I silently stared at the unfolding scenery, jet black eyes and inky hair reflecting back at me through the polished glass. The autonomous cyber-bus glided through another transit tunnel, weaving between the endless futuristic towers you wouldn’t see in the outer districts. Everything in the inner districts was impeccably modern, drenched in neon lights, with holographic ads for various merchandise displayed in every window.

The small amount of semi-excitement I felt at the start of the ride quickly dampened after an hour of the overstimulating sight. All that remained was a simmering anger in the pit of my stomach.

Thankfully the bus was large enough to house our entire homeroom class of 20 students with extra room to spare, so I sat alone at the back. The wonders of magic-technology.

My brooding gaze broke away from the elaborate cityscape, subtly following the brunette sitting at the front of the bus. She was snapping pictures of her classmates using an expensive phone model.

“Let’s make mementos! Okay, look gorgeous— though with you that’s not too hard.” the brunette said laughing.

“Wait, my hairs a mess!”

*click*

“Oh, don’t worry. Your blonde hair always has that effortlessly undone look. It’s kind of your signature.” A pair of delicately manicured fingers held up a phone screen while smiling, “See? It totally works.”

“Do I look okay?”

“Gosh, you look so good from this angle. Angles can be our best friends. Some people just… need to find theirs.”

“It totally does look good!” the blonde said grinning.

“You know, some people naturally know how to pose for the camera. But we’re all learning, right?”

“W-what do you mean?”

Her grin dropped a little as the brunette began to angle the camera differently while laughing softly.

*click*

“Perfect. So much better, these turned out so cute! I’ll just send you the best ones… no need for you to see anything less than gorgeous, right?”

Silky straight brunette hair that framed what others deemed a model’s face. Smooth porcelain skin. Bright blue eyes and an elegant presence that suited her designer purse and custom tailored school uniform. Beneath her bubbly personality and graceful exterior, I knew she was a malicious thug.

They continued happily chattering before the teacher silenced everyone. Mrs Ida droned on about maps or something while I tuned her out, not registering the metallic taste of blood as I gnawed harder on my cheek.

“With this as your first visit to the Museum of Voltaire city’s Crystal Mausoleum Exhibit, everyone MUST stick together closely and follow the tour guide. We’ll join the upper grades after mealtime so do NOT let me catch you waffling around with them!”

“We’re here to honor our city’s fallen Guardians. You can meander and explore with your upperclassmen after mealtime!” she crowed.

My eyes broke away for a second as we finally approached a massive white structure that rivaled the mega-malls seen on the way. I stared in wonder at its complex art.

Contrasting the surrounding metal and glass structures was something plucked straight out of an old mythology book. Countless ornate carvings were lined on impossibly tall white pillars that held up a grand roof carved in even more art, while the floor itself was a rainbow of crystalline material with several Guardian statues aligning every pillar. The carvings depicted heroic Guardian battles.

The bus drew closer to make a stop at the entrance, its sleek doors sliding open with a soft hiss interrupting my daze.

The teacher went droning on again as I ignored her. A layer of icy chill settled over my body with each movement the brunette at the front of the bus made, the semi-wonder I felt moments prior completely forgotten.

I couldn’t keep my hands from shaking slightly. There was no urge of honoring our fallen Guardians right now, my mind focusing on something, or rather, someone else. Sarah.

I felt apathetic towards others, let alone someone like Sarah. Being adept at acting aloof and pretending to be fine to keep people from getting concerned about my issues was a given. But as a twin, my highest priority was my sister.

Her problems were considered my own. It all clicked into place a few nights ago when I happened to get a glance at her wrists, sending my blood pressure into orbit.

With all of her daily schedules and routines memorized, it was clear the change could be narrowed down back to one month ago: when she became involved with Sarah’s clique.

Sarah had zero interest in her before. She didn’t even attempt to befriend me, the person closest to her supposed newest ‘best friend’ even though we had homeroom together everyday. Any topic related to her? My sisters mood effectively lowered, deepening my suspicions.

Was Sarah bothering her without me knowing, maybe whenever I was out working? Did she do something to my sister?

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. Please report it.

The thought of anything happening to Maleia filled me with a heavy sense of uneasiness. I didn’t spare a single glance at the beautiful surroundings, positioning myself last to follow everyone exiting the bus yammering excitedly.

The tour guide greeted us at the massive white thirteen meter entrance.

“Welcome Wayland High freshmen! I’m sure you’re all ready to explore the museum after such a long trip. Now, on your maps you’ll see every floor represents each Ranking of honorable fallen Guardians, from E to S rank!”

Following behind, I reached in my small backpack for the map only to realize I left it on the bus. Ugh.

Why the Museum provided students to use an old fashioned redundant map eluded me. I pulled out my half charged phone to look up directions online.

We continued inwards, a strong buzzing sensation passed through my body. “That zappy feeling just now meant you entered through the museum’s crystal barrier. It’s much stronger than normal barriers you typically won’t notice when entering schools or malls, so the sensation is actually tangible!”

“You all know Guardians protect mankind from hostile entities known as Vlorn,” he paused, gesturing the numerous carvings everywhere, “and this Exhibit honors Voltaire city’s fallen Guardians. The recent falling of Golden Cicada’s Guardian, Riffbane, has also been newly memorialized on the fourth floor.”

“On an exciting note, some Wards from the Golden Cicada Guild are actually visiting the museum this very moment to honor their fallen comrade, so keep an eye out for them! Now, on the bottom floor, our E-Rank Guardians.”

As we walked past crystal blocks showcasing moving holographic true to life figures of Guardians, each having their own description and heroic stories narrated, my senses trained on Sarah.

She was snapping pictures while her two friends remained glued to her sides.

They looked up at the five upper floors visible from ground level, resembling a spiral-shaped mall center, and chatted about the upper classes passing through before her friends started gawking loudly.

“Everyone, look!”

Scanning the upper floors showed several Wards from Golden Cicada walking among the upper class-men touring the fourth floor leaving everyone in awe.

I felt nothing of the sort.

The classes enthusiasm dwindled after a few hours of touring each floor. Every Guardian, each wearing a primary color that represented their will, were revered and respected, thanked for sacrificing themselves for our continued existence.

The rest of the trip followed suit as we moved from floor to floor, while I discreetly kept an eye out for the moment Sarah was isolated.

No such moment happened. Until mealtime.

We all gathered at the top floor with the other classes, the entirety of the vast circular space showcasing the descriptions and larger crystal blocks of only two S-Rank Guardians, sitting neatly on opposite ends of the floor. “Food” was provided by the staff, a measly juice box filled with hyper processed pizza-flavored liquid.

Boredly slurping mine down, I honed in on Sarah’s trio from a distance.

“Ladies, I’m taking a trip to the bathroom.”

“I’ll come!” the blonde exclaimed.

Sarah laughed lightly, shaking her head.

“Tone it down with the lez energy please. It’ll be fast.” she lied.

“Um... call if you need us!”

With the rest of my pizza liquid thrown in the trash, I trailed behind looking down at my phone screen map to locate the nearest bathroom.

It abruptly shut off, flashing a dead battery logo. Ugh.

I followed her down six torturous flights of stairs, leaving me virtually gasping for air.

How much further is she going to go?!

I shoved off the black cardigan down my mostly empty backpack, huffing in irritation. Her years of ballet insulted my own frail body’s stamina.

She stealthily walked out of a back exit door, a ‘restricted’ sign taped to its smooth surface, located at the far end of the Museum leaving me to follow, panting slightly. A wave of electricity passed over me, indicating we left the barrier.

My senses were met with the view of a grand mansion sized garden shielded under a tall glass dome that stretched towards the property’s borders.

Several outdoor paths lead to large statue adorned fountains and unfinished bridges leading to closed-off gazebos, along with various other small scale structures undergoing construction. To the far end nearing the edge of the dome was a tall hedge maze.

Despite there being no wind, the cold bit at my nose. I pulled on my cardigan again with a huff while keeping enough of a distance so the target wouldn’t notice me.

We walked, then walked more. In the process of silently trailing her, eerily enough the sculptures seemed to be staring at me.

When walking past one fashioned in a flowing toga, I swear it’s chiseled stone eyes blinked.

Was I just hallucinating? It was getting darker after all. Several lamps were powered on, so their light sensors indicated dusk was rolling in.

Refocusing on Sarah, we continued on further until entering the tall hedge maze lined with various sculptures.

What felt like forever of weaving through random paths railed off with lush hedges tall enough to obscure any view of the Mausoleum where potential prying eyes could see us, she finally sat on a far bench in between some pathways.

I ducked behind a sculpture decorating the path.

This was the perfect situation for me to threaten her with blackmail I coincidentally discovered while at work.

It should keep her away from Maleia for fear of me retaliating.

With aching legs and adrenaline flowing through my veins, readying me for confrontation, I steeled myself.

Someone has to put her in her place.

She pulled out a pack of cigarettes, methodically slapping it against her palm, before taking one out to burn with her lighter. Typical.

I clenched my fists. Slowly, I took a step away from the statue I hid behind.

Then a loud siren interrupted my thoughts, all the lights turning red. I froze.

An alarm?

A soldier clad in golden tactical armor, adorned with engravings resembling insect wings and glimmering in the fading light of dusk and crimson lamplight, emerged from behind another nearby sculpture.

Sarah swiftly threw her incriminating cigarettes and lighter towards my direction in an effort to cover her actions, looking startled.

Huh?

“The fuck Sonali, it’s just you! Gosh, please give me a warning next time.”

“He told me to watch over you. You never know what could happen.”

I flinched as the soldiers eyes glanced towards my direction, kneeling low to the ground behind the blocky base of the statue, my hands shaking slightly.

Was I spotted?

She looked back to Sarah.

“I’m taking you to the safe room inside. The evacuation system seems to have malfunctioned.”

“Soo… not an emergency? Malfunction as in, what, the lights just turning red cus’ of a faulty fire alarm? That’s all right? Why the hell do we need to evacuate to the safe room for that.”

As she gave her new friend a deadpan stare, my breath halted. What was happening? And how does she know a Ward from Golden Cicada…?

The sound of my plan flushing down the drain filled my ears alongside the sirens.

“Irruption. There’s an unexpected Irruption happening. Right here, right now.”

My heart sank even more, the frigid air becoming inhospitable. An Irruption.

With that, the Ward quickly threw a confused Sarah onto her shoulder, sprinting away.

Leaving me behind. Isolated.

Looking around, I regretted not having my map.