Fun Fact: Wands were the first type of ranged weapons to be constructed, long before technomagick was born. Initially meant as an offensive weapon, the magis quickly found out that this simple combination of materials was capable of much more than mindless violence.
Wands hold arcani within themselves and can be primed to perform fixed magical actions, ranging from detecting denatured arcani to firing rather painful bolts of energy.
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Dawn breaks as buses trundle through the now open gates that guarded the Guardian Council Headquarters. Felix watched as people stepped off the vehicle with all the enthusiasm of convicts being dragged to the gallows. The eyes were bleary, body heavy, and their limbs filled with a tiredness that went beyond the mere physical. Some were crying while others stared blankly into space, and children were held close to their loved ones with all the strength the adults still had left.
Felix turned back groggily, walking past the crowded entrance filled with refugees receiving everyday supplies from the public servants. He stole a glance at the supply crates. It had barely been a day into this crisis, and less than half their supplies were remaining. Though there were more well on their way here, he knew that the Guardian Council’s resources were far from infinite. They had to solve this crisis, and do it fast.
Light footsteps trudged towards him.
“Hey Aglaia, what’re you doing here?” Felix asked the girl. “It’s been a long night; get some rest with your family.”
“My parents have already settled in,” she said. “I want to help.”
“Good thing the Guardians tracked me down when they did.” He smiled. “It would have been several times more dangerous for me to transport your family here by myself.”
A sharp finger snap butted in rudely. He turned his attention to his Council leader, who was motioning impatiently for him to enter the meeting room.
Aglaia locked eyes with Cybele for a moment, before nodding meekly and running off back into the tents. Felix resisted the urge to roll his eyes, not even wanting to imagine the contents of their telepathic conversation. He followed his leader into the room.
“Guardians, thank you for being present,” a familiar voice said.
Felix looked around. Less than half of the Guardian Council remained, but at least Gaius and Kleopatra were present. He continued looking, and his gaze fell onto Mage Palladius Severan. The man was still clutching a bloodstained soft toy in his hand tightly.
A toy that belonged to his daughter. A keepsake that she brought along even to the Council’s family beach outing.
The slight scowl on Felix’s face quickly gave way to pity. As foul as that magi may have been, he did not deserve this.
No one did.
Felix muttered a silent prayer of condolences for his fallen colleagues, before turning his attention back to Sirius City’s President standing in front of the group.
“Full glad am I to see you returned here despite these dire conditions,” Warlock Alcaeus Vulcan continued. “As of twenty-two hours last night, an unknown phenomenon has occurred. Preliminary investigations reveal that the arcani in our very air itself has somehow been supernaturally corrupted. As far as we know, any attempts to synthesise magic from our surroundings have only resulted in a transformation into abominations.”
The crowd remained silent, clearly unsurprised by that information.
“We are still investigating the cause of the occurrence, but I have just put up a nationwide notice for all magis to refrain from casting magic. Metas are also encouraged to share their internal arcani with magis in case of medical emergencies. As for law enforcers such as yourself, all operation tactics will be modified to include our arsenal of technomagick weapons as well as close combat.”
Felix furrowed his eyebrows. It had been ages since anyone in the Guardian Council brought ranged weapons to operations. Were they even capable of wielding one now?
“The United World Alliance is still waiting for my report, so I shall take up your time no longer.” Vulcan clasped his hands as he turned to leave. “Brave heroes of Sirius City, I’ll now leave the details of your operations in the capable hands of Cleric Cybele Vulcan.”
His presidential robes flowed elegantly behind him as he left the room briskly.
“Ahem.” Cybele clapped her hands to bring attention back to herself. “I have but only one mission for you.”
She pressed a few buttons, conjuring a presentation on the nearby screen.
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“For simplicity’s sake, all transformed magis will be referred to as ‘abominations.’ Our job is to rescue stranded civilians and destroy these abominations. Now, I must stress the importance of proceeding with caution. Abominations have unpredictable physical characteristics, and are more than often as tough as an armoured landship. Although our priority is to kill them, do not hesitate to retreat if necessary-”
“Hold on. Kill them?” Gaius’ voice asked incredulously. “That’s the priority?”
“Yes, Sorcerer Deusdedit.” Cybele tilted her head in annoyance. “Do you have a problem with that?”
“Yes, in fact. Yes, I do.” His voice sounded abnormally defiant. “Transformed or not, they were civilians. Shouldn’t our priority be search and rescue, while leaving the abominations as they are so that they can still be saved?”
“Are you questioning your leader’s tactics?” Cybele retorted. “Do you know how to save them? These people are gone; it’s a lost cause. It’s more merciful to grant them a swift death instead of holding onto a vague hope.”
“But-”
“Enough. I will hear no more of that rebellious attitude.” The Guardian Leader rubbed her temples. “We have a job to do here, so I suggest you listen to your leader instead of finding fault in my plans.”
Felix jumped and turned around at the sound of the door bursting open. Gaius had his foot halfway out, and a shocking amount of anger was etched on his face.
“No.”
“Gaius!” Cybele screamed, slamming the table. “General office. Two minutes. That’s an order, Guardian.”
“Tch. Yes, Ma’am.” Gaius let go of the door handle and walked out of the room.
“You’re dismissed for now, everyone.” Cybele lowered her voice, although it was still very obviously trembling. “Kleo, do me a favour and distribute the mission briefing files to everyone later.”
Movement shuffled as the Guardians made for the exit awkwardly, keeping their mouths shut just in case they incurred the wrath of their already simmering leader. Felix stole a glance at the badly dented door handle, and looked at Gaius’ shadow waiting in the opposite room.
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“Look, Gaius. I don’t know what’s up with you, but I really don’t appreciate this attitude of yours. Your drill attendance has been piss poor, you only show up for simple operations, and now you question me in front of all the Guardians. Keep this up and this is going to reflect poorly on your yearly appraisal.”
“Don’t bother, Cleric Vulcan. Because I quit.”
There was a sharp crack of paper smacking against wood.
“Is this some kind of joke?” Cybele’s voice trembled, reading the resignation letter that Gaius had just thrown on the table. “You’re leaving? After everything you’ve been through with the Guardian Council?”
“Comedy isn’t my forte, Cybele.” Gaius placed his badge on the desk as well. “The Guardian Council doesn’t align with my own values, and I’m tired of pretending that it does. I will no longer take part in Guardian activities.”
“You have terrible timing, Deusdedit.” Cybele pushed the badge back towards him. “We’re literally facing an apocalypse now. Can’t you just wait until all this is over?”
“I’ll still help the Council as a responsible citizen, but I do not wish to be subject to its jurisdiction and be a weapon of the state anymore. Please respect my decision, Vulcan.”
“Dammit, what’s wrong with you?” She huffed loudly. “Didn’t your fight with Benedictus teach you anything about responsibility? You’re always making my life so difficult-”
“Stop. Or choose your next words very carefully.” A strobe of energy ran through Gaius as he turned away. “Find my replacement, or don’t. It’s none of my business anymore.”
Felix’s eyes met Gaius’ as the ex-Guardian walked out of the door. Kleopatra popped her head out from behind Felix as well and smiled awkwardly. Gaius stopped for a moment, before lowering his head and walking off.
“H-hey, Gaius.”
“Look, Kleo. If you’re here to convince me to stay, save your breath,” Gaius said curtly.
“Now, now. There’s no need to be rude to us too.” Felix folded his arms. “We just care about you.”
“Appreciate it, but I can take care of myself.”
“Truly? Where are you going to go now?” Kleopatra grabbed his arm. Felix raised an eyebrow; he had never heard Kleopatra speak in such a gentle voice before.
“I don’t know,” Gaius replied with a faraway look in his eyes. “I guess I’ll stay here and take care of the refugees in the meantime. My schoolmate could use some emotional support.”
“Your schoolmate? You mean that girl who was in the building with you?” The slightest hint of a pout flashed over Kleopatra’s lips, but Felix caught it anyway.
“Parthena, yes.” Gaius nodded. “Now, if you will excuse me.”
Felix waited for Gaius to be out of sight before approaching the dejected girl.
“Y’know, lady. If you like someone, best to let them know before someone else snaps him up. Especially when he’s as good looking as he is.”
“What?” Kleopatra looked away from Felix to hide her rapidly blushing face. “M-mind your own business, Felix.”
Felix watched with an amused look on his face as the girl quickly ran off.