“This is ridiculous,” Mark muttered under his breath. “We weren’t even part of that auction. Why are they treating us like criminals?”

Riya shot him a glare. “Maybe it’s because you tried to punch a soldier?”

Mark scoffed, leaning back against his seat. “That’s called self-defense. They started it.”

Light, who had been staring out the window, finally spoke. “We’ll figure it out when we get there. Fighting isn’t going to help right now.”

Riya glanced at him, her expression softening slightly. “What’s with you? You’ve been quiet since we left the docks.”

Light hesitated, his fingers brushing against the faint outline of the Phoenix Feather hidden beneath his coat. “Just thinking.”

Before Riya could press further, the jet jolted slightly, signaling their descent. Outside, a vast expanse of ocean stretched into the horizon, broken only by a small island that rapidly grew closer.

“Where are they taking us?” Mark asked, craning his neck to get a better view.

Riya’s eyes narrowed. “That’s Apex—the Solarian Astral Association’s main base. We’re in serious trouble.”

The jet landed smoothly on a sprawling runway surrounded by towering, sleek buildings. Soldiers lined the tarmac, their uniforms pristine and weapons at the ready. The trio was escorted off the jet, their cuffs still secured.

“Welcome to Apex,” Lyra’s voice cut through the noise as she descended the jet’s ramp with effortless grace. Her violet eyes scanned the trio, her expression unreadable. “Let’s make this simple. You answer my questions, and maybe you’ll walk out of here.”

Mark bristled at her tone but held his tongue. Riya and Light exchanged a wary glance, silently agreeing to let Lyra take the lead.

They were led into a large, imposing building at the center of the base. The interior was a stark contrast to the cold exterior—bright, modern, and filled with advanced technology. Screens displaying maps, reports, and live feeds adorned the walls, and agents bustled about with purpose.

The trio was guided to a sterile interrogation room and seated at a steel table. Lyra stood across from them, her presence commanding even in the silence.

“All right,” she began, her tone clipped. “Start talking. What were you doing at that auction?”

Mark was the first to speak, his defiance evident in his tone. “We were just looking around. Didn’t buy anything, didn’t steal anything. You’ve got the wrong people.”

Lyra’s lips twitched into a faint smirk. “Do you always sneak into Black Market auctions for sightseeing?”

Mark opened his mouth to retort, but Riya interrupted. “We were there for a job. Nothing more. Someone hired us to retrieve something.”

Lyra arched an eyebrow. “And you thought it was a good idea to take that job?”

Riya shrugged. “Not all of us have the luxury of steady income and a roof over our heads.”

Lyra’s gaze shifted to Light, who had remained silent throughout the exchange. “And you? Anything to add?”

Light met her eyes, his expression calm but firm. “We didn’t hurt anyone. We didn’t steal anything. We were just trying to survive.”

Lyra studied him for a moment before sighing. “Your recklessness could’ve cost lives. Do you even understand how dangerous that place was?”

Mark leaned forward, his frustration bubbling over. “We’re not the bad guys here! We’re just trying to get by!”

Lyra’s gaze hardened. “And that justifies putting yourselves and others in danger?”

Before anyone could respond, the door behind Lyra slammed open with a resounding bang.

A towering figure stepped into the room, his presence overwhelming. His black coat bore the insignia of the Solarian Astral Association, and his graying hair and weathered face spoke of years of experience. His sharp, steely eyes swept over the trio like a predator sizing up its prey.

“President Drake,” Lyra acknowledged, stepping aside.

The air in the room seemed to thicken as Drake’s gaze landed on Light. “You,” he said, his voice deep and commanding. “Stand up.”

Light hesitated, glancing at Mark and Riya before slowly rising to his feet.

Drake took a step closer, his towering frame making Light feel small. Without warning, Drake’s fist shot forward, smashing into the steel table between them. The impact was deafening, the table buckling under the force and splitting in two.

“Whoa!” Mark yelped, stumbling back.

Riya instinctively reached for her guns but froze when Lyra raised a hand, her expression tense.

Light’s heart raced, but his instincts kicked in. He narrowly dodged backward, the force of Drake’s strike sending a gust of wind that ruffled his coat.

Drake smirked. “Good reflexes. Now let’s see if you’ve got the will to match.”

Light barely had time to react before an invisible pressure descended on him, pinning him to the ground. His knees buckled, and his breath hitched as the weight of Drake’s Dominion Veil bore down on him.

“Dominion Arts,” Riya whispered, her voice tinged with awe and fear.

Mark, however, wasn’t so lucky. He collapsed to the floor, gasping for air. “What… is this…?”

Even Lyra struggled to stand upright, her hands gripping the edge of a nearby console for support.

“Come on, kid,” Drake said, his voice a low growl. “Push back. If you’ve got it, now’s the time to show it.”

Light clenched his fists, his body trembling under the pressure. “What… are you talking about?”

“Dominion Veil,” Drake replied. “The ability to assert your will over others. Few can awaken it, and even fewer can master it.”

Light gritted his teeth, the words barely registering as he fought to stay conscious.

“Trust yourself,” Drake said, his tone softer but still firm. “Feel it. It’s there, waiting for you.”

Something within Light stirred, a flicker of energy deep in his core. Gritting his teeth, he focused, pushing against the oppressive force.

The room seemed to hum with energy as a faint aura began to emanate from Light. The weight pressing down on him lessened, and he forced himself to stand.

Drake’s smirk widened. “There it is.”

The two forces collided, the room trembling under the sheer intensity of their wills. Sparks of energy crackled in the air as Light’s Dominion Veil clashed with Drake’s.

Riya and Mark were forced flat on the ground, the overwhelming pressure rendering them immobile. Even Lyra, with all her strength, struggled to remain standing.

But the effort was too much for Light. Blood trickled from his nose, and his vision blurred. With one final push, his Dominion Veil faltered, and he collapsed to the floor.

Drake stepped back, his own aura fading. “Not bad, kid. Not bad at all.”

Light collapsed to the floor, gasping for breath. Mark and Riya rushed to his side, their earlier fear replaced by concern.

“What was that?” Mark demanded, glaring at Drake.

Drake ignored him, addressing Light instead. “You have Dominion Arts, kid. A rare gift. If you learn to control it, you’ll be unstoppable.”

Light looked up at him, his exhaustion evident. “Why… why does it feel like it’s tearing me apart?”

“Because you’re fighting it instead of embracing it,” Drake said simply. “But you’ll learn. If you choose to stay.”

Lyra stepped forward. “That’s what I was about to propose. Join us. Your skills and potential would be invaluable to the Astral Association.”

Mark frowned. “And if we say no?”

Drake’s expression hardened. “Then you’ll walk out of here with nothing, and the next time you end up in trouble, no one will be there to save you.”

The room fell silent as the trio exchanged uncertain glances.

Finally, Light spoke, his voice steady despite his exhaustion. “We’ll stay.”

Drake chuckled. “Welcome to the Astral Association.”

As the soldiers escorted them out of the room, Light couldn’t shake the feeling that his life had just changed forever.