Erik and his friends were gathered outside the Red Palace, dressed to the nines and waiting for the limo to arrive. They had all been invited to Amber's family's gala and were excited to see what lay ahead.
As they waited, Benedict, Martha, Anderson, Aaron, and Mikey chattered excitedly about the event.
"I can't believe we're going to Amber's house," Benedict said, running his hand over his suit.
"I've never been to anything like this before," he added.
"Me neither," Mikey agreed. "I can't wait to see what it's like."
"I heard that the Stone family will be there," Anderson said, adjusting his tie. "I've always been curious about them; I heard Emily is a beauty too." It was a weird remark coming from him, as he had always looked uninterested in romance.
"General Becker will be there too…" Aaron added with a serious tone.
Martha, who had been quiet up until now, suddenly said, "Seriously? I didn't know that…"
As they spoke, a sleek black limousine pulled up in front of them, its windows tinted dark. The driver left the vehicle and opened the door, gesturing for them to climb inside.
Erik led the way, followed by his friends; all but him, Gwen, and Floyd, were staring in awe at the plush leather seats and the mini-bar filled with drinks. As they settled in, the driver closed the door and pulled out into the busy streets of New Alexandria.
The ride was smooth and luxurious, and the group continued to chat excitedly as they made their way to Amber's house, which was already there since she was the host.
"I hope there's some good food," Benedict said, rubbing his stomach. "I'm starving."
"Me too," Martha agreed. "And I hope we get to meet some famous people."
"I just want to dance," Mikey said, grinning. "I heard they have a ballroom."
As the limo pulled up in front of Amber's house, Erik's friends couldn't help but feel a little nervous. This was a whole new world for them, and they weren't quite sure what to expect.
Honestly, it was a little strange that they had never visited her home. On the other hand, the awakener was annoyed; he really didn't like all these rich, arrogant, and obnoxious people and would have given everything to be at the Red Palace to train.
The students quickly stepped out of the car and onto the red carpet leading up to the entrance; they couldn't help but feel excited. Amber was there, the driver had previously contacted her, and she knew their friends had arrived.
"Welcome!" She said. Saying that she was stunning was an understatement. Her red hair had been straightened and freely swayed on her back. She wore a red, tight-fitting dress that showed off her curvaceous body and had a diamond necklace hanging on her neck.
"WOW!" Martha said to Amber, "You are stunning!"
"Thank you!" Amber replied with a warm smile. Erik observed her, and he agreed that she was indeed beautiful; his heart skipped a beat, but he didn't say anything else. Everyone complimented her for her look, but she didn't receive the compliments she hoped for, especially from Erik, who didn't really say that much to her.
"Wow," Mikey said, staring up at the towering mansion. "This is going to be amazing."
Amber's pride swelled in her chest. And with that, they went inside, eager to see what the night had in store for them.
As soon as Erik and his friends walked through the grand front door of Amber's mansion, they were struck by how luxurious everything was. The walls were adorned with fine art, and the marble floors gleamed in the soft light of the chandeliers above.
As soon as they saw the ballroom, they were drawn to the massive chandelier in the middle that was hanging from the ceiling. It was easily the largest they had ever seen, made of glittering crystal and gold that reflected light in a dazzling display.
The ballroom itself was just as impressive, with towering pillars and intricate details that suggested no expense had been spared in its construction.
The room was filled with people, some of whom Erik recognized from the city's social scene, while others were clearly influential figures from outside the city. They were milling about, sipping champagne, and chatting amiably. And among them were some of the most notable figures in New Alexandria.
The mayor, Zayan Calvert, stood near the grand staircase with his wife and daughter, Scarlet. He was dressed in a sharp black suit, while his wife wore a shimmering gown that caught the light as she moved. The guests kept arriving one by one, and the room started being filled with the sound of chatter and laughter.
Over near the bar, Erik spotted Colonel Mirko Tiwana, the man who had led the defense against the Thaids during the recent attack on the city. He was dressed in his formal military uniform, complete with a row of gleaming medals across his chest.
And nearby, Leslie Spark, the Minister of War, mingled with Jena Rose, the Minister of Defense. Leslie wore a fitted navy blue dress with a statement necklace, while Jena looked sharp in her tailored pantsuit.
As Erik and his friends made their way through the crowd, they spotted Captain Mary Lain, a hero during the attack, chatting with her comrade Emma Morin. They recognized her since she had been awarded a medal on national television, so they knew how she looked. Mary wore a stunning red gown, while Emma wore a sleek black suit.
Erik and his friends couldn't help but feel a little out of place among these distinguished guests, but they were determined to make the most of the night. And as they mingled and chatted among themselves, they couldn't help but feel like they were a part of something bigger than themselves, excluding Erik, who hated being there, especially as he noticed Amber's father staring at him.
However, something immediately caught the young man's attention. The Stone family. They were all waiting in front of a giant staircase leading to the upper floors; beside them was the host, Caiden Joyce, with his wife Luna, while his secondborn, Harry, was nowhere to be seen.
"Amber, shouldn't you go to your father, with you being the host's daughter?" Erik asked.
"Not tonight; I asked dad to let me be for today," the young woman replied.
"Good then, we will have more time to spend together," Erik said, making Amber blush.
As the awakener looked over to the Stone family, he couldn't help but notice Emily standing there, looking stunning as ever. Her dark hair cascaded down her back in loose curls, framing her delicate features. Her form-fitting dress highlighted her toned body and emerald green eyes, which sparkled in the light.
Emily's dress was a deep forest green, made of a delicate fabric that flowed around her as she moved. It had a plunging neckline that showed just enough of her ample bosom to leave a lasting impression on Erik and the other young men in attendance. The dress hugged her curves in all the right places, leaving little to the imagination.
Erik found himself mesmerized by Emily's beauty and elegance. He could feel his heart racing and his palms sweating as he tried to compose himself. And he wasn't the only one. He could see other young men staring at her in awe, their eyes lingering on her every move.
The awakener felt a light tap on his arm as he stood there, enamored with Emily's beauty. He turned to see Amber looking at him with an annoyed look.
"What?" the young man asked.
"Nothing…" Amber replied.
As Erik and his friends made their way through the mansion, they couldn't help but be in awe of its grandeur. The floors were made of sleek, polished marble, and the walls were adorned with elaborate paintings and sculptures. The chandeliers hanging from the ceiling sparkled in the dim light, casting a warm glow over the opulent furnishings. The mansion was a true testament to the wealth and extravagance of its owner.
As they made their way around the room, Erik's gaze kept drifting back to Emily. She moved with a graceful confidence that commanded attention, and he couldn't help but feel drawn to her. He took in the way her dress hugged her curves and the way her hair fell in perfect waves around her.
However, as things progressed, silence fell in the ballroom. What Aaron said was indeed true. General Becker was going to attend the party. He came from the main entrance with some people in military dress in tow; Erik was surprised to see Uncle Benjamin among them, following the general's every move.
Becker's entrance was nothing short of awe-inspiring. His broad shoulders and muscular frame commanded respect from everyone in the room. Erik watched as he moved with purpose towards the Stone family and Amber's father in front of the staircase.
With every step Becker took, he exuded confidence and efficiency. His movements were deliberate and purposeful as if he knew exactly where he needed to be and how to get there. It was clear that this was a man who was used to being in charge and had earned the respect and admiration of those around him.
As he approached the staircase, Becker's eyes scanned the room, taking in every detail and sizing up the crowd. His long red hair was tied back in a sleek ponytail, and his sharp brown eyes seemed to pierce through the flickering lights.
When Becker finally reached the top of the stairs, he stopped momentarily and looked down at the crowd with a serious face. Then, with a powerful voice that echoed throughout the room, he began to speak.
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