If there was one positive thing about the vampire’s attack, it would be the cancellation of the ‘party’.

The various Association officials had decided that it was time for them to actually take a serious look at the situation, and they took the vampire’s body, as well as most of the apprentices with them. Only two had remained behind. Alpha and Yui.

“Sir, are you sure we can’t do anything to help?” said Alpha, for about the millionth time, looking at the commander.

“I appreciate your willingness to help, young man, but I’d feel best if you, both of you, were home and safe.” James Mallory put his hand on the dhampir’s shoulder, still not looking at him.

Instead, he was looking up at Marly’s room, where she and Ava were preparing the younger girl’s things in order for her to move out. Marvin noticed Yui leaning on one of the twin staircases, looking in the same direction as the commander, and appearing very tense, constantly clenching and unclenching her gloved hands.

“Is everything alright?” asked Marvin as he neared the japanese girl, the first person he’d met-excluding his kindergartener cousin-who was shorter than him.

“It is indeed.” responded the girl, turning to face him. “Although I do have a question for you.”

“Uh, sure.” said Marvin rather lamely, scratching the back of his head nervously. There he stood, a sorcerer apprentice that had moments ago defied his fear and burned a living vampire to a crisp. Completely floored by the barest of social interactions.

“Why are you here?”

Marvin smiled as he thought about that. Why was he here? For Kara, obviously. For his family. For Eobard, and Marly. For Adam and the friends he’d met through him, and even CB. He was there to become a person worthy of their care and respect.

“But I sense you do not have the right answers for it.” smiled Yui, looking back to James Mallory.

“Children, come here.” called James Mallory, beckoning the talking teens to himself and Alpha.

“Sir?” questioned Marvin. Every time he talked to the man, Marvin wanted to explode.

He wanted answers about what had happened five years ago. About his and Ava’s willingness to let Adam and CB to their own fates. In short, he didn’t trust the man, nor did he like him. But he couldn’t show that outwardly and even if he could, he wouldn’t. He didn’t want to ruin his relationship with Marly, or even Ava-although he didn’t completely trust her either.

“You three will escort my granddaughter to her temporary home.” he said, looking at all of the teens with him. “It is not ideal, but it will suffice.”

“Where will we be going, sir?” asked Alpha.

“Marvin Perlie’s house.” said James Mallory, causing Alpha and Marvin to do a bit of a double take. To their credit they tried to suppress it, but it wasn’t easy. “It is a covert location, and one where she will be both welcome and comfortable in.” he explained, turning to the dark haired teen. “I have already discussed this with your grandmother in case of such an event. She has no issue.”

“If that’s all, Marly and I will be able to take care of ourselves.” said Marvin, not really wanting to spend more time with Alpha than necessary. The guy just seemed to rub Marvin off in the wrong way, in more ways than one.

“Don’t worry Marvin.” smiled Alpha. “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

“Indeed young Perlie.” nodded James Mallory. “Alpha and Yui may not have had the chance to show off their skills tonight, and they may be around the same age as you, but I know for a fact that they both are on the shortlist for becoming Rank One Commanders in the future.”

He turned to the two teens in question, eyes wide. Both of them? And they were nearly the same age as him. He was further behind than he originally thought.

Still, if their presence added that much difference in their security, he supposed he didn’t have an issue either. Furthermore, he had been so focused on his training and becoming a better sorcerer that he hadn’t spent any time just talking to his friends. Perhaps he would be able to make up for that tonight.

Still, he would have been killed by a vampire that night if it wasn’t for outside help. He needed to get stronger. He couldn’t afford to stay behind. Tomorrow, he resolved. Tomorrow was when the second phase of his training would begin, and he would prove himself worthy.

–

Chiron was not foolish. And, contrary to popular belief, he wasn't James Mallory’s tool. Nor was he the conniving, emotionally detached mastermind that Eobard Kon seemed convinced he was.

Indeed, even though he’d managed to hide them from everyone else, Chiron was capable of feeling emotions like every other living being and he’d seen more than his fair share of death. He supposed that was the reason he had organized this meeting at Kara’s old, what would he call this? An office, or perhaps a laboratory?

Whatever it was, it was still as messy as Kara had left it. Books and various trinkets scattered all over, and the ever so magical window depicting a metropolis’s skyline. He allowed a small smile to reach his lips. He was-

He was no longer alone. A couple books were removed from a packed bookshelf, a spearhead being thrown at him from its gap.

“Took you long enough.” he said, turning his head towards his visitor. “Do not worry Maria Rockwell. I am the man that summoned you here.”

Grunting, the young sorceress revealed herself, dressed up in a black cloak. “You weren’t the one I made the deal with.” she said, charging at the centaur, who was in his human form, with two glowing heptagrams adorning her hands.

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“Thoria! Multi!” she said, two spearheads flying off her hands, before multiplying into a whole dozen.

“Please, miss Rockwell.” said Chiron as he barely managed to dodge her attacks with his, if he were to pat himself on the back for a bit, above average reflexes, although it did leave him breathing rather heavily. “I am not only a horrid fighter, well past my prime, and the man who called you here, but I also would rather not harm Kara’s laboratory.”

“Kara as in Snow?” questioned Maria, looking around the room appraisingly.

“Indeed.” nodded Chiron. “I’ve seen too much loss in my time. I am in a position to be able to see when things have gone too far.”

“You can’t be the benefactor. You’re too, well-” she flailed her arms around, “-too proper? Formal? You also strike me as a bit posh, honestly.” she explained, shrugging. “The man I met with was a bloodthirsty monster. You’re either lying, or have a dark side to you that just can’t be faked.”

“I used to fight in the front lines of the Association’s battles against all sorts of enemies. You develop quite the dark side over there.” laughed Chiron, but it wasn’t genuine. It was bitter, sad. “I’ve wasted my life serving a cause I no longer wish to be a part of.”

James Mallory flashed before his mind’s eye. He had served the Mallory household for twenty years and the commander had been the head of said household for eighteen. Not that he minded. He had a clear purpose there, and he truly believed that James’s ideals were just. Even if his measures were more than heavy-handed.

Even now, when he was acting independently, doing this for the old man’s sake as much as his own.

He saw Maria tense in shock before the golden heptagrams started glowing in her hands once more and she took a battle ready position. Chiron raised his hands, nodding at her to let her guard down. Fortunately, she had decided to start listening to him.

But she wasn’t the part of this puzzle that he was worried most about.

“You’ve chosen an odd place to meet, Chiron.” came a french accented voice.

“Why is she here?” came an aggressive voice from behind him.

“Kara’s lab?” questioned another, a bit of awe and sadness in his voice. “Marvin mentioned this place but-but why are we here? Mr Nick?”

Turning around, he came face to face with the French man, who was wearing the same clothes as always, as well as Adam and CB, dressed in identical white t-shirts and shorts. He smiled at the two boys, hoping he would reassure them.

“What’s going on Chiron?” asked the larger teen, moving to stand closer to the Lacerto boy, both looking ready to battle at the other’s side. And based on the smell of the place, they were both itching to transform.

While they were believed to be mystical, the transformative powers of werebeasts actually had many scientific roots. And indeed, the chemical reactions the body went through in preparation for the transformation left behind a smell that you could pick up on, if you knew to look for it. That was the reason transforming quickly was so advantageous, because even the most skilled warriors couldn’t pick up on it.

The young men still had enough to learn, but he could see that they had apparently begun to mend their relationship. Another, genuine smile formed at his face for that fact alone.

“I have chosen you four in order to counteract a large coming threat.” said Chiron, moving his gaze over each of his potential comrades.

Out of the lot of them, only Nicholas could potentially see through his plan. Maria Rockwell could theoretically use magic to find it out, but he has been careful to keep any thoughts about it out of his mind when he knows it isn’t safe. He didn’t have much experience in manipulating others, but he was determined to carry out this mission.

“What about Marly?” asked CB. “And her family?”

“And don’t forget about Marvin.” said Adam, casting a sidelong glance at the werewolf who merely rolled his eyes.

“The young Perlie isn’t-how shall I put this-in the best mindset to take on this mission.”said Chiron as he turned to stare out the magical window. The two teens seemed to sober up.

“As for Marly, there is a whole other matter regarding her.” Specifically, her back. Although he wouldn’t admit to it, except in the darkest,most private moments of his existence, Chiron couldn’t help but fear the girl. The inscriptions on her back-No. He couldn’t think of it.

“Chiron?” questioned Nicholas.

“There is much you do not know.” said the centaur. “But the girl cannot be a part of this for various reasons. The main one being that she is our objective.”

“What?” said the two teens simultaneously. Nicholas looked mildly surprised, but he could see the gears already working in his head. Only the Rockwell girl didn’t seem surprised, although she did appear quite disappointed with this turn of events.

“Damn.” she swore. “That puts a bit of a wrench on my revenge plans boss.”

“You’re the one that hired her to attack us.” said Adam, turning to the sorceress. “But you mentioned Amdis. And some sort of plans. I thought you-”

“Lies.” smirked Maria. “I was told by Chiron here to make you believe I was working for whoever it was that sent Amdis.”

“I want what’s best.”said Chiron firmly. “For Marly and Ava. For the commander. Let it be known that Marly Mallory will not be harmed. I know she is your friend. And that you care for Ava as well. That is why I am asking for your help.”

“Fine then old man.” huffed CB. “I trust you well enough. And I made a promise to myself that I wouldn’t sit on the sidelines. I’m in. But the moment I smell something fishy I will bash your head in and give the leftovers to James Mallory.”

“On one condition.” said Adam.

“Of course my boy.”

“I get to confront Ava. I need answers.”

Chiron nodded, smiling. “Of course. You will get the answers you seek, Adam Lacerto. You will finally take on the role of protector that you long for CB.”

If we’re just giving things away, how about I get the revenge I want from the Perlie boy? And don’t worry, the breakfast club here won’t find out about this little conversation.

Chiron sighed. Maria Rockwell was definitely the wild card now that he had gotten the two teens to agree. He noticed a faint glow coming from behind her, no doubt her magical conduit. He did truly enjoy Marvin’s presence and considered him to be a young man with a lot of potential. But this mission was more important.

May God have mercy on his soul.

“You shall all get what you are looking for.”

“Chiron.” said Nicholas. “I will assist you but I must also warn you. In this war, we can do nothing but stand united. If I see any actions of yours that deviate from that path and endanger the mission of stopping the vampiric forces, I will not hesitate.”

‘Of course you won’t. That’s one of the reasons you’re here.’ was what he’d wanted to say. Instead, Chiron simply nodded at the man.

All of these people, they all served more than one purpose. And it was up to the future generations to decide whether or not they’d decided to act as warriors of justice or agents of doom. Maybe he was being a bit overdramatic, but this war was definitely going to bring forth many changes to the world as it was.

He could only pray that this small force was going to be enough for his plan to work, for the wrath of all sides was going to come down on them all.