A gentle breeze blew past him, setting the grass into a slow sway. Birds chirped throughout the park as people admired the beautiful starlit sky, with the moon at its center, while images of his brother sitting on the porch flickered in his mind.
He remembered his brother, who had spent every night gazing at the moon through the window, until one day the man muttered to himself.
"The moon is like the light at the end of a tunnel—it reminds you that there is hope to see another day. Not everyone gets to witness the moonrise and moonset; in fact, some don't even see the sunrise."
He turned to face him.
Another memory emerged: a scene of him hesitantly stepping out the door while his brother tapped his lap with a gentle, encouraging look.
When Zach sat on his brother's lap, he recalled his words, "You know, nothing lasts forever in this material—or mortal—world. Immortality is useless if you have no one to share it with. Besides, you'd need an enormous amount of energy to maintain immortality 'forever.' But do you know what lasts forever? God. He is the beginning and the end, the alpha and the omega. Through Him, you will achieve the immortality you desire, for He provides the energy."
"But how is God the beginning and the end—and who created Him?" Zach asked.
His brother chuckled.
"Oh, Zach, that is beyond our grasp. God created us to unlock His marvelous creation; He fashioned our minds to understand such mysteries. While some atheists claim we don't need religion or that it's mere fiction, remember that faith energizes us, reveals our strengths, boosts our self-esteem, and inspires innovations that no one has ever imagined."
Even though Zach was only six at the time, his eyes shone with admiration—a feeling he wouldn't fully comprehend until a thousand years later, when his brother's words finally made sense.
"Anna!"
A sudden cry snapped him back to reality. Looking up, he saw a young girl in a blue hoodie sprinting toward him. At the sight of her, a small smile crept onto his face.
"What took you so long? I've been waiting for ten minutes!"
"Mother made me try on nearly every dress in my closet," she replied, panting as she reached him, her face glistening with sweat. She reminded Zach of his sister on her date days—always delayed by endless outfit changes.
"So, where do you want to go first?"
Zach considered the options as images of different places flashed by. Morning Dew had a long line, and Marijuana was closed. That left FC and Adjacent.
"How about FC? I heard the view there is beautiful!"
Danica nodded with a smile as they left the park hooded.
The wind swept past, gently tousling their hair, while the moon grew brighter, bathing the two women in its glow.
Through the corner of her eye, Danica watched Anna happily enjoy her Jamaican meal, her black hair swaying as she ate. Unconsciously, a smile spread across Danica's lips, and her heart raced. Ever since meeting Anna in the ruins, when Anna's shy yet caring nature stirred something deep within her, Danica's life had changed. Previously, she cared only for knowledge, but Anna had awakened a longing for something more.
"Hey, do you want to have dinner at my house? It's almost time for supper," Danica said.
Zach nearly choked on his Jamaican dish. Dinner at a girl's house? He glanced at Danica, whose expression conveyed confusion.
"What?"
"I just feel like eating at your house makes me a burden."
Even though Zach was a field officer on a mission, he couldn't help but admire Danica. At only 18, she was smart and compassionate—unlike him, spending his days in solitary training and study for an upcoming test, indifferent to others' well-being.
Danica's stunned silence gave way to laughter as Zach's response left her both amused and touched, tears welling in her eyes.
"Oh, Anna, you make me laugh. You're not a burden—you've given me a reason to spend my money."
A question seemed to hang in the air as Zach stared at her in confusion.
"What? I'm an Everhart, for your information."
"Right; how could I forget?"
Zach sighed exasperatedly.
I guess I'm still under the effect of oblivisci.
Standing up, he turned to Danica, who offered her hand with a smile.
"Come on. I'm getting hungry."
Danica chuckled as she took his hand, and together they walked to Royal Road—a ten-minute stroll from FC.
The moment they entered Royal Road, it felt like stepping into another world. Surrounded by a dome that generated artificial rain and snow, the weather inside shifted at the people's command. As they passed a quiet street lined with festive homes, a grand mansion caught their eyes.
The estate, with its French chateau-style façade, featured a symmetrical design with arched windows, tall columns, and ornamental moldings that lent it a regal air. Multiple balconies graced the upper floor, and the mansard roof, adorned with dormer windows and several chimneys, completed its majestic look.
Its beauty astounded residents—a creation of one of the district's most prominent families, the Everharts, known for their incredible artistic designs and rapid rise to wealth. Yet even that splendor couldn't outshine the famed Ola Corp.
"So what? Isn't it beautiful?" Danica had a smug look as she faced him.
Not wanting to hurt her feelings, Zach nodded in awe. Had he not known about the Ola Corp, the mansion would indeed have been marvelous.
Satisfied, Danica led him to the gates. A motion sensor lay beneath the gate, with an identification device mounted above. As soon as they arrived, the gate swung open with a silent creak.
A spacious yard with trees lining a winding path greeted them. Birds chirped from the branches, and the fresh scent of flowers filled his nostrils. For once, he found something that rivaled even the Ola Corp's garden.
They ascended the winding path in silence, as if reluctant to disturb the scene. Perhaps it was the abundance of trees that made the air so fresh—a luxury usually reserved for the Ola Corp's domain.
At the path's end, a plain door appeared. Danica stepped forward and knocked three times. After a five-second pause, she knocked five more times. Footsteps approached, and within seconds, the door opened to reveal a maid.
"Welcome back, young lady, Danica," the maid bowed politely.
Danica nodded and placed her hand on Zach's arm.
"I'd like extra dishes for dinner tonight."
The maid instantly understood, sizing up the girl beside her.
With his hood down, Zach's long black hair swayed in the wind, and his deep, whirlpool-like eyes reflected the maid's image. An unusual aura surrounded him, hinting at something new.
They entered a vast hall—a living room with a high ceiling and an enormous chandelier that cast warm, golden light. A sweeping staircase with ornate wrought-iron railings and rich red carpeting curved elegantly upward, serving as a striking focal point.
Fortunately, Zach had altered his appearance from the woman they had interviewed earlier. As they descended the stairs, Elanor and Custodia, holding hands, greeted Danica with respectful eyes while ignoring Zach.
"Welcome back, young lady," they said in unison.
"Hello, Mrs. Elanor and Mrs. Custodia."
Only then did they notice Zach lingering behind Danica, feigning nervousness.
"Oh my, who might this lovely lady be?" Custodia looked at him, her eyes sparkling.
Zach chuckled nervously.
"Oh, the lovely lady behind me? This is Anna, a friend of mine."
Their training immediately made them associate her with the woman they had interviewed two days earlier. Although both shared black hair and deep, whirlpool-like eyes, the present Anna possessed a slender build, while the other had a more lithe physique. Despite their similarities, a hint of suspicion remained—but as a friend of Danica, she was treated as a guest.
"Oh, Danica, you are home," Selina said, appearing behind Elanor and Custodia, who greeted her immediately. She smiled warmly as she looked at Danica, then at Zach.
Selina Everhart—known as The Leader.
The information given to him surfaced as he glanced at her through the corner of his eye before feigning nervousness once more.