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Chapter 4: Ceremonies and Circumstances

  Tinkering & Training

  Sara was always calling me in too early.

  I had just started rebuilding a four-grav engine, the closest thing in this world to the jet engines I once worked with in my past life. I was making progress, too—I was certain I could get it running by tomorrow.

  "Elias, inside. Now."

  I sighed as a rag smacked against my chest.

  "Your father will be home soon, and he has something to talk to you about," she said, already turning back toward the house.

  "Okay, but I want to finish it tomorrow—"

  She gave me the look.

  I knew better than to argue.

  I wiped the grease off my hands and headed inside for my usual Psy training.

  Since almost turning ten, my father had let me touch the relics occasionally. Each one had a different effect, though I still wasn’t allowed to use all of them.

  


      
  • The Lighter – Allowed me to control fire as long as I stayed focused.


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  • The Coin – I could flip it at any speed I imagined. The first time, I put a hole in the wall. Dom was not happy.


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  • The Revolver – The one I wasn’t allowed to touch. But Dom had once hinted, “Its bullets can go anywhere you can imagine.”


  •   


  I still wasn’t sure what that meant.

  But I was getting stronger, and I was hoping tonight’s talk meant another relic was being added to my training.

  A Father’s Words

  Dom sat in his study, the firelight flickering across the room’s sturdy wooden shelves. He looked at me with kind but serious eyes.

  "Son, you're almost ten. Soon, you'll have your Rite."

  He let the words hang for a moment before continuing.

  "I’ve taught you what I can. You’re ahead of your peers, but you still have a long way to go. And Elias..." he sighed. "You need to relax sometimes. You’re always out there tinkering. Be a kid—you won’t get that chance again."

  His words cut deep.

  I knew he was trying to care for me, but... tinkering was what calmed me. It gave me purpose.

  Still, I didn’t argue.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  "What is the Rite?" I asked instead.

  "It’s a ceremony every citizen of our fair city goes through," he said with a rueful smile.

  I nodded. "What do I have to do?"

  "It’s not so much an act as it is a series of them," he explained. "For six months, every child is sent to the center of the city—to the Temple of ALL—for Catechism. There, you’ll learn what it means to be a productive denizen of our society."

  His voice lowered slightly.

  "Just remember—what they teach you there? It’s not all there is. But… it’s important that, for now, you act like it is. Forget what your mother and I have taught you."

  He placed a firm hand on my shoulder.

  "I love you, son."

  Before I could respond—

  A knock shook the door.

  Two large, hooded robots stood outside, their metallic frames nearly filling the doorway.

  "We have been instructed to pick up Unit 00307 for transfer tomorrow."

  From the other room, I heard my mother quietly speaking to the bot.

  "Yes… my husband is just saying his goodbyes."

  And just like that, I was whisked away.

  The Temple of ALL

  The walk through the city was quick—too quick. It felt as if the streets themselves were guiding me forward.

  The two hooded robots flanked me, moving in perfect sync. I didn’t feel like a prisoner, but their presence was protective, almost overbearing.

  It wasn’t until the massive, white structure of the Temple loomed ahead that I felt the first real twist in my gut.

  "I’ve seen this before," I thought.

  No… not this world’s temple—but something from my past life.

  It looked almost exactly like the Pantheon.

  A New Acquaintance – Rath

  Inside the temple grounds, there were smaller buildings—barracks, classrooms, and both an outer and inner sanctuary.

  The reception area was filled with other ten-year-olds waiting in line.

  As I was looking around, someone bumped into me hard.

  "Hey, watch it, pal!"

  I turned to see a boy with fiery red hair and an even fierier attitude.

  His golden eyes narrowed before he muttered, "Oh. You’re the Wolfe kid."

  There was mild annoyance in his tone—like I had stolen his lunch or something.

  "And you are?" I asked. "And how do you know me?"

  The boy crossed his arms. "Rath Conner. My family is acquainted with yours."

  "Oh? Really? My dad hasn’t mentioned the Conners."

  Rath rubbed the back of his neck, grinning. "Figures. Your dad is pretty unpredictable."

  I raised an eyebrow. "And how do you know Marcus?"

  "We don’t live too far from him."

  "Ah. Got it."

  Before we could continue—

  The reception platform began to hum.

  ALL’s Arrival

  A large monitor flickered to life, and a mysterious white, mannequin-like figure appeared on the screen.

  "Hi there, kiddos!"

  The voice was eerily playful.

  "I am ALL," it said, hands clasping together in mock excitement.

  "And you’re all here to find out what you can contribute to our wonderful city!"

  ALL gave a quick clap, and a ranking chart flickered onto the screen.

  "This is your rank and unit number," it continued, voice unnervingly smooth. "Please try your best. Work hard, and all will be well."

  ALL clapped again, and several robed figures emerged from behind the monitor.

  "Well, ta-ta! Have fun and try hard!"

  And just like that, ALL casually grabbed the ranking chart from the screen, turned, and walked away into the background.

  The screen shut off as a high priest stepped forward.

  "Please report to your assigned home teacher."

  And with that—my time at Catechism began.

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