Kerian’s smirked still plastered on her face, as Azreal and Amelia pile into the back of her Police car. “Sure you're not taking us into the cop shop, having us both in the back here?” Azreal took a playful jab at Kerian. A small smirk on her plump red lips could be seen in the rear view mirror, “No cop shop for either of you, I'll take you to my place over in the Eastern Jewel”.

Both Azreal and Ameila’s expressions stiffen, the Eastern Jewel named after a enormous chunk of Jade that is suspended in inbetween the most luxurious skyscrapers, casinos and government buildings. It’s rumoured a large portion of the Eastern Jewel’s power is drawn from the unknown and enigmatic Jade jewel, how its harnessed and its actual properties are the only known to the upper echelon of the corporatocracy. 

The eastern side of the city is a home to the elite and those they deem necessary,as  only those with wealth or strength to stand at the apex of the world are welcome inside its borders. “Do you really live in the Eastern Jewel?” asked Amelia. 

“Yes, Azreal would've known if he stayed in contact with me once I left the orphanage, I was adopted by the Silver family and they are really well off, let's put it that way” replied Kerian. Azreal took in a deep breath, the little green head of envy began to taint his heart before his self hatred crushed any other feeling, ‘look at her you idiot, how could you even be envious of her, you're not even the same species’. 

Amelia noticing Azreal’s face turning darker, leans over and gives him a hug. “The Silver family looks after the Eastern Jewel’s power infrastructure and works as the Eastern Jewels security” said Kerian, an indistinguishable emotion getting caught in her throat. 

Azreal, gazing out the window, takes in the city, chaos and duality, a twisted marriage of decay and so-called progress. Towering skyscrapers jutted high into the sky, their once-pristine facades now defaced with the scars of a hundred gangs, stark symbols of rebellion against the iron-fisted corporatocracy suffocating the city. Below, the streets writhed with a desperate sort of life. Pedestrians weaved through abandoned storefronts, ruined checkpoints, their steps hurried and wary, while hover cars shot past in blurs of indifference, their occupants heavily insulated from the slums of the Western Key, protected by their technology and privilege.

As they ventured deeper, the neon lights faded, smothered by the oppressive blanket of smog that choked the city's lungs. They were delving into the city's centre, a true corporate dream, nothing but productivity and false belief in their own system. Here, Kerian eased off the accelerator and gestured towards a skeletal structure that stood as a grim monument, the first leader of the corporatocracy, Hillian The Judge, deemed himself the judge of earth and sundered any who stood before him. An unknown power seemed to surround him, making him unapproachable and truly terrifying.

The car ride continues until they come up to a checkpoint with a group of heavily armed guards checking passes for entry into the Eastern Jewel. “Miss Silver, welcome back to safety of the Jewel, I see you have some company” a gruff middle aged guard smiles at Kerian, while eyeing her guests with discontent. “Thank you, Pieter, I am in a hurry. Can you please open the door for me?” asked Kerian. 

“Of course miss Silver, we wouldn’t want to offend our benefactor” replied the guard, raising his hand and returning to his station. A second passes before a large metallic gate begins to open, allowing a single car through, “Breathe Azreal, they cannot do anything to you” said Kerian, who could feel Azreal shrink under their gaze. “I am fine, I just didn’t want to put you at risk,” said Azreal.

The Eastern Jewel, a paradise compared to the Western Key, is full of life and massive estates, with guards posted along the entrances of each, litter the area. The clear air is a stark contrast to the toxic fumes that destroy the lungs of those living in the lowest dregs of the Western Key.

 Arriving at a smaller estate than others they’ve previously passed, Kerian rolls her window down and greets a monster of a man who is stationed next to the entrance way. “Polt, let me in quick and let no one else enter unless you hear from me okay?” Kerian’s words startling Polt, he stands at an impressive seven feet tall and pulsates with muscles, Azreal looks at the monster of a man and feels an oddly familiar sensation, however he struggles to place it before the car begins moving. 

Azreal and Amelia, shocked by the sight, a massive two story villa with the driveway that runs to the entrance.  The villa itself, bathed in the golden warmth of the late afternoon sun, seemingly unaffected by the disparity and discord affecting the rest of the city. The meticulously landscaped garden, with its array of exotic flowers and ancient, towering trees, whispers tales of a paradise untouched by the chaos that gnaws at the farthest edges of the Western Key.

As the car halts smoothly in front of the main entrance, Kerian turns to Azreal and Amelia, her eyes reflecting a warmth that touches both of their hearts. “This is my private villa, only myself and a few staff will know that you are here, you can stay here as long as you want to. I will also move into here and take a few days off work to ensure your both safe”

Stepping out of the car, they're greeted by the sight of an elderly man who, despite his age, carries an air of authority and grace. His hair, silver like the moon, contrasts sharply with the deep greens and vibrant colours of the garden. 

"Welcome, Kerian, and her esteemed guests," he says, his voice strong and welcoming. "The Eastern Jewel shines brighter with your presence."

“Oswald, drop the pretious shit, this is Azreal, I told you about him, he's from the orphanage. This is someone I am helping, Amelia, they will be staying with us for the foreseeable future. I hope you look after them” said Kerian, with a brash tone. 

“Of course Kerian, get them inside, I'll sort their things and move the car” Oswald replied with a smile on his face, resembling a grandfather looking at his daughter. Azreal, walking past Oswald notices the same familiar feeling as the guard at the gatehouse.

 ‘What is it about these two men that makes me feel something is stirring within me, is it fear? It doesn't feel like fear’ Azreal pondered as he was led through the house. 

Kerian leads Azreal and Amelia through the grand entrance, their footsteps echoing on the polished marble floor. The interior of the villa is as impressive as its exterior. The interior of the villa is as impressive as its exterior, adorned with art, each worth more than the building Azreal lived in only a few hours ago. 

The villa is truly a testament to the Silver family's wealth and influence. The hallway opens into a sprawling living area, bathed in natural light from the floor-to-ceiling windows that offer an unobstructed view of the serene gardens outside.

She then guides them upstairs, showing them to their rooms. Azreal's room is spacious, with a large bed that looks out over the gardens, and Amelia's room, equally luxurious, is decorated with soft pastels and has a balcony that captures the true beauty of the Eastern Jewel's skyline.

“I suggest making yourselves comfortable and we can meet again in the morning, you both look exhausted, get your rest and food will be delivered to you just after seven tonight” said Kerian before turning and walking down to the end of the hallway and opening a large set of double doors, revealing her room as she turns to close them behind her. Her eyes lingering on Azreal as she notices his stare, a captivating smile appears on her plump red lips as the door shuts. 

Azreal heads into his room, and throws his weak and frail body onto the bed. He begins to melt as the luxury he feels as he spreads across these sheets, is one that drives him, being sobbing into the sheets, forcing his face into the blanket to ensure no one else can hear him.

Once he calmed down and regained his composure, Azreal felt a strange pull, a sensation that he recognises, one that he has just recently come to know. ‘This room has an abundance of Qi, its fucking real! Is the entire Eastern Jewel covered in Qi? Is that the feeling I felt earlier, cultivators?’ 

Azreal experienced Qi inside of a game, however real it was, it was still only a game but this feeling is unlike anything he has experienced before. He immediately steps off his bed, ‘better not destroy this one’ Azreal recalls his bedding at the Heavenly Root Sect being destroyed by his breakthroughs. In fear of this recurring problem, he moves the smaller furniture in his room to one side and creates a clear space in his room that is larger than his apartment. ‘Fuck me, how big is this villa? I could fit my entire life in this room twice over’.

Azreal finds a comfortable square pillow and places it in the centre of the clearing. He then sits in the lotus potion and begins to recall his cultivation technique, Heaven’s Exile. Hours pass by, Azreal still having no luck is just about to call it quits and head to sleep, but a small flicker ignites within him causing his eyes to glow a brilliant blue. 

Not wanting to relent just as he received the first thread of Qi into his body, Azreal continues to draw in more Qi with each breath before distributing it around his body. Notably slower than in Heaven’s universe, Azrea feels a sense of frustration. He can feel the potent and pervasive Qi, that's enriching the very air of the villa with an energy that feels both calming and invigorating. Yet it is ever out of his reach, he feels that even now an hour of cultivation is filling just a single drop inside of his body. 

‘I have no real Idea what cultivation is, is it my body? The cultivation technique? Maybe my understanding of Heaven's Exile is simply too low. The system did say I had a miniscule understanding of the cultivation method, I may have to return to Heaven’s Exile and grow my understanding before trying to bring it to this world’ Azreal, huff’d as he stood and walks over to his bed, throwing himself into it and quickly sleep takes him.

The next few days were a blue for Azreal and Amelia, they managed to get an understanding that Kerian was the adopted daughter of the Patriarch of the Silver family. She did not elaborate on why she was adopted by such powerful people, but she mentioned that no one could touch either of us here. Amelia was immensely thankful, crying and hugging both Kerian and Azreal, her mood notably improved over time as well. As they grew closer, Azreal would find Kerian visiting him more and more, soon she would spend breakfast, lunch and dinner with him, a feeling he hadn’t enjoyed since his days in the orphanage, before it all went wrong. 

Amelia on the other hand, felt a sense of relief and wanted to help around the house as a thank you for letting her stay here. Oswald began to teach her how to serve the house and took on the role of cleaning and cooking meals under Oswald’s guidance. She was saved from the jaws of modern slavery and thrown into a world where she could sleep happily, she would clean for the rest of her life even after being told it was unnecessary. 

Azreal found that Kerian had been participating in Heaven’s online at her family's request, she hadn’t heard that no one knew who made them and was confused at first, contacting her family but they were in the same boat as her. In Heaven’s Universe, Kerian was located thousands of miles from Azreal, taking over a year on foot for either person to travel to see each other. She belonged to another top tier sect, having impressed the Sect Master on her first day logged in by slaying a beast many realms higher than her.

 The two shared their experiences and both felt their knowledge of the game had become deeper and more well rounded, Azreal, feeling a sense of excitement to develop his Heaven’s Exile further, returned to his room after warning Kerian and Amelia that he would be going into Heaven’s Universe and unsure when he would return. Both girls promised Azreal that they would check to ensure he was not malnourished and healthy if he stayed in too long, Azreal smiled at both before heading to his room, unpacking the black box and putting his helmet on and logging in.