||Hollowed||

"Please follow me" Spoke a servant as he lead Zion and his nanny through the front doors of a massive mansion.

They had arrive in about a hour an a half to Marcus Volitum mansion. No thanks to the impeccable technology that got them there.

From where they were which was the outta skirts section 3. If it was an ordinary horse or transportation. It would have taken two weeks, a crazy feat.

"The master is expecting you, please wait here while I announce your arrival" As the servant left the nanny grabbed Zion.

"You won't tell him anything about your mother's condition" with a firm grip Zion slightly flinched before nodding.

'For an old gal, that's one he'll of a grip' he slightly hissed.

'I figured that they were helping because of her condition... was there something else?' Shaking it off for now, the servant returned and led them to double doors.

Opening them almost dramatically, the light from the outside hit them and the silhouette of a man could slightly be seen.

Standing up, the man became clear, brown hair with blue eyes. Quite the mismatch of looks, his appearance however was not unpleasant. Well kept beard and luscious garments, those fit for nobility.

What caught Zion's attention was the mechanical beast next to him. Unlike a Zino , these were soul connectors, a relic made to enhance a warrior in combat.

As well as being a beast in its main form, when fully needed in battle it reforms as either a weapon or armour.

'Not many can afford to have those, they come with an extensive training and utmost pain.' Zion remember reading about it when learning about this world.

A soul connector relic had to be a full compatible match as the soul line or what people refer to it as. Would then be inserted in a person's body along their spine and a Nero adapter to through that to the brain.

It was such a risky and expensive procedure, such technology would not be given randomly.

Some proclaim they can talk to a soul connector through the link. But not enough research proves that these relics are sentient but rather a user will projected through them.

The soul connector moved before laying down but still watching.

'Like we could be any threat to that' thought both Jullia and Zion. As Marcus smiled a bit too much for Zion's liking.

"Jullia Stanple, how long has it been my dear. You still look refined as ever"

'Huh...' Zion's immediate impression faded as the now eccentric man came and hugged nanny.

"Not a day over 50" he continued as Zion tried to hold back from cringing. Who talked liked that? Marcus Volitum did, un be known to Zion, Marcus was a very jolly individual. His personality knew no bounds when it came to impressions but for the wrong reasons.

He was a loose cannon, a man of interesting and unrefined taste. He loved everything that he did, if he didn't you'd be the first to know.

Some called him reckless and insane, others praised his battle prowess and looks.

There was never a right or wrong answer to describe him. He was however a man of the people, he dedicated everything and sacrificed everything for the titles he now bared.

"It's been far too long" Marcus finished letting poor jullia breathe as he looked to Zion. "Yes, you look much like your mother in terms of looks." Squatting down to Zions level he peered at him intensely.

"He's not learned anything yet except the basics and fundamentals of magic. In terms of technology studies he's far behind those of his age" nanny Jullia quickly stated as Marcus stood up.

"Why didn't Willow teach him?"

"His father"

It was such a bland response but the look and body language of Marcus gave away disappointment.

"All because of one man, if I remember correctly she had many interested in her. She chose him out of them all and ignored my warnings. But that's no reason to not teach the boy his roots." He replied as Zion took a closer look around.

'Everything is as extravagant as his personality' He thought with a deadpanned expression.

As Nanny sighed, "It was hard enough to negotiate that I leave Zion in your care." She looked so defeated, Zion always wondered why she even stayed at all sometimes.

"Tsk, I'm guessing that's not all she's left out"

"You're right" although he didn't need a response based on Jullia's expression. He sighed as his eyes turned back to Zion.

'This boy has nothing, he's already 8 and has no understanding of mechs or the proper fundermentals. Only the basics, I knew Willows health was deteriorating but to deny her son a future?' Marcus thought in peril. It was almost as if she'd set her son to die after her for her mistakes.

Sitting down on his desk, Marcus crossed his legs and looked at them both seriously all of a sudden.

"You as well as I know that war is a never ending endeavour between the drones and other nations. Zion, you're no better than an infant, those your age everywhere no basic self defence and more. If you want any chance at a future it'll be hard and painful training starting now to catch up."

It wasn't an insult, it was a worried manlooking out for people he cared about. But also the truth, war was everywhere no matter how peaceful at times it came to be.

Having no understanding or experience came at deaths door. This world was a kill or be killed one, a place where you were up against time.

Fighting for what those called freedom, a future, hope even. You needed the bare minimum to achieve that. Zion's Mother clearly had experience with all her outburst skill still refined her spouts of madness.

"Willow has agreed to hand over Zion for now." Looking at Zion she continued, "It would be in your best interest to stay here and train. I've always wanted that for you but frankly I'm too old" laughing slightly at her joke she looked back at Marcus.

"Please protect him, I leave him in your care." It was clear Zion had no choice but it wasn't like he'd return to yesterday's dinner table again.

He'd overheard them anyway.

"What if he does end up like his father!? Then where does that leave me Jullia!? All I wanted was to raise him like a normal child!" Picking up a vase, Zion's Mother threw it across the room. "I never forgave myself then, I could never if my only child-"

"-That's exactly why you should let him go! Look around us! We have nothing for him, no proper teachers or scholars, no sorcery or mechas. He has nothing to thrive in the future with, you made a promise to raise him but do not make the same mistake you did with his father!"

Dropping to the floor, Zion who had been peeking through the door saw the dispair in his mother's eyes as she sat there sobbing.

'It seems my mother and father failed each other in some aspect that they won't tell me' Zion snapped out of thought to his name being called.

"Yes?" He said, as Marcus Volitum smiled before asking again. Knowing he wasn't paying attention the first time.

"Do you accept to stay here and receive my guidance?"

What did he have to lose if not his life? Sure his Mother and Nanny but they were now surely going to be protected regardless.

Nanny was right though, it terms of knowing what was happening, he was in the dark. His Mother was so paranoid about letting him see things outside the 'ordinary or normal'. If it wasn't for the many books he'd read after being taught to read by his nanny. He would have been ignorant and confused to this day.

But knowing himself, he wasn't the type to not find information on things.

"Yes sir, I do" the decision had already been made. He doubted his nanny would let him come back with her after making the journey here.

But having the confirmation by his own words pleased Marcus greatly. It showed him hope and a future for Zion that he hoped to nurture.