I`m only a few steps inside before my senses overload and my power surges forward. I stop at the edge of the room to gain control.

　　Wait staff dressed in crisp white jackets and aprons buzz around the room. A large golden fountain on the far wall gurgles with a clear sparkling liquid. Balls of light made of sparkling crystals hang from the ceiling, saturating the room in a soft golden glow.

　　The aroma of rich savory foods mixed with too much aftershave permeate the air. A long table runs down the length of the room set for a formal dinner. There`s a glass podium at the head.

　　The room hums as groups of warriors dressed in formal uniforms and polished metals, chatter with old familiarity. They swish and clink their small crystal glasses almost in sync. Everyone is smiling too wide, laughing too loud, standing too close. I may be dressed the same as the other warriors in the room, but I`ve never felt more apart.

　　"It can be a bit much to take in the first time." A deep voice rumbles behind me and my abilities settle with a singular focus.

　　I turn around and give a salute, seeing the colonel designation.

　　"No, no." The officer waves me off. "At ease warrior."

　　The colonel is not as old as his voice sounds. His light brown hair loosely curls around his face where the gray sets in, matching his neatly trimmed beard. But I can still see the strength of a warrior beneath his mature features.

　　"This banquet is for you, and all of this year`s top graduates." He points to a group of warriors my age laughing together by the fountain.

　　"It would be an extremely tiring evening if the guests of honor had to salute every officer in the room." He smiles, raising a small crystal tumbler filled with a dark reddish liquor to his lips.

　　"Yes, sir." I reply after a quick scan of his medals and his name, Colonel Buckler.

　　His eyes crinkle with a smirk as he watches me.

　　"Just like an Oren. Always assessing the situation. Never surprised. Just like your father."

　　I stiffen and ready for what`s sure to be the first of many verbal attacks of the night. Our eyes stay locked on each other, as if waiting for the other to flinch first.

　　I know what to do when the conversation leads to my family. Stand tall, don`t engage, and wait for the person to say their peace. And never show emotion, even though my gut twists and my anger with my family rises every time. I check the room to see who else will join the colonel. Better to get all the Oren bashing out of the way early.

　　Buckler is about a foot shorter than me, and his experience radiates from his easy, sure stance. His eyes wander over my face and his smile fades. No one else takes notice of us, so I give him my full attention. The sooner he starts, the sooner I can move on.

　　"My father?" I ask, knowing he`s waiting for me to take the bait.

　　"Van, your father, was a very good friend once."

　　That`s not what I expected. I hurry to close my gaping mouth.

　　"We went through academy together." He takes a long pull of the dark liquor in his glass. "He and your brother both graduated Primus, as all Orens do. They attended banquets just like this."

　　I nod, I already knew that. I`m not sure what to make of the colonel`s easy confession of being familiar with my family, friends with my father. After the attacks, it seemed like no one in the world ever knew them.

　　Most of my childhood memories faded. I have no idea if Buckler was friends with my father or not. And it`s a well-known fact, an Oren family tradition, that we always graduate Primus. I don`t know if he`s setting me up for something or if he`s genuine.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

　　Buckler studies me. But he seems to look beyond me, like he`s somewhere else. I struggle to appear unaffected and not lean in to hear more.

　　"The last time I saw your father, your brother Elios had just turned down his invitation to the Elite Squad. Of course, it wasn`t a surprise he said no. All Orens turn down the offer to join the Elites, choosing to stay close to home."

　　I know why I didn`t get a choice. After the attacks, I tried to get my hands on any information I could about what happened. Being a child, I foolishly asked my instructors. They were more than willing to tell me.

　　They told me all about my traitor family letting the demons inside the walls, killing hundreds of people. And the fact my ancestors always refused any position that would take them away from the Hallow Point gate turned rumor into fact.

　　Buckler shakes his head as if clearing the memories with it. A flash of sadness moves over his face before he lifts the alcohol to his mouth again.

　　"I`m sorry, warrior. This is not how imagined this conversation going. You can`t move forward if you`re stuck in the past."

　　All anyone ever sees when they look at me is the past. Buckler places a warm, heavy hand on my shoulder. I managed to keep from flinching at the contact. So many questions storm my mind, but my mouth won`t cooperate. I`m frozen, staring into his warm brown eyes.

　　"Your father was like a brother to me growing up. He was a true warrior, something else really. Just like I know you will be. Nothing could touch him. He was so fast." A finger points at me from around his glass and there`s an excitement on his face.

　　"It was like he could tell what was going to happen right before it happened. We served together a few years in Hallow Point after graduation, before I got my assignment here." He leans closer. "He was no demon lover."

　　My breath stops. My lungs squeeze, begging for air even as I stand there dumbfounded. No one ever speaks of my family in kindness. It sounds like he misses them. All I can do is stare at his drink hand. I trace the thick white scar tissue crisscrossing the colonel`s knuckles.

　　The clink of his ice as he drinks the last sip is like a call to the wait staff. Soon we`re surrounded by waiters. Buckler orders another drink and I shake my head to decline. I`m so dry my tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth, but I want the servers to hurry and leave.

　　This man, knew my father and believes he wasn`t a traitor. His acknowledgment is dangerous. It awakens hope, hope that what I believe about my family is true. They couldn`t have caused the attacks. But hope like that, for someone like me, is deadly.

　　"It`s good to have you in Centrum now." His eyes crinkle with a warm smile. "My offices are here in the building. I`m looking forward to learning about you Rain."

　　Buckler gets called away by a group of officials in elegant white suits. With a nod and a quick pat to my shoulder, he leaves me. My mind is reeling. I`ve got to find out more from Buckler before my time here is up.

　　A bell chimes loud across the room, bringing conversations to a stop. General Edmond, Centrum`s commanding officer, steps behind the glass podium.

　　"Please make your way to your assigned seats as dinner will be served shortly."

　　I follow the flow of people. Looking over their heads to avoid eye contact. The wait staff guides attendees to their seats as they approach the table.

　　"This way warrior Oren." A skinny waiter with a bald shiny head gestures to a cream-colored plush chair.

　　I follow his impeccable posture to a seat in the middle of the table, closer to the head. I was hoping for a seat at the end by the exit. The waiter pulls the chair out for me with a nod before moving to assist someone else.

　　My hand grips the high back before sinking into the thick, soft padding. The table is set with gold and ivory platters, utensils, and goblets. I keep my hands in my lap, too afraid to mess up the arrangement before me. A small ivory place card sits in front of my plate with OREN printed in gold swirly script.

　　I read the other cards around me and almost slam into my seat back at the face staring from across the table. I give a quick look at his name card like I need to confirm what I`m seeing. General Targe gives me a slight nod before speaking to the officer on his left, Colonel Buckler. Why am I sitting across from two officers?

　　A lively group grabs my attention from the very end of the table where I was hoping to be. All the top graduates sit together. All except me. I watch Targe and Buckler speak to one another. Am I here so they can keep an eye on me? It`s got to be the same reason they assigned me to Centrum without a choice. Can`t have an Oren running loose. I grip the back of the empty chair on my right with enough force to crack the wood.

　　"I believe this is my seat, warrior." The female voice floats on an air of authority that I`m ready to salute.

　　I release the chair and look up as my brain stutters.

　　"Nugget?"

　　"Excuse me?" The line between her eyes creases then smooths into a blank stare.

　　Her hair is neatly twisted back, and she`s dressed all in white. The white formal uniform officer`s wear. I look at the place card next to me. Captain Elmar is printed in the same golden script. The captain of the Elite Squad, my captain, and my commanding officer is Nugget. My stomach drops as I look up into those chameleon-like eyes.

　　"Try and keep up." She says low enough for only me. One arched eyebrow rises as she throws my words from the tunnel back at me.

　　"Warrior Oren." Targe`s voice rings out from the other side of the table. "Salute your new commanding officer."