The Sentinel rushed towards the West District of Pataliputra, overtaking all vehicles on its way. Despite the heavy night traffic, people quietly gave way to the massive armored car when they saw the Lexington Corps' emblem on it.
Inside the Sentinel, there were no tremors or noise, showcasing its top-class build quality.
Theo sat alone in the rear compartment, his legs resting against the opposite seat.
His codex floated above his palm — a thin sheet of glass that acted as the communication hub, displaying messages, contacts, and system pings.
He browsed through them lazily, none warranting his immediate attention.
Looking outside the Sentinel's windows, he saw the streets and shops of Pataliputra passing by. He had been exiled to the city for the past seven years.
While the common people stayed safe within the city walls, Theo had to embark on dangerous excursions outside every day.
Suddenly, his codex started beeping, and a red banner cut across his display.
WORLDHEART EMERGENCY BROADCAST
Kubera Auction House Destroyed in Coordinated Bombing. Casualties Among Attending Heads of Families.
Theo sat up straight. Was this the reason I was pulled midway through the excursion?
He swiped through the article, reading reports about the casualty estimates, structural collapse, and political ramifications.
The list of injured included a familiar name - Lewis.
Theo leaned back and closed his eyes. He knew the Kubera Auction House did not just sell relics, cutting-edge tech items, and contracts. It was known for networking and unofficial dealings.
Someone hadn't just killed people; they struck the system, or a part of it.
Theo continued reading the article and saw the aftereffects of the bombing. The World Stock Exchange (WSE) triggered a Level 3 circuit breaker due to panic selling among investors. Trading was stopped completely to control the market.
The Sentinel slowed down. It had reached its destination, the Lexington Corps headquarters in Pataliputra.
The vehicle did not stop at the main gate. It passed through a secondary access point without inspection.
Theo lowered the codex and got out.
They were expecting him.
***
Security doors opened in sequence as he walked. The guards looked at him with indifference as he passed through them.
Theo's exile was not a secret, and in the past seven years, no one tried to get close to the disgraced heir.
The escort didn't speak until they reached the upper administrative level.
"The Overseer will see you now."
He adjusted his collar and stepped through the final door.
***
Broxah Lewis stood near the glass window wall, looking outside at the night sky and city lights. He did not turn immediately.
A single glass of water was placed on the low table between the seats.
"Sit," Broxah said in a heavy tone.
Theo did and reached for the glass of water. He had not eaten or drunk anything for hours.
As he emptied the glass, the Overseer turned and sat down across him.He looked more serious and menacing today.
Maybe the injury to the head of the Lewis family was bothering him. Theo thought.
"I was called back mid-excursion," Theo said. "What changed?"
Broxah exhaled, as if preparing himself.
"You must have heard about the Kubera Auction House bombing."
Theo nodded.
"Our family head has been seriously injured."
"What are your thoughts on this?" Broxah asked.
His brows furrowed. He had been cut off from the main family. The lack of information from that side made it hard for him to predict the exact consequences of this event for the Lewis family.
Broxah has been his only contact, but as the Overseer at Pataliputra, he was responsible for keeping him safe and ensuring he went out of the city walls every day under surveillance.
When Theo did not respond even after a few minutes, Broxah shook his head disappointingly.
"Leave it. It's our fault for shackling your potential for such a long time. Anyways, your exile has concluded."
Theo blinked. The words did not land at once.
Exile… concluded?
Something felt wrong.
The room seemed farther away and started to spin. His grip loosened on the empty glass.
Broxah's voice reached him, distant now.
"The Biolock installed at the time of your exile will be disengaged."
Theo's thoughts tried to align and understand the situation, but they slipped, disappearing before formation.
Biolock.
Disengaged.
His vision tunneled and blacked. He felt his arms being pulled and his body lifted.For the first time in seven years, he slept without any worries, looking forward to opening his eyes the next time.
***
Theo regained his consciousness and felt the changes immediately.
Even though his eyes were closed, his mind started deciphering the data gained through his other senses.
He smelt the sterile air, carrying the faint metallic scent of medical instruments.
The cool sensation on his skin depicted that the temperature was lower than the office standard, and the breeze made him realize that the ventilation was overhead.
The bed beneath him — medical-grade polymer weave. His left arm was slightly elevated. No restraints were placed on his body.
A distant electricity hum and the whirring of motors alerted him to the cabin door opening.
He heard three pairs of footsteps. Two stopped after entering, while one came closer and pulled the chair beside his bed.
Theo opened his eyes and looked at Broxah.
"You're awake," he said. "The Family Council has formally ended your exile. You are to return to Axis Mundi immediately."
Theo blinked once, "Reason?"
Broxah held his gaze, "The third and fourth heirs were killed in the Kubera attack. The Family head's condition is stabilized, but he can only act in a limited capacity."
His pupils tightened almost imperceptibly.
Broxah continued, "The first and second heirs, along with the elders, have unanimously decided to reinstate your claim to inheritance."
Theo understood the motive behind the decision. Lewis and other High-Table families are governed by a council.
The Family Head is often a figurehead or spokesperson. All members of the Family Council carry equal weight in decision-making. Once an heir is officially appointed at the beginning of their teenage years, they also become a part of the council.
A leadership vacuum has been created. They need someone who can be trusted but not fight with them for power.
He remembered the first two heirs - his half-brothers. They were on his side seven years ago, but could not stop his exile.
The Family Council was hell-bent on making an example out of him at that time. After all, his actions pointed fingers at one of the factions within the council.
Theo sat up. "How long since removal?"
"Forty-three minutes," Broxah replied. "Your personal items will be sent to your bed. Report to the Pataliputra Dimensional Station at 0600. You will take the first Astral Express to Axis Mundi and report to the Family Council on arrival."
"Understood."
Broxah studied him for a moment, then he turned and left.
Theo leaned back on the pillow and stared at the ceiling. With the removal of the Biolock, he was whole again. The sensory overload and overclocked mind had been missing for the past seven years, and adapting again would take some time.
He closed his eyes and relaxed.
A faint shimmer passed through the air above his hand as water droplets started condensing from nothing. Soon they froze into ten thin, sharp senbon, one hovering at the tip of each of his fingers.
He smiled.
The game had resumed.