Fun Fact: Humans have already developed enough technology to reach the stars, although they are still too embroiled in their own affairs to venture into the celestial realm. Government funded organisations have already conquered the moon, and some have even detected other lifeforms on distant planets.

They left them alone.

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The suit was surprisingly comfortable for something that looked like it belonged to an astronaut. The only problem was that it was airtight, and the summer heat creeping into Sirius City was not helping. Felix turned to the blue suit still examining herself beside him.

“Hey, how come your suit’s blue in colour?” he asked. “It was grey before.”

“Why is yours pink?” Kleopatra asked him in return. “Huh? Everyone’s suits changed their colour!”

“Because it’s designed by yours truly,” Cicero chimed in. “Simply speaking, the suit uses your own arcani to nullify any incoming magic and act as a protective shield at the same time. That way, people won’t have to worry about accidentally using magic.”

“So why are we wearing this now?” Gaius complained. “It’s boiling in here.”

“It’s just a precaution. We don’t know if Aglaia’s listening in with her telepathy.”

“I sincerely hope you’ll tweak the design, Atlas.” Vulcan flapped his bright red arms like a penguin. “We look like space crew members who fell in a paint bucket.”

“At least we’re still pretty mobile in this.” Cybele hopped around.

“What’s the point of doing this?” Felix groaned. “The moment we take off our suits, we leave our minds vulnerable to whatever plan we had just discussed.”

Cicero grinned, gesturing like an excited boy. “Here’s the neat part. Whatever happens in here will be imprinted onto the arcani on your suit. You’ll ‘remember’ what happened, but only because your arcani has attuned to it. The memory does not exist in your brain.”

“So our souls ‘remember’ what happened, but not our mind?” Felix scoffed. “That’s remarkably convenient.”

“Our country has a great many secrets,” Vulcan said. “I believe this technology was developed during Benedictus’ time to protect his Secret Service agents from any telepathic espionage.”

“Indeed.” There was a muffled thud as Cicero clasped his hands together. “So Guardians, what is your plan to neutralise the target?”

Neutralise…

Felix pursed his lips slightly. It was such a callous word. So cold and reductive. Aglaia wasn’t a mere wild beast to be gotten rid of, nor was she a simple mission objective. She was a frightened little girl. A girl with hopes and dreams. A girl who was consumed with fear and despair. Who were they to decide if she should live or die?

“...But even if that all works, we still need someone to scout out the place for us.” Cybele’s voice wafted through his muddled thoughts. “Especially since we’re wearing the suit to prevent her from possessing our minds, we’re at a severe disadvantage without our arcani to protect ourselves.”

“Aglaia knows all of us here.” Kleopatra nodded. “We need someone she isn’t on guard for, and can slip in and out easily.”

“Like a rat,” Gaius added. “Or an insect.”

Everyone was bowing their heads, deep in thought. Felix decided to speak up.

“I know a guy.”

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Felix heaved a sigh of relief as the familiar turquoise hair came into view. He silently thanked the Heavens. Of all the people who had already left, the one he needed the most didn’t. He approached the meta.

“Hey homie!” Nero exclaimed, spreading his arms as though greeting an old friend. Felix declined the hug politely. It was nothing personal, but he was in no mood for such greetings at the moment.

“Heard you got injured in the outbreak,” the boy said. “Are you doing fine now?”

Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

“Ah, it was nothing much. I just got smacked around for a bit, that’s all.” Nero flashed a toothy grin as he pumped his chest enthusiastically. “We metas are made of sterner material than that, right?”

Felix smiled wryly. The man was lively, if nothing else. It wasn’t exactly a bad thing, but what this mission required was someone with a cool and level head. And he had not known Nero long enough to know if he was up for it.

But what other choice did he have?

“Listen, Nero. I have a favour to ask of you.” He took a deep breath before beginning. “The Guardian Council is on a mission to capture the source of this calamity, but we need someone who can scout the area for us undetected. Although you won’t be expected to engage, the place will be crawling with abominations. I know it is exceedingly dangerous, but trust me. I wouldn’t be troubling a civilian if I had a choice.”

Nero fell silent as he looked at his family, and Felix’s stomach sank.

He knew it. He should’ve just listened to his common sense. What sort of person would risk his life yet again for a peacekeeping organisation barely holding itself together? How naive could he get? He was a fool to expect otherwise-

“It’s an honour to help the Guardian Council,” Nero said, all traces of playfulness in his voice giving way to determination. Felix looked at him in surprise as the man’s family nodded their heads encouragingly as well.

“The others were fools to leave this place,” Missus Doukas added. “There is no safer place as long as we’re with the Guardian Council.”

“Are you sure?” the boy asked. “This is going to be dangerous. We cannot guarantee your safety-”.

“You have risked your lives countless times for us,” Nero replied. “Hell, my wife and child would still be stuck in that freezing winter if it weren’t for your sacrifice. We owe you much more than this. It’s the least I could do.”

Felix felt as though he could have burst into tears of gratitude right there and then, but he quickly calmed himself down. The hard part was yet to come. He placed his hands on the man’s temples.

“What’s this again?” Nero asked.

“I’m employing a mind block. It’ll render your brain activity invisible to telepaths, as long as she doesn’t look too hard.”

“Woah… that sounds impressive. You’re done?” Nero touched his head gingerly. “I didn’t feel a thing.”

“You’re not supposed to; the brain doesn’t have pain receptors.”

“Nero.” His wife called out to him before he left with Felix. “Stay safe, my dear.”

He nodded.

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Cybele was finishing her briefing on the upcoming mission when Vulcan felt a small vibration in the back of his robes. He fished the phone out, staring at the unknown caller for a good five seconds.

Suspicion crossed his face. This was his private phone; one with layers over layers of security and encryption. Who on Earth managed to get a hold of its glyph signature?

The man silently slipped out of the briefing room and glanced at his phone once again. It was still ringing. Whoever was on the other end of the line was not only resourceful, but persistent as well. Vulcan took a deep breath and put the phone to his ear.

President Vulcan, it is a pleasure to speak with you once again.

Vulcan’s eyes narrowed even further. Even though he was not familiar with the caller, that accent was unmistakable.

“Your Highness,” he replied to the King of Hydrus City.

You must forgive me for intruding on your private time, President. I am sure you are a very busy man, but I would not be calling if it was not a grave emergency.

“I have deduced just as much,” the President said. “What’s the matter?”

I have received rather alarming news from my finest scouts. The United World Alliance has decided to shift your deadline forward. I am sorry, but you only have until tomorrow to solve your crisis.

Vulcan’s stomach lurched, and then sank in despair. Of course the UWA would pull off something sneaky like this. This wasn’t fear or precaution; this was pure spite and pettiness for daring to challenge their sovereign authority.

As King of the country that created this bomb, I am deeply sorry. Hydrus City is a small country; I am not able to go against their wishes by myself. I fear it may be too late to evacuate your people, but the best I can do is to warn you when the alliance will send their payload. I believe you have the necessary weapons to shoot them down from the skies.

A long breath escaped from Vulcan’s lips as he released his clenched fists.

“No words can express my gratitude to you for providing me with this information, Your Highness,” he spoke firmly. “I will do what is necessary.”

You are welcome, President. Surone is a beautiful place, and you are a good man. I wish not to be the reason for its demise. I will also be closely observing the arcani readings of Surone. Should the ancestors grant you favour and rid your country of this plague on time, be rest assured that I will be the first to call for a ceasefire.

The line cut off, leaving the man leaning against the wall, deep in thought.

Vulcan let out a sigh of disappointment. As much as he relished being on the field again and fighting side by side the Guardian Council, more important duties were awaiting him now. He had to make a choice.

The door slid open again, drawing the attention of everyone in the room this time. Warlock Vulcan walked to the front and gave everyone a deep bow.

“Sorry everyone, but I have to excuse myself from this mission.”