The café was quiet for a Saturday morning, the soft hum of conversation filling the space as the group sat gathered at their usual corner booth.

  Kai leaned back in his seat, one arm draped over the backrest, eyes steady as he watched the entrance.

  Right on time.

  Iris stepped inside, glancing around hesitantly before spotting them.

  Evan, Felix, and Jonah were already seated, talking amongst themselves. The moment Iris approached, Evan scooted over, making space for her.

  “Welcome back,” Felix said with an easy smirk.

  Jonah gave a nod, but it was clear he was still trying to figure her out.

  Iris slid into the seat, looking around the table.

  “So,” she said, trying to sound casual. “I guess this is… a real thing, then?”

  Kai smiled faintly, his fingers tapping the table rhythmically.

  “It’s as real as you want it to be.”

  Iris exhaled, leaning forward slightly.

  “You still haven’t told me—who exactly are you working for?”

  The table went quiet for a second.

  Felix and Jonah exchanged glances, but Kai didn’t react.

  Instead, he tilted his head slightly, studying her.

  “We were chosen,” Kai said smoothly, his voice steady, unreadable. “There are forces at play in this world—watching, guiding. They saw the corruption spreading—greed, cruelty, power in the wrong hands. Before it consumes everything, they intervene.”

  Iris frowned.

  “Who’s ‘they’?”

  Kai’s lips twitched, like he was amused by the question.

  “The Watchers.”

  She stared at him, still skeptical, but Kai could tell she was thinking—testing the words in her mind.

  “They saw us,” he continued, his tone never shifting. “And now, we serve as their hands, correcting the balance.”

  Iris exhaled, leaning back slightly, nodding—like she wanted to change the subject before she got too deep.

  Kai let it go.

  “But that’s not why we’re here today.”

  Her posture stiffened a little, suddenly aware that this wasn’t just a casual meeting.

  Kai pulled out his phone, tapping something before sliding it across the table to her.

  On the screen was a real estate listing.

  Iris blinked.

  “Wait… is this—?”

  “A house,” Kai said simply. “We’re getting one.”

  She looked up at him in confusion.

  “You mean… for all of you?”

  “For us,” Kai corrected. “You need a place to stay. We need a place to meet. It’s an easy solution.”

  Evan grinned.

  “So we’re going house hunting?”

  Felix chuckled.

  “That’s a first.”

  Kai ignored them, watching Iris.

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  “You need a stable place,” he said. “No more sleeping in borrowed spaces. No more wondering what happens next. You start over. Here.”

  Iris’s fingers curled slightly against the table.

  She had spent the last few nights barely sleeping, bouncing between temporary places, unsure of what her future even looked like.

  And now… here they were, presenting a solution like it was the simplest thing in the world.

  “Why are you helping me this much?” she finally asked, voice quieter.

  Kai didn’t hesitate.

  “Because you’re one of us now.”

  The words settled between them, heavier than she expected.

  She looked at the others—Felix, who simply smirked, Evan, who gave an approving nod, and Jonah, who just sat silently, observing.

  Then she looked back at Kai.

  She didn’t fully trust him.

  Not yet.

  But something about him made it impossible to turn away.

  “Alright,” she murmured. “Let’s go find a house.”

  The ride was quiet, the tension settling as the city blurred past through the windows.

  Iris sat next to Evan, who was flipping through his phone mindlessly, while Felix and Jonah were in the back, occasionally throwing side glances at Kai, who sat in the front, calm as ever.

  The car pulled to a stop.

  “Alright,” Kai said, stepping out. “First stop.”

  The others followed, only for their faces to twist in confusion.

  Felix turned to him, frowning.

  “Uh… Kai?” He gestured at the large sign ahead. “This isn’t a house. This is a car dealership.”

  Jonah raised an eyebrow.

  “I thought we were getting a place.”

  Kai glanced at them, unbothered.

  “We are.”

  Evan’s eyes lit up in realization.

  “Ohhh. You’re thinking ahead,” he muttered. “We’re gonna need a way to get around.”

  Kai nodded.

  “A base is one thing. But movement is just as important. If we want to operate freely, we need to be mobile. And you already have your permit, Evan.”

  Evan grinned, rubbing his hands together.

  “Now we’re talking.”

  The group followed Kai inside. The showroom was bright, sleek, and filled with polished cars lined up for display.

  Almost immediately, a salesman approached—a middle-aged guy with slicked-back hair and a forced grin.

  His eyes flicked over the group—clearly unimpressed.

  “Hey, kids,” the salesman greeted, his voice dripping with condescension. “What can I help you with? Looking for something… affordable?”

  Felix barely held back a laugh.

  Kai, however, didn’t even blink.

  He slid his hands into his pockets, gaze cool.

  “We’re looking for an SUV. Something durable. Something that can go the distance.”

  The salesman’s grin widened.

  “Ah, I see. Well, we have some good starter vehicles, maybe an older model—”

  “Money isn’t a problem.”

  The salesman’s mouth opened slightly—then shut.

  Kai tilted his head slightly, his tone sharpening.

  “So don’t waste my time offering cheap junk.”

  The salesman blinked, suddenly reassessing the situation.

  Felix smirked. Jonah looked slightly impressed. Evan was just enjoying the show.

  “Uh… right. Well, in that case—” The salesman cleared his throat, suddenly shifting gears. “Let me show you something special.”

  The salesman led them to the back lot, where the higher-end models were kept.

  One vehicle stood out—a blacked-out SUV, tinted windows, strong frame, built for endurance.

  Kai stopped, giving it a once-over.

  “This one.”

  Evan whistled.

  “Now that’s a ride.”

  The salesman nodded eagerly.

  “Excellent choice. This model is top-tier—security, durability, performance—”

  “How fast can we get it?” Kai cut in.

  The salesman hesitated.

  “Well… there’s paperwork, of course. A vehicle of this class—”

  Kai pulled out an envelope from his jacket and handed it over.

  The salesman blinked as he opened it, his eyes widening at the thick stack of cash inside.

  “Consider the paperwork handled,” Kai said smoothly.

  Felix chuckled.

  Jonah just muttered, “Damn…” under his breath.

  Evan grinned, practically bouncing on his feet.

  The salesman swallowed hard, nodding quickly.

  “O-of course. Let me just… finalize the details.”

  He scurried off.

  Kai turned back to the SUV, running a hand along the frame.

  “This will do.”

  Iris finally spoke up, still processing everything.

  “I don’t get it,” she said quietly. “Who… are you?”

  Kai glanced at her, expression unreadable.

  “Your question will be answered in time.”

  She watched him carefully, then looked back at the vehicle.

  For the first time, she realized—

  This wasn’t just some game.

  The road stretched long and quiet, the late afternoon sun casting golden light over rows of suburban homes. Inside the SUV, the tension was thick—not from nerves, but from anticipation.

  Kai sat in the passenger seat, deep in thought.

  The night before, he had done his research. He wasn’t looking for just any house.

  It had to be in a quiet neighborhood, somewhere secure, away from prying eyes. A place where meetings could happen undisturbed, where no one would question comings and goings.

  After hours of sifting through listings, he had found the perfect one.

  A modern, two-story house with high walls, spacious rooms, and a basement that could serve as a meeting space. It was listed under a private seller, which meant fewer questions.

  After making a call, the real estate agent had agreed to meet today.

  This is the start, Kai thought. A headquarters. A place where Illuminatii becomes more than just a name.

  “Yo, we’re here,” Evan said, pulling up to the driveway.

  The others went quiet as they took in the house.

  Even Felix, who rarely showed emotion, let out a low whistle.

  “Damn,” Jonah muttered, stepping out.

  Iris just stared, eyes flicking between the clean-cut lawn, the smooth concrete driveway, and the massive windows reflecting the sky.

  It was… perfect.

  No one spoke as they stepped out of the SUV. The air was crisp, the neighborhood eerily calm.

  At the door, a middle-aged man in a tailored blazer stood waiting. His eyes flicked between them, his polite real estate smile faltering slightly as he took in how young they were.

  “You must be… Mr. Callahan?” the agent said hesitantly, looking at Kai.

  Kai nodded, voice cool and controlled.

  “That’s me.”

  The agent frowned slightly.

  “I have to say, you sounded… older on the phone.”

  Kai didn’t blink.

  “I’m old enough.”

  The agent hesitated, clearly debating whether to ask questions.

  Kai gave him a flat stare.

  “Look, I don’t have time for games. If we’re doing this deal, we need to see the house now.”

  The agent straightened slightly, then nodded.

  “Right. Of course. Follow me.”

  They stepped inside, and for a moment, the group was silent.

  The interior was even better.

  High ceilings. A sleek modern kitchen. A spacious living area with tall glass doors leading to a backyard.

  Upstairs, four bedrooms, each large enough to be converted into something functional.

  A meeting space. A command center. A safe house.

  But the real selling point was the basement—a large, unfinished space that could be completely customized.

  Felix was the first to speak.

  “We’re really doing this, huh?”

  Evan grinned, stepping into the kitchen and testing the marble countertops.

  “Man, we’re about to be living better than half the teachers at school.”

  Jonah just exhaled.

  “This place is insane.”

  Iris, meanwhile, walked slowly through the rooms, fingers brushing against the walls as if grounding herself.

  This is real.

  This is happening.

  The agent, watching their reactions, cleared his throat.

  “It’s a fine property,” he said smoothly. “Move-in ready. Now, regarding payment options—”

  “We’ll pay in full.”

  The words left Kai’s mouth casually, as if it were the simplest thing in the world.

  The agent blinked.

  “I… sorry?”

  “In full,” Kai repeated. “No loans, no financing. Just tell me the number.”

  For a moment, the agent just stared at him.

  Then, carefully, he pulled out his tablet and began tapping at the screen.

  Felix smirked, watching the man struggle to stay professional.

  Evan let out a low laugh.

  Jonah just muttered, “This guy’s never seen cash move like this before.”

  Iris, however, didn’t say anything. She was still staring at Kai—really looking at him for the first time.

  The confidence.

  The control.

  The absolute certainty in his voice.

  Who the hell is he, really?

  The paperwork took an hour to finalize.

  By the time they stepped out of the house, the keys were in Kai’s hands.

  Felix stretched his arms, exhaling.

  “Well. Guess we’re homeowners now.”

  Evan grinned.

  “Time to break this place in.”

  Jonah smirked.

  “Yeah. But first, we gotta furnish the damn thing.”

  Kai stood still for a moment, looking at the house, then down at the keys.

  This is it.

  The first real step toward building something permanent.

  “Let’s get to work,” Kai said.

  And just like that, the group had its first home.

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