I swallowed as I stepped through the white doorway, my stomach twisting into knots. The hum of fluorescent lights filled the air, an ever-present drone that pressed against my thoughts. The room beyond was impossibly white—pristine, sterile, unnatural. It didn’t feel real, like something out of a dream or a simulation.

  Then, I saw him.

  ALL stood in the center of the room, his back facing me, his body impossibly smooth and shifting like liquid light. His form flickered, subtly glitching, as if he existed in multiple states at once. When he turned, his movement was unnatural—jerky, like frames skipping in a broken film reel.

  “Oh, it’s you. Mr. Just-in-Time.”

  His voice dripped with amusement, layered with something else—something cold. His face, if it could even be called that, reflected the sterile glow of the room, his features shifting, blurring, impossible to pin down.

  His gaze settled on me, scanning, assessing.

  “Mmm... You are most peculiar in that body.”

  A chill ran down my spine. For a moment, I thought he was referring to my age, my child-like form. But something about the way he said it made my skin crawl.

  I forced myself to nod and bowed slightly. “ALL, I appreciate your interest in me. My ranking is far too generous, but I am honored nonetheless.”

  He snapped back from his inspection, his body twisting unnaturally as he clapped his hands together. The sound echoed, too sharp, too perfect.

  “Well, it’s not every day we have a citizen with such extraordinary skills at such a young age.”

  His voice dripped with venom.

  I stiffened. This wasn’t just a meeting. This wasn’t just an evaluation.

  This was a battle of minds.

  I didn’t know what he knew, but I wasn’t about to give up anything willingly.

  “Thank you, ALL.”

  His expression—or lack thereof—remained unreadable, but the air in the room felt heavier, pressing down on me.

  Then, his form flickered again.

  Unauthorized use of content: if you find this story on Amazon, report the violation.

  “Tell me, Elias.” His voice was suddenly softer, more curious. “Do you believe in fate?”

  My breath caught. This wasn’t part of the standard evaluation.

  Something was very, very wrong.

  With my hand on the nape of my neck, I spoke, trying to play off his comment. "I don’t think fate is a matter when it comes to you, sir. You are ALL."

  Flattery was always my go-to in sticky situations in the past.

  "My, my, aren't you a bit of a lickspittle? Haha." ALL paused for a moment, placing his hands on his hips as his shifting, lucid body loomed over me. "You did well today, you know that, boy? Almost too well."

  His tone shifted, more casual, yet dripping with underlying menace. "Your parents are probably rightfully concerned about you being snatched up by some impetuous royal and adopted."

  I stood there, forcing myself not to react. Wondering just how good a ten-year-old’s poker face actually was.

  He continued. "Your dad gave up a lot to get out of that life, and you know what? I’m feeling generous today. I’ll help you out."

  I narrowed my eyes. "Help?"

  "I’ll tell the Court that you’re not worth their time. Lower your status just a bit—keep you off their radar." He tilted his head. "But in return, you have to do something for me."

  I waited, my breath slow and steady. Here’s the catch.

  "You have to intern with your father and become a city detective."

  I nodded, knowing saying no wasn’t an option. Besides, I kind of wanted that already.

  "Good. Now, onto the next order of business." ALL’s tone brightened, almost excited. "I show every citizen the reason why we have this city and why I am ALL."

  Suddenly, the lights flickered. The white void twisted, and in an instant, the room vanished.

  I was somewhere else.

  A Vision of Fire and Steel

  We were floating—high above the city. Below, flames engulfed the land beyond its walls.

  Dead bodies. Nonkin, royals, Sentinels, even priests. All lay lifeless, scattered like discarded dolls.

  A deafening roar split the sky.

  A fighter jet screamed past, the heat from its exhaust burning through my memories.

  My body reacted before my mind could process it. A familiar rush. The chaos of war.

  For a split second—I was back in my old life.

  I gasped, clutching my chest as if the air had been stolen from my lungs.

  Then, I heard his voice, smooth and smug.

  "Fan of planes, huh?"

  I turned. ALL stood beside me, watching with amusement, his grin stretching impossibly wide.

  "This is what happens without ALL."

  He threw his arms out, gesturing to the destruction below.

  "And this is why we have the rankings—to prevent this."

  The scene shattered like glass, and in a blink, we were back in the white room.

  I staggered, grounding myself. Was that real? Or just another one of his tricks?

  ALL pointed toward the door at the back of the room.

  "Once you leave this place, you are part of ALL."

  My feet carried me toward the dark opening, but as I reached it, his voice dropped—the amusement gone, replaced by something deeper.

  "Oh, and one more thing… Dan."

  I froze.

  His voice slithered behind me.

  "Don’t leave the city."

  I turned, my breath caught in my throat—but the only thing left was the grin.

  A sharp, impossibly bright, floating grin—hovering in the dark as the doors shut behind me.