"When the world won't give you a place… build one."
---
[Scene 1 – The Dream Drafted]
A massive white tent stood on the edge of Brimvale, buzzing with energy. Engineers, healers, farmers, musicians, and even reformed ex-bandits gathered around a long glowing table — a holographic map of the future.
Zayden stood at the center, arms crossed, eyes glowing with ambition.
"We're not waiting for approval. We're not asking permission. We're building the future. Right here. Right now."
M.A.I.A. projected the design:
CoreCity – a fusion of nature and technology.
Streets powered by sun-capture tiles
Water purified through nano-spring wells
Vertical farms, music towers, emergency med-hubs
And at its heart: The CoreSpire – a tower that beams knowledge and energy to all who enter
Sir Garrick pointed. "What's this ring around the city?"
"A neutral zone," Zayden said. "No swords. No politics. Only ideas."
Juno smirked. "You're building heaven in a war zone."
Zayden nodded. "Exactly."
---
[Scene 2 – Spy in the Shadows]
As the team cheered and set off to break ground, a quiet figure slipped away from the crowd — a Core engineer named Kael. Young. Nervous. Talented.
He returned to his tent, opened a hidden compartment in his wristband, and activated a crystal communicator.
A voice buzzed through.
"Status?"
Kael swallowed. "Zayden's plans are real. The city starts construction at dawn."
"Good. Delay it. Sabotage it. And if you get caught…"
Silence.
"We never knew you."
Kael turned off the device and looked down at his blue Core uniform.
His hands trembled.
"I didn't sign up to destroy the future…"
---
[Scene 3 – The Hidden Secret of Lady Miren]
Later that night, as workers slept and G-Rock wrote lyrics for the CoreCity Anthem, Lady Miren stood by the river alone.
She stared at the stars, clutching a worn locket.
Zayden approached, offering a CoreChocoBar™.
"You okay?"
She took it, smiled. "Not really. But this helps."
He sat beside her.
"You've been quiet since the Crimson Order attack."
She hesitated.
Then she opened the locket.
Inside was a faded painting — a young girl, glowing eyes, with a man in royal robes.
"My real name's not Miren," she whispered. "It's Mirana Velgarde."
Zayden froze.
"Velgarde. As in…"
"I'm the king's illegitimate daughter. Hidden. Forgotten. I ran away at 14."
She looked him dead in the eyes.
"And now I'm helping you tear down my father's legacy."
Silence.
Then Zayden laughed softly. "Wow. You've got the most Netflix-worthy backstory here."
"So… you still trust me?"
Zayden offered his hand.
"You're not your blood. You're your choices."
---
[Scene 4 – Daybreak & Foundations]**
Morning.
Trumpets blared (thanks to G-Rock). People marched with tools, drones, seeds, bricks, and hope.
The first foundation block of CoreCity was laid by:
A farmer who once lived in famine
A healer whose child Zayden saved
A thief turned Core security chief
A monk who now teaches AI ethics
Zayden pressed his palm into the wet stone.
"Let this place be more than steel. Let it be a statement."
Everyone joined in, pressing their palms into the slab.
One united print.
One united future.
---
[Scene 5 – The Clock is Ticking]
But far away, in a royal chamber dark with smoke and rage…
Prince Thalon watched through a spy orb.
He saw CoreCity's lights rising. He saw the people cheering for a man with no crown.
He clenched his teeth.
"If he wants to build a paradise…"
He drew his sword.
"Then I'll bring him hell."
And far beneath CoreCity's first foundation stone…
A small device Kael had buried blinked red.
"SLEEPER CHARGE – ARMED"
Countdown: 7 days.
---
📘 END OF CHAPTER 8
Next up:Chapter 9 – "Whispers Beneath the City"