Garrat, Neyna, and Gauda entered the building. The doors slid open automatically, and Neyna scanned her face.

  “Why do you look so surprised?” she asked, noticing his confusion.

  “To be honest, I expected to see a shed or some kind of underground bunker… not a business center. So you’re from Reverentia?”

  “Oh? So you know about our organization?”

  “Of course. The organization that fights for our rights, I always thought it was more of a performance. Just dust in people’s eyes.”

  “A performance? You’re funny.”

  Inside, they removed their cloaks. Gauda turned out to be a massive stone-skinned being, and Neyna a small creature resembling a hamster with pink fur. Garrat wasn’t surprised.

  They stepped into a spacious lobby where several people in suits were already waiting.

  “Garrat, good evening. We are pleased to see you in good health. Please come with us - we will escort you to a rest room. Miss Neyna, Mr. Gauda, thank you for the successfully completed mission.”

  Neyna smiled. Gauda gave a short nod.

  “Wait,” Garrat said, stopping.

  “What is it?” Neyna asked.

  “Answer me, why do you need me? I’m a criminal. You’re a public organization. Will the state really ignore the fact that you’re sheltering someone who killed humans?”

  “Well, that’s.” Neyna began, but one of the staff members interrupted her.

  “We will discuss the reasons and all details tomorrow. For now, you need to rest and eat. Clothes have been prepared for you in the room. Do not concern yourself with anything else tonight. Please follow me.”

  Garrat asked no more questions and followed them. They led him to a room larger than his former apartment. A table was covered with food, and clothes tailored to his size and his four arms lay neatly on the bed.

  He was about to change when the red glove fell from his pocket.

  Seeing it on the floor, Garrat immediately picked it up and clenched it tightly in his hand.

  “I don’t have a job anymore.” he thought. “So if fate allows it, I wouldn’t mind meeting her again. As long as she’s safe.”

  He carefully put the glove away. Then he silently ate, changed into the prepared clothes, and lay down on the bed.

  “What happens next?” he whispered into the emptiness.

  His thoughts were tangled. He didn’t fully understand what he had done or what it would lead to. He felt as though he wouldn’t be able to sleep. But exhaustion, hunger, and the anxiety of the entire day took their toll. His eyes closed on their own, and he fell asleep almost instantly.

  In the morning, there was a knock at the door.

  “Mr. Garrat, please wake up. You are expected,” a calm voice called from outside.

  Garrat slowly opened his eyes.

  Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.

  “Already?” he muttered.

  “Please come with us.”

  He got up and opened the door. Two suited staff members stood there.

  “Where are we going?” Garrat asked.

  “The leadership wishes to see you.”

  “The leadership? That quickly?”

  “In your case yes.”

  Garrat nodded silently.

  They led him down the corridor, then turned into a side passage. A door opened via scanner, revealing a narrow technical tunnel.

  “And what is this?” he asked warily.

  “Hidden routes. For guests who must not be seen by outsiders.”

  

  “Does that mean people already know about me?”

  “Only a select few know about you,” one of the escorts replied calmly.

  Garrat frowned but kept walking.

  “And what exactly are they planning to do with me?”

  “That will be explained to you personally.”

  “And if I don’t like the answer?”

  The employee gave a faint smile.

  “Then at the very least, you’ll learn the truth.”

  Garrat let out a heavy breath.

  “I hope this isn’t some kind of trap.”

  “If it were a trap,” the second one replied, “you would have woken up in a very different place.”

  They stopped in front of a massive metal door.

  “Wait here,” one of them said, pressing a card against the panel.

  The locks clicked open.

  “The leadership is waiting for you, Garrat.”

  He stepped into a spacious hall. At the large table stood Neina, Gauda, and several other beings. At the head of the table, seated in a massive chair, was a dignified man with streaks of gray in his hair.

  “Good morning, Garrat. Please, have a seat,” the man said, gesturing toward an empty chair.

  Garrat scanned the table and noticed Neina, who gave him a small wave. He sat down.

  “How are you feeling after yesterday? Have you recovered?” the gray haired man asked.

  “It’s hard to say. I’m still in shock.”

  “So are we. It’s not every day something like that makes the news. Right now, you could say you’re a star.”

  “Yeah, that doesn’t make me happy at all. Old man, who exactly are you?”

  “Garrat.” Neina said with slight reproach.

  The man chuckled.

  “I am the president of the organization that saved you.”

  “You’re the head of Reverentia?”

  “Yes. And you, Garrat, are needed by us.”

  Garrat gave a short nod of acknowledgment and immediately got to the point.

  “If you’re the head, then let’s skip the formalities. Why do you need me? Are you really willing to take such a risk by sheltering a criminal?”

  The president calmly folded his hands on the table.

  “Garrat, do you know the purpose of our organization? We aim to eradicate discrimination and racism against outsiders in this country.”

  Garrat frowned.

  “And how exactly can I help with that?”

  The man glanced at the others, then back at him.

  “After you saved your colleague, Sector 13 descended into serious turmoil. Outsiders, especially those from the slums, have taken to the streets. They are demanding that your persecution be stopped.”

  Garrat still did not understand where this was going.

  “Why would outsiders protest because of me? I killed people.”

  “There is video footage,” the president replied evenly. “People saw what happened and why you did it. You are a worker respected by your colleagues. You have always helped others. When you saw a helpless old man being beaten, you stepped in. To many, you have become a symbol.”

  “A symbol? But I’m a criminal.”

  “To the authorities, yes. To the outsiders, no. We want to make you the face of the movement. The person they will follow.”

  “Are you serious?” Garrat stared at him intently. “You’re going to oppose the government and promote a criminal?”

  The president laughed.

  “Everything will be different. We’ll help you create an underground agency. It will be the start of a revolution in Sector 13. Your team and bodyguards will be with you. All of them will work under your command and protect you. Only we and they will know that you are our project. Funding will come from us as well, but of course, covertly.”

  Garrat glanced around at those present.

  “A team? What team?”

  The president began to explain:

  “Neina - you already know her. In her world, she can summon large beasts through special talismans. She will always be at your side, covering you, and in dangerous situations, transporting you if needed.”

  “Gauda - practically indestructible. Almost impossible to injure. He will be your shield.”

  “Oyun - ” Garrat looked at him; half his mouth was stitched shut, and his head bore a scythe, while his eyes were wrapped in dark ink. “He’s a shaman, your right hand, a very powerful fighter.”

  “And a few more highly skilled workers, whom you’ll meet in the field.”

  After finishing the explanation, the president looked Garrat in the eyes and asked the most important question:

  “Garrat, are you ready to lead a revolution in the state of ‘World’?”

  Garrat stared back at him firmly and replied without hesitation:

  “No.”