MORTAL FREEDOM

Mage was a planet on the brink of collapse. Its core, once the lifeblood of its ecosystem, was slowly dying, drained by the greed of its rulers. The energy extracted from the core known as the Surge had given unimaginable power to the Ministrians, six immortal overlords who controlled every aspect of life on Mage. They had built their empire on the suffering of others. Lord Gringo manipulated the financial system, ensuring poverty remained widespread. Lord Phil enforced brutal laws, leaving no room for dissent. Lady Sparta dispensed harsh, one-sided justice. Lady Sassy controlled the planet’s dwindling resources, pricing them beyond the reach of ordinary citizens. Lord Jeffery stifled innovation, wielding technology as a tool of suppression. And Lord Dominic, the leader of them all, pulled the strings, ensuring their absolute dominance. The Ministrians claimed that their immortality was a gift from the Surge, a sign of their divine right to rule. But their greed came at a cost. Mage’s core was failing, its energy running dry. The planet’s future was as uncertain as the lives of its people, who lived in fear of both their rulers and the slow death of their world. ARRIVAL AT THE MINISTRY Wilson Tanga stared out of the bus window, his stomach churning as the Ministry’s towers came into view. The sleek, obsidian structures seemed to cut through the gray sky like blades. The sight alone made his skin crawl. His classmates chatted excitedly, their voices blending into a buzz of nervous energy. To them, this was just a school trip a rare chance to see the Ministry up close. To Wilson, it was a reminder of everything he hated. “Relax,” Jason, his best friend, said, nudging him. “It’s just a tour.” “It’s p********a,” Wilson muttered, keeping his voice low. “They want us to admire the people who’ve ruined our lives.” Jason frowned, lowering his voice. “Don’t say that too loud. You know what happens to people who talk like that.” Wilson clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. He didn’t need the reminder. His father had spoken out against the Ministry and he’d vanished without a trace. The bus jerked to a stop, and the students filed out, their shoes clicking against the polished blackstone courtyard. Towering statues of the Ministrians lined the perimeter, each carved with an exaggerated likeness that radiated power and arrogance. A woman in a crisp gray uniform approached. Her sharp gaze swept over the group, silencing their murmurs. “Welcome to the Ministry,” she said briskly. “I’m Mrs. Louise, your guide. Follow instructions, stay with the group, and do not touch anything. The Ministry’s artifacts are irreplaceable. Understood?” “Yes, ma’am,” the students chorused. Wilson’s eyes drifted to the tallest statue Lord Dominic, his gaze cold and all-seeing. Even in stone, he seemed to radiate menace. Wilson felt his stomach tighten. DISCOVERY The Ministry’s grand hall was a maze of opulence. Gleaming marble floors stretched endlessly, and golden chandeliers illuminated holographic displays recounting the Ministrians’ “achievements.” Every corner seemed to scream power and control. But Wilson couldn’t focus on the displays or the guide’s speeches. Something else pulled at his attention a low hum, faint but persistent, vibrating beneath his feet. As the group rounded a corner, Wilson slowed his steps, letting the others drift ahead. The hum grew louder, its rhythm almost like a heartbeat. He glanced around and noticed a c***k in the wall, barely visible. Without thinking, he pressed his hand against it. The wall shifted with a soft hiss, revealing a narrow passage. Cool air rushed out, carrying the hum with it. Wilson hesitated, his heart pounding. Then, curiosity got the better of him, and he stepped inside. The panel slid shut behind him, plunging him into darkness. THE SURGE AND THE CHASE Blue light flickered along the walls, illuminating intricate glyphs carved into the stone. The air felt heavy, charged with an energy that made Wilson’s skin tingle. He crept forward, his footsteps echoing softly. The passage opened into a chamber glowing with a strange, golden light. At its center stood two figures: Lady Sparta and Lord Dominic. Between them hovered a cylindrical container filled with a swirling, molten-like energy the Surge. “The Surge is unstable,” Lady Sparta said sharply. “It’s consuming the core faster than we anticipated. If we don’t slow the extraction” Dominic cut her off. “We risk losing our immortality. Without the Surge, we’re nothing.” Sparta’s eyes narrowed. “If we keep this up, we’ll kill the planet.” Dominic’s voice turned cold. “Then so be it. Without us, Mage is already dead.” Wilson’s attention locked on the Surge. It pulsed with a mesmerizing rhythm, almost alive. He took an involuntary step forward, his breath catching. At that moment, the container slipped from Lady Sparta’s grasp. It shattered on the ground, and the Surge spilled out like liquid fire. The energy moved with purpose, surging toward Wilson. “No!” Dominic shouted, but it was too late. The Surge wrapped around Wilson like flames, searing into his skin. He screamed as the energy burrowed into his chest, his veins glowing with golden light. CAPTURED Wilson collapsed, gasping for air as the Surge settled inside him. His body burned with raw power, but his mind was a blur. Before he could gather his thoughts, guards stormed into the chamber. Dominic pointed at Wilson, his face twisted with fury. “Secure him!” Wilson staggered to his feet and ran, the energy in his body making his movements erratic. He barely made it a few steps before the guards tackled him, slamming him to the ground. They dragged him away, his vision blurring as Dominic’s cold voice echoed in his ears. THE JUDGMENT Hours later, Wilson was dragged into the Ministry’s judgment chamber. The Ministrians sat on elevated thrones, their expressions unreadable. Dominic’s gaze bored into him. “Where is the Surge?” Wilson’s voice was hoarse. “It’s… inside me. I didn’t want this. It just happened.” “Lies,” Lady Sparta hissed. “Who sent you?” “No one!” Wilson shouted. Dominic gestured, and two guards entered, dragging a woman into the chamber. Wilson’s heart dropped. “Mom?” Clara’s face was pale but defiant. “Wilson! Don’t let them break you!” Dominic’s voice was icy. “Surrender the Surge, or she dies.” “I don’t know how!” Wilson cried. Dominic’s smirk was razor-sharp. “Then we’ll take it from you.” The guards raised their weapons. “No!” Wilson screamed, but it was too late. The shots rang out, and Clara fell. THE SURGE UNLEASHED Grief and rage exploded within Wilson, intertwining with the energy inside him. The Surge erupted, sending a golden shockwave through the chamber. Guards disintegrated instantly, and the pillars cracked as the energy spiraled out of control. Wilson floated into the air, the chains on his wrists shattering. Dominic barked orders, but the roar of the Surge drowned him out. For a moment, Wilson considered unleashing the full force of his power on them. But a faint voice in his mind his mother’s pulled him back. With a burst of speed, he launched himself upward, crashing through the ceiling and into the night sky.