Brought up to be a frugal girl to have no love for extravagance, the Ascendancy Agency was everything she should instinctively despise, for no word in the dictionary could describe the extent of its lavishness.

The entrance hall itself was already ostentatious and redundantly opulent as the interior of it was decked with gilded walls. Gold trims even lined the hallways and they even unnecessarily had detailed carvings on it. In the centre of the meeting room was an excessively grandiose chandelier that hung from the high ceiling. There was no room for doubt that it was worth thousands of bloods as it consisted of crystals and diamonds that shone iridescently. The magnificent room exuded an air of understated wealth and luxury.

This was in stark contrast to the exterior of the building that Alara first saw. On the outside, it gave the impression that it was a worn-down building and that the inside would be full of rats and maggots. For a moment, before she went in, Alara was certain that it would be as unimpressive as her home and in an even more dilapidated state.

The headquarters of the Ascendancy Agency definitely proved the old saying, 'Never judge a book by its cover' right. Nobody would expect such a lavish interior by a deplorable exterior, much less expect to find across one of the remotest rivers in Excidium.

Heavily-armed security detail and personnel with muscular builds were stationed at every possible exit and entrance and they stood in imposing manners. All of them wore austere expressions and their unyielding attitude would make a weaker man urinate himself just by peering at them.

"Why, are you intimidated by them? Ignore them, Alara, look at the breathtaking interior architecture instead." Maren advised when he saw where her gaze was lingering on.

For once, she didn't turn a deaf ear to his words; rather, she heeded them.

And she did not regret it at all.

She had been in awe of the vibrantly shining chandelier, but the rest of the meticulously designed room made her transfixed by its enchanting mien. First of all, an underrated and simple feature that most usually overlooked was the flooring. Based on what she had observed so far, Alara had accurately deduced that the Agency had high standards and were very detail-oriented people.

They proved her right when she saw the type of flooring used- a delightful cherry wood- and even the type of roof was not underestimated. It was an exquisitely constructed roof and of a Baroque style; the way it sprawled out gave the impression that the spaces between it was seemingly infinite. Additionally, the architect had chosen the windows to be of a Georgian variant fashion which served as decor as well as providing excellent ventilation.

One may think that this particular feature served as a liability to the Agency, but since the building was cunningly hidden by luxuriant forests and a myriad of flora and fauna, the windows were practically invisible.

I should hate the glamour of all this and condone it. Everything I have been taught tells me to go against such finery, and yet I find myself lured in by it.

Maren had ordered Alara to head to her room to wash up and rest, and she had obeyed without hesitation. Overwhelmed by the day's events, she collapsed on the silky blanket and cotton mattress, and did not even get a chance to take in her new surroundings.

Her eyes fluttered momentarily, and as sleep beckoned her and bewitched her under its spell, her eyes closed.

"How did they so swiftly and successfully become an one-party state?"

"Have you been hibernating all these while? The common theory amongst us is that the root of the power started with the end of the Blood Revolution. Perhaps they had signed an alliance with the 'peacekeepers' of that period."

"Cynthia, don't you know? I honestly think that the power-hungry Governors are determined to gain total control of the country to promote their selfish goals via extensive propaganda. Perhaps they plan to seize every opportunity to gain supporters while they shrewdly scheme the easiest, fastest way to be the main political party in Excidium as well as the quickest way to eliminate political rivals and opponents.

This is why I must fight in the Blood Revolution; why I must fight against them. Can you bear to live under such a corrupt, totalitarian state? I just shared with you my comrades' and my own theories, so please. Don't plead with me to not take part in it anymore. I am a part of it. This is me."

Beads of sweat rolled down her chin.

Deep down, Alara knew that those weren't dreams; rather, they were snippets of conversations from her former neighbours' and father's.

But why am I remembering them now? She shook her head, and felt more confused than ever. I can't help but feel that this is an ominous omen, and it had to happen at the time when I just joined the Ascendancy Agency.

Everything felt so crazily surreal, and ever since her arrival here, the head of the Agency had graciously permitted her to have five days to settle in so that she can be her most comfortable self here. So far, she honestly felt that this new world that she'd been exposed to is a utopia.

And today, the sixth day that she'd been here, was the day where she would meet the infamously reticent head of the Agency. There was even a young woman named Rielle Malare to escort her to him, and Alara assumed her to be his secretary.

"Hi! I presume you to be our newest addition, Alara Berrera?" a dewy-lipped, long-legged beauty asked as she advanced towards her. Awestruck by her beauty, Alara dazedly gazed at her and admired her lustrous blonde hair that cascaded down her back. Her green eyes sparkled when she met Alara.

"You're so adorably shy- you remind me of when I first met Maren."

"I... I remind you of him? What wrong have I committed? I didn't mean to annoy you, I swear." stammered a shocked Alara.

Rielle chortled at her response. "Has he already got under your skin? That's fast!"

"I... he's very intuitive, I guess. He pinpoints what I want and feel in mere seconds." confessed Alara, automatically thinking back to one of their detours in the Grittie Market.

Once, when they were briefly exploring the marketplace, a pretty turquoise necklace had caught her eye. She had resisted the urge to purchase it right there and then- after all, it was only five scabs.

When she fumbled for her worn purse, Maren had taunted, "Didn't you tell me that you were going to save every penny to cure your mother? What's with this frivolity, Alara?"

His words struck home and she instantly felt like a hypocrite, for she knew that he was right. Who was she to say one thing and do another? Maren is like my conscience- a living, walking one. Worse still was that that wanting was something that her parents had always taught her was wrong. Always save money and walk away from your heart's desires. Survival matters most, Alara, was what her father had always reminded her.

Her train of thoughts came to a screeching halt when she nearly walked into a door. She blushed furiously when she caught Rielle staring at her. "Are you okay, Alara? You totally ignored me and didn't even blink when I waved my hand at you." Then she winked at her as if she knew something she didn't. "Do you like him already? I mean, it's natural- you've spent nearly a month with him."

"No, I don't," Alara replied dismissively, and walked at a faster pace.

"So what do you do here? Are you the boss's secretary?"

"Me? No, goodness no. I'm only a seamstress, and also ensure that missions go smoothly. Somebody's got to take care of the planning after all. I make all of the armour too." replied Rielle matter-of-factly.

"That's amazing." gushed Alara. "I can never make anything even if my life depended on it."

"It's nothing," Rielle dismissed the compliment with a wave of her hand. "Skip the flattery- to me, it is meaningless and utter nonsense."

Time seemed to flow by while she chatted with Rielle, who had a talent for keeping her calm. In a matter of seconds, she was facing the door to Valesque's office.

"I'll leave you to him. Don't be shy or afraid of him. Act naturally." advised Rielle.

"You mean that I should treat him disrespectfully? I have no respect for people of authority." Alara thought back to the times where she overheard her mother complaining to Joanne about the government's continuous refusal to provide basic necessities for the poor.

"No... Alara, please." Rielle expelled a breath, visibly irked.

Conscience-stricken, Alara ducked her head and knocked.

"Come in," a deep, booming voice answered.

She opened the door, hoping that he would meet her high expectations. Though she had spitefully spoke of figures of authority, she had heard a great deal of wonderful things about this man.

Hoping that her co-workers were right about Valesque, she stepped into the room and the realisation of how much power this man really has struck her instantly.

Eccentrically designed sculptures were placed in front of his mahogany desk and the office was grandly furnished. The first statue was a luminous fiery orange and had dragon-like features carved into it. It also wore a particularly wrathful expression on it; on the other hand the latter statue was the polar opposite of it. It too had similar features carved yet it was painted a cider colour that somehow complemented the other statue well and wore a gentler and more doleful expression.

Is there any significance to this? Or was this randomly hand-picked by the man himself? Alara found herself wondering.

"I see our newest Agent is very perceptive," remarked the deep booming voice. She jumped at the sound and consequently found herself face-to-face with a set of refulgent grey eyes. They belonged to a stout man who exuded a dominating air.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, my dear," he greeted her warmly as he shook her hand. His grasp was one of certainty.

"I have heard many things about you from Maren." Valesque commented, as he examined her coolly. "I see that you will require extensive training as your build is too willowy for me- an agent will always need an appropriate mass of muscles. You're also too thin- please eat more and gain more weight. You're not here to be one of those mindless pageant models the higher classes love to hold." Then he glanced at her with a non-judgemental gaze. "Please don't be offended. Bluntness is always the best as everything is made crystal clear with no murky misunderstandings."

"Being an Agent means that you will be working for us for a minimum of three years. The first year is for training, learning. If you are a talented individual, you may even get to do missions for us after nine months of training." His expression brightened significantly and he suddenly remarked, "Only two agents have ever done that."

To her surprise, Maren chimed in. "I'm one of the two," the pride in his voice was unmistakable as he said it. "In fact, I've just started my second year in intensive missions."

"Yes you have, and we're all well pleased with that," Valesque patted Maren with what Alara observed was an unusual fondness on his back. He then turned his determined gaze on her. "I think we can expect great things from you too, Alara."

"Yes, I would like to think so. And you've what everyone has told me about. Bold, direct, blunt and resolute. I can't tell if you're a respectful or judicious person though, so you can be certain I will watch out for that particular trait. I hope to work well here." She held out her hand, and her employer shook it firmly. A firmness that assured her that she made the right decision.