A week passed since the aptitude test and yet it lingered ever-present in Chase's mind. Even now, walking down the sidewalk of Cordra District, he recalled the events. The sight of seeing his brother vomiting and screaming inside of an empty room as he was forced to watch was a truly traumatic experience. 

He feared what could've happened if he hadn't have acted as quickly as he did. Nevertheless, he needed to move forward. Needed to focus on what was important. They'd both made it into the Seeker Corps. Now they had to prepare.

He along with Professor Lem walked through the commercial area of the district. Open-air markets crowded the sides of the bustling streets. Hordes of people accompanied them as they made their way past various shops. He wasn't necessarily someone who enjoyed shopping, however, he deemed it essential for their future endeavors. 

The corps gave them a period of two weeks to organize and decide what they'd be taking with them to the training base outside Sanctuary. Since all they really had were their old clothes and other basic belongings, Chase thought it'd be a good idea to use the extra jen they saved to buy some new clothes, appliances, or whatever else which managed to catch his eye. Today was his turn and tomorrow would be Rex's. Lem grinned as he watched the boy tap a finger against his lips, staring aimlessly through a glass window at a group of dark-colored jackets.

"You don't do this a lot, do you?"

Sighing, Chase responded, "Between work and looking after my brother, I don't really have the time to shop." He crafted a mental note of a certain jacket and then proceeded past the building. "Plus, I never really got the idea of spending jen on things you really didn't need. Food and water, sure. New clothes to replace the old, fine. But rambunctious accessories and hair products? What value would stuff like that bring to your life?"

"Some people just like looking good. Not to mention, Cordra is a rather wealthy district in its own right. You'd see many of the more affluent residents indulge in a fancy way of living compared to you or me. It's just the way certain people are."

"No kidding,"

People donning flashy clothing and chatting as if all was right with the world. Stallions playing loud music as their owners reveled in the fact that they were rich. Long ago, he knew not of this lifestyle. Being raised in the slums of Haren was difficult, although, he appreciated how it allowed him to see both sides of the spectrum. Two opposite realms contained in a single domain.

"Lem, I never asked but what is your opinion of the Seeker Corps?" The professor shot him a confused expression. "Do you really think they can change the futures of those suffering in the lower districts? Or are their efforts utterly meaningless?"

"Shouldn't you have thought about this prior to enlisting?"

"You have a point," Chase chuckled. "I enlisted solely because of Rex. To be perfectly honest, I don't care if we find this so-called Eden or not. As long as my brother's safety is secured I'll be content."

"I see. Well if you're asking if I think the Seeker Corps can save Sanctuary, it depends entirely on what lies out there for them to find." He directed a gaze at the dome's walls. "I've been a researcher for quite a while. During that time I've grown attached to the men and women of the Seeker Corps who occasionally provide us with vital information. However, in that vast expanse of open desert, the remnants of our mysterious past have long since disintegrated."

"So you do think they're useless?"

"Not necessarily," he answered, pushing his glasses further up his nose. "I think they're ambition can manifest two possible futures. One leading to Sanctuary's felicity, and another resulting in their untimely demise."

Just then, electricity coursing through the cable wires above them shortcircuited. Sparks flew from the top of street lamps. The lights powered off inside of the surrounding shops. Stallions crashed into one another as the stoplight malfunctioned, its trio of colors shining simultaneously before exploding altogether. 

Drivers blew their horns as people exited the vehicles to begin shouting at each other. Before Chase could react, he, along with everyone nearby, covered their ears to the screeching of the monorail. Overhead, Chase spotted the locomotive come to an abrupt halt, the glowing marks and symbols which decorated its outer shell losing their radiance. Chase and Lem stared in bewilderment as the entirety of the shopping sector was robbed of its power.

"Dammit," Lem grumbled. "This is the fourth outage this week. I know the exos crystal situation is bad but this is getting out of hand. If this continues, we'll be facing the return of the Dark Ages."

". . . Really?" a stunned and terrified Chase inquired.

"Huh? N- No, I was kidding. I'm just . . . Annoyed neither the king nor the Royal Government can do anything to fix this."

The Dark Ages Lem referred to was a bleak point in Sanctuary's history. It was a period of ten to fifteen years where there was a lack of power to support every district. Back in those days, everything ran off of Old World technology which was predominantly powered by electricity. It wasn't enough to sustain Sanctuary's residents in the lower districts which led to many riots and street violence. 

It was a lawless era. Friends and family turning on each other for the sake of claiming resources. Chase had once read in a textbook a civil war nearly erupted in Inglis District. However, Sanctuary would eventually recover due to the discovery of exos crystals which energized practically everything excluding Aether. For there to be a shortage was frightening, to say the least.

"You might not be fond of them, Chase," Lem muttered, observing the enforcers flooding the chaotic scene. "But we might need the Seeker Corps now more than ever."

* * *

Rex scratched the metal plating as he sat on the park bench in silence. The commander had told the newly recruited cadets the swelling around the enhancement should disappear in a couple of days though he failed to mention when the headaches would subside. 

The implant itself came in the form of a puny hole encompassed by metal and was located directly above his nape. It wasn't small enough to the point where he couldn't see the opening yet it wasn't large enough for an insect to crawl in. Only the neural cord was compatible. Although, Rex still held doubts about the notion that controlling a suit with his mind was indeed possible. He'd have to see it in order to believe it.

He flipped through the pages of a book he'd purchased from the library. With it being such a nice day he thought it'd be a good idea to come to the park in order to catch up on his studies. Gordon tagged along as well, Rex smirking at the slumbering professor laying on the park bench next to him. 

Soon, I'll be saying goodbye to this world. 

He quietly absorbed his surroundings. Green grass swaying with the breeze. Kids playing on the park attractions. Ordinary people talking with one another. Then of course there was the royal castle, the skyscraper towering over everything in sight. He wouldn't be able to experience this tranquility again for quite a while. Some aspects of Sanctuary he'd cherish. However, no-one could deny it'd major imperfections. It was just as cruel and unforgiving as the Outside World.

Rex side glanced at a gallant across the street. The black-colored mecha ejected the angered voice of its pilot. It, along with the party of four enforcers stationed at its feet, faced a carriage being pulled by a bull lizard, a titanic golden scaled lizard with a pair of sturdy horns protruding out its arrow-shaped head. 

The overgrown reptile snarled and hissed as its rider hopped off the carriage baring a foul expression. It wasn't uncommon to witness enforcers argue with civilians though they've become rather on edge as of late. Rex predicted it'd something to do with the recent power outages. If this was the current state of Sanctuary Rex feared how it'd look four years down the line.

Dad, was this the correct path I chose?

"Quite an interesting book you've got there? It's about the Outside World, right?" Dismantling his concentrated stare, Rex glanced at the boy, emerald eyes staring back. "Certainly is a fascinating topic. Kinda makes you wonder why so many pretend it isn't real!" he smirked. 

Rex struggled to formulate a response. It wasn't every day a total stranger chose to speak to him of all people. The infamous Desert Boy. The alien of Sanctuary. Yet here he was, a boy with a set of spiky silver-colored hair, smiling at him. He appeared to be close to his age, perhaps a year or two older. Rex knew a fair portion of civilians residing in the district but this was the first time he'd seen this kid. Had he transferred from a neighboring district? 

"Not much of a talker, are ya?"

Rex, realizing how long he'd been blankly staring, went into a state of befuddlement. "I'm sorry! Got lost in a train of thought! Uh . . . Yes, this book is about the Outside World. I figured I'd learn as much as I can considering I'm leaving."

"Leaving, huh? And for what reason, might I ask. Don't tell me the enforcers are kicking you out."

"Not at all. You see, I'm a seeker."

His grin broadened. "No kidding?!"

"Yeah, enlisted last week," Rex confirmed.

"What a coincidence! I recently got accepted into the Seeker Corps as well. Take a look for yourself!" He spun around to show Rex the identical hole shaped implant at the back of his head, the boy pointing a thumb to it underneath his hair. "See?! I guess you can say we'll be seeing a lot more of each other over the coming months!" 

Rex gawked at him as he expelled a series of hard laughter. Were more people beginning to have faith in the seekers? In these troubling days perhaps the public longed for a symbol to attach their hope on to. They couldn't do so with the king or even the enforcers. The Seeker Corps were all they'd left. 

"So, what's your name? You can call me Seth Keyes. A pleasure to meet you!"

Smirking, Rex shook his hand. "The pleasure's mine. My name's Rex Hunt. Look forward to working with you."

Seth's eyes focused on the necklace hanging from Rex's neck, pausing slightly to identify it. Before Rex noticed his strange behavior Seth retracted his arm, taking a seat beside him with a friendly grin. "You said your name was R- Rex, right?"

"That's me!"

Seth paused again. ". . . You're the kid they found outside the walls, aren't you?"

Rex gave a reluctant nod. Seth's questions reminded him of his peculiar dream. It wasn't much different from his usual nightmares. Although, this one was more distinct. More real. Now that he was officially departing Sanctuary could he somehow get to the bottom of these constant visions? Perhaps, but he couldn't forget the reason he enlisted in the first place.

"And that's precisely why I'm leaving." Yes, he'd a mission to accomplish. A promise to keep. Identifying Seth's confused reaction Rex quickly attempted to usher the conversation to something, anything else. "So, I haven't really seen you around Cordra. I find that rather odd considering I've spent most of my life here. Does this mean you're not originally from this district?"

Seth snapped his fingers at him. "Right on the money. I only came here to take the aptitude test. I actually call the streets of Phana my home."

"Phana! As in the Phana?!"

"I'll assume we're thinking of the same one."

"Then . . . Does this mean you're a-"

"Noble? Hell no! Ha, I barely have enough jen to afford a decent meal! Please, I'm way below those big wigs," Seth laughed, slapping a hand over his knee. "Regardless of the perks they receive, I wouldn't want to be associated with a lot of greedy pigs."

"Tell me about it," Rex muttered. "Many of them are unfair towards the lower classes and the king himself isn't any better."

"Maybe. But as terrible as they are, we cannot overlook their methods of survival. After all, this world is filled with corruption." Rex cocked his head. "You see, living within our humble little utopia are folks fond of using dirty tactics to claim positions of power. It's what the nobles did to amass their riches. It's what peasants do to prevent starving to death. So I ask, how are we expected to combat a world of growing corruption? Simple: By playing dirty ourselves." 

Seth leaned back in his seat, hands behind his head. "With the exception of yourself and those in the Seeker Corps, no one has left Sanctuary. What will we discover in that sandy wasteland? What terrors? Well, I can assure you some of our 'obstacles' will be in plain sight. It's simply our job to identify them and take action. Our very lives might depend on how well our talent for spotting trouble is."

"Trouble?"

"Danger takes many forms, Rex. Nobles using their influence to persuade those in a higher position. Enforcers demanding respect from people they rarely serve. Even seekers who aim to take advantage of new recruits. We can't fall victim to this corruption, otherwise, the monsters out there will be the least of our worries."

In some strange way, Rex understood what Seth was saying. According to Keith and Chase, there were those who suspected he was hiding something regarding his origin. The forgotten memories on the edge of his mind. The experiences he made during his time on the other side of Sanctuary's walls. 

They sought to harness these assets and capitalize on them for reasons he couldn't understand. Surely, these same people existed within Sanctuary as well as in the ranks of the Seeker Corps. Seth was right. If he lowered his guard he might find himself in the same position as before. This time he might not be so lucky as to have his brother save his hide. He looked at Seth, the boy twiddling his thumbs obliviously.

"Why are you telling me this?"

He shrugged his shoulders. "Don't know. You seem like a nice guy. Wouldn't want my new friend getting into trouble, now would I."

"Uh . . ."

"Plus, we're fellow seekers. We should be watching over each other's backs, shouldn't we?"

"I guess so. In any case, thank you. When my brother isn't around I hardly have anyone to talk to."

"Your brother? His name is Chase, isn't it?"

"Yup! Actually, I believe I should be heading home now. He's probably waiting to show me what he bought at the shop." Rex stood up, stretching his arms into the air. "It was nice meeting you, Seth Keyes."

Seth arose to his feet with a smile. "Same here! I'll see ya again in two weeks!"

After the two said their farewells Seth exited the park with his hands in his pockets. As Rex tried waking up the incredibly lazy Gordon he pondered what Seth had told him. He certainly was an odd character with some surprisingly helpful advice. If these were the kinds of people he'd be meeting in the Seeker Corps then he'd have nothing to worry about, his previous nerves fading altogether.

Strolling down the sidewalk Seth whistled to himself. So it is you, huh? Fate, how you toy with me. He reached into his pocket and pulled out a golden diamond-shaped pendant. It matched Rex's in design, however, it radiated an emerald glow, the illumination matching the color of his flashing eyes. Clasping the device in his hand a wide grin blossomed. Damn, I'm good! Looks like I made the right decision after all!