Chap 194: Large and Round

The jet carrying the four Sentinels burst out of a swirling green vortex high in the deep blue sky, the portal sealing shut behind them as if it had never existed. Moments later, the aircraft descended smoothly and landed in the parking lot of a large train station.

Once the doors opened, the four young adults gathered their luggage and exchanged brief goodbyes—quick hugs, quiet nods, promises to text. Then they split off in different directions to catch connecting trains that would take them to their separate districts.

Within the next few hours, four bullet trains glided into four different stations across the regions. It was still early in the morning. The sky held onto its soft blue hue, and the day felt fresh and untouched.

Miko stepped off her train into an open-concept station lined with towering glass panels and glossy floors. Large posters of celebrities and corporate sponsors decorated the walls, advertising everything from luxury brands to upcoming galas.

Near the exit stood a man in a dark pink tuxedo holding a sign with her name printed neatly across it.

She recognized him instantly—Mr. Vale, one of her family’s long-time coordinators. Around him stood several MG off-body guards, dressed in sleek black suits. Their tech-enhanced shades flickered faintly as they scanned the crowd. They spotted her before she could even close the distance and moved toward her with practiced precision.

“Greetings, Lady Miko,” one of the guards said with a respectful bow of his head. “We will escort you from here on.”

Miko nodded, offering a polite smile. She was used to the formality, though it still felt strange after months at Primus with her new friends. 

They took her luggage, and within minutes she was ushered toward a private jet waiting nearby. Efficiency was second nature in her world.

Her shore district, SkyLine, stretched along the coast like a polished jewel. The beach was practically in the backyard of most estates, and nearly every home boasted a glittering pool. The air smelled faintly of salt and wealth.

Miko lived in a sprawling mansion filled with extended family—uncles, aunts, cousins—all prominent business figures. Though she was an only child, the house was rarely quiet. Many of her nieces and nephews lived there too, their laughter often echoing through the halls.

Family dinners, however, were another story. It was rare for every adult to be present. The children usually filled the long dining table, but their parents were often caught up in meetings, arriving late, or simply prioritizing work. Success, in her family, never slept.

Miko didn’t mind as much as she probably should have. She enjoyed helping in the kitchen, tying her hair back and assisting the chefs. She would even join the household staff in preparing meals for the homeless—something that had started as an Academy service project to boost scholarship prospects. For her, though, it became personal.

It was during one of those outreach days that she had almost died—kidnapped and nearly lost—only to awaken her speedster ability in a desperate attempt to survive.

Now, as the jet soared toward SkyLine, the memory resurfaced. A quiet, uncomfortable thought crept into her mind. Had any of the helpers… or even the guards… been involved?

She stiffened at the idea.

No. She trusted the people in her household. She had to.

Shaking the suspicion away, Miko turned her face toward the window, watching the shoreline grow closer. Home awaited.

Zod’s district, Drud Salvanar, buzzed with hovertracks zipping through the slums. Colorful graffiti sprawled across walls everywhere—even along the sides of the train he rode—adding life and chaos to the otherwise gray landscape.

He stepped off the train into a partially crowded station, though the overall noise was muted. People moved cautiously, ears alert, trying to catch the faintest hint of Xenosapian attacks or alarms. Every footstep seemed calculated.

Zod tapped the GPS tracker on his recently charged phone, grateful to finally have a practical use for it again. Following its signal, he navigated through the maze of people and hovercarts.

Then he saw them—his parents waiting near the exit—and, more importantly, his little brother sprinting toward him.

“Brother!” the small boy shouted, his large hazel eyes shining, cheeks plump with excitement.

Zod quickly put a finger to his lips, “Ssh,” before releasing his suitcast handle and scooping his brother into his arms.

“Hey, Zodi,” he whispered. With ease, he lifted him onto his shoulder, both of them beaming. Their dark brown, bushy hair and hazel eyes mirrored each other perfectly, like two reflections in a mirror.

His parents exchanged glances, taking in how much their son had grown. He was bulkier now, stronger—a sign someone had been working out. His mother’s mind drifted to the chores that awaited outside. He’d be more helpful than ever that season.

Once they were all buckled inside their family hover-van, the conversation began. His father adjusted the rearview mirror, his eyes reflecting back at Zod in the back seat.

“So, what have you been up to, young man? I hope you haven’t been taking drugs… or anything… or steroids.”

Zod gagged, rolling his eyes. “Wow, Dad. Nice to see you too.”

And “young man,” for a twenty-year-old? Zod decided not to voice that concern—he knew better. One wrong comment, and he’d be facing a long, painful head slap the moment he stepped out of that van.

His mother’s gaze softened as she watched them, though a spark of amusement lingered, waiting for the perfect moment to tease him. Her son had returned to her unharmed—something not many parents could say. Soon, just a little longer, and he would be out of the Mid-Guard for good.

As the hover-van lifted off, his father began recounting stories of boys and girls Zod’s age—those who hadn’t made it out of the Mid-Guard alive, or had returned permanently scarred. He hinted at plans for Zod to attend Third Level Academy, to take his law studies seriously.

Zod slouched deeper into his seat, staring out the window, letting the city blur past. His little brother clung to his closer arm, never letting go, grounding him in a way nothing else could.

The underground subway was packed, filled with working people and Academy students hustling through the crowd. Saeda’s phone lacked GPS and the fancy features wealthier kids took for granted. After updating her father on her whereabouts through texting, they tried to figure out a way to find each other. The crowd of passersby had already raised the noise level above the allowed limit, making talking on the phone inadvisable.

She typed a quick message to her father, telling him to yell something—anything.

He did, and she focused, using her superhearing to track his voice. 

An MG off-body guard glanced his way and he gave a nervous smile. 

When Saeda saw the tall slim man with curly black hair and black eyes beaming like a star in the dark sky, she gasped. Standing next to him was the lady with dark brown hair framing her face and that infuriatingly composed smile—the witch, her stepmother. Seeing her made Saeda hesitate.

But then she reminded herself. She had faced the Harbingers and monsters from across the Veil. That should be nothing. What did she have to fear?

She pushed forward, closing the distance to her father, and sprang into his arms the moment he spotted her. They hugged tightly, relief washing over her. Then her gaze flicked to the woman beside him. Step-mother. Up close, she looked even worse than Saeda remembered. That perfect, unblemished skin, pink lips, slim waist—hidden  now beneath a bulky jacket—was a cruel mockery of her real mother.

They made their way to the parking lot and climbed into a small two-door car, the backseat barely large enough for them all.

“Saeda, we are so happy you’re back and safe. We worried about you every day,” her stepmother said in a soft, careful voice as she buckled her seatbelt.

Her father nodded, checking the locks on the doors. “And every night,” he added.

“I worried about you too, Dad. I’m glad you’re okay.,” Saeda said, deliberately ignoring her stepmother.

Her stepmother pouted for a moment, then let it go with a polite smile. That moment made her know things were going to be the same as always. 

“Here’s your stop, sir,” the cab driver said, pulling the vehicle to a smooth halt.

Kie lowered his black shades and let his eyes roam over the towering building outside. Balconies jutted from every floor, and several glass-bottom pools sparkled in the morning sun, suspended like slices of liquid sky.

The driver hopped out to help with the trunk. “I can carry this in for a little extra,” he added, winking.

Kie shrugged. It was just one suitcase—hardly worth mentioning—but maybe the man needed the extra cash. He didn’t mind.

They stepped into the building lobby together. The polished floors and walls gleamed under soft lighting, and elegant furniture filled the space with effortless luxury. Even the rolldown grilles along the ceiling seemed more decorative than functional, catching the light like subtle artwork.

The driver accompanied Kie all the way to his floor before finally parting ways, nodding politely.

Inside the apartment, Kie was greeted by a wall of glass that framed a breathtaking view of the city bathed in morning light. The space was open and airy, designed with a careful elegance. A modern kitchen, a plush couch set, and a wide table supporting a telegram emitter—ready to project a large viewing screen if needed.

It was beautiful… but empty. For a moment, Kie hesitated. Had he made the right choice, going there alone? The silence of the space pressed against him, almost daring him to admit that maybe, just maybe, solitude wasn’t what he was truly after.

Zod and his family arrived at a two-story house with a tidy front yard. Most homes in Drud Salvanar looked almost identical, like copies of one another. Grilled-off sections divided parts of the house, and metal doors secured the individual rooms—a practical, necessary touch.

His father had to leave for work, so Zod unpacked his things in his room, taking a moment to settle back into the familiar space. Later, he joined his little brother for a few rounds of video games, laughter and playful teasing filling the air.

He could hear his mother moving around in the kitchen, and an idea sparked. Maybe it was a good time to tell her about the amazing girl he’d met. His mother would likely welcome the news with warmth. His father, by contrast, only seemed interested in academics and money.

The kitchen counter was practically bare, save for the juicer she was using to make fresh juice.

“Can I give a hand with dinner?” Zod asked.

“Don’t worry about dinner,” she replied with a smile. “That’s covered.”

“Oh,” he muttered, a little disappointed.

Noticing his eagerness, she suggested, “How about we work in the garden? You and your brother. He’s been glued to that video game ever since you left for the Mid-Guard.”

“It’s nice that you got the car working again,” Saeda said as they left the apartment parking lot. She walked on one side of her father, while her stepmother took the other.

“Yes,” he replied. “Julie got a promotion at her online job—it helped out a lot.”

Saeda’s smile vanished. The thought of her stepmother being involved made her regret asking, and she didn’t even acknowledge the woman beside him.

They crossed the street toward a towering, overcrowded apartment building, similar to many in District Pactover. Street food vendors lined the sidewalks, the smells tempting and rich, wafting through the morning air.

Inside, they took an old elevator that creaked as it rose to floor thirty-one. When the doors opened, they pressed the safety green button to raise the metal grille before stepping out, ensuring the coast was clear.

Finally, they entered their apartment through a thick, Xenosapian-proof door equipped with a peephole. Unlike the building, their home had no grilled walls inside. The space stretched across two floors, painted in dim, rustic colors with a warm, lived-in feel.

Saeda’s heart leapt when she saw her pet, Stinkers. At first, it scrutinized her, then ran to her with joyous energy. She remembered Snickers—the pain of the witch Tee still fresh in her mind—and silently breathed a sigh of relief that Tee wasn’t around.

Her eyes widened when she entered her room. It had been completely repainted. A new dresser stood against one wall, and a fresh cage with a soft bed housed her pet, Stinkers.

Saeda sensed someone coming and turned slowly. It was her stepmother.

“Do you like it?” the woman asked.

Saeda clenched her fists, trying to summon memories of her real mother ever doing something like that. Her mother had spent whatever money she had on drugs and drinks, leaving her father to raise her alone. She forced back tears, the cruel reality of her past pressing down.

Then she turned fully, and the shock hit her like a lightning bolt. Her stepmother was no longer hiding under the oversized coat—her belly had grown large and round.

Saeda screamed.