“A Mass disappearance involving more than 10,000 people, and counting, has occurred in the western blocks of Miami, becoming the greatest national tragedy since 9/11. Police, FBI, and the CIA are working together to solve this mystery and if not bring the missing citizens home, then at least provide answers for the many families in the dark, wondering if their loved ones will ever come home.”

~Report of Ten Block Disappearance. June 20th, 2023.

“Tell me something. Anything, please. Officer, I need to know what’s going on.” Veronica asked the police officer behind the desk.

Her father tried to stop her, gave Veronica plenty of warnings, but in spite of all that, she drove all the way to Miami to look for Cas, only for an officer to stop her with a shake of his head. The man looked annoyed, like it wasn’t his job to stand in the same spot for 8 hours a day.

The police station was filled to the brim with people, some barely holding it together, while others openly bawled where they stood. A heavy atmosphere hung over the crowd as silent whispers traveled to Veronica’s ears. Reassurances and pleas, doing nothing but making her feel worse. Veronica—at the very least—kept her head high and shoulders squared.

A strong front by anyone’s standards.

“We can’t release any information about the investigation at this time.” The officer drone on. He probably repeated the phrase hundreds of times to hundreds of different people. It made Veronica sick to her stomach.

“Then what are you doing? Do you have IDEA where these people went? Looks like you're doing nothing to me.” Veronica yelled. More than one person looked up from the crowded lobby, interested in what the man had to say. The officer—finally changing his expression—seethed at her questions and accusations.

“Listen here, girl—”

“What seems to be the problem here?” An older man wearing a brown suit with a badge at his hip appeared and interjected.

“Nothing—nothing, sir.” The officer stood noticeably straighter. “Just answering this young… woman’s questions about the 10 Blocks case.”

“Mhmm.” The man eyed the officer for a moment, looking through his fake smile, before his eyes fell on Veronica. “Rest assured, ma’am, we’re doing everything we can and then some to get information about this tragedy. While the CIA may be taking the lead, we got our best detectives on the case, working their own angle.”

“Are you one of these detectives?” Veronica asked.

“Yes, I am,” The man—detective smiled. “If you have any other questions or seek updates, you can visit the CIA website for official updates. And Jefferson, tell Gomez to give me an update on the Cassiano Park.” The detective said before leaving the station.

Veronica felt unsatisfied by the answer, but when she turned to the officer, he already dismissed her and started to talk to the next person. It absolutely made her blood boil.

She tried not to cry as she stomped out of the station.

Even though Castor could see in the dark, walking through the sewers alone was still nerve-wracking. He tried not to rattle his supplies, trudging forward as quiet as a hare and as slow as a turtle. Every shadow Castor looked through carried an even blacker darkness. Teeming in every corner, moving every time he looked away.

Castor was so guarded, he didn’t notice how exhausted he was until he passed the final bend towards their hiding hole. Blue jumped around the corner, his tail wagging wildly behind him. His enthusiasm melted the last of Castor’s tension away, a wave of fatigue and feebleness snatching its place.

Castor threw the backpack and slumped against, eventually falling to the ground. He absentmindedly rubbed Blue’s side as he sat next to him, leaning onto him. He must not want me to leave. He briefly smiled until he sighed. It was hard to forget where they were.

Castor craved another bottle of water, but held himself back. There were too many unknowns to indulge in anything more than strictly necessary—

Castor’s face was warm and moist; Blue’s breath clung to his cheek as he panted next to him.

“You thirsty, Blue?” The black lab perked up at Castor’s words, pausing to stare at his face. As if he could read his lips. “You thirsty, Boy?” He stomped on the ground. Once more when Castor just sat and smiled at him. That made him chuckle.

Without hesitation, Castor grabbed a bottle of water and poured its contents into his cupped hand for Blue. His rough tongue scratched at the calluses and cuts on his palms as he drunk as much as possible. He’d like to think Blue was trying to nurse his wounds rather than he liked how he tasted. Maybe it was a bit of both.

Castor gave Blue half a bottle before his sensibilities kicked back in. He used another quarter to clean Micah’s wounds while he did another once over the teenager. The worst parts were the forearms that were clawed then quickly burned against a fireball. Luckily, the Kobold had taken the brunt of the blast with its chest.

His arms didn't look half as bad as they should, almost like Micah had stuck his arm above a bonfire briefly rather than a firework disaster. Castor lightly washed off the ash and dirt, cleaning Micah’s forearms before applying the burn cream. Castor was only satisfied once Micah’s arms were covered in a fine layer of medicinal gloss.

He’ll make it. Castor heaved himself to his feet once more and dropped onto the lip of their tunnel.

Someone has to keep watch.

“Okay, time to make a list,” Castor said aloud. It was easier to stay awake making lists than doing nothing. “A backpack, 26 and a quarter bottles of water, two ponchos, an umbrella, two small armors, robes, a torch, and two bone clubs.” It was a mouthful, yet it didn’t feel like nearly enough. They needed more water; they needed food.

It was distressing that everything in that store was spoiled rotten. They needed to move and start searching for more supplies before they didn’t have the energy. Castor itched to stand and do something, but the sight of Micah so helpless on the floor stopped him.

The list-making was stressing Castor too much. “I just need to relax.” He said aloud, hoping to manifest it.

He breathed deeply, feeling the stale air touch the bottom of his lungs. He almost fell asleep—catching himself as he nodded off in long blinks, but a low pitter-patter rang in his ears. Rain.

It was soothing; the lingering tension washed away—

“Rain!” Castor yelled, his tired mind finally understanding the danger as he jumped to his feet. Dark water flowed in a small stream less than a stride away. Luckily, the tunnel they occupied was raised a couple of inches above the bottom.

Intuition Expanded!

Unranked 3

“Don't you like to sleep while it’s raining?” A groan echoing behind Castor made him flinch, but he quickly calmed when he realized it was Micah.

“Micah! You’re awake now?”

“Is that a question, or a statement?”

“A bit of both, I guess.” Castor laughed. Blue was almost glued to his side, yet he could feel his tail swoosh behind them as Micah sat up with a groan. “I cleaned your arms, consider us even.”

Micah looked at his arms. “Must be why I slept so good.” Micah whispered before his eyes widened. “I just got a system message.”

Castor stiffened. A system message started this whole shitshow, how is it going to make their day worse?

“It says that I am one of the first top-five to utilize my resource,” Micah continued, “and that my reward is a Sprite.”

“Hmm,” Castor paused. “And?”

“And?” Micah repeated.

“... Is that it?”

“Should I take it or not?”

“Do it, you idiot!” Castor hurried.

Micah pressed the air in front of him. The sound of rain and running water quieted to a dead silence, and Castor could almost see a colorless aurora gather around Micah. The glow hugged Micah, condensing with a phantom pulse towards his chest. A spark that burned as bright as the sun blossomed; Castor had to squint, blinded for a brief instant—

The spark vanished just as it materialized, taking the mysterious shroud with it. Castor stared at Micah as the teen looked over whatever system message he received.

“... So, what was up with the light show?” Castor asked.pa

“What are you talking about?” Micah returned without looking up.

“You know, that ball of light that was so bright it probably lit up the sewers for two tunnels down.”

This time, Micah paused and gave Castor an odd look, “It’s been completely dark this entire time. Maybe you need some sleep.”

As if on queue, Castor sagged against the wall. The air in his lungs grew heavier with every breath. With Micah awake now, it wouldn’t be so bad to rest while—

“It says that my Sprite is still forming, but I can still access bundles of basic information.” Micah’s voice stopped Castor from passing out right then and there.

Castor took a couple of breaths to stir himself awake, then edged closer to Micah. “Your Sprite is still forming?” He echoed as he stifled a yawn.

“Something about having to take a day to form a personality matrix. Apparently, a Sprite is like a helper that gives you pertinent information.” Micah explained. “The real reward, though, is the information I can get right now.”

Castor perked up at Micah’s excitement, his groggy mind catching up and lingering on the word ‘information.’ “What did you find out? You found a way out of this hellhole?” Castor jumped at the teen. If they found an escape route, Castor could repress all this and pretend it was a vivid nightmare.

“I can only open two, Comprehensive Guide of General Cultivation and Tutorial Guide. There’s a couple of differences between what’s happening here and what it says in the guide, but more importantly, I think we need to hurry up and get you in touch with your resource.”

“What do you mean?” Castor asked, willing his status screen to appear before him. He hasn’t been able to use his RP once.

Castor Dark Human

POW:0.4

MND:0.1

ATM:0.3

RP:14/14

Skill List: Alter (Ra), Blunt Weapon Proficiency (Ba), Intuition (Uc)

Castor’s skill list tripled in size—which would’ve been more impressive if it wasn’t one skill to three—and he also had a curious change in his [POW], but he held back from exploring it and focused on his resource.

“Are you talking about my RP? And why do we need to hurry?” Castor asked, but Micah readily supplied an explanation.

“Because the tutorial guide says the tutorial hands out rewards based on achievements after the first twenty-four hours. If I can get a Sprite right now, imagine what we can get when the twenty-four hours are up!” Micah’s eyes sparkled with excitement, as if he could see treasure chests and piles of gold coins.

Castor tried not to let the excitement get to him, but his chest bubbled, and a grin tugged at his lips despite his efforts. “You have to teach me how to use it first, Mr. Achievement.”

“Oh, that’s no problem.” Micah positioned himself beside Castor. “I happen to be a great teacher, and you don't look dumb-”

“Thanks for the compliment.” Castor interrupted sarcastically.

“-As I was saying, I’m sure you can learn in no time. It was pretty easy for me.” Micah gloated.

“But, you could only use you [Mana Bolt] when we were both near death.” Castor pointed out.

Suddenly, all the built-up bravado and confidence Micah had vanished, and Micah’s straight back bent under the cruel weight of reality. “You don't have to remind me we almost died, okay. I’m trying to tell myself we’ll be alright because if I don’t, no one will.”

An awkward pause hung in the air, neither one bothering to fill the silence until Castor couldn’t take it anymore. “How am I supposed to use my RP?” He said.

Micah didn’t answer for a moment, allowing the silence to linger. “Honestly, I don’t know. I just feel it in the back of my mind. My resource...really isn’t like anything I felt before. I wouldn’t know how to explain it, and even if I could, you’re not a [Mage]. It might not do you any good.” He paused, and Castor waited, listening intently. “The closest thing I could compare it to is a heavy, buzzing air.”

“... That sounds like a load of bullshit,” Castor grumbled at Micah’s nonsense.

“That’s what I thought.” Micah shrugged, before jumping up in excitement. He stood in the middle of their private tunnel, feet shoulder-length apart. “I have an idea.”

At least he knows how to center his gravity. That’ll be useful when things get up close and personal. “What is it now?”

“I learned how to reach for my resource when that monster’s fireball hit me, maybe we can recreate that with my [Mana Bolt].”

Castor eyed Micah’s arm with equal part guilt and nervousness. “Don’t you think that could be a little dangerous?”

Castor complaints went ignored as a ball of brilliant, neon blue light exploded into existence above Micah’s outstretched palms. The light seared black lines in Castor’s vision, and blew hot wind that stung his skin. It was the same very magic that allowed Castor to get close to the [Kobold Priest] and save their lives.

“It’s okay,” Micah smiled. “We’ll go slow, so you don't get injured like me.”

Castor couldn’t make any more excuses in the face of Micah’s insistence and guilt-tripping, obliging himself to at least try out his idea. He took off his shirt and turned his back to Micah. His feet absentmindedly tapped at the concrete—stilling entirely when he felt a sting on his back. A precursor for what’s to come.

“On three.” Micah paused, allowing Castor to ready himself. “One. Three!” Micah declared and gently pushed the orb of caustic light directly onto Castor’s exposed back.

Castorq winced at the prolonged exposure, but otherwise didn’t feel an indescribable energy within him.His skin burned and itched, distantly reminding him of food crackling in a microwave. God, I’m starving.

“You need to up the power,” Castor yelled over the billowing air.

“It’s hard enough as is to maintain the spell,” Micah complained, but obliged anyway, pushing the [Mana Bolt] deeper into his back. Castor would love nothing more than to escape to pain, to run away as far as he can, yet he pushed himself further into the ball of light.

His moans echoed back and forth throughout the sewers. Blue whimpered at his pain, growing louder alongside Castor until his moans became screams and his whimpers became whines of agony.

Castor wanted to shush Blue—not that Micah wasn’t trying—so he wouldn’t blow their cover even more than he already did, but he didn’t want to interrupt the experiment.

A cool rush swirled around in his gut, uncontrollable and chaotic as a storm

Castor called out to Blue, reaching out to him above all the noise, and grasped his attention. Instantly, the pain halved, and Blue’s incessant whines quieted all together as Castor grew winded and exhausted.

Skill Gained!

Bond (Incomplete)

Create a lasting connection

between you and another entity

Score: ATM

Skill Expanded!

Bond

Unranked 3

Castor raised a hand to stop the self-inflicted torture and paused in amazement from new sensations that buzzed at the edge of his awareness. Muted warmth and worry rumbled in equal measure, with a multitude of half-formed thoughts and something that resembled English zipping through the background.

Castor could feel an entity flinch at the sudden connection, and timidly investigate the source. A shock of recognition ran through it—him, he reminded Castor—and he wholeheartedly threw himself into their proposed bond. An understanding blossomed between the two, growing deeper, and surprisingly more comfortable the more time passed.

The following “Top five to utilize a resource” didn’t pop up like it did for Micah, but a prompt did appear. One that Castor didn’t expect.

Quest Log Updated

Emergency Trial

Day 2

Congratulations, Survivors.

Reap those who have fallen,

More shall grow in their place.

Achievements shall be calculated

For Rewards.

22,563/37,471 Survivors

Survival Rating:Low

The expected prompt didn’t bring joy like Castor thought it would, instead his stomach dropped as his eyes lingered on the final line.

More than ten thousand people. Castor couldn’t help but lean against the wall for support. What am I, but a drop in a lake compared to ten thousand? He felt out of his depth, in the farthest reaches out of his comfort zone. How long will it be till I’m one of them?

He pulled up his status to see what else had changed.

Castor Dark Human

POW:0.4

MND:0.1

ATM:0.6

RP:10/14

Skill List: Alter (Ra), Blunt Weapon Proficiency (Ba), Intuition (Uc), Bond (Inc),

Blue Canine

Skill List: Guard (Ba), Bite (Ba), Bond (Ra)

In the back of his mind, Castor noted his stats increased a bit, but he was still blown away by the sheer amount of death if the hologram was to be believed.

It worried him to no end—he was nothing compared to thirty thousand people. A half-baked plan began to form in the back of his mind, but first, he needed to know everything he could.

“Micah,” Castor called out, stealing his attention from the invisible screen in front of him.

“What? You didn’t get the achievement?” Micah asked with concern.

“I didn't get it, but we have more important things to talk about,” Castor said as he tested the bond, for the lack of a better word, between him and Blue. Just a look in the eye was enough to command the dog to sit.

“I want to know everything, about the game you were talking about, about your Sprite, and everything in those information bundles. I would also like to fully share the details of our status, but I would understand if you weren’t comfortable with it.” He felt it would be better not to push his new ally into anything, rather than to force him. It would be better for their cooperation down the line.

Castor half-expected for the teenager to be overwhelmed and take a few moments to absorb the situation, but Micah plopped to the ground and got just—if not, more—comfortable than himself.

Micah started from the beginning, just like Castor wanted. With Rifts and Boundaries.