The story so far:

---- Aija is a Volunteer at the Pristine School at Innermost. She works along with Zuri and Ze, who are her friends. Aija witnesses a strange event one night – light emanating from Rez's body. The kidnapper is after her soul, next, but he leaves her alive and goes away. Another man finds her, he wants to take her somewhere else - Aija though wary of him agrees. Aija learns of the existence of the aliens – the Ytai. Also, about the R'ies and H'eon, Harvesting and Àvo from Etrie. Etrie tells her that the man, who Harvested Rez (Thieron), will now go after her. He tells her that the spy/kidnapper's name is Luka. Etrie asks her to work along with him. Aija agrees to work along with Etrie on Harvest Stopping Missions.

---- Thieron and Nala check out a new target, and realize that Etrie's team was trailing the same target.

---- Goldstar preps for the Transfer to the South Land. Goldstar and the Transfers are attacked by the Savages and Creatures in the Open. They are saved by the Gale squad of the Open. Goldstar is terribly hurt and he is told that his wound will definitely scar. They set out to the South Land.  They drop the Transfers at the South Land. When Gold asks Iyler to marry him one day she doesn't respond.

---- Goldstar meets Princess Ruyanir of the Zayr. He is later informed that the Research Centre was attacked.

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****15.1 - Xan****

The sound of the strings vibrated through the room, echoing the happiness he felt in his heart.

He hardly followed the notes and unconsciously added his own music in between.

He was happy. He would be playing the cello at the school's music festival - a solo performance in front of a big audience. It was an extraordinary opportunity; it allowed him to be noticed by the best cello artists and get a chance to attend the best music school at Pristine Two. It had always been his dream to go to The Music School and Art Academy at Pristine Two. The best artists went there and made Pristine Two their home. He wanted it too.

After practice, Xan Ae Lee strolled around the Music Academy while he waited for Vaughn. He knew Vaughn since he was five when the two started cello classes. Vaughn changed to violin a year later, but since the classes were held at the same Academy, they went to classes and then home together, afterward as well.

Vaughn lived at the start of Ryder Street, and Xan lived towards the end. He had never known a single day spent without Vaughn ever since he had met him and couldn't imagine doing so. They even spent weekends with each other.

Xan made a full trip around the school and arrived at the entrance. Vaughn hadn't arrived yet, so he sat on one of the twenty steps that led to the building's massive wooden door. He rested his chin in his palms and looked around. Students of all ages were hurrying about either to class or home. He wanted to slow everything down. People were always in a hurry.

A slight breeze blew through the trees, and he felt it rush through his hair. He closed his eyes and listened to the trees in the wind, to the laughter of students, to the music escaping through the windows of practice rooms. He felt peaceful.

"Xan!"

He opened his eyes and turned around, Vaughn was climbing down the stairs – with a girl. He stood and waited for them to reach him.

"Xan, this is Hima. Hima Li, this is Xan."

Vaughn smiled at the two newly introduced people.

"Hi," Hima said, smiling at Xan.

Xan nodded with only half a smile.

"Alright then," Hima said at no one in particular, clearly awkward because of Xan's not-so enthusiastic reaction. She told Vaughn, "I'll see you tomorrow." waved at Xan and left.

Vaughn looked at her as she left, and Xan looked at Vaughn, his calm diffusing and turning into annoyance.

"Isn't she pretty?" Vaughn asked, the honeyed tone of his voice burning through Xan's patience.

But, Xan had to admit that she was pretty. She was cute, and it looked like she had caught Vaughn's attention.

"Let's go home." Xan's voice was low.

"Sure."

The two boys walked home along the busy evening streets. The Music Academy was close to their school, and their home was on the circumference of the Park, making their path cut through Market. The two of them would often buy some sweetlings on the way home, walk through the Park and reach Ryder Street, where Vaughn's home arrived first. There were days when Vaughn would have dinner at Xan's house, and he, at Vaughn's.

"Who is she?"

"Hima? She's Mr. Patel's new student. She used to go to the Music School on the border of Innermost. But, she's auditioning for Pristine Two – just like you – and she needs to attend the Academy for a few months."

They passed through Market and reached the Park. As they made their way through it, Xan had a distinct feeling that they were being followed. He turned around twice as they walked, but he saw no one.

"What's it?" Vaughn asked, adjusting the strap of the violin case on his shoulder.

Xan shook his head. Vaughn wasn't convinced, but he didn't say anything more. He knew Xan would speak if it mattered. Xan was taller than Vaughn by two inches and scrawny compared to him.

The evening light glowed on Vaughn's golden curls and turned his dark brown eyes a shade lighter like honey. Xan couldn't help but feel content whenever he looked at Vaughn. He wanted Vaughn to audition for Pristine Two as well, but Vaughn wasn't making music his career. He wanted to study medicine. Xan couldn't imagine doing anything other than playing the cello.

"How's your preparation going on?"

"Good," Xan answered.

"The Eligibility Assessment won't be tough. You'll do well, I'm sure. What will you choose for volunteering?"

"I wish I didn't have to choose anything," Xan complained.

Vaughn laughed, "But, you must. Even if you attend school at Pristine Two, you must volunteer. It's the rule even for music, art, and dance students."

"I know..." he grumbled.

"Just choose something easy." Vaughn consoled him.

They reached Ryder Street and stopped in front of Vaughn's house.

"Will you come home for dinner?"

"Probably not today," Xan declined the offer. "I'll have to practice for the solo and the test."

"Don't worry about the test. It's just multiple-choice questions. Focus on your solo."

Xan nodded. He still had to score well to qualify for the volunteering job of his choice. If he did poorly on the Assessment, a volunteering job would be chosen for him; something that might take him to the outer-most part of the City.

Most kids had an idea of where they would like to volunteer – but not Xan. All he wanted to do was play the cello.

Xan walked the rest of the way home alone. He turned around again twice. He had the unmistakable feeling of being followed. Who would follow him, though? Why? Who would be interested in a lanky soon to be sixteen-year-old who played the cello?

***

Eun, his older sister, was heating dinner – it was her turn today. He smelled tomato soup and chicken sandwich, his favorite.

"I love the choice of dinner tonight," he said, placing the cello on the table.

"Please keep the cello in your room," Eun told him.

Xan stuck his tongue out at her and went to his room. He took a bath, changed into pyjamas, and went out for dinner.

His younger siblings – twins Dae Hyun and Ingrid – were already seated at the table. Their parents worked at the Research Institute and often came home late. Their oldest sibling Royd lived in another part of Innermost; he was a Secure and was often on night duty.

"When is your test?" Ingrid asked Xan as he sat opposite her.

"Next week. So is my medicine administration."

"Nice. That medicine administration hurts, doesn't it?" Dae Hyun squished his nose in disgust.

"Yes, and it also protects you from diseases and keeps you alive," Eun said, placing the heated food on the dinner table. Dae Hyun stuck out his tongue at her, and she glared at him. 

Medicine Administration was different from the vaccinations. All five of his vaccinations were done with. The Medicine Administration was a compulsory medicine injected into one's body when a person turned sixteen.

They spoke about school and their friends. Xan loved his siblings, and he enjoyed dinner time. He knew he lived a good life, and he loved it. He appreciated his parents for all they had done for them. He was the only one who inclined towards music. None of his siblings were even minutely interested; Dae Hyun was into sports like Royd had been. Eun and Ingrid weren't into music or sports. They loved to study.

It was the twins' turn to wash the dishes, so he wished them a good night and retired to his room to practice the cello. He placed the cello upright and picked up the bow. He dragged the bow across the strings feeling the vibrations; the music resonated within him.

He practiced for his cello solo; it was a piece of happy music, and it always reminded him of Vaughn; his eyes; his joyful smile...

Xan opened his eyes in the middle of the piece. He was breathing heavy with sudden realization. 

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