(Seth has not yet accepted "The Unseen." He is watching, waiting, calculating. Kieran wants his commitment, but Seth plays the game on his own terms. When a low-level lackey, eager to impress his superiors, challenges him—Seth responds with brutality, setting the tone for what is to come. He will not be led. He will not be controlled. He will be the one pulling the strings.)
This chapter contains brutal combat, psychological manipulation, and power struggles. Themes of dominance, deception, and calculated violence are heavily present. Reader discretion is advised.
?? SYSTEM NOTICE: ? HOST STATUS: NON-COMMITTAL. ? UNKNOWN FACTION PERSISTING IN RECRUITMENT ATTEMPTS. ? WARNING: POWER STRUGGLE DETECTED.
Seth’s steps were measured, slow.
He had not agreed.
And yet, Kieran walked ahead of him like he had already won.
The man’s confidence was obnoxious.
"It’s a rare thing, you know?"
Kieran’s voice was smooth, charismatic.
"To find someone like you. Someone who doesn’t fit anywhere."
Seth didn’t answer.
"People like us? We don’t get choices. The world makes them for us."
Kieran glanced over his shoulder, his smirk just slightly edged with calculation.
"So tell me, Seth—why hesitate?"
Seth’s gaze was impassive.
"I don’t trust free offers."
Kieran chuckled.
"Good answer."
?? SYSTEM NOTICE: ? UNSTABLE MEMBER DETECTED. ? ALTERCATION IMMINENT.
They entered a ruined courtyard, crumbling stone archways half-swallowed by vines.
A few figures lingered, watching, whispering.
And then—
"This is him?"
A voice sharper than steel, louder than necessary.
A man stepped forward, thick-built, scarred, radiating arrogance.
Seth did not react.
The man’s grin was a sneer, eyes flickering toward Kieran.
"You drag in some stray, and we’re supposed to what? Roll over?"
Seth’s fingers twitched.
Ah.
A dog looking for attention.
"I earned my place in The Unseen."
The man thumped a fist against his chest.
"But this guy?"
His eyes narrowed.
"He’s gotta prove himself."
Kieran sighed, rubbing his temples.
"I swear, Raze, you have the instincts of a rabid mutt."
"You bring in someone, they should be tested!"
Raze’s grin widened.
"Let’s see if this one’s worth keeping."
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He cracked his knuckles.
"Come on, stray. Let’s see what you got."
?? SYSTEM NOTICE: ? HOST HAS BEEN CHALLENGED. ? BATTLE IMMINENT. ? ADJUSTING COMBAT PARAMETERS… COMPLETE.
Seth exhaled slowly.
He did not move.
Raze took this as weakness.
A snort. A grin.
Then—he lunged.
Fast. Stronger than a normal human.
But not strong enough.
Seth’s body tilted slightly, shifting just outside the attack’s range.
A miss.
Raze’s expression flickered—momentary confusion.
And then—
Seth moved.
One step.
One twist.
His fingers curled around Raze’s wrist—
And broke it.
Crack.
A scream ripped the air.
Raze stumbled back, eyes wide, his hand now a twisted ruin of bone and tendon.
Seth tilted his head.
"You’re slow."
Raze roared, ignoring the pain, swinging wildly—
Seth ducked, stepped forward—
And drove his knee into Raze’s stomach.
A brutal impact.
Something inside Raze gave way.
He choked on his own breath, body folding as he hit the ground on his knees.
Seth didn’t stop.
He reached out, gripping Raze’s face—
And slammed it into the stone.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
Blood splattered across the ground.
The murmuring stopped.
The audience stilled.
?? SYSTEM ALERT: ? HOST HAS ESTABLISHED DOMINANCE. ? WARNING: OPPONENT LIFE STATUS CRITICAL. ? FURTHER ACTION MAY RESULT IN DEATH.
Seth held Raze’s head down, blood pooling beneath his fingers.
Then, he released him.
A heavy thud as Raze’s body slumped.
Not dead.
Not yet.
But he wouldn’t be standing anytime soon.
Seth looked up.
His gaze swept the onlookers, waiting for a reaction.
None of them moved.
Even Kieran, for the first time, looked mildly impressed.
Then—
Kieran laughed.
"Well then."
He gestured toward Raze’s barely breathing form.
"Looks like we found our answer."
?? SYSTEM NOTICE: ? LOCAL POWER STRUCTURE SHIFTING. ? NEW ALLIES OR ENEMIES FORMING.
Seth rolled his wrist, cracking his knuckles.
"Was that your test?"
Kieran’s smirk returned.
"More of a… formality."
He crouched beside Raze, tilting his head.
"Mmm. He might live."
Then, standing, Kieran clapped his hands together.
"So, Seth. What do you think of The Unseen so far?"
Seth glanced at the others.
Measuring them.
Weighing them.
His first display of power had worked.
They wouldn’t challenge him. Not yet.
But they would still watch. Still test.
That was fine.
Seth had time.
He had patience.
"I think," he said slowly, "I’m still considering."
A pause.
Then, Kieran grinned.
"Good."
"Then let’s give you more reasons to stay."
?? SYSTEM NOTICE: ? HOST HAS SECURED POSITION WITHIN "THE UNSEEN." ? STATUS: STILL UNBOUND, BUT RECOGNIZED. ? FACTION POLITICS WILL NOW UNFOLD.
End of Chapter 2: The First Move
?? Author's Note: This is a work of fiction. All characters, events, and settings are purely imaginary. This novel contains dark themes meant to enhance the story and character development. Reader discretion is advised.
