Days passed, and the time for the Examination was closer than ever. William woke up in a familiar apartment, looked at his arm, and shuddered. There were small scars that should heal soon. They always did. Somewhat. Anyhow.

  Today, his Emblem was where it should be, still not yet lost but still looking a bit ominous. Perhaps that was a good thing when William thought about it. Getting up, ice-cold water splashed on his face, courtesy of a sink in his bathroom, and both arms that were under his control.

  He was shirtless, dripping water from his nose, hair, and chin. He swore the water turned red at this moment, dropping and dripping like thick liquid, the moment he blinked, and then again, and then some more. He used more water, but didn't feel the urge to drown or have water in his eyes as much.

  He stared at his eyes, head, and hair, and felt like person had become less of an Outsider. At once, he pretended to be a Lunatic. They invoked common terms of people who adored Darks, dark arts, and put forth sacrifices to keep their freaking life darker. They were evil, vile men and women.

  It wasn't a simple life that way, for there was no way Darks could be sensible toward them, yet they fucking were. People could coexist with , yet those fanatics weren't about it. They were wicked... worse than shrewd Creatures, whilst still being wholly human. Perhaps that's just human nature.

  Like dogs—or rabid dogs—everyone wanted something more: to stay the same, or to live no matter what.

  William pushed his head into the water just to remember those couple of weeks, if not months. How far it felt better to be longer, but he didn't want to remember it.

  Drowning wasn't great either, so he backed away from the water and looked at the mirror again. It was safe. He was good, breathing for air and seeing a wet, familiar face. Tired yet expectant eyes left many desires in his mirror, unlike in that instance days ago when he met a figure that he never asked about.

  He could have. Celeste sounded like she knew him, so perhaps Ellie did too? Mi-Yung was there too.... but no. He never asked, and the mirror world remained stuck in his head. He wondered what the real person looked like.

  This one had trimmed hair, a courtesy of Ellie, who did it herself. The body? Well, he did train a little, but most of it was a courtesy of the evil in his arm. He learned all about it.

  “Day of the Awakening. Here goes nothing. After six weeks, let's see what fate or whoever decides this for me.” William said, rubbing his face with a towel.

  Over the past week, he spent a fair amount of time thinking and... well, thinking a lot. Upper floors became less and less special; he considered them exploited, though he was quick to appreciate versatility, and when something was reaching its limits, it was fine to glance elsewhere.

  The worst feeling was stagnancy. People were often fine reaching that stage —safe, mundane, enough. Walkers were almost the same. Darks were that! They ate the weaklings, enjoying themselves and losing appetite and desires, or drawing it all in. They hunt themselves. They devour what they want and hate the feeling of being stuck and weak.

  At least, according to what was ahead, he shouldn't worry too much about that for some time. Mi-Yung's considerable help solved a couple of these issues. Ellie didn't help much, but she was ever so close after weeks of a weird force of love and affection.

  Changing into fresh clothes, William felt ready to face the biggest day of his life. He liked clothes that were loose but not too loose. In the Federation, there were many styles, and Mi-Yung bought him dozens of sets because of destruction, wear, and tear.

  Walking straight from his room to the kitchen, there were people waiting for him, and sitting before prepared food.

  Mi-Yung was there. Luke, too; all healed up, thanks to Lady Dia and a simple visit to gods know where. William didn't question it, but seeing Luke basically back in time sure felt amazing. He didn't remember much, though.

  Mi-Yung smiled at William, who had managed to wake up at 6 AM, a time he found atrocious and horrible. Who would want to get up like that? HOW!? Well, he did that today because Mi-Yung forced this upon him.

  “Good morning.” William greeted both of them as if it were yesterday and walked into the sunny kitchen. Mi-Yung wore her highest class Assembly uniform, consisting of a black body suit and a white cloak. It looked outstanding, all things considered. All features earned her greater attention, and with a high collar cut featuring many buttons, she could reveal her Emblem bit by bit. Or whole. It didn't sound too bad, since the temperature was rising as summer approached, and being in the middle of the ocean was nice.

  Storms weren't rare, and hurricanes came in seasons. Some were quite brutal, thanks to the planet's changed climate after people disappeared, and something even more insane and worse came in with occasional wind-tides.

  “You look tired,” Mi-Yung teased William, voicing minor concerns that had changed from a couple of days ago. William wouldn't mind more sleep.

  “Do I? It must be the morning. I swear, this isn't a great time to make decisions.”

  “Like what to eat for breakfast?” Luke guessed.

  William nodded twice. “Exactly. What.... to eat?” He asked as he took a seat in front of them. Yungmin was nowhere to be seen once again; William barely saw that guy, and Mi-Yung seemed to have no concern about him whatsoever, even if he was her bloody brother.

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  “Anything?” Mi-Yung offered. “I will come with you, so eat well. This is an obligation for both of us.”

  William hesitated before grabbing a sandwich. “Right...” Then he looked at Luke, who was unchanged since before the expedition. His eyes were fine, his mouth was eating, and his face was correct.

  “Do I look hideous?” Luke joked around. “I think my previous face was greater.... I swear...” Drowning his jokes in juice, he swallowed the rest of his words.

  “Not like it matters too much. Thanks for the meal.” William appreciated this feast and seized his food. Although this meal wouldn't tell him his fate, at least it was a great beginning.

  He was sure he wouldn't have another meal before the Awakening, or even Examination, or later, or even much later. He heard stories of youth being hospitalized for weeks. He wasn't sure how far he would be out of his mind, or... if something wrong would come. So he ate like a glutton, with no stops, thinking that this was no question. It was a fact. Something will happen. Everyone knew it, yet nobody was saying it in this room.

  “I am happy you like it so much.” Mi-Yung nodded in approval, glad she made a quick visit to the bakery.

  A luxurious breakfast with sandwiches, omelets, and vegetables had a great start. It wasn't a heavy meal.

  Like William, she wasn't polite to have a few plates by herself. There was only so much time in the world, yet even then, she placed some significance on her digestive system. The stomach was good, though Walkers had way too many options, internal issues, and changes. Some of them could eat a ridiculous number of things, frankly. It was a matter of energy, and their hunger or needs. For her, hunger could cease with thought, but that was a hunger. It was fine for it to be lasting, or not very long.

  They ate until there was one plate left before Luke. It didn't take long to deal with it either.

  “Good food,” Luke said in satisfaction, and wiped his fresh face with a towel. No scar was a nice bonus of handling the ridiculous magic of Lady Dia. Looking at things with both eyes was also welcomed, though one could easily obscure one eye and see the difference.

  William didn't know how or when, but a while ago, Mi-Yung demonstrated her words and helped Luke out. What was the cost? How did that mysterious Academy Walker, Dia, help? William was curious about it, regardless of how Dia had involved him behind his back. Mi-Yung dealt with the aftermath as if it were business as usual.

  Luke was fine. That's what mattered, and it went exactly how Mi-Yung predicted. William didn't question anything. He didn't even know about Agatha because of the pain and the medics.

  “Prepared, William?” Luke asked.

  “No.”

  “I bet. I have some bad news for both of you. Yondu is taking me as his buddy in crime to the Awakening, so I guess I will accompany you.”

  “Yondu did? YOU? Why?” Mi-Yung asked in a questionable tone. What did that old fool plan again? He wasn't one to plot at all, so perhaps this was nothing worse than showing off her choice, or Luke's healed face? That sounded like the two most reasonable answers.

  It sounded like a public stunt to create a vision that the Assembly healed someone who saved the day. Mi-Yung wasn't sure if she should be happy or worried, but having Luke there at his Rank was irregular.

  “It's not a big deal. It will be like, what... third time already? Seeing it once more won't hurt me. Also, seeing William might be well worth the annoyance,” Luke said in a casual tone that perhaps hid a secret, or he had no idea what Mi-Yung dealt with.

  “Then we can go together. That is not a bad idea.” Mi-Yung added, truly hiding the premise of his recovery and what she had promised, or done to William, the Academy, or what the Academy would do.

  Luke thought Assembly wanted him as a great talking point for the guests and Walkers who would supervise the Awakening. It was an event for all sorts of generations, and a lot of older fools might come out of their caves to see it. All Upper Pillars will come and show their faces in one way or another.

  Of course, if there were some trouble around the world or nearby, they wouldn't be there, leaving unprotected landmarks without any protection. The event, like the Awakening of new Walkers, was still not the biggest concern for everyone. It was a brief event that lasted just a few days for most of them.

  The following deals went even longer, while Mi-Yung and Dia, or the Academy as a whole, had their own opinions about what was about to happen. The Academy will be greatly involved in this, aiming for the highest possible Examination results, as always.

  It made sense to view it that way because many youths hoped for acceptable results and attempts at the Academy's entrance trials. Luke had high expectations for William, so details about his recovery were secondary to him.

  After breakfast, three people dressed for the occasion left their apartments. The entire event took place at the Emblem Association, where a large crowd gathered. As for the public, many regarded such days as recruitment events, as very few public relations efforts aimed to make the Forced Awakening known to the public.

  It was for the better, since it seemed dehumanizing to play with youths and insanity that were the Emblems and human lives. Thus, most of the public in the Federation knew that this event was a training ground for youths who would set out to join proper organizations, out of the ordinary people's eyes.

  Expectant, reluctant, fearful. Many youths went to those tall and vast buildings, where their fate awaited them. A single choice would then come to most of them, and the results could mean life or death, sparking questions, debates, and plays across a diverse set of organizations and representatives. Of course, the Divisions of the Federation were the greater players. They had a lot to offer and carried significant influence in their homeland.

  The only places on better or similar terms were the Academy, China, and Japan. Others were at a lower tier, even if they might hold Rank 8 Walkers at their disposal, or serve as leaders or protectors. It was a matter of pride, cultural appropriation, and accomplishment. Small tribes were small for good or respectable reasons, yet if one should laugh and deny African Tribes, for example, anything proper, then they would be greatly mistaken.

  They were exemplary, more than ready, and not every Walker organisation was about size, seizing changes, and deciding what the majority should think and do. In some sense, it was a brutal time for many people, not just youngsters. Prior youths would be compared. Generations would shuffle in dramas and change.

  William left the building with his hat, watch, and bottle, hoping they were enough. It took a while to reach the Association in the Central District.

  Then, twenty minutes later, William assumed the same position at the same level as the military base, facing two different sets of problems. One was a test—another a spar that he made on his own terms, and where he himself and showed his face.

  The first was unknown, for he had no idea what to expect, and the two Upper Pillars were close yet like shadows lingering beyond the moon. It was curious and left him a mystery.

  The second was like a dream; William no longer argued about it and knew Mi-Yung's Vials were a meaningful reward for his efforts.