After our work was done, I led Vesper and the trio—Louvel, Temple, and Placid—out of the house. The cool evening air hit us immediately, making all of us shiver as we stepped outside.

I turned to the trio first, waving them off. "Go home, get some sleep, try not to cause problems."

Louvel grinned, shoving his hands into his pockets. "No promises."

Temple tilted her head, amusement flickering in her eyes. "You sound like a tired single dad."

Placid scoffed, "We’re not children, North."

I clicked my tongue, "Says the one who complained over missing Pilates."

Placid huffed, spinning on her heel and marching away, mumbling something under her breath. Louvel and Temple chuckled before following her.

With them gone, I turned to Vesper, handing her my number. "If you feel like something’s off, call me. “I’ll do my best to come, assuming I’m free. Meanwhile, if you’re in immediate danger, just call Henry’s name. He can… well, let’s just say he can practically teleport to you.”

Vesper nodded, cradling the black cat in her arms, the animal half-asleep, mirroring her own tired expression. The streetlights cast a warm glow around us as the sun had fully set, leaving the world wrapped in early evening shadows.

I pulled out my phone and booked her a taxi.

Then, out of nowhere, she asked, "Do you think I can come with you?"

“Where?” I asked, surprise slipping into my voice. “I’m not taking you home with me,” I added quickly, raising my hands in protest.

Vesper groaned, rolling her eyes so hard I thought they might get stuck. "Ugh, why are you like this?"

I muttered under my breath, "What do you mean, ‘like this’?"

Seriously. People always accused me of being the difficult one, but maybe—just maybe—it was everyone else who struggled to communicate like a normal human being. Why couldn’t they just say what they meant the first time?

Vesper sighed, exasperated. "I mean the investigation, genius. I finish school at two, and I’m free after that. So I can tag along."

I stared at her. "Why would you want to?"

She shrugged. "Because these people are after me, remember? Wouldn’t it make sense for me to be close to you? I’d rather not sit around waiting to be kidnapped."

I rubbed my chin, considering it for a second, before shaking my head. "You don’t have the training."

"I have instincts."

"You have a cat."

Vesper’s eyes narrowed dangerously. "Excuse you, Morgana is an excellent judge of character."

I glanced at the black cat. It stared back. Unblinking. Judging.

I suppressed a snigger. And they say I’m the weird one? It wasn’t my fault I kept running into the oddballs of the world. I raised an eyebrow at her. “How old are you again?”

“I never told you my age,” she replied flatly.

“Exactly.” I cut her off before she could add anything. “Because I don’t care enough to ask. So go home and study.”

I barked the words, letting my tone sharpen just enough to end the conversation right there. I’d learned that mirroring someone’s energy was often the fastest way to shut them down.

Vesper flinched—just slightly—before recovering, looking away as if she hadn’t just reacted.

“Whoa, no need to shout,” she said, her tone shifting to defensive. “I was just asking. Who knew people from Beyonder’s Academy were so arrogant?”

The cat in her arms hissed softly, like it was cosigning her attitude. I stared at the judgmental little furball, my patience dangling by a thread.

“Arrogant?” I repeated.

Oh, I had a lot to say about that, but I bit my tongue. No point in arguing with a child.

“You know my meta nature could actually be useful for your investigation?”

I tilted my head, giving her a sideways glance.

“Hmm?” My hum was purely noncommittal—just enough to let her think I’d entertain the thought, but not enough to actually encourage her.

“We’ll talk tomorrow,” I said curtly, not giving her room to argue.

Right on cue, the car pulled up, its headlights cutting through the dim streetlight glow. I stepped forward and opened the door for her, giving her a pointed look as I gestured for her to get in. Vesper hesitated, like she wanted to say more, but thankfully, she just exhaled sharply and climbed into the car. The black cat shot me one last look before curling up in her lap, its tail flicking dismissively, like it had decided I wasn’t worth its time. Which, frankly, was mutual. The car pulled away, and I rubbed my temples, sighing deeply.

What the hell was I even doing? Why was I beefing with a teenager and her overly dramatic cat?

I needed better hobbies.

After all my problems had finally left, I spent the next three hours with Henry, Gina, and Caleb, combing through AI feeds from relevant cameras, online forums, and scattered rumors. Despite our efforts, the task was proving to be more difficult than anticipated. The sheer volume of information was overwhelming, and separating useful leads from noise felt like digging for needles in a haystack.

At some point, Alex arrived back from the warehouse.

"Everything fine there?" I inquired.

"It’s been cleaned up," he replied. "I only scanned from afar, though. The City Protectors left two supers to guard the place."

I nodded, feeling a small sense of relief.

At least the situation there seemed under control for now. Hopefully, the City Protectors picked up on the memo we left behind. With any luck, they could start identifying the people involved and contact their families to put them out of their misery.

"Anything new on your end?" Alex asked, pulling out his phone and scrolling through it absentmindedly.

Gina groaned, slumping into her chair. "Define new," she said, messaging her arms.

Caleb stretched his arms, letting out a tired sigh. "We've been cross-referencing station blueprints with known abandoned structures, but even with AI sorting out, the data’s a mess. Too many dead leads, too much static. If I have to look at another grainy security feed, I’m throwing myself into the system mainframe and never coming out."

...

...

...

By the time we wrapped up at Caleb’s house, it was ten at night. We hadn’t made as much progress as I’d hoped, but at least we had a few solid threads to follow.

Tomorrow, I was going to start pulling at them—

And hope like hell they didn’t snap in my hands.

----------------------------------------

The next day:

Jade dragged me through the quiet hallway of the Academy library, her arm locked firmly into mine like a woman on a mission. I didn’t need to ask why—she was brimming with excitement, practically glowing with the sheer amount of fortune she was bleeding into her surroundings.

Just how much good luck the people in the library are enjoying right now? Probably...enough to boost their next test scores.

And the reason for all this was obvious. Today was the day Callisto had finally agreed to meet us. He was going to show us the imaginary world he was building, filled with characters he had stolen from all kinds of fantasy books. I wasn’t sure whether to be impressed or mildly concerned by the sheer scale of his endeavor, but either way, it was bound to be interesting.

“Jade,” I hissed, glancing at the rows of students bent over their books. “Calm down. I’m walking. You don’t have to drag me.”

She barely glanced back, her tone way too loud for a library.

“You’re too slow! Honestly, I don’t know why nothing seems to excite you.”

I huffed, matching her brisk pace. I realized, I was really being a too much of pushover and needed to teach this arrogant dragon a lesson to let her know who was the boss.

“That’s not true,” I argued. “You don’t know how excited I feel every morning just to see you.”

Damn it, why did my tongue betrayed me?

She froze mid-step. Her head snapped around, staring at me like I had just spoken the forbidden words of the universe. Her lips parted slightly, her usual brash energy faltering. For a moment, I thought she might actually blush—but then, as fast as the hesitation appeared, it was gone.

She huffed and resumed walking like nothing happened. “That doesn’t count.”

I blinked. “What? Why not?” I quickened my steps to keep up.

“Because it doesn’t.” She waved a hand dismissively, like she was declaring it law.

I stared at her, annoyed. “That’s cheating. Why?”

She abruptly stopped, spinning around to face me, clearly scrambling for an answer.

“Because…”

I raised an eyebrow, waiting. “Because what?”

Her face scrunched up in frustration. Her lips pursed as she thought hard, before finally letting out a frustrated huff. Then, as if annoyed with herself, she grumbled—

“Because… you love me, and that’s different.”

I stared at her, then slowly smirked.

“So love doesn’t count as excitement?”

The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

She opened her mouth, then closed it immediately, realizing her mistake.

A tiny, visible twitch of frustration crossed her face.

“…Shut up.”

I grinned, victorious.

"You just admitted it, though."

But before I could say another word, she moved. Quick as lightning. Soft. Fast. A sensual kiss—barely there, barely long enough for my brain to process what just happened.

“Happy?”

I froze, caught off guard. You just did not! Jade straightened just as quickly, her expression mischievous, her lips curling into a knowing smile. Without giving me a chance to recover, she resumed dragging me down the hallway, as if nothing had happened. I opened my mouth to protest, but the words wouldn’t come. My mind, usually sharp and quick to retort, was reduced to a blank slate. I was too stunned to argue, too soft to resist, and far too aware of the lingering warmth where her lips had brushed mine.

The arrogant dragon, it seemed, had also learned to scheme—and, worse, had discovered precisely how to control his greatest foe. How troublesome.

Yet, as much as I might have pretended to be annoyed, a quiet happiness bubbled inside me, impossible to contain.

I let her drag me along, my gaze drifting to her back. She seemed oblivious—or maybe she wasn’t—as she led the way with her usual cheerfulness. Her outfit, now that my brain had started functioning again, was so perfectly her. An oversized, multicolored speckled knit cardigan, its frayed edges giving it a laid-back, artsy vibe. Underneath, a brown lace-up sweater hugged her figure, the neckline dipping just enough to catch my attention without trying too hard. Her pleated brown skirt, worn over winter tights, swayed slightly with each step—

A small rhythm that somehow became impossible not to watch. I swallowed, forcing my gaze away before my thoughts went anywhere else.

She was a puzzle of contradictions—effortlessly chaotic yet meticulously charming.

And I couldn’t look away.

How utterly, ridiculously troublesome.

She stopped just as we reached the tall, arched doorway that marked the far end of the library. The doors, carved with intricate patterns of swirling stars and constellations, were an awe-inspiring sight. I had to admit, the location truly matched our purpose. This large, secluded room had been booked exclusively for the three of us to meet. It was obvious she’d gone through great lengths to arrange this, and I had to give her credit for pulling it off. I didn’t say anything, but she caught my glance and flashed a grin, clearly pleased with herself.

Inside, Callisto sat at a large brown table, an old, dramatic-looking book sprawled open in front of him.

The pages were yellowed with age, and the binding looked ancient, as if he’d deliberately chosen it to fit the theme of his presentation. The scene was almost theatrical.

Callisto himself was an intriguing figure. He was skinny, with a slight frame that might have made him seem inconspicuous if not for the sharpness of his eyes behind the thin metal frame.

The moment he spotted Jade, his face lit up with a wide smile. Jade, of course, didn’t hesitate—she strode toward him with confidence, like they were old co-conspirators meeting in secret. For a brief second, I wondered if they had. Had they met before this? Had they planned everything behind my back?

But Jade never mentioned anything to me, and I doubted she could keep a secret this elaborate without at least teasing me about it first.

Then again—

Knowing her, she might have threatened him into agreeing.

And honestly?

That seemed more likely.

"Finally," Callisto said, not even bothering to stand up to shake hands or something as we stepped into the room. "I was starting to think you’d gotten lost."

"Blame him," Jade immediately jabbed a thumb in my direction. "My boyfriend is allergic to being on time."

I denied, sliding out a chair for her to sit, "I’m not allergic to being on time. I’m allergic to being dragged around like a sack of potatoes."

Jade rolled her eyes, but didn’t argue.

Callisto wiped his glasses, “Well, you’re here now. That’s what matters.”

Jade let go of my arm, skipping over to the table. Her excitement was impossible to contain as she leaned over the edge of the ancient book. “So, this is it?” she asked, enthusiastically. “The world you’ve been building?”

Callisto eyes gleamed with pride. “This is just the beginning.”

I took my seat beside Jade as we both curiously stared at the book. Honestly, just from a simple glance, it looked like any other old book in the library. Curious, I shifted my perception, diving deeper into its Likeness. Yet, even then, all I could discern was a rainbow—a swirling, infinite spectrum of colors that defied description. Nothing else. It was beautiful but also utterly baffling.

I leaned forward, resting my elbows on the table. “So?” I pointed at the ancient-looking book in front of us. “Is your world inside that? How does it work?”

But, before his answer, my attention was attracted to Jade, who was fidgeting too much for my liking. She was already reaching for the book, fingers hovering just inches from the pages, like she was about to poke something dangerous just to see what happens.

Before she could, I grabbed both of her hands, locking them firmly in mine.

Jade flustered immediately. Her cheeks turned red, her composure slipping as she tried to pull back—but I held firm.

I leaned in, my voice low, meant for her ears only.

“Relax.”

She glanced up at me, caught between embarrassment and defiance, her body still tense—

But she stilled her hands.

Good.

I wasn’t about to let her curiosity trigger an unintended catastrophe. Not with Callisto’s meta nature involved.

Across the table, Callisto raised an eyebrow, watching our exchange. His gaze flicked from me to Jade, then back to the book. His expression was strange, like he was trying to piece something together, but I didn’t care. He already knew what kind of people we were. More importantly, he knew exactly what kind of people had trapped him inside that very book the last time. If anything, he had every reason to tread cautiously.

“Well,” Callisto pointed at the book.

“You’re right. This book is the new world I’ve been building. I call it the ‘Diary of Callisto.’” His voice gradually picked up elation as he continued. “At first glance, it might seem like just another book. But there’s a fundamental difference: this one is alive.”

“Alive?” Jade leaned in with awe. “How?”

“Yeah,” I added, my own curiosity bubbling up, infected by Jade's. “How exactly are you building this new world? I can see your handwriting on the pages, but I can’t make sense of the underlying rules and principles.

Callisto adjusted his glasses, the faint glint in his eyes revealing how much he relished the opportunity to share his work. It was clear he’d been waiting for someone who could appreciate his ideas without dismissing them as mere eccentricities. “It’s actually quite simple.”

He tapped the book lightly, his fingers lingering on the edge of the pages. “My secondary meta nature allows me to enter books. It lets me explore and navigate the worlds others have written—every character, every rule, every story.”

He paused for effect, “But my primary meta nature? That’s where things get interesting. It doesn’t make books themselves alive—it lets me bring characters out of the books. Into reality.”

Jade’s gripped the table edge as she leaned closer. “You can bring them out? Like, they’re here in the real world?”

Callisto nodded, satisfaction dancing both in his eyes and voice. “Exactly. I can summon them for a short amount of time. Most of them retain their powers, abilities, and skills from their original stories, which makes them incredibly useful. Imagine having the greatest warriors, sorcerers, or strategists from fiction fighting alongside you.” He gestured to the book in front of him. “This isn’t just a storybook. It’s an arsenal.”

I was skeptical, “That sounds… risky. What if one of these characters decides they don’t want to go back into the book?”

“Good question,” Callisto smirked, clearly anticipating the question. “That’s the beauty of my meta nature. I’m in control. As long as I’m the one bringing them out, they follow my rules. And when their time’s up…” He snapped his fingers. “They return to their stories like they never left.”

“And they actually retain their powers?” I took another glance at the book. “They can fight for real?”

Callisto nodded, his expression sharpening. “Yes… but there’s a catch,” he said, tapping the book lightly. “Their powers depend on how famous they are in the real world. The more well-known the character, the stronger they are when I bring them out.”

Jade tilted her head, “Famous? You mean, like… how many people know about them?”

“Exactly,” Callisto replied, adjusting his glasses. “Take someone like Santa Claus, for instance. Almost everyone knows who he is, right? Incredibly famous. That makes him very, very powerful.”

I squinted at Callisto, “Wait a second… have you ever brought Santa Claus out into the real world?”

Callisto’s confident expression wavered. His eyes darted away, and a faint flush crept up his neck. “Uh… well…” he mumbled, rubbing his eyes nervously.

Jade’s eyes lit up like a predator spotting prey. “Oh my God, you have!” she exclaimed, practically bouncing in her seat. “You totally have! Spit it out, Callisto—what happened? What was it like? Did he give you a present?”

“I—” Callisto stammered, his flustered state a stark contrast to his earlier composure. “Look, it was—fine. Everything was fine.”

“Fine?” I repeated, narrowing my eyes at him. “You’re acting way too suspicious for it to have been ‘fine.’ What aren’t you telling us?”

Jade leaned in closer, her grin widening. “Come on, Callisto. Spill. Now. We won’t let this go.”

He let out a long, resigned sigh, his shoulders slumping. “Alright, fine. Yes, I brought Santa Claus out once. But it was a mistake, okay? I didn’t mean to.”

Both Jade and I froze, staring at him in disbelief. “What was the mistake? What happened?”

Callisto sighed heavily, leaning back in his chair as if the explanation weighed on him. “Alright, look. Usually, I can control the characters I summon. That part of my meta nature is solid. But this… this is different. It’s not just about summoning them. To create my new world—the one inside this book—I couldn’t just pull any character from anywhere. If I did, they’d fade almost immediately, like ghosts disappearing into thin air.”

“So, what did you do?” Jade asked, her curiosity overpowering her initial shock.

“I either need the original or oldest existing copy,” Callisto explained, tapping the book in front of him for emphasis. “Characters from the first books ever written or printed by their authors. They’re stronger, more stable—they have roots, so to speak. If I put them into my book, they’d stay. That was the plan, anyway.”

A shadow passed over his expression. “At first, it worked. I tracked down as many original works as I could, taking their characters and transferring them into my new world. It was going well—too well. But then…” He trailed off, his voice faltering.

“But then what?” I pressed.

“There was a flaw,” Callisto admitted, his expression tinged with frustration. “The book world wasn’t complete. It’s only half-finished—a skeleton of a world, really. I thought it would be enough to hold them, but I was wrong. The most powerful characters… they realized the world was incomplete. It couldn’t contain them. And they escaped.”

“Wait, hold on,” Jade interjected, her eyes wide. “You’re telling us all these powerful characters just left? How many are we talking about?”

Callisto hesitated, clearly reluctant to answer. “At least two dozen,” he admitted finally, his voice a whisper.

For a moment, Jade and I were speechless, staring at him like he’d just declared the end of the world. Which, honestly, didn’t feel that far off. “Two dozen?” Jade echoed, her voice incredulous. “Two dozen powerful fictional characters are running loose in the real world, and you’re just now telling us this?!”

“I didn’t think it was relevant!” Callisto defended, throwing up his hands. The wooden chair groaned beneath him, “It’s been two months since they escaped. Honestly, It’s not like they’re causing trouble—most of them at least; they are keeping a low profile. Besides, I’m working on a way to bring them back.”

My mind raced with the implications. “You’re telling me there could be gods, warriors, or, I don’t know, dragons walking around out there, and no one’s noticed?”

Callisto flustered. “Look, they’re not stupid. The ones that escaped know how to blend in. They’re not going to announce themselves. And before you ask, no, I don’t know where they all are. Some of them vanished the moment they got out.”

“That’s insane,” Jade exclaimed. “What’s stopping you from just summoning them back?”

Callisto shook his head grimly. “That’s the problem. I can’t. These characters… they’re too powerful. They’ve broken free of the system. Unless I can track them down and either defeat them in a fight or convince them to willingly return to my book—or back to being lifeless characters—I’m powerless against them. They’re completely outside my control now.”

I stared at him, disbelief growing. "So you’re saying there’s nothing you can do."

Callisto’s shoulders slumped, his voice resigned. "Not without their consent or submission. And considering how powerful they are, getting either of those isn’t exactly easy."

The absurdity of the situation nearly made me laugh, but I held it in.

I glanced at Jade, my expression deadpan. "Well. Christmas is around the corner."

Her eyes flickered, caught off guard. "Huh?"

"Fourteen days left?"

She blinked, startled. "Yeah. Fourteen."

I shrugged. "Then we might meet him soon."

Jade’s reaction was immediate.

She clamped onto my arm like a vice, her silver eyes went wide, staring at me like I’d just handed her a portal to another dimension.

"This is… actually wild," she squealed, "Even wilder than what I’d normally think of doing!"

I sighed, letting her shake me in animation.

Callisto suddenly appeared very embarrassed, "This is exactly why I didn’t want to tell you guys."

Jade whipped around, "Are you kidding me? This is literally the best thing I’ve ever heard! Santa Claus is real—real and possibly a criminal?! This is incredible."

I exhaled, already regretting the chaos I was being pulled into.

Fourteen days until Christmas.

Fourteen days until we possibly ran into a rogue Santa Claus.