Lost: The Hero Chronicles (Volume 5)

By Tim Mettey

With the world on the brink of disaster, can Nicholas stop the Seekers and protect Elle and the ones he loves? Or is it too late.... is everything lost?

In Lost, the saga of Nicholas Keller continues. The entire Thusian world is reeling after the chaos that erupted at Valcary Hill after the Trials. Now, Nicholas is desperately trying to uncover information that will help him find a way to stop the Seekers and save as many lives as possible.

Everyone Nicholas cares for is vulnerable to being caught in the tsunami of death that is building. Will he be able to cope with devastating loss that could change who he is and break apart the power of The 4 forever...

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tim Mettey
• Release date: Oct 6, 2020
• ISBN: 9781732731967

Tim Mettey

Tim Mettey serves as CEO at Matthew 25: Ministries, an international humanitarian and disaster relief organization. Tim uses his many experiences and expertise in responding to disasters around the world to set the background for his The Hero Chronicles series.Tim struggles with and has overcome multiple learning disabilities with reading and writing to create this series. Tim advocates for literacy and education worldwide and hopes his journey can be an inspiration to others. He says, “Our disabilities do not define who we are, they make us stronger.”Tim is the father of nine beautiful children: Olivia, Cora, Noel, Aubriana, Ashlyn, Eden, Livia, Graham & Jensen.Visit timmettey.com for details about upcoming events and new releases!

Book preview

KEEPER

CHAPTER 1

The four of us followed the Sils up a series of stairs leading higher and higher inside Valcary Hill. I was barely hanging on. All I could think about now was Elle and where she might have gone. I kept asking myself if going into hiding was the right thing for Elle after she and Noel were almost killed by Xavier and Grey. I guess it made sense, but I still couldn’t help thinking it wasn’t the best idea.

Up ahead, Aldara said, stopping as soon as we entered a large chamber. It looked old and neglected. Several different Sils were on ladders, cleaning cobwebs off of the thousands of books lining the walls. The shelves that housed these books were random and haphazard. The person who had made this room had cut directly into the stone, creating these unbalanced bookshelves. In the center of the room was a skinny tree which reached up and out through the ceiling.

Mark was up ahead, and on either side of him were the large Sils who had been at Ester’s vault entrance when Riley and I had gone to gather information. Mark didn’t have any expression on his face, just a vacant stare. Actually, he looked as if he had aged twenty years; his face was very gaunt. He was holding a slim metal sheet similar to the one Zane had used down in the TABs headquarters on Vanderbilt’s campus. He was swiping back and forth on it.

Before you come any closer, Mark said, holding up his hand, you need to know that no matter what you do to us, things have already been set in motion. He began pacing back and forth, looking frightened.

What are you talking about? Riley questioned in a thick Irish accent, making sure everyone knew he meant business. No one moved. Mark stopped pacing.

I have Elle and Noel, and if Nicholas doesn’t do exactly what I ask of him, they’ll be executed.

Once again, my body was consumed by fire, but this time, I didn’t act on it. I controlled my body, which was screaming and yearning for me to take out everyone in here including Mark, but something stopped me.

Are you kidding? This has to be a joke, Genevieve said with rage in her voice.

This is no joke, and the fact that Nicholas hasn’t stopped us means he knows I’m serious.

What do I have to do? I spit out, still controlling my body, hoping I wouldn’t break.

Follow me. He motioned for us to follow him.

The large Sils surrounded him and followed closely, and Aldara appeared and joined us. She was looking at me constantly as we walked, sizing me up, I guess trying to see if I was planning to do something.

I knew Mark, or at least I hoped I did. He would never hurt Elle, or anyone for that matter. He might be the new Keeper, but he was still the same scared roommate who didn’t know what he was doing half the time and the same kid I had rescued during the 10-10 Earthquake.

FORECAST

CHAPTER 2

We ventured through a series of corridors of polished stone. The passage was dimly lit, but the reflective nature of the stone made the walls seem as if they were glowing and alive, moving with each step. As we walked on, the walls lost their shine and became dull and very jagged. The corridor became narrower, with only room for two to walk side by side. Genevieve was right beside me and found my hand, holding on tight. Her hand was clammy and cold. I wasn’t sure if her nerves were for Elle, me, herself or all of us. But whatever the reason was, I felt the same way. Mark stopped in front of a small wooden door with rusted metal crisscrossed across it like crust lattice on a homemade apple pie.

Nicholas, he said to me, you need to go into the next room. I cannot tell you what is in there or what you have to do. But this is what must be done. Once you’re finished, Elle and Noel will be released.

You expect him to go in there? Cora uttered, sounding like she was now about to act on her motherly instincts.

I’ll do it, I said, trying to reassure her and myself at the same time. My talents were still aching to take over, but for Elle’s sake, I had to focus on doing whatever was on the other side of that door.

One of the large Sils took out a massive key ring filled with old metal keys, each one different from the next. He picked a shiny red one, stuck it into the center of the door, and turned it with a jerk. The door groaned as if it hadn’t been opened in centuries.

Once inside the room, you’ll sit, Mark said.

Riley grabbed my arm and whispered, We’ll be right outside. If you need any help, say the word and we’ll get you out.

I nodded and went into the room. The door shut. I blinked several times, and the white fire I had experienced so many times before descended over everything, illuminating the room. It was small, no bigger than a walk-in closet. There was a wooden bench to the left of the door, and across from it was a wall filled with holes. Something was familiar about the different openings covering the wall. I sat down and began to wait. I counted the holes, which were emitting a white light. There were nine of them—three on top of three on top of three—laid out in a grid, but not evenly spaced.

Other than the seat, there was nothing else in here. Then a loud sound burst through one of the holes like a fog horn with a deep rattling tone. A variety of sounds started coming at me, mixing together like one big soup of noise. It continued to get louder and louder as if each of the holes were a mini speaker blaring its own music.

I tried to cover my ears, but it didn’t help. Everything was too loud. What was I supposed to do now? What if I couldn’t do whatever was expected? Would Elle still be—? But before I finished that thought, the sounds ceased except for a single one. It was in the form of a lady’s voice. She was singing a beautiful, angelic melody. I had never heard anything like it. She sounded like an opera singer, each note clear and precise. My mind calmed, and my surroundings fell away. I was in a different place with the notes holding me there; I felt bliss. A burst of bright red blobs exploded in front of me, like a firework filled with paint. When she hit and held another note, the splatter became blue. As she continued, different colors burst around me. If the note was quick, so was the color, and if it was louder and more intense, the color was too. It was remarkable, and I felt empowered.

Then a second voice, a male one, accompanied her. A duet. This produced double the amount of colors, mixing in large swooping swirls. After what seemed like hours, I began to notice a scene like a black and white photo coming through the colors, taking on a life of its own. It was Elle and Noel. They were safe, but something was wrong. Before I could focus on them, I saw Zane, Livi, and the TABs sitting at Vanderbilt in some sort of meeting. Then another scene appeared showing Ester and the Divine Council meeting in the Thusian Vault in West Virginia; everyone looked scared. Next, I saw Mark and the Sils walking around the room I had just come from, looking at different screens and constantly talking to each other. Scene after scene appeared and then disappeared. My head felt like it was being filled with information. It went on for so long. Right when I thought I couldn’t take any more, there was nothing. The music and the visions stopped as abruptly as they had started.

I relaxed and found myself lost in all I had seen. I leaned back against the cool wall behind me and the room went quiet and dark, void of anything. My body was sore, and each muscle made its presence known. I must have been in here for hours. I stood and the door opened next to me.

Mark, Cora, Riley and Genevieve were peering in.

Elle and Noel are not here, I said. Everyone smiled, including Mark, who was nodding his head. I walked out of the room, rubbing my stiff neck.

Nicholas, I’m sorry I lied to you about Elle—they were the first to leave Valcary Hill—but it was the only way I could convince you to go in there and come out okay. Bernard warned me not to let you experience that room unless you had your Thusian talents on the surface, and this was the only way I knew how to do it.

Are you okay? Genevieve asked, coming in and putting her arm around me, bringing me out of the room.

Yes, I feel fine. A little sore from how long I was in there, but besides that I’m doing—

What do you mean, how long you’ve been in there for? Cora asked.

You know, for the hours I was in there, I said, rubbing my neck.

You’ve only been in there for five minutes, Riley said.

It feels like you’ve been in there for hours, Nicholas, but it’s only been seven minutes and twelve seconds, to be exact, Mark said. You’ve just used a different talent called Forecasting, and this room helped you use and focus it. But before I explain more about that, we should go up and relax and get the latest report on what havoc the Seekers have caused and are causing outside of Valcary Hill.

Wait, you said Bernard warned you? I asked.

All in good time. Nicholas, I promise I’ll tell you what I can, but not yet.

DEATH

CHAPTER 3

Everything I had absorbed while I was Forecasting was at the front of my mind, but I couldn’t separate all of it. So I concentrated just enough to push it all to the back of my mind, allowing me to stay here in the present. I tried several times to see Elle and Noel, but it was no use.

We arrived back at the room where we had been talking to Mark, and it had been transformed. It was lit up now by crystal clear screens of varying sizes and locations. Different Sils were monitoring and pressing on them as if they were playing some type of video game. Some of them were talking into small boxes similar to the one I had seen Ester use when she was speaking with Sidney and Michelle. One of the female Sils approached Mark to give a report.

Keeper Siegel, we have confirmed the number of deaths at 77: 5 Sils, 15 suspected Seekers and 57 Thusians. No one who died has any true significance to us. Just—

Are you kidding? Cora broke in. No significance? Try telling that to their families. She was livid, angrier than I had seen her in a long time. Why wouldn’t she be? The Sil had just finished saying that 77 people had died and that they didn’t really matter. This was all because of Xavier and his Seekers.

I think you all should go back to your family vault and take some time, Mark said, motioning for Aldara, who came right over to us.

Please show them down to their family vault and make sure they have anything they need. We’ll catch up after things have died down, he said. Then he shook his head, realizing what he’d just said.

Mark David! someone screamed from down the stairs. A few seconds later, Mark’s dad and mom appeared. Mayor Siegel’s shroud had been ripped in several places, and he had a noticeable cut on his left cheek, which seemed to be weeping. His mom appeared to be untouched, but her eyes were bloodshot and mascara was running down her face.

What have you done? Mayor Siegel barked. You need to call back your guard dogs and get everyone back in here to safety. The Sils keep pushing more and more innocent Thusians outside, and it’s a bloodbath. The Lands family and the Clarks are out there right now. I was with them, and the only way I got back inside was to tell the Sils your brother Ryan is in the Med Vault. How can you do this? He dropped to his knees.

Please, son, drop the defenses. His mom came up to him, placing her hand on his face. You need to help all of us, she pleaded motheringly.

Mark’s face twisted, showing that he realized what he had done.

I never meant to hurt anyone. I wasn’t thinking clearly. Bernard said . . . He stopped and walked over to one of the large glass screens, gazing into it, looking upset.

Both Cora and Genevieve were watching the screen closest to them. They too looked shocked and upset by what they saw. I saw Grey’s pale white skin flash by on one of the nearest screens. Somewhere above us he had cornered a small group of Thusians in the ruins, maybe the Clarks or the Lands. He was on the drawbridge over the moat, daring them to try to get past him. Behind Grey were several mounds littering the ground. They were people, his latest victims that had tried to escape to freedom but didn’t make it.

Maneuvering through Valcary Hill was easy on my way to confront Grey. My body was on cruise control, happy to be able to let loose going after him. I entered into the round ornate room where hundreds of people were standing, huddled together, surrounded by Sils, probably waiting to be pushed out to their deaths. I exited by the large boulder we had used to get into Valcary Hill on our first day here and stood outside. A small group of people saw their chance and fled back inside behind me.

The sun was bright, several beams piercing through some clouds; I squinted and, as if my eyes knew what I needed, the light became muted everywhere. The colors were vivid, taking on a luminous quality, as if it was a color-enhanced picture. I was discovering new talents, but this was not the time to marvel.

So the One’s heeere, Grey yelled to me from the bridge, slurring the last word, which brought a smile to my face.

Yes, I will always be in your way, no matter where you are.

You didn’t get here quite in time, he said smugly, looking back at the death he’d left.

I want to say sorry about your jaw. I’m sure it didn’t feel good when my knee met it. I’m here to finish the job.

He growled at me, but he didn’t advance, sizing me up, waiting to see what my next move would be. My Thusian talents were completely at my disposal and I was in control of my body and the situation. I closed my eyes for a split second and it felt as if the world stopped. When I opened my eyes, the familiar white fire had engulfed everything around me. All of my senses were in harmony with my mind, recording everything from the wind direction, the smell of burning wood and even a feeling that Cora, Genevieve and Riley were about to join me. Also, I was able to see how truly hurt Grey was, from the broken jaw I had given him earlier to the large gash on his right thigh. Several small drops of sweat were on his brow. He was in agony. It felt amazing to be able to gather all of this information, and so quickly.

If you can do all of this, then where’s Elle? Are you sure she’s safe? a small voice asked from somewhere inside me. And that’s when the first wave of nausea hit me, as if I was hit by some invisible force right in the gut. I reached for my Tic Tacs, but I didn’t have any. My surroundings returned to normal; the sun once again blinded me. I rocked backward, taking a few steps before regaining some composure. Grey took a step forward, sensing something was wrong, but Cora was behind me, and Genevieve and Riley took their places in front of me. They started to talk to Grey, but I didn’t understand what they were saying. The voice asking about Elle was now growing louder and louder. I began to have a panic attack. I bent down to one knee and dozens of Sils came pouring out onto the bridge.

Through the group of them, I saw Grey retreating backwards, not willing to try anything with the added support. I stood up, feeling better now with them beside me.

**

Once we were back in the large round room, hundreds of Sils were taking care of those who remained, escorting many of them back into Valcary Hill past the acacia tree. Mark saw me and rushed over.

I’m so happy you’re okay, Nicholas, he said, sounding apologetic.

Mark, why did you— I began to ask, but was interrupted when he held up a hand to make me listen to what he was about to say.

Why did I have the Sils push everyone out? I wasn’t thinking clearly. I only had what Bernard had told me to do in those damn journals. I was trying to show the Council what power I had. I now know it wasn’t the best idea.

No kidding, you idiot, Genevieve said. You got a lot of people hurt and killed.

I took a deep breath. This isn’t on Mark. It’s my fault. My actions have led us to this point. The only other person to blame now is Xavier.

In a thick rich Irish accent Riley said, It’s not your fault. This is the life of a Thusian. Do we honestly think this situation is any worse than when my parents were alive or back a thousand years ago? This war was waged a long time ago and now we finally have a chance to end it.

PURPOSE

CHAPTER 4

Lying in bed was neither pleasurable nor restful. The covers felt like sandpaper and the pillow might as well have been a brick. The only thing I could do was try to think about everything I had learned from Forecasting. The darkness that often surrounded me in my nightmares was present, making me relive a multitude of horrors: everything from Elle’s limp body at the quarry to the recent scalding hot water of the spring. All of this was brought on by the panic attack I had begun to have facing Grey, making me unsure of myself again. And when I would finally fall asleep, I would awake alone with no help. I refused to go back to see Mark. I just sat in my room.

Time was in slow motion; days and nights blurred together. My hopelessness became a constant reminder that Elle was gone and I didn’t know where she was.

Aldara kept me supplied with food and Tic Tacs. I guess she hoped I would eventually snap out of it. Genevieve didn’t visit; she had disappeared entirely. Cora and Riley only came in when they wanted to get information from me, mostly about the Forecasting. Now I knew how Mark must have felt, only useful when people wanted something from me.

Do you want to see what else you can do? a small voice asked. It was Logen; he was standing just inside my door, as if he was unsure if he was allowed in here with me. I sat up and smiled at him.

What are you talking about, buddy? I asked, and when the word buddy passed my lips, I realized it was what my dad used to call me sometimes.

Logen inched closer.

Logen, you can come in, I said, throwing my legs to the side of the bed, waving him over.

He skipped over to me, leaning in next to me, at ease now.

People are saying you should be doing more than just sleeping the days away. So… are you going to see what talents you have? he asked.

Logen, I’m not sure what they are talking about. Even though I knew, I didn’t feel like discussing it with a little kid. And to be honest, I don’t think I want to do much right now. Sometimes grownups need some time to just think, and that’s what I’m doing.

He didn’t say anything. He put his little finger up to his mouth and tapped it like he was in deep thought, which was pretty cute. I’m sure he was imitating someone he had seen.

If I was a hero like you, I think I would do hero stuff. Don’t you think? You know, so you can save us all? Then, he bounced out of the room.

I got up and followed him out in the main area of the vault and Cora, Riley and Genevieve were in there eating and talking about something.

It’s so good of you to join the living, Genevieve said, taking a bite of her sandwich.

Aldara, can I see you? I said, sitting down and grabbing a sandwich from a platter. Before I had a chance to begin eating, she came into the room.

What can I do for you, Nicholas? she asked, sounding formal.

I need to talk with the Sils who are responsible for the Forecasting Room.

Why do you want to talk to them? Cora asked.

It’s time for me to start acting like part of The 4. We need to stop just waiting for things to happen. We need to be proactive in getting prepared to face Xavier, Grey and Ashlyn. We need to train.

I glanced at Genevieve to see if she flinched when I said her sister’s name, but she didn’t. She was stone faced, staring at me, slowly chewing.

Wouldn’t you rather talk to Mark first? Aldara questioned.

No, I said. She didn’t move at first. She was processing something, but she didn’t say what; she simply turned and left the room.

Nicholas, I’m glad you think we should start being proactive. I think there’s a treasure trove of information here for us to learn. I mean, that Forecasting Room has to only be the tip of the iceberg, Riley said.

He was always in favor of training; it was his go-to. If everything else seemed to go wrong or if we were at a standstill, he would suggest we train more.

Just so I’m clear, I said to them, we’re going to find Elle first. We’ll get her back and then, and only then, will we go after Xavier. People look to us as heroes, which is good, but we need to be a complete team before we can be successful. We’re only at our best when we’re surrounded by our loved ones. Think about all those times we’ve had to deal with danger—who has been there? It hasn’t always been just the four of us.

Cora stood up and came over next to me.

I’m so proud of the man you’ve become, she said, and then turned to face the others. He’s right. We need to find Elle and Noel. We also need Walter, Dane, Piet, and we can’t forget about Chase.

Sure, I guess we should include Chase too, Riley sighed with a smile. We’re stronger all together.

I closed my eyes and images went flying by me, as if I was watching a movie, but every frame was a different picture. Once I opened my eyes, I knew without a doubt we needed to do this. We needed to complete our team, and we would start by finding Elle. She needed me.

CLARITY

CHAPTER 5

After lunch, I headed back to my room to take a shower and get my thoughts in order. I walked into the largest of the three showers in my bathroom. I had always used the smallest one because it seemed silly and wasteful to use the ones with shower heads and knobs everywhere, which shot water from every direction. But this time it seemed right and sounded perfect. I chose the shower with polished tile—not like the polished rock of Valcary Hill, but more of a metallic armor look, what I imagined knights wore back in the Dark Ages. There were also several benches and stone chairs throughout. I hung my towel over the glass door and turned the knob closest to me. The shower filled fully with water, as predicted, shooting out of several spots, including down on the bench closest to where I was standing. I turned the knob off and went through, turning more of the shower knobs off and on, testing what each one did. I finally ended up in a wooden chair, which felt like a warm towel holding me. The cascading water poured over me and the chair felt like a combination of a waterfall and a rainstorm.

It felt amazing, allowing me to clear my mind, taking away some of my frustrations and fears. Even if it only lasted a moment, the sense of well-being it brought me was much needed. My newfound talent of Forecasting was taxing on my mind, constantly filling my head with different thoughts and images, like a kaleidoscope. Why couldn’t I get some sort of handbook or guidance for what all these talents really do? Why couldn’t any Thusian agree on what talents are and what our true purpose is? I would think that after all this time, we’d have a clearer understanding of everything. Several more images, like pieces of a filmstrip, began to appear, but this time they were accompanied by the voice of the woman who had been singing in the Forecasting Room. The louder and clearer her voice became, so did the images. I froze, unable to move, entranced. The images swirled around me, like leaves trapped in a strong wind. I looked hard at each one, but they were gone before I could tell what they meant.

Are you going to stay in there all day? Genevieve’s voice shattered my thoughts.

I hopped up and forgot for a moment that I wasn’t in a small shower with a curtain, leaving myself exposed to anyone who wanted to see me sitting in the chair, naked.

A towel came flying through the steam-filled room and hit me in the face. I stood and secured it around my waist.

Don’t worry, Nicholas, I can’t see anything, really. We need to talk. I’ll be waiting for you in your bedroom.

Couldn’t you wait? I shouted back at her, but she didn’t say anything. Hopefully she had left.

I dried off and put on some clothes, taking my time. I didn’t feel like talking about anything. After I was good and ready, I headed to the main room to see if Riley and Cora were still there so I wouldn’t have to talk to Genevieve by myself. Luckily, they were.

I told you to meet me in your room, Genevieve said, annoyed, walking in from the hall behind me.

Before we discuss anything, let’s go talk to Mark, I said. We need to get some more answers we can actually use, and I want them now.

It seemed like that was what Cora and Riley wanted, too, because they both got up, ready to leave. Genevieve wasn’t happy, but she still followed us. Our conversation would have to wait.

The walk up to see Mark was slow. The Sils had put up several large barricades, blocking different parts of the main floor and stairs. A couple of Sils were stationed by each, standing guard. I didn’t know what had changed in such a short period of time, but I was sure we were about to find out. Several Sils began to follow us, as if we had some unseen magnetic field towing them along. The room at the top of the rough rock stairs was extremely dark, because all of the glass monitors and TVs were now invisible. Mark was sitting at the far end of the room, illuminated by a small neon-blue light emitting from whatever device he held in his hands.

Mark, I said.

Hey, Nicholas, he croaked. His voice sounded strained and raspy.

What’s wrong with you? I thought you would have the Sils feeding you grapes. Does it suck that bad being the new Thusian Keeper? Genevieve said sarcastically.

We stopped just short of him. He wasn’t really sitting; he was more reclining awkwardly on a metallic tan lounge chair. He didn’t look comfortable at all.

Cora said, Are you feeling okay? Let me call for Chase, or one of the medical Sils, so they can attend to you.

Mark’s eyes had large black circles under them, which looked sunken, and his hair was greasy and unkempt. He had the beginnings of a beard, and his eyes were bloodshot. All of this looked even worse with only the blue light shining on him.

No need to worry. I’m fine. I just haven’t been able to sleep. So much to do. He sat up and cleared his voice. Can I help you all find anyone in particular? He turned on a small lamp, which did improve his appearance, but not by much.

That was a weird thing to ask. Did he already know what we wanted to do? Could he hear into our family vault, like Aldara could? Or was this some sort of Keeper intuition?

We need as much information as you have, Riley said first, so we can start to wage this war against Xavier and his band of merry misfits. Riley was hoping he would finally get to plan for this battle, which would be his dream come true. Deep down inside he still sought revenge for the death of his parents.

Before I can help you, I think you should see everything I’ve seen here. Benedict, he called past us. The Sil who showed up had to be a mistake, or else I had to be seeing things wrong in the darkness.

Isn’t he Xavier’s Sil? Cora whispered and I nodded to her.

My name is Benedict and while I am entrusted with Xavier’s family vault, it doesn’t mean I support his efforts, or any of the Seekers, he said very monotone, making him hard to read.

You need to listen closely to what he’s going to share with you, Mark said.

We need you all to understand some things. Then, and only then, will we assist you, Benedict said. He walked right by Mark and out of the room, disappearing into the blackness. We started following him, but Mark stopped me briefly and asked, While you were in the Forecasting Room, did you see anything, which involved me?

I shook my head and continued on. What was he hoping I had seen? But I didn’t care; to be honest, Mark had become just another piece of the Thusian puzzle. He was no longer the helpless boy I had rescued during the earthquake so many years ago.

The hallway we were walking through changed dramatically. It became well-lit and now I could see that it had been carved out of something resembling clay instead of the rock which made up the rest of Valcary Hill. I put my hand out and touched the reddish-brown material. It felt just like the clay I had used to make a pinch pot in art class when I was much younger. There was still moisture in the walls. I ran right into the back of Genevieve, not realizing everyone had stopped.

Benedict began to speak. The only reason I’m showing you this is because Keeper Siegel has stated that The 7 has been formed and we are to abide by Keeper Wren’s wishes and help you. Like the Forecasting Room Nicholas used, there are many places which were designed to heighten and sharpen Thusians’ talents. This area has been sealed to non-Sils. We’ve never entered into these rooms, but a group of us have been trained, year after year, on how to operate and assist, so that one day we could help The 4 get ready for the war. But first you need to know the history of the rooms and their purpose.

We all stepped closer, not wanting to miss anything he said.

These rooms, as I said, were designed to make Thusians’ talents better, but they weren’t originally created for the war. Before, the designation was for battle, training Thusians for the selection of the 100 Seekers. The Council ordered the Sils of the time to begin constructing these rooms right when they declared that they wanted to create a peacekeeping group made up of the best Thusians, but they were corrupt and evil. The Council wanted to make money and create a spectacle from this process, so they came up with the most barbaric and murderous system imaginable. Their selection process was the birth of the gladiators. They filled arenas and coliseums all over the world and forced Thusians to fight to the death.

He stopped talking and walked farther, but then stopped, blocking our view down the hall.

Keeper Wren couldn’t stop them from doing this, so he helped the Thusians, who would eventually become the Seekers, to become more powerful, hoping they would overthrow the Council.

The Seekers killed Keeper Wren, Cora said.

Some of them did betray him, you are right, Benedict answered, "but a majority of the Seekers weren’t bad, and Keeper Wren was like a father to most. A few of the Council members had discovered what he was doing, so they joined with a select few of the Seekers to assassinate him. Keeper Wren discovered the plot, but before they acted on it he talked about The 7, and how only 3 Seekers would one day fight The 4 pure of heart. He did this so he could insulate the good Seekers away from the Council