The will of the few. Albert Zinkevich

quickly tucked the paper into her pocket and glanced around. The street was still empty, but she felt as though she was being watched. She walked away quickly, resisting the urge to run. Her mind was flooded with questions. Who had left this note? Why here? And what did it mean?

      That evening, Elira sat in her apartment, holding the piece of paper. She examined it as if hoping it would provide answers. But the paper was blank except for that one word. «Renn.» What did it mean? A hint? A warning? Or just a coincidence?

      She knew she couldn’t share this with anyone. Not even Cain. He was her friend, but in Novoteria, friends didn’t exist. Trust was a luxury no one could afford. She would have to figure this out on her own.

      Elira stood and walked to the window. Outside was the same gray world. People, like shadows, walked the streets with their heads down. Cars, just as gray and faceless, drove along the roads. Everything was the same. Everything was predictable.

      The next day, Elira returned to work. She tried to act as usual, but inside, she was seething. She couldn’t stop thinking about what she had found. About what it could mean. She knew she had to be careful, but her curiosity was stronger than her fear.

      During lunch, she ran into Cain. He was sitting alone at a table in the cafeteria, as always. Elira approached and sat across from him.

      «How are you?» he asked, smiling.

      «Fine,» she replied, trying to sound calm. «And you?»

      «Same as always. Just work.»

      They fell silent. Elira watched him, trying to decide if she could trust him. But she knew she couldn’t. No one could be trusted.

      «Elira,» he said, breaking her train of thought. «Are you okay? You seem… tense.»

      She nodded.

      «Just tired. Lots of work.»

      He looked at her as if he wanted to say something more but then simply nodded.

      «Alright. If you need anything, I’m here.»

      She smiled, but there was no warmth in it. She knew he could be a Council agent. She knew he could report her. But she also knew he was the only person she could talk to.

      Chapter 3: The Council of Observers

      The Council of Observers. The name itself sounded like a verdict, a shadow looming over every inhabitant of Novoteria. This faceless organization, whose presence was felt in every corner of the world, had become a symbol of fear and oppression. They were everywhere and nowhere at once, like a fog suffocating freedom, blending into the crowd. The all-encompassing system of control pierced society like an invisible web, ensnaring the masses.

      The Council of Observers had emerged in the early years following the Catastrophe, when the continent lay in ruins and communities struggled to survive. The Catastrophe, which had engulfed the entire continent, left deep scars on the souls of its people: massive natural disasters, wars over resources, and the collapse of ecosystems led to chaos and devastation. It was during this time that the ruling elite realized that restoring order required not only rebuilding infrastructure but also creating a system of control that would forever prevent the horrors of the past from recurring. People had to become a single entity, stripped of individual desires and ambitions. Fear became the core of their new ideology. The idea of collectivism was established as the foundation of the new society, and the Council of Observers became its ruthless guardian.

      Initially, the Council was a small body composed of scientists, philosophers, and engineers who believed control could be maintained through reason and technology alone. However, over time, they lost their ideals, succumbing to their own power. The surveillance system they created utilized the most advanced technologies to analyze the behavior of citizens. Cameras and microphones were hidden in every corner, their sensors eavesdropping on the silence between words. But the true strength of the Council lay not in its visible tools but in its ability to predict and prevent dissent. The Council didn’t just punish violations – it eliminated the very possibility of disobedience.

      Over time, the Council grew into a powerful organization controlling not only actions but also the thoughts of the people. Its agents infiltrated every aspect of life: education, medicine, culture, industry. They were teachers, doctors, engineers, and even friends. No one could be sure they weren’t speaking to a Council agent. This created an atmosphere of constant fear and suspicion. Every citizen of Novoteria was a potential traitor, ready to report their neighbor for the slightest deviation from the established rules.

      The Council of Observers operated through a network of regional branches, each answering to the Central Architect. The identity of this mysterious leader was hidden from all but the highest ranks of the Council. The Architect was not a person; he embodied order, stability, and immutability – an idea more important than the life of any individual. His decisions were final and not subject to debate. It was said that he could see and hear everything happening in Novoteria. Anyone who dared to question his authority would become a victim of his merciless methods.

      The Council’s most monstrous tool was the Citadel of Silence – a grim prison located near the remnants of the old world, on the outskirts of Novoteria. It had become a symbol of absolute control and suppression. Rumors circulated that those who entered never returned. Their identities were erased, their memories destroyed, and their bodies used for horrific experiments. Terrifying stories of torture within the Citadel spread like wildfire. There was talk of «Oblivion,» a method used on those who displayed dissent. First, the prisoner was injected with drugs that wiped their memory: they forgot who they were. Then, they were forced to relive their worst experiences – betrayal, the loss of loved ones. This process broke people, turning them into hollow shells, completely dependent on the Council.

      There were whispers of individuals who had passed through the Citadel and returned to society. These were not employees but puppets of the Council – soulless marionettes stripped of any sense of self. Their eyes were empty, like bottomless chasms, and their souls had been torn out, leaving only their physical bodies to carry out the Council’s tasks.

      Elira knew everything there was to know about the Council of Observers. She had seen how they operated, how they destroyed those who dared to cross the boundaries of what was permitted. But until recently, she hadn’t considered that she herself might become their target. Now, after finding the note with Renn’s name, she understood she was playing with fire. Every step she took, every word she spoke, could be used against her.

      She sat in her office, staring at the holographic model of the city she was designing. Her thoughts were far away. She thought about the Council, the Citadel, and what awaited her if she were caught. But most of all, she thought about Cain. He was her friend, her anchor. But could she trust him? She knew he was smart and cautious, but she also understood that in Novoteria, no one was who they seemed to be.

      Elira sighed and leaned back in her chair. She felt her mind tearing apart. On one hand, she wanted to continue her work, to live as she had before. On the other, she couldn’t ignore what she had found. The name Renn had become a key, unlocking a door to a world she had never dared to dream of. A world where she could be free.

      But freedom in Novoteria was an illusion. And Elira knew that every step she took was being watched. She couldn’t afford a single mistake. One wrong thought, one careless word – and she would end up in the Citadel of Silence.

      She closed her eyes and imagined the place. The Citadel. Its walls were high and impenetrable, like a fortress. Inside, silence reigned, broken only by the footsteps of guards and the faint moans of prisoners. It was a place where identities were erased. Where memory became the enemy, and thoughts became crimes. Elira knew that if she were caught, this would be her fate. Her mind would be wiped, her memories destroyed, and her body turned into a tool for the Council. She couldn’t let that happen. She had to be careful.

      But how could she be careful when every step could be her last?