Crowe's Situation

The unsettling realization made my stomach churn: Seven percent would live? What the Hell, what monstrous odds. That means only five hundred sixty million would live if the entire world were sent to Arcadia. That's nothing compared to all—

"Wait, you said it was unlikely for everyone to be transferred over, right?" I said, unable to help myself from getting riled up

"Only a million people will transfer over, but if you factor in the 93% of death rate, we can cut those numbers quite a bit. And that's counting entering this world; if we add in other factors like survival, the death rate is 98%."

"Then what the hell was the point!" I barked, gritting my teeth over the meaningless loss of life.

"Well, you," He said, passing his hands through his thick yet silky hair, "you're a monster if I've ever seen one. And based on that mask and weapon at your hip, you can't be normal. A seeker's job is to seek the best of the best. Every planet has there geniuses, and we seem to have found two. You and a Mr. Crowe Snow."

My eyes narrowed. "Leave Crowe out of this!"

"The fool landed in a Noble House, worse of all, in their princess bath house. I heard, despite being shocked, that he decided to hit on her. And it worked."

Fucking Crowe! That damn idiot!

"He only survived when they tested his talent, which shattered their ancient stone—costing House Vorselus a vital treasure."

House Vorselus. So that's where he resides.

"How do you know all this?" I couldn't help but inquire. This seemed to be confidential. If I lost some critical tool, I wouldn't broadcast it to the world.

Most of what I did in the past was highly confidential. Not even Crowe knew about the majority I did. When I ran out of material, or something broke, I couldn't just go out shopping, despite being heavily funded.

"I control a significant port here in Blackpool. Nothing gets through without me knowing about it.' He answered, and his eyes once more saddened. He released a long breath of air and leaned back into his chair as though it were his throne, peering up at the ceiling, "If I were you. I wouldn't worry about Crowe. He set for life if nothing happens."

"Is House Vorselus so grand?"

"This bird cage we reside holds two kingdoms, and House Vorselus King resides within the Vermillion Palace of Flames, held within the Kingdom of Vorsay. And since Princess Amilia has fallen for some monstrous genius, all he'll need is the king's permission, which shouldn't be hard, as the man is known for his traditional values."

"Crowe is going to fuck it up!" I blurted out, shaking my head, "unless the princess likes to share, I don't imagine him keeping his dick in one place. Not even for a week."

"Even if his life is in danger?" Eryth asked with a look of disbelief.

"Please, like that'll ever be a deciding factor. I can guarantee Crowe will be Blackpool's most wanted in several days."

Despite being as intelligent as I was, Crowe didn't have any interest in academics but rather in women.

After making his first few hundred million selling his software to Google, all Crowe was required to do by his parents was go to school and train. And it was the same for me; despite being the world's leading researcher, I still had to attend school and train.

"So?" Eryth began, " What are you going to do? Will you shadow me or head out into the world alone?"

"What had a change of heart?" I said, unable to reason why he'd ask such a thing after I had already decided.

"Far from it, but you must understand. I'm by no means a 'good citizen.' There is a reason a boy almost sixteen years of age runs Blackpool's most prodigious sector." He paused, giving me time to think. " What you will see will not be pretty."

His words were like knives to my heart as he stared me down without any feeling. It was a stare I'd seen only in my family as they spoke about those beneath them. Cold and indifferent. With a tinge of contempt that trickled away into nothingness. As if the lives of every one were toys in their hands.

And they were.

I had seen far too many people vanish off the face of the earth, leaving no paper trail or digital footprint; when it came to the House of Snow, I was sure everyone there was a killer—even Crowe.

My fingers curled into balls, but my decision had not changed, "I'll follow you, but if you do something that crosses—"

"You're going to die a horrid death if you keep thinking like that. There is no such thing as a bottom line. In the end, if the parameters are correct. A man or woman will do about anything if given the right incentives." he said, letting loose a sharp laugh that sent a chill dancing along my skin, "How many mothers do you think have sold their newborn just to get a little coin? How many do you think will prostitute themselves to have a better life? If you give yourself a bottom line, you'll only find out how low you've truly fallen in the end."

"And is that so bad? To see what you've become?" I countered.

"Spoken from a woman who's never suffered. Smart, pretty, thin, the very perfection most women strive to be. When have you ever looked back and regretted anything."

"That's not fair,"

"No, it isn't, but the question stands, my naive Black Rose. What do you regret, and what would you do to change it?"

"I-I" I regretted nothing. I had it all. Maybe sneaking out to play only to leave because there were too many people, but I never really rejected anything.

"Cat got your tongue?" he snickered, rising from his chair, and stepped to me, his voice rough, " Two years ago, I lost my wife and father in an invasion. And it was the biggest regret I ever had. And do you know why?"

My heart dipped, "Why?"

"Because it was my idea; it was my fault they died. Had I not wanted to be a hero, had I not been blinded by my talents, they would be alive. My father would be alive, my wife!" He paused and leveled his hawk-like eyes, dim with golden radiance. " They say there is no pill for regret, but I always like to ask: what would you give up to have them back? Would you kill someone? Would you slaughter a village, children and old woman included? Where would that bottom line you speak of be for those you love?"