2025-02-09 20:03:32The grand hall of the Neo-City Federation shimmered under the glow of holographic lights, the air thick with anticipation. The Compatibility Ceremony was the most awaited event of the year, where the Universal System would reveal the fated partners of its citizens. For Kian Arlen, it was a night he had both longed for and dreaded.
Kian stood at the edge of the crowd, his hands shoved deep into the pockets of his worn-out jacket. His low-level System implant buzzed faintly on his wrist, a constant reminder of his place in the hierarchy. Around him, the elite of the Federation mingled effortlessly, their high Power Levels evident in the way they carried themselves. Kian’s eyes, however, were fixed on one person: Elena Voss. Elena stood at the center of the room, radiant in a gown that seemed to glow with the same brilliance as her Power Level. Her dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, and her sharp green eyes scanned the crowd with a mix of confidence and detachment. She was the High Chancellor’s daughter, a prodigy with a Power Level that surpassed even the most seasoned System users. And she was the woman Kian had loved since they were children. “Kian!” a voice called, snapping him out of his thoughts. He turned to see Darius Voss, Elena’s cousin and his former best friend, approaching with a smirk. Darius’s System implant gleamed on his wrist, a stark contrast to Kian’s dull one. “You actually showed up,” Darius said, his tone laced with mockery. “I thought you’d skip this one, considering how the last ceremony went for you.” Kian clenched his jaw, refusing to rise to the bait. The last Compatibility Ceremony had been a disaster. The System had assigned him a near-perfect score with Elena, but she had publicly rejected it, choosing Marcus Hale instead. Marcus, the Federation’s golden boy, had been hailed as a hero after saving Elena from a terrorist attack. What no one knew was that Kian had been the one to save her. He had carried her out of the burning building, shielding her from the flames, only to collapse from his injuries. When he woke up, Marcus had taken the credit, and Elena had believed the lie. “I’m not here for you, Darius,” Kian said quietly, his eyes flicking back to Elena. Darius chuckled. “Still hung up on her, huh? Face it, Kian. You’re a low-level nobody. Elena’s never going to look at you the way she looks at Marcus.” Before Kian could respond, the lights dimmed, and the room fell silent. The High Chancellor stepped onto the stage, his presence commanding attention. “Welcome, citizens of the Federation,” he began, his voice echoing through the hall. “Tonight, we celebrate the bonds that unite us, as chosen by the Universal System. Let us trust in its wisdom and embrace the futures it has laid out for us.” The crowd erupted into applause, and Kian’s heart raced as the System’s holographic interface activated above the stage. One by one, pairs of names appeared, their Compatibility Scores glowing in golden light. The crowd cheered as couples stepped forward, their fates sealed by the System. Then, the screen displayed two names that made Kian’s breath catch: Elena Voss Kian Arlen Compatibility Score: 99.9% The room buzzed with murmurs of surprise. A near-perfect score was rare, and for it to be assigned to someone like Kian—a low-level user—was unheard of. Kian’s eyes met Elena’s across the room, and for a moment, he dared to hope. But then Elena stepped forward, her voice cutting through the silence. “I reject the System’s verdict,” she declared, her tone firm. “My heart belongs to Marcus Hale.” The crowd gasped, and Kian felt as though the ground had been ripped out from under him. Marcus, standing beside Elena, gave Kian a smug smile before taking Elena’s hand. “The System isn’t always right,” Marcus said, addressing the crowd. “Sometimes, love chooses its own path.” The room erupted into applause, but Kian barely heard it. He turned and pushed his way through the crowd, his chest tight with humiliation and heartbreak. He didn’t stop until he was outside, the cool night air doing little to soothe the ache in his heart. As he leaned against the wall, trying to steady his breathing, a voice called out to him. “Kian, wait!” He turned to see Elena hurrying toward him, her gown shimmering in the moonlight. For a moment, his heart leapt, but then he saw the pity in her eyes. “I’m sorry,” she said softly. “I didn’t mean to hurt you. But Marcus… he’s my future. I hope you can understand.” Kian stared at her, his throat too tight to speak. How could he explain that he had saved her life that day? That he had loved her for as long as he could remember? That the System had chosen them for a reason? Before he could find the words, Marcus appeared, wrapping an arm around Elena’s waist. “Come on, Elena,” he said, his tone dismissive. “We have a celebration to attend.” Elena hesitated, her eyes lingering on Kian for a moment longer before she turned and walked away. Kian watched them go, his heart shattering into a thousand pieces. As he stood there, alone in the shadows, a notification buzzed on his System implant. He glanced down, his breath catching as he read the message: System Override Activated. Power Level Upgrade Imminent. Kian’s eyes widened as a surge of energy coursed through him, his implant glowing brighter than ever before. For the first time in his life, he felt a flicker of hope
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Reboot My Heart Chapter Two: The Power Within
Kian stared at his System implant, the glowing interface casting an eerie light on his face. The message blinked insistently: System Override Activated. Power Level Upgrade Imminent. His heart pounded as a surge of energy coursed through him, unlike anything he had ever felt. It was as if the System itself had awakened something deep within him, something powerful and untamed. His implant, once dull and lifeless, now pulsed with a vibrant golden light, its hum resonating in his bones. “What… is this?” Kian whispered, his voice trembling. Before he could process what was happening, a sharp pain shot through his skull, and he stumbled backward, clutching his head. Visions flashed before his eyes—scenes of fire, betrayal, and a future he couldn’t yet comprehend. He saw Elena, her face pale and terrified, reaching out to him. He saw Marcus, his smug smile twisted into a snarl. And he saw himself, standing tall and commanding, his Power Level radiating like a star. The pain subsid
Reboot My Heart Chapter Three: Shadows of the Past
The observatory was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of the city below. Kian stood protectively in front of Elena, his golden System implant glowing faintly in the dim light. Darius stood a few feet away, his crimson implant casting an ominous red glow on his face. His smirk was cold, his eyes sharp with malice. “Darius,” Kian said, his voice steady despite the tension crackling in the air. “What are you doing here?” Darius tilted his head, his smirk widening. “Isn’t it obvious? I’m here to finish what I started.” Elena gripped Kian’s arm, her voice trembling. “Kian, he’s working with Marcus. They’ve been planning something—something big. I didn’t know who else to turn to.” Kian’s heart ached at the fear in her voice, but he kept his focus on Darius. “Whatever you’re planning, it’s over. The Federation knows about the rebels.” Darius laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. “Oh, Kian. You always were so naive. The Federation? The System? They’re all part of the problem. And you
Reboot My Heart Chapter Four: Fractured Trust
The room was quiet, save for the soft hum of the city outside. Kian and Elena stood close, their hands intertwined, the weight of their shared pain and newfound resolve hanging heavy in the air. For a moment, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of them, the chaos outside fading into the background. But the moment was fleeting. A sharp knock on the door shattered the silence, and Kian instinctively stepped in front of Elena, his golden implant flickering to life. The door opened to reveal Captain Selene Drake, her expression tense. “We need to move,” she said, her voice low and urgent. “Marcus knows Elena’s here. He’s coming.” Elena’s breath hitched, and Kian felt her grip tighten on his hand. “How?” she whispered. Selene’s jaw tightened. “He’s got eyes everywhere. The System’s compromised, and he’s using it to track us. We don’t have much time.” Kian nodded, his mind racing. “Where do we go?” “There’s a safe house outside the city,” Selene replied. “It’s
Reboot My Heart Chapter Five: The Trap
The old subway station was eerily silent, save for the faint drip of water echoing through the tunnels. Darius stood before them, his crimson implant casting an ominous glow that illuminated his cold, calculating smile. Behind him, a group of armed rebels emerged from the shadows, their weapons trained on Kian, Elena, and Selene. Kian stepped forward, his golden implant flickering to life as he positioned himself protectively in front of Elena. “Darius,” he said, his voice steady despite the adrenaline coursing through him. “Let us go. This doesn’t have to end in violence.” Darius chuckled, a low, mocking sound that sent a chill down Kian’s spine. “Oh, Kian. Always the hero. But this time, you’re out of your depth.” Selene stepped up beside Kian, her weapon raised and her crimson implant glowing fiercely. “You’re not walking out of here, Darius. Not this time.” Darius’s smirk widened. “Brave words, Captain. But you’re outnumbered. And outmatched.” Before anyone could react,
Reboot My Heart Chapter Six: The Control Center
The night was thick with tension as Kian, Elena, and the Elite Division team approached the old System Control Center. The building loomed in the distance, its once-gleaming facade now cracked and overgrown with vines. It was a relic of a bygone era, a symbol of the System’s power—and its corruption. Kian adjusted the strap of his weapon, his golden implant glowing faintly under his sleeve. Beside him, Elena walked with quiet determination, her eyes fixed on the building ahead. She had insisted on joining the mission, despite Kian’s protests. “I need to do this,” she had said, her voice firm. “For my father. For the Federation. For us.” Kian had relented, though his heart ached with worry. He couldn’t lose her—not again. Commander Ryker led the team, his voice low as he issued orders. “We’ll split into two groups. Kian, Elena, and I will take the main entrance. The rest of you, secure the perimeter. No one gets in or out.” The team nodded, their expressions grim. This was it
Reboot My Heart Chapter Seven: Betrayal
The sound of the gunshot echoed through the air, but the bullet never hit its mark. Kian reacted instinctively, his golden implant flaring to life as he raised a shimmering energy shield just in time. The bullet ricocheted off the barrier, embedding itself in the wall behind them. Elena gasped, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at Selene. “Selene, what are you doing?” Kian demanded, his voice filled with disbelief. Selene’s expression remained cold, her crimson implant glowing faintly. “I’m following orders, Kian. Something you’ve never been good at.” Kian’s heart sank as the realization hit him. “Marcus… he got to you, didn’t he?” Selene’s lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. “Marcus? No. This is bigger than him. Bigger than you.” Before Kian could respond, the ground beneath them shook violently, the building groaning under the strain. The explosion from earlier had destabilized the structure, and it was beginning to collapse. “We need to move!” Elena shouted,
Reboot My Heart Chapter Eight: Fractured Loyalties
The hovercraft soared through the night sky, the city lights below blurring into streaks of gold and silver. Kian sat in the back, his golden implant flickering weakly as he tried to process everything that had just happened. Elena sat beside him, her hand gripping his tightly, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination. Selene piloted the hovercraft in silence, her crimson implant glowing faintly. The tension in the air was palpable, the unspoken questions hanging heavy between them. Finally, Kian broke the silence. “Selene… what’s going on?” She didn’t respond immediately, her eyes fixed on the horizon. When she finally spoke, her voice was low and filled with regret. “I made a mistake, Kian. A big one.” Elena leaned forward, her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?” Selene’s grip tightened on the controls. “I thought I was doing the right thing. Ryker… he convinced me that the System was broken. That we needed to tear it down and start over. But I was wrong. Ma
Reboot My Heart Chapter Nine: The Choice
The world seemed to freeze as Kian stared down the barrel of Ryker’s weapon. The commander’s expression was unreadable, his eyes cold and distant. Behind him, the rebels stood in tense silence, their weapons still trained on Kian, Elena, and Selene. “Ryker,” Kian said, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him. “Don’t do this. You’re better than this.” Ryker’s jaw tightened, but his grip on the weapon didn’t waver. “You don’t understand, Kian. This isn’t about right or wrong. It’s about survival. The System is broken, and if we don’t take control, everything will collapse.” Elena stepped forward, her eyes filled with anger. “And what? You think Marcus is the answer? He’s using you, just like he used Selene. Just like he’s using everyone.” Ryker’s expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. But then his eyes hardened, and he shook his head. “It’s too late for second thoughts. The decision been made.” Before anyone could react, Selene l
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Chapter Fifteen: The Fractured Light
Darkness pressed in on Kian’s senses, thick and suffocating, stretching endlessly in every direction. There was no floor beneath him, no sky above—only weightlessness, a sensation of floating through the void. He didn’t know how long he drifted, consciousness flickering at the edges like a dying flame. His body felt distant, as if detached from him entirely. Was he dead? Trapped inside the Core’s remains? Then— A sharp, stinging pain erupted in his chest. His lungs spasmed as he sucked in a ragged breath. Cold air rushed over his skin, dragging him back into reality. Kian’s eyes snapped open. Blurry lights danced above him, shifting between deep crimson and electric blue. The chamber was still intact, but everything felt… different. The metallic walls no longer pulsed with the rhythmic glow of the Core. Instead, they flickered erratically, as if struggling to maintain power. The Core was gone. Or at least, it was no longer what it had been. Kian groaned, pushing himsel
Chapter Fourteen: The Final Choice
The Core’s central chamber was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of the System’s energy. Kian stood frozen, his golden implant flickering weakly as he stared down the barrel of Ryker’s weapon. Behind Ryker, Marcus and Darius loomed, their implants glowing ominously in the dim light. “Ryker,” Kian said, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him. “Don’t do this. You’re better than this.” Ryker’s jaw tightened, but his grip on the weapon didn’t waver. “You don’t understand, Kian. This isn’t about right or wrong. It’s about survival. The System is broken, and if we don’t take control, everything will collapse.” Elena stepped forward, her eyes filled with anger. “And what? You think Marcus is the answer? He’s using you, just like he used Selene. Just like he’s using everyone.” Ryker’s expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. But then his eyes hardened, and he shook his head. “It’s too late for second thoughts. The decision’s been made
Chapter Thirteen: The Weight of Sacrifice
The hovercraft shuddered violently as Darius’s rebels closed in, their weapons blazing. Selene fought to stabilize the craft, her hands moving deftly over the controls, but the damage was too severe. The alarms blared, and the cabin filled with the acrid smell of burning circuits. “We’re losing altitude!” Selene shouted, her voice strained. Kian gripped the edge of his seat, his golden implant flickering weakly. He glanced at Elena, who sat beside him, her face pale but determined. Her hand found his, and she squeezed it tightly. “We’ll make it,” she said, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. Kian nodded, though his heart was heavy with doubt. The Core was so close—just beneath them now—but the rebels were relentless. Darius’s hovercraft led the pack, its crimson glow cutting through the night like a predator’s eyes. Selene’s voice broke through his thoughts. “We’re not going to make it to the Core in this thing. We need to jump.” “Jump?” Elena’s eyes widened. “
Chapter Twelve: The Final Stand
The Core’s central chamber was eerily silent, save for the faint hum of the System’s energy. Kian stood frozen, his golden implant flickering weakly as he stared down the barrel of Ryker’s weapon. Behind Ryker, Marcus and Darius loomed, their implants glowing ominously in the dim light. “Ryker,” Kian said, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him. “Don’t do this. You’re better than this.” Ryker’s jaw tightened, but his grip on the weapon didn’t waver. “You don’t understand, Kian. This isn’t about right or wrong. It’s about survival. The System is broken, and if we don’t take control, everything will collapse.” Elena stepped forward, her eyes filled with anger. “And what? You think Marcus is the answer? He’s using you, just like he used Selene. Just like he’s using everyone.” Ryker’s expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. But then his eyes hardened, and he shook his head. “It’s too late for second thoughts. The decision’s been made
Chapter Eleven: The Weight of Choices
The hovercraft shuddered violently as Darius’s rebels closed in, their weapons blazing. Selene fought to stabilize the craft, her hands moving deftly over the controls, but the damage was too severe. The alarms blared, and the cabin filled with the awful smell of burning circuits. “We’re losing altitude!” Selene shouted, her voice strained. Kian gripped the edge of his seat, his golden implant flickering weakly. He glanced at Elena, who sat beside him, her face pale but determined. Her hand found his, and she squeezed it tightly. “We’ll make it,” she said, her voice steady despite the chaos around them. Kian nodded, though his heart was heavy with doubt. The Core was so close—just beneath them now—but the rebels were relentless. Darius’s hovercraft led the pack, its crimson glow cutting through the night like a predator’s eyes. Selene’s voice broke through his thoughts. “We’re not going to make it to the Core in this thing. We need to jump.” “Jump?” Elena’s eyes widened.
Chapter Ten: The Core
The hovercraft shuddered violently as Darius’s rebels closed in, their weapons blazing. Selene fought to stabilize the craft, her hands moving deftly over the controls, but the damage was too severe. “We’re not going to make it!” Elena shouted, her voice filled with panic. “We have to!” Selene replied, her voice tense. “The Core is just ahead!” Kian glanced out the window, his heart sinking as he saw the rebels gaining on them. The city lights below blurred into streaks of gold and silver, the night sky illuminated by the glow of their implants. “We need to jump,” Kian said, his voice firm. Elena’s eyes widened. “What? Are you crazy?” “We don’t have a choice,” Kian replied, his golden implant flickering weakly. “If we stay in this hovercraft, we’re dead.” Selene nodded, her expression grim. “He’s right. The Core is just below us. If we jump now, we might make it.” Before anyone could argue, the hovercraft shuddered again, the controls sparking as the engine began to fa
Chapter Nine: The Choice
The world seemed to freeze as Kian stared down the barrel of Ryker’s weapon. The commander’s expression was unreadable, his eyes cold and distant. Behind him, the rebels stood in tense silence, their weapons still trained on Kian, Elena, and Selene. “Ryker,” Kian said, his voice steady despite the fear coursing through him. “Don’t do this. You’re better than this.” Ryker’s jaw tightened, but his grip on the weapon didn’t waver. “You don’t understand, Kian. This isn’t about right or wrong. It’s about survival. The System is broken, and if we don’t take control, everything will collapse.” Elena stepped forward, her eyes filled with anger. “And what? You think Marcus is the answer? He’s using you, just like he used Selene. Just like he’s using everyone.” Ryker’s expression faltered for a moment, a flicker of doubt crossing his face. But then his eyes hardened, and he shook his head. “It’s too late for second thoughts. The decision been made.” Before anyone could react, Selene l
Chapter Eight: Fractured Loyalties
The hovercraft soared through the night sky, the city lights below blurring into streaks of gold and silver. Kian sat in the back, his golden implant flickering weakly as he tried to process everything that had just happened. Elena sat beside him, her hand gripping his tightly, her eyes filled with a mixture of fear and determination. Selene piloted the hovercraft in silence, her crimson implant glowing faintly. The tension in the air was palpable, the unspoken questions hanging heavy between them. Finally, Kian broke the silence. “Selene… what’s going on?” She didn’t respond immediately, her eyes fixed on the horizon. When she finally spoke, her voice was low and filled with regret. “I made a mistake, Kian. A big one.” Elena leaned forward, her brow furrowed. “What do you mean?” Selene’s grip tightened on the controls. “I thought I was doing the right thing. Ryker… he convinced me that the System was broken. That we needed to tear it down and start over. But I was wrong. Ma
Chapter Seven: Betrayal
The sound of the gunshot echoed through the air, but the bullet never hit its mark. Kian reacted instinctively, his golden implant flaring to life as he raised a shimmering energy shield just in time. The bullet ricocheted off the barrier, embedding itself in the wall behind them. Elena gasped, her eyes wide with shock as she stared at Selene. “Selene, what are you doing?” Kian demanded, his voice filled with disbelief. Selene’s expression remained cold, her crimson implant glowing faintly. “I’m following orders, Kian. Something you’ve never been good at.” Kian’s heart sank as the realization hit him. “Marcus… he got to you, didn’t he?” Selene’s lips curved into a faint, bitter smile. “Marcus? No. This is bigger than him. Bigger than you.” Before Kian could respond, the ground beneath them shook violently, the building groaning under the strain. The explosion from earlier had destabilized the structure, and it was beginning to collapse. “We need to move!” Elena shouted,
