“On the Castles, we have large training rooms used to help train Awakened. Soon you will be joining their training, so it’s important that you stay focused.” she continued.

Important? If these powers are so important- “Why was this information not spread to the public?”

I hadn’t realized that I had said that part out loud.

“Given the capacity of this excuse of a castle and the people that inhabit it, – criminals among other things – The Council unanimously agreed to not include the Antaris until proper order was established.“ Lunas answered, finally breaking his awkward silence.

I could feel the disdain from his glare. I’m sure he wasn’t the only one who felt that way given my status difference. Although, so far everyone had been somewhat polite and informative.

Except for Lunas.

What was up with this guy?

I understood that I was different now and had these supposed ‘magic powers’ now. I’ve always dreamed of returning to Earth, seeing the vast blue ocean up close, and feeling the breeze that I hear in the stories refugees tell. 

However, I wasn’t prepared yet. I was overwhelmed by everything that happened these past few days and suddenly I was being told that I would have to help save humanity.

The door slid open breaking the awkwardness from Lunas’s last comment. A male guard stood in the doorway standing at attention. 

“Sir it’s time for your meeting,” he announced.

“Very well, I believe this is a good time for all of us to depart and let the boy rest. He will be very busy soon, and he’ll need his strength.” Vargas said as he got up from his chair.

As he got up to walk away he said one last thing before exiting the room.

“I’ll have my men escort you back to your quarters in twenty-four hours. Please do get some rest, as there is plenty of work ahead,” he said.

And with a nod, he and two of his guards were gone. Aeris started to follow her father but as she walked passed Lunas she whispered something to him. I couldn’t make out what it was but he rolled his eyes and sighed. He followed his sister and stopped in the doorway. He turned his head back, as if he were going to say something but didn’t and continued walking.

“I should get going too, I have other patients to attend to. As Sir Corzon said, please rest. I will see you once your training begins.” Dr. Everett said while not looking up from her tablet.

After she left, I sat alone in my hospital bed with the only sound being those annoying beeping monitors.