The low hum of the jet's engines resonated through the cabin as Zarn stepped inside, his gaze sweeping over the luxurious yet compact interior. Mico wasted no time, his blue-flamed tail flicking as he padded toward the snack section, nose twitching at the variety of treats lined up in neat rows. The sight pulled a small smirk from Zarn, but before he could follow, a firm hand landed on his shoulder.

  "Zarn," a familiar voice called.

  He turned to see Kendrick standing beside Arth, both already settled in. Kendrick gave a respectful nod, his expression unusually soft. "I never got the chance to thank you properly. You really saved us back there."

  Zarn shrugged. "Don't mention it. I just did what I had to."

  Kendrick smiled at that, but before he could say anything more, Arth looped an arm around Zarn's shoulders and pulled him forward with a grin. "Enough of that! You're sitting with me," he declared, dragging Zarn toward a seat just in front of his own. "We've got things to talk about."

  Zarn sighed but didn't resist as he was practically shoved into the seat. The moment he was settled, Arth leaned forward, eyes glinting with curiosity. "Alright, first things first—how old are you really?"

  "Seventeen," Zarn answered simply, tilting his head back against the seat.

  Arth whistled. "No way. You look twelve."

  Zarn rolled his eyes but didn't bother responding.

  "Fine, fine. Next question—your family?"

  "Orphaned."

  That sobered Arth for a moment, but he pushed on. "Are you a natural summoner?"

  "Yes."

  Arth blinked. "Hah. Figured as much." He then leaned in, excitement barely contained. "And how strong are you, really?"

  Zarn let the question hang for a moment before offering a calm reply. "I technically don't know the full extent. I've never had to use my strength fully."

  Arth stared at him, silent for the first time since the conversation started. A slow grin stretched across his face. "Well, damn. Now I'm really interested. Anyway, what's with your hair? Did you dye it?"

  "This is its natural color."

  "Woah, this is officially the second coolest thing about you." Arth's mouth hung open, his eyes locked onto Zarn's tri-colored hair.

  "Oh? What's the first?" Zarn sat up and asked, mild interest in his tone.

  "Mico, of course. What else is there?"

  Of course, he is. This boy Arth, he isn't so bad. Zarn thought to himself as he closed his eyes, his head rested on the seat. His breath even out as the jet rumbled beneath them, lifting off into the sky.

  An hour into the flight, Zarn stirred awake, blinking away the remnants of sleep. The cabin lights were dimmed, casting a soft glow over the sleek interior. He turned his head to the side and found Mico curled up beside him, the blue flames along the lion's mane flickering gently as he breathed in slow, steady intervals.

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  Zarn let out a quiet chuckle before shifting his gaze forward. A few seats away, Arth sat engrossed in what seemed to be an intense game. A sleek controller rested in his hands, fingers moving with practiced ease, while a pair of futuristic glasses—no bigger than standard eyewear—rested over his eyes, serving as a VR headset.

  Curious, Zarn leaned forward slightly. "Didn't peg you for a gamer."

  Arth, fully immersed, flinched slightly before glancing toward him. "Oh, you're up. Yeah, gaming's my thing. Helps pass the time, y'know?" He tapped the side of his glasses, pausing the game. "How was the nap?"

  "Decent," Zarn muttered, stretching a little. His gaze drifted to the window, where the sky stretched infinitely, bathed in the soft hues of dusk. He let the silence linger for a moment before speaking again. "Tell me about the city we're headed to."

  Arth raised an eyebrow. "You don't know?"

  "I know the basics," Zarn admitted. "Read about it, seen clips on the net. Light City—the cyberworld. But I want to hear about it from someone who actually lives there."

  Arth leaned back, crossing his arms. "Light City is one of the seven main cities on the planet, a massive cyber-metropolis. Think towering skyscrapers, neon lights, and an entire network of interconnected districts. There are a few zones dedicated to artificial natural environments, but for the most part, it's pure high-tech."

  Zarn nodded. "I've read about that. More interested in how it operates."

  Arth smirked. "Well, first thing you should know—it's not like Drenda. You won't see beasts roaming the streets like in other cities. Most tamers keep their beasts in summoning spaces because, well, most of them are massive. We're talking creatures ranging from horse-sized to elephant-dwarfing monsters. Can't exactly have them running around in the middle of a cyber district."

  Zarn hummed in understanding. "Makes sense. So what else?"

  Arth's eyes glinted with excitement. "It's a city of powerhouses. People with influence, strength, and status. The most important groups in Light City are the factions and the major families." He counted on his fingers. "The big three factions are the Mestsom Corporation Faction, the Lincoln Production Faction, and the Stardrive Faction. That last one? They aren't even really based in Light City—they're a planetary behemoth that operates everywhere."

  Zarn raised an eyebrow. "And the families?"

  "There are twenty-nine major families across the world," Arth explained. "Four of them are in Light City: the Rudrug family—our family—the Norn family, the Cambry family, and the Light family." He grinned. "Each one has its own legacy, its own set of monsters running things behind the scenes."

  Zarn absorbed the information, his mind already working through the implications. "Sounds like a city where stepping on the wrong toes could get you killed."

  Arth chuckled. "That's one way to put it. But if you play your cards right? It's a city of opportunity."

  "Yeah, right." Zarn scoffed. Cards and opportunity that leads to kidnappings.

  Arth smirked but didn't argue. Instead, he leaned back and stretched, the glow from his VR glasses reflecting off his eyes. "You'll see soon enough."

  Zarn glanced at Mico, who twitched in his sleep before settling again. He exhaled slowly, his gaze returning to the city lights now visible on the horizon.

  Should be more than enough beast core to overfeed this fucker.

  Opportunity or not, he had no plans to play anyone's game but his own.

  As the jet approached Light City airspace, Zarn leaned toward the window, his eyes widening at the sheer scale of the metropolis below. The skyline was a maze of towering skyscrapers, neon-lit highways, and massive digital billboards flashing advertisements in every direction. Even from this altitude, he could see the different districts—the glowing core of the cybercity, the industrial sectors, and, in contrast, the lush greenery of the natural segment where they were headed.

  Instead of descending towards a commercial airport, the jet veered toward a massive estate nestled within the verdant section of the city. The Rudrug family residence stood like a fortress of elegance, its expansive grounds dotted with high-tech security systems seamlessly blended into the surrounding nature. A private docking pad extended from one of the main buildings, where they were set to land.

  The jet touched down smoothly, and as soon as the doors opened, fresh air mixed with the distant hum of city life greeted them. Zarn and the others stepped out onto the platform, the natural segment's crisp air a stark contrast to the artificial scent of the jet's interior.

  Arth was the first to move, jogging ahead before spinning on his heel and throwing his arms wide. "Welcome to the Rudrugs'!" he declared with a grin, his voice carrying a note of excitement and pride.