Novel & Cerita Priority: Eden Prime

Her gaze shifted ever so slightly, but there was no telling what was on her mind. … Zeke placed down the phone and looked toward the middle-aged man in a blue shirt standing before him in a mansion. “Guardian Coridon.” Zeke bowed down to express his respect. Eden Joy employed five guardians, and they were named Palace, Trade, Cornelius, Odele, and Coridon. They would go by the identity of businessmen in the different parts of Skyriv on usual days. The outsiders were completely unaware that they were peak-level grandmasters. In fact, some had already reached the warlord level.

“We were all wrong. The consortium, Vane, even your father, Commander. We thought the Eden protocol was a lifeboat. A Terraforming system to re-inhabit the earth after the war.” Silas looked up at Kael, and a show ran over my back. "The 'E' in E.D.E.N. is not for Earth, Kael. It's for extinction. Extinction Direct and evolutionary neogenesis.”

Enzo's hand rested on my thigh, inching higher as we hit a red light. 'You trust me, right?' 'Always,' I murmured, my breath catching as his fingers brushed the edge of my lace panties. Not long after, we pulled up to a non-descript building in the heart of downtown, but the sign hit me like a jolt. Club Eden. Bold red letters glowing against the night. Even from inside the car, I could feel the pulse of bass thumping through the air, mixed with laughter and something darker, more primal. My heart raced.

"We need to move. Now." Eden Prime snaps his fingers, and the floor liquefies, swallowing us whole. We wake in a garden-a grotesque parody of the cabin's old woods. Trees bleed black sap, their branches heavy with pulsing, fleshy fruit. The air reeks of copper and burnt sugar. **"Home,"** Eden Prime says, plucking a fruit. It bursts into moths made of static. **"They rebuilt it from your memories. Do you like it?"** I lunge, but he phases through me, his form flickering. **"You're not ready. But you will be."**

The Eden System. The Grand Temple Plaza. Zero Hour + 18 Hours 30 Minutes. The heavy, golden doors of the Inner Sanctum ground open, revealing the devastated ruins of the Grand Plaza. The violet smog that had choked the sky was gone, replaced by the brilliant, emerald light of Eden’s twin suns. The silence of the battlefield was broken only by the hum of cooling plasma rifles and the shifting of heavy armor. Sebastian Sterling stepped out onto the shattered marble steps, Harper close by his side.

EDEN “You manipulated him! He's sick, Hayden! He's desperate, and you—" A sudden buzz interrupts me. Hayden glances at his phone, his expression darkening. He taps the screen, and suddenly his massive office TV comes to life. My soul leaves my body for the second time today. Because on the screen, on an actual broadcast, is a photo of me and Hayden from last night, at the reunion. His hand on my back. My terrified smile. “Breaking news: business mogul Hayden Wolfe announces engagement to longtime family friend, Eden Clarke. The union is said to merge two legacy companies under a new partnership."

“Sages, my King and Queen. May I present to you my fated mate, Eden, the Royal Princess.” The joy on my parents' faces was indescribable as they took turns hugging Eden. “Welcome, Eden. We are already aware of your amazing qualities and today marks your official entrance into the Royal family as the second pearl in the Crown of the Palace.” “Thank you, Mother. I pledge to continuously bring pride to our family and make sure Herod is the happiest mate ever lived on the planet. You can rely on me."

~Cali~ As the meeting commenced, my phone lit up, grabbing my gaze from Chase - the finance manager - presenting the third-quarter budget allocation for Reed Shipping. A message from Evan popped up, instantly stretching my lips to a grin. From Evan - I love you, Princess. I know he meant what he said. The muscles of my heart stopped beating when he said the magical L-word. Even now, seeing his message is turning my insides all over the place. It’s as if my organs want to explode from happiness.

Eden's PoV Eden got back from a tiring day of work and went through the mail to see if she received any. She saw a purple letter that caught her eye. It said that it was for both Bennett and her. When she opened it, a wave of happiness washed over her. It was an invitation for a wedding. Sophia and Natalie's wedding invitation. Eden almost started jumping around with happiness and squealing with excitement. She picked up the phone and immediately called Grace to ask her if she received the invitation.

Author's POV The sun-drenched cafeteria of Beacon Hill High was abuzz with the gentle hum of conversation and the occasional clinking of utensils on plates. Eden, resplendent in his simple yet fashionable attire, stood up, his piercing blue eyes scanning the table as he spoke in a formal tone, "Thanks for allowing my brother and I to sit with you ladies. We will be taking our leave now." His chiseled features were set in a polite expression, his dark hair perfectly styled.