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“ Y ou have talent, Xander.” Professor Dai appeared next to Cyprian and eyed his canvas. “I’m glad our academy granted you a scholarship. We need more students like you, and with some more practice, you will go far.”

Xander beamed at the compliment. Back at home, he’d always had to hide his drawings. If his foster parents found anything, they’d throw it away. He never knew why, but they’d always hated any form of creativity. Still, he missed them. Missed his special sister, Nikkie. Missed the false sense of belonging despite it being an illusion; it had made him feel safe.

“This is exactly why I want students to finish the day with an improvisation class,” Professor Dai continued as he lingered behind Cyprian’s canvas. “This is where your true inspiration can just flow.”

The rest of the group went back to work. Professor Dai studied Cyprian’s charcoal frame of a young girl with shiny eyes and a playful smile. Her hair fell in a braid over her shoulder, and she wore a flower above her right ear. It was a daisy, a rare yellow heart with white petals. It was Nikkie’s favourite flower. And for once, the charcoal didn’t do it justice on paper.

“Is it mostly portraits you draw?” Professor Dai asked.

“Yes,” Xander hummed, adding a fine line to emphasize her slender shoulders.

Professor Dai leaned in to take a good look up close. “Well, who knows? You might end up being the new Branson Vance?”

Cyprian smiled at the suggestion. Every want-to-be artist knew of the creator who had been contracted by the Imperial of Pyramus. It created a hype around the rich and powerful who now all wanted to have their own in-house artist to establish every noteworthy event. “One can only dream,” he mumbled absentmindedly, his focus on the curve that dipped from the girl’s shoulder to the forearm that faded out on the canvas.

“Well, sometimes dreams are the only thing we have. We all know it will be difficult to find a job out there that pays the bills. Where do you find your inspiration?”

Xander shrugged, swallowing as his heart clenched. If he could have taken anyone with him, it would have been Nikkie. Now, she was stuck at home without his protection. Wondering where her big brother had gone.

“From nothing and everything, I guess.”

“Hmm, like most of us helpless dreamers,” Professor Dai chuckled. It sounded sad. “And charcoal is your favourite equipment?”

“Yes. I like the contrast. Black and white, a touch of grey.” Cyprian brushed the pad of his thumb over her cheek. Sober things.

“Well, you are an exceptional student. It makes me wonder why you weren’t accepted at Foxglove. Their art program is the best in the galaxy.”

Cyprian focused on his sister’s shoulders as he ignored his teacher’s comment.

Around them, other artwork was on display. Some students were painting, others were drawing at the table. One student was making a figure with clay.

“Alright, listen up, everybody.” Professor Dai clapped his hands and walked back to his desk. “You can continue working in this room for a little longer if you want to wrap up things. Don’t forget to write down where you get your creativity from since we’ll be discussing these things first thing tomorrow. Over the next weeks, this space will be open to second and third years during this time, so we can create more synergy between all art students.”

Around him, students started putting their equipment back as they got ready to head home. With a final glance at the portrait, Cyprian placed his canvas against the wall by the others and cleaned up his desk. He slung his backpack over his shoulder and left.

He was looking forward to walking back to his new room through the park. The light here really was sublime, and watching it trickle through the trees and shine upon the late summer bloom softened his heart. He couldn't ignore the pull Helion had had ever since he'd started researching the planet. It was like he was meant to be here. Perhaps that meant it was true, and he was born here.

The apartment was silent when he made his way inside. Archer wasn’t home yet. Probably out for dinner with friends. Cyprian had wanted to discuss the awkward canteen situation yesterday, but Archer had simply shrugged him off.

Music softly played in the kitchen. His roommate had told him he always left it on because he didn’t like to be alone. He was right. It was nice to have the silence filled by the soft background sounds.

Cyprian quickly grabbed something to eat from the fridge. There was a plate full of tiganos left. While he waited for them to heat, he looked outside the window and across the street.

There. On that corner is where he’d seen Moargan yesterday. Right after the scene in the canteen. He’d just stood there with his white cape on, in those leather pants, his blond hair tucked under the large hood, those amethyst eyes gazing right through the glass, like lasers trying to find their goal.

And then he’d left.

The microwave dinged, causing Cyprian to jump. With a full plate, he went to his room and plugged in his holo computer.

He could only stare at the screen. Now that he’d finally reached his destination, it was blank. He’d have to find new information, but for now, all he had left to do, and perhaps it was the most important part of his mission, was to go over the addresses he had illegally obtained. The list contained families who had either registered the death of a newborn in the same year as he was born or who had given up their baby for adoption.

The thought of standing face-to-face with those people was terrifying. How could one simply get rid of a child? It was a question he lived by, though the answer remained a mystery.

What he had seen though, was its result. In foster care, children were broken. They were forgotten. And though they should have stood strong together, Cyprian had always been an outsider.

The thought left him feeling raw. He needed his pencils. Needed to draw his emotions before they spilled over and made him feel like he was drowning.

Shoving the plate aside, he opened his backpack and took out his material. He loved dreaming of his biological family. Loved drawing the most beautiful house for his real parents. Alone with his charcoal fantasy, he gave them a spacious, detached house with a lovely butterfly roof. He even gave himself a bedroom.

Charcoal left its first marks on the paper.

His father, mother, and himself. Perhaps even a sibling or two. Who knew? On canvas, I would live happily ever after.

Soon, he’d meet his biological parents. Of that, he was certain.

The data chip stared at him from his desk as if silently challenging him.

“When I’m ready,” he whispered, inhaling deeply. “Until then, you’ve got to be patient with me.” He crawled down to tuck the data chip under his mattress in the furthest corner.

A commotion outside made Cyprian peak through the window. That same spot across the street was filled with what appeared to be guards. Cyprian drew back the curtain, relieved to be inside his room, safely behind walls and in his own mind.

He moved back to his canvas. He loved the interplay between light and shadow, between black and white.

There was a sudden knock on the door, followed by a shout that made Cyprian jump.

“Helion Luminary, open the door.”

Cyprian rushed back to the window, peering down to where the guards had stood before. The corner was now empty. He sent a quick message to Archer from his multi-slate, asking him if random security patrols were a thing on Helion. It didn’t matter. His roommate wasn’t here, and they were.

The Luminary, as Enzo had explained in the canteen. Private guards to the Imperials.

Cyprian’s heart rate picked up.

“Open the door.” There was more pounding on the door.

“I’m coming!” They were on the third floor. There was no way he could jump out of the building without hurting himself. That would make him look more suspicious.

The front door creaked when Cyprian slowly pulled it open, eyes widening at the guy who stood in front of him. Unlike the two guards behind him, who carried rifles and a stoic gaze, his visitor looked like he was Cyprian’s age, wearing a black suit with a golden broach.

“Hello there. You must be Xander Devers.” His smile widened when Cyprian licked his dry lips nervously.

“Yes?”

“Good. May I come in?” He pushed past Cyprian without waiting for an answer and let out a hum of approval when he took in the apartment. “Very nice. I’ll take it.” He swung around with another grin.

“Uhm, this apartment isn’t for sale. I’m not even the owner. I just live here, the owner isn’t here, mister?—”

“Zeal. But you can call me Yure. You also attend the Helion Academy, right?”

“Right.” Cyprian swallowed. For a minute, they just watched each other. Then he snapped himself out of it. “As I said, the apartment isn’t for sale. I’ll let the owner, Archer Lyre, know that you are interested in purchasing his apartment. Perhaps he can, he can?—”

“Let’s go,” someone ordered.

One of the guards stepped behind him.

“What?” Cyprian shrieked, spinning around. Cold panic washed over him. “I am not leaving my home. Based on what? You wish to see my identity?” He held out his hand to Yure, who shook his head, eyes dancing with glee.

“Are you still filming?”

“Sure am.”

Cyprian frowned and looked back at the corridor. Another man waved at him from behind a camera. “Are you filming me? Why?” He swung his gaze back to Yure. “Is this some kind of joke? I can assure you, it’s not funny. I was busy doing homework. I want you to leave.”

The guard grabbed his arm and pulled it tight behind his back, making Cyprian wince.

“What’s going on here?” Archer appeared out of the elevator and hurried down the corridor, a bewildered look on his face. He carried a grocery bag in his hand and used his free one to have his identity scanned.

“Archer!” Cyprian let out.

“Ah, mister Lyre, thank you for joining us.”

“Yure.” Archer blanched, making Cyprian’s relief short-lived. “What does the Luminary need?”

“It’s not what we need. This apartment has been bought by the Imperial family.”

“ What ?” Archer shook his head, a desperate look in his blue eyes. “I inherited this place from my family, there must be a misunderstanding. I didn’t put it on the market.”

“It doesn’t have to be on the market for it to be purchased by the Imperial family, does it?” Yure asked smugly. “Tell you what though?—”

Cyprian winced, gaze dropping to the floor when he felt the other guy’s eyes on his. “Let me talk to the family. You know what they’re like though.”

There was an awkward silence.

“They want compensation?” Archer asked, sounding defeated.

“Hmm. What do you think, Aviel?” Yure eyed the guy, who now entered the apartment. He was still filming. Dressed in the same attire, his black curls fell smooth around his ears as he smirked from behind the camera.

“I like Archer,” he said.

“Yeah, me too,” replied Yure.

Cyprian’s stomach clenched, heart thrashing in his chest. He knew what would come next.

“He only just arrived on Helion,” his roommate stammered. “Please, Aviel. He’s just had one day at college.”

“Oh, he’ll continue college,” Yure soothed. “Just consider him a temporary repayment until we have this settled.”

“Settled?” Cyprian blurted. The grip on his arm tightened and he started struggling, his movements fueled by panic. “What’s going on?”

“You’re coming with us,” Yure said, followed by Aviel’s manic laughter.

“I’m not coming with you,” Cyprian balked, keeping his other hand firmly against the doorknob. “I rented this room. You can’t just throw me out. That isn’t legal. I paid for this. My stuff is here. I’m a student of the academy.” Cyprian used all his strength to keep a grip on the knob, even though his other arm started to ache.

Then a click, and before he had time to blink again, he was staring right at the barrel of a gun.

“Very nice,” he heard Aviel mutter. He could hear the pounding of his heart.

“Am I being arrested?” Cyprian’s voice cracked to a whisper.

“No,” Yure said. “Now, let’s go. Archer, we’ll clarify this soon.”

Cyprian’s sweaty hand slid off the doorknob as he heard his roommate explain where his bedroom was. Then, they walked through the corridor. He felt the camera on his burning face.

The Luminary had taken him. They were going to hurt him, then discover who he was. And then they would send him back to Tulniri, where he would be executed.

“I realize you don’t know Helion customs,” Yure spoke as they got in the back of the hovercar. “But you will learn fast.”

“My charcoal,” he heard himself mutter.

“It’s not very difficult. All you gotta do is run.”

“I need my pencils.” Cyprian’s head was consumed by fear.

“We’ve got you your stuff. Are you even listening?”

Someone chuckled.

“You run and hide. Don’t get caught.”

Don’t get caught.

He already was. Right?

“Run,” he repeated sullenly.

“Exactly.” A pat on his shoulder. They were going to use him as live bait. Cyprian blinked his eyes when reality came crashing in.

“You can’t do this. Please don’t do this.”

Yure watched him, a look of understanding in his eyes. “You’ll be just fine.”

Finally, they drove past opened gates and made their way through a yard before stopping in front of a building that was large and entirely covered in darkness.

“Here we are.” Yure got out and gestured for him to follow. Cyprian sat frozen, swallowing as he glared at the ominous house.

“And all this because an Imperial has purchased the house of my roommate?” He asked out loud and slowly made his way out of the car. There was no escape.

No one answered.

They didn’t need to. Cyprian had a sinking feeling he knew the answer.

Yure opened the door and swung it open. “Good luck.”

Cyprian licked his dry lips and cautiously stepped inside the building. Aviel chuckled when one of the guards pushed him further inside. Someone said something, but he couldn’t hear.

“What?”

“I said, welcome to Helion.”

The door shut behind him.