It was a calm night.

That wasn't often the case in Babylon, even if it was a safe haven for spirit users. There was often a great deal of activity, whether from the students of Daedal Academy, or the various bustling marketplaces. The people here were a lively bunch. Perhaps they had simply been too lively the past few days, excited over the arrival of the Parker boy.

Garret Stone didn't really see what there was to be excited about. Sure, the mission had gone poorly, but in a world of spirits and demons it was bound to happen the odd time. The way he saw it, the fact that there was an unexpected second Awakening was the reason it went wrong. Even the great Conrad Rainier couldn't be perfect all the time.

The city guardsman fidgeted with his uncomfortable armor as he slowly walked the dirt roads of the small medieval subsection of his patrol route. He always felt it silly he needed to wear armor. He was essentially a police officer. Yes, Babylon had its traditions, but why he couldn't wear a simple officer's uniform was beyond him. And what was he going to do with a sword. He wasn't strong enough to channel his spirit energy into it. Although, he supposed his gun wouldn't do any good against a demon.

Babylon was safe, though. Demons couldn't get in. If anything, the only problem Garret would run into on a patrol was a group of rowdy teenagers who had too much pent up energy from the Academy. They often listened when the city guards asked them to disperse, though.

Kshh. "…Stone. Report in. Over." Kshh.

Garret stopped for a moment, reaching down and pulling out his radio transceiver. The spirit energy in the air caused most of them to go haywire, but the Magical Supports teacher at Daedal Academy had built some better ones. There was the occasional static sound, but other than that, communication was clear enough.

"This is Stone. All clear here. Over." Garret responded.

"We need a check on the blacksmith in Little London." Kssh. "Report of a lost kid. Over." Kssh.

Garret frowned, staring down at the tranceiver. "Missing person's report? Over."

"Not yet." Kssh. "Parents probably don't know yet." Kssh. "Just check the area in case. Over."

"Will do. Over and out."

Garret sighed as he turned, making his way towards the small blacksmith's forge down the road. This was almost surely nothing. Some people reported the smallest things in this city. It was too peaceful for them, and they would become somewhat squirrelly, thinking it was all too good to be true. Sure, there was crime and things went wrong, but it was dealt with so quickly and it was so rare that it was forgotten by the time anything else happened.

As he neared the forge, Garret pulled out a flashlight and channeled his Spirit Guide, allowing the breeze to lift him into the air. His spirit was a sparrow. Nothing strong, but useful in situations such as this to allow an aerial view of the area. Within moments, he was above the building, aiming down with his light to try and catch a glimpse of any movements.

It seemed that no one was in the forge, so if there was someone around, it wouldn't be the owner. The nearest houses were a ways down the road, too, so Garret wasn't sure who may have been reporting any sightings. Part of him wondered if this was simply a prank from the other guards. So bored in their daily routines they wanted to mess with him.

He pulled the tranceiver back out. "No sign of any movement. Over."

There was no response, and Garret tapped the device against his armor and tried again. Kssh. The static came out, but nothing else. He groaned, wondering if these new updated radios were no good after all. He gave it another tap and tried one more time.

"This is Stone. No sign of movement around the blacksmith forge. Over."

Kssh.

"Bloody useless thing." Garret placed the tranceiver back on his hip and began to glide back down towards the ground.

"Help." Kssh.

The unfamiliar voice coming from the radio stunned him, and Garret landed roughly, falling against the wall of the forge. He quickly plucked the device back from his hip and spoke into it. "Hello? Who is this?"

Kssh.

"Hello? State your name! This is Officer Stone. Over!"

Kssh.

Shaking his head, he snapped the tranceiver back on his hip and stepped away from the building, making his way back to the road. The voice had sounded almost like a child's, but perhaps he was just hearing things. It was probably just the device malfunctioning. That teacher would need to get back to work on fixing the damn things.

"Birrrdieee."

Garret froze. It was like a soft, melodic whisper. Almost like the breeze itself was saying it into his ear. He turned around, staring first back towards the building, then towards the road, and then towards some nearby bushes. He aimed his flashlight towards the bushes, but nothing was there.

He supposed it was him going squirrelly now. He didn't usually let things get to him like this, but perhaps with all the talk about the Parker boy's strange arrival, something had lodged itself into Garret's mind. And with the tranceiver malfunctioning, it only added to it. He would just finish his patrol and head home. There was nothing to worry about.

"Fly…fly…away…"

Garret felt a shiver down his spine. He closed his fist around the hilt of his sword. For some reason, that felt better than pulling out his gun. Perhaps that was why they carried them. Much less awkward than clutching at the holster of a gun.

"Is there anyone out there?" Garret called out, raising his voice and trying to add a commanding edge to it.

Kssh.

He eyed the radio at his hip, daring it to emit another sound of static. He would smash it to bits the next time it did. He didn't care if he got in trouble for it. The thing was getting on his nerves at this point.

"Stone!'

He jumped about a foot in the air before spinning around and drawing his sword. He raised it up, eyes wide with rage, prepared to take on whatever was in front of him. He was ready.

"Officer! Stand down!"

"Wha-"

Garret dropped his arm immediately, seeing his commanding officer approaching him, holding up his own tranceiver, shaking it. He seemed angry, and Garret was quick to sheathe his sword so as to not anger him further.

"These damn things seem to be out again!" the older man said. "Useless! Anyway, seems like nothing's going on around here. Finish up the patrol and then report in. I'll have another quick look and tell the civilians to shut the hell up."

"R-Right, sir," Garret said, saluting. "Thank you, sir."

"Get going!"

Garret nodded and quickly set off back towards the road he'd been on before. He couldn't help but sigh in relief as he made it back. He wasn't sure why. There was no reason to be worried. Just as his commanding officer had said, nothing was going on. Nothing ever seemed to be going on.

Nothing but that voice.

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

Cris groaned as Heidi and Finn helped him to his feet. He still felt weak, and from what the doctors said, he would still feel that way for a few days until he was used to moving around again. Nonetheless, he was finally being released from the infirmary. Somehow, he'd survived being impaled from a demon's claw, and even more miraculously, he'd recovered enough to walk again within two weeks.

One of the doctors supposedly had a mythical salamander of some sort as their Spirit Guide which aided the healing process. And spirit users themselves tended to heal faster due to spirit energy, suggesting that Cris was, indeed, becoming one himself. Regardless, Cris marveled at what had been done. It didn't seem right that he was on his feet again so soon. Not when David was…

"Hey...just one step at a time, okay?"

Cris looked up, noticing Heidi's gentle gaze upon him. He looked away quickly, though, not wanting to show another sign of weakness to these people. Regardless of what they'd done to help him recover, itwastheir fault he'd ended up in this situation. Itwastheir fault that David wasn't here. They'd screwed up whatever their mission was. They'd just...screwed up.

Taking a deep breath, Cris shrugged off Finn and Heidi, doing his best to maintain his footing on his own. He wasn't as surefooted as usual, but hecouldwalk. He'd been forced to get up and move around a little bit each day. The first time had been horrible, but by now he was ready. Hopefully.

"Where are we going? Rainier wanted me to go to his office, right?" Cris muttered, glancing at the others.

"Yeah," Heidi said hesitantly. "It's about our school. The Academy."

"He said it was called...Daedal Academy?"

Heidi nodded.

Cris wasn't sure what exactly he thought of this. Rainier had come to the infirmary a few times since his first visit. Sometimes it was a short visit, Cris not wanting to hear from him. When Cris was tired, however, Rainier stayed longer. On one such visit, he'd discussed the school for spirit magic users. A place to learn how to channel the power of Spirit Guides. A place to learn how to fight demons.

"I thought he said I hadn't...Awakened or whatever."

"It's not exactly that simple," Finn said slowly. "You're...unusual. You seem to be Stirring, and you haven't succumbed to Spirit Shock. At least...it doesn't look like you will. And you seem to have some kind of access to your powers. Your healing alone suggests that. And also..."

"Because I punched a demon in the head?" Cris rolled his eyes. "Don't think there's much to it, myself."

Heidi shook her head. "I saw it, Cris. You were able to channel spirit energy into that ball. And then you were able to use that to...fight."

Finn nodded in agreement. "Same thing with that glass with the other demon. You've definitely got some kind of power. The academy will help you learn to control it. You'll even figure out your spirit eventually. Then you'll gain access to some more specific abilities."

"Maybe I don't want that." Cris sighed, making his way to the door and slowly stepping out. The others followed in silence, none of them saying anything as they headed down the halls and towards the lobby of the infirmary. Nobody else was there, other than a secretary, which Cris was relieved about, so they weren't bothered as they stepped out the door and into the sunlight, gaining a better view of the strange city before them.

Cris had gone outside and seen the bizarre city a few times now. Nonetheless, it still baffled him as he looked upon it. It wasn't that it was beautiful, although he could not deny that it was. No, it was simply that it was strange. An amalgamation of the eras of civilization. In some parts were Greek columns or Roman arches. In others, Asian pagodas. The odd skyscraper, tall as any in the United States could be seen, along with sprawling, tightly packed stone houses mimicking the streets of European cities. On the outskirts there were even simple stone and wooden huts. In the center of the city, atop a hill, a palace where supposedly a king resided, a stone building known as "the Sanctuary", a collection of towers where the academy was located. And, at the base of the hill, a large coliseum.

"Honestly, I don't think I'll ever get used to it," Finn said, staring out at the city with an awed expression himself. "It kind of trips you out, doesn't it? The other spirit communities keep it much simpler and stick with one style."

"There are others?" Cris asked, his curiosity outweighing his distrust.

"Three that we know of," Heidi explained. "Asgard, Camelot and Alexandria. I've never met anyone from those communities. Not that Babylon is on great terms with them all the time."

"Things get complicated," Finn added, nodding sagely. "Very complicated."

Cris was curious about these other communities, but he figured he would learn more about them eventually. For now, he wanted to figure out what the heck was going on with Babylon. He may have seen the city from the infirmary grounds a few times, but this would be the first time he walked its streets. He didn't want to admit it, but he was a little nervous.

"So what's this place all about?" he asked. "Why is it so...all over the place?"

They began walking. Heidi and Finn moved slowly so that Cris could go at a reasonable pace. He was grateful, despite his slight twinge of irritation at being pitied. Heidi answered once they were approaching the first street, this resembling a Greek marketplace, many people dressed in old clothing, such as a chiton.

"Babylon was founded by some of the first spirit users. First, within theactualcity of Babylon you would have heard about in history." Cris shrugged. He had, obviously, heard about a Babylon. He hadn't particularly cared that it had the same name as this place, though. Heidi continued. "As time went on, the users would naturally migrate to the more populated and wealthy areas of the world. The 'center of civilization' you could say."

"So people have rebuilt the city every time?" Cris asked. "And how do they hide it? Pretty sure the folks in Washington would be all over this place if they knew about it."

Finn snorted at that. "It's hidden by barriers. There are all kinds of spirits, mythical and even non-mythical, that are capable of fortifying the place and hiding it. We're in the middle of the Rocky Mountains and someone could walk right up to this place and see nothing, and they'll immediately turn around and go in the opposite direction."

Heidi nodded when Cris looked at her in disbelief. "It's true. It's not that different from when Mara used her Siren Song. Other abilities can manipulate people into seeing things...differently as well. As for how the city moves...well...it really does move. It can teleport actually."

Cris was silent for some time after that, taking in the new information as they reached another road. This was more like a medieval village, with dirt roads and wooden homes. People were dressed in different clothing here as well. Still, signs of modern life were present. One boy, an old cloak around his shoulders and a wooden sword at his hip, was holding up a cell phone, texting, while a girl next to him in an old-fashioned gown, took selfies of herself with her own phone.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

"This is so weird," Cris muttered.

"It's just tradition," Heidi said with a laugh, noticing what Cris was staring at. "People here accept modern life, but Babylon is special. They stick to their roots by maintaining the old homes and streets and holding on to old culture. They still have things like TVs and internet, though."

"Is everyone here a spirit user?" Cris asked, watching someone in a yard up ahead lifting a boulder up with strength that very clearly no regular human could possess.

"Some," Finn said. "Definitely not all. It would be pretty chaotic if everyone was."

Cris frowned at that as they approached another new part of the city. This one was more Asian-inspired, the walls around some of the street actually appearing to mimic the Great Wall of China. "I thought Rainier said there was something called Spirit Shock."

"Well...yeah. But if you're born in the boundaries of this city, it's kind of like you're immune." Finn shrugged. "Just the way it is."

"Are people born here stronger because of that?"

"Not at all," Heidi said. "Just regular people. They just know about our world and are happy enough to live within it. And those who want to leave are free to do so."

Cris was impressed, despite everything else. The further they walked within the city, seeing the various cultures represented, the more incredible it seemed. It was an entirely new world to him, not only in terms of it being one of magic, but also in terms of the history represented before him. He only wished David could have seen this place.

The group was much quieter the rest of the way, Finn and Heidi only giving minor notes on certain areas they passed. It was a slow walk, the three of them taking many breaks to give Cris a chance to rest, but time seemed to pass fairly quickly. Eventually they reached the center of the city, the area more mixed, but still with a Roman flavor to it with the coliseum nearby.

As they approached the path leading towards the Academy, they were met by a pair who seemed to be waiting for them. One was unfamiliar, a tall boy with blond hair and dark sunglasses over his eyes, despite the area being somewhat shady. With him, was Mara, her characteristic smirk present as she noticed Cris and the others.

"Cris...good to see you up and about," she said, the boy next to her eyeing him like a piece of meat.

"I like to get on my feet as soon as possible, no matter what," Cris said, glaring back at Mara's companion. "Who's this?"

The boy smirked, holding out his hand. "The name's Levi. Levi Ofkus."

Cris shook his hand, but maintained his distance, not trusting the guy. "Cris Parker," he said back.

"Yes, I've heard. Sounds like you had a hell of a time." Levi's hand went to his sunglasses and Cris noticed Heidi and Finn squirming uncomfortably as he adjusted them slightly. "I'm looking forward to seeing what you've got to offer around here."

"I'll see if you guys are worth offering anything to first," Cris said darkly. "Don't hold your breath."

Levi chuckled lightly at that. "You're an interesting guy."

"You do need to work on your manners, though," Mara added.

"Nah, he's fine," Levi said. "As long as he knows his place." He shrugged a moment later. "Well, see you guys around." With that, he and Mara headed off in the opposite direction, leaving Cris and his companions behind.

Finn took a deep breath once they were out of sight, almost as though he hadn't been breathing during the interaction. "Jesus, Parker...don't go antagonizing Levi Ofkus, man."

"Didn't antagonize him. I was nice, actually."

Heidi bit her lip nervously. "Cris...what is...nice to you?"

"I shook his hand. Told him my name." Cris nodded. "I was quite friendly."

Finn groaned. "You've got no idea, dude. No idea."

"That guy's not scary. Sunglasses don't make you cool." Cris rolled his eyes. "Seems kind of lame to me."

Heidi sighed, placing her hand on Cris' shoulder. "You've got a lot to learn, Cris. Alotto learn. Levi's an S-Rank. And he's aMythical.He could kill you in an instant. I mean...he wouldn't do that. I don't think. But...he could."

"He killed a civilian once." Finn said. "It was a whole thing."

Cris eyed the two of them, unimpressed. "I punched a demon's head clean off. I can handle myself. I'm sure loads of people here have killed-"

"Cris Parker?"

"Huh?" Cris turned, looking up the steps towards the Academy towers, seeing a girl with bright, ginger hair and glasses. It was a fairly warm day, but despite that, she wore a beige sweater and appeared to be hugging herself tightly. She almost looked like a librarian in her getup. "What do you want?"

"My name is Rosalyn. Rosalyn Leroux. I'm here to bring you to Mr. Rainier's office." She was fairly stern-looking, but she attempted a small smile. It was a somewhat nervous one, however. "The...council will be there as well."

Heidi stepped forward, eyes wide. "Why is the council there?"

Rosalyn shrugged. "I'm not too sure. But Mr. Rainier did want to warn you, Cris. There's...some concern."

Cris rolled his eyes. "One problem after another. All right, let's get this done."

Their group headed up the steps, falling in behind Rosalyn as she began to lead the way up. As they walked, she glanced back curiously at Cris a few times. Eventually, after he started to anticipate her glances with a hostile glare, she finally spoke up.

"I'm sorry I haven't introduced myself until now. I should've come to visit you in the infirmary. I've just been busy." She attempted another smile, this one somehow more awkward than the last.

Cris raised an eyebrow. "I don't understand. Was I supposed to be expecting you?"

"Rosie's Rainier's assistant," Heidi explained, smiling. Apparently she was comfortable enough with this girl to be on nickname terms. "And the only S-Rank other than Levi. Even though she's a non-mythical."

Cris shrugged. "Okay, but why would you need to have visited me?"

"Well…" Rosalyn hesitated, but continued a moment later. "I helped plan your mission. I was the one to pick up on spirit energy in your area. I arranged the team with Rainier and…"

Cris sighed, noticing how beat up the girl seemed to be about it. She hadn't been there, though. Despite everything, he didn't think she deserved the blame. If anything, why had Rainier allowed a student to plan something like that mission. "You don't owe me anything." The others were silent upon hearing that, and Cris decided it was too awkward as they neared the towers, so he asked another question. "By the way...what's this S-Rank and A-Rank thing you keep mentioning?"

"Oh, that's our ranking system for proficiency with our abilities and our powers," Finn said, seeming happy to answer. "S-Rank is the highest, followed by A-Rank, then B, C and D. Most students are C or D, a few more are B and then a rare few are A. Only Rose and Levi are S-Rank. Elsa's an A. So is Mara..."

That didn't surprise Cris. Elsa had certainly been a pretty capable fighter against the demons. And Mara's ability was eerily powerful. "So what are you?" he asked Finn.

"I'm a C. I was hoping to get promoted after the mission, but…" Finn looked away uncomfortably.

"Right." Cris turned to Heidi. "And you?"

"I got promoted to C before the mission," she said. "I might get demoted back to D, though."

"Nah, you did what you needed to do. You kept a lot of people safe," Finn argued. "I'd like Mara demoted, though…"

"And how did you get all the way to S-Rank?" Cris asked Rosalyn, ignoring Finn and Heidi for the moment.

Rosalyn shrugged. "Just hard work, I guess. My Spirit Guide is an owl, so I...learn quickly. I'm a little ahead on things others may be slower with."

"So you're smarter than everyone else," Cris said, actually laughing somewhat at Rosalyn's modesty. "You outsmarted everyone on your way to the top."

"I...suppose that is one way of looking at it," she murmured. She glanced at Cris as they reached the doors to the nearest tower, her green eyes turning much more serious. "Considering that, please listen to me when I tell you this. The council may seem inconsequential to you, but they hold a great deal of power. Even one councilor against you is enough to make your life miserable. The king is essentially a non-factor, but still try to have him on your side. His vote will break any ties. Be careful, Cris. Something...unusual is happening here."

Cris swallowed nervously, hesitating despite himself. "What is this place? Maybe I shouldn't even be doing this if it's so...messed up."

"We'll be with you," Heidi said encouragingly.

"And Mr. Rainier is on your side," Rosalyn noted. "Just be smart."

"We've got your back, man," Finn added, slapping Cris on the back.

Cris sighed and then nodded, gesturing for Rosalyn to lead the way. They entered the tower and Cris immediately noticed the blend of ancient and modern once again. There were classrooms nearby, one appearing like one from his high school, and the other like some kind of ancient Greek scholar's den. He might've been tempted to glance at the other rooms nearby, but Rosalyn called the group to the elevator, which took them near the top, towards Rainier's office.

Once the ride was over, they stepped out and made their way down a small hallway, where Rosalyn paused and looked to Cris once again. "Ready?" she asked, raising a fist to knock. He nodded, hearing the voices inside come to a stop as Rosalyn's knuckles rapped on the door.

"Please come in," the familiar voice of Rainier spoke, and the group began to shuffle inside.

The office was fairly large, and like much of the city, blended old and new elements. It was not as disorienting as some parts of the city, though, and Cris was able to quickly turn his focus to the large, round table in the center of the office, where seven strangers sat with Rainier. One had a crown and an elaborate cloak, while the others were dressed in matching robes of a much duller variety. Presumably they were the king and the council.

"Council of Babylon and your highness," Rainier said, smiling at those around the table, "please allow me to introduce you to Icarus Parker."

Cris winced at the mention of his full name. How Rainier knew it was beyond him. He thought he'd managed to ditch it a long time ago. It was a weird name, and one he had no interest in keeping. The last, cruel, parting gift his parents had left him with upon abandoning him.

"Just call me Cris," he muttered, bowing towards the king and nodding to the council members. He hated doing it, but he noticed Rosalyn smiling slightly, clearly thinking it wise.

"I hear you've been through quite the ordeal, son," one councilor said, smiling kindly in Cris' direction. "Allow me to offer my condolences on the loss of Mr. Frater."

"We all regret his loss," another councilor said, bowing her head. They all followed suit. The king as well, who had appeared to be sleeping, nodding slightly and murmuring his own condolences.

"Thank you," Cris said awkwardly. He wasn't sure what else to do. "So...er…"

"I believe this meeting is about your future," the first councilor said, smiling kindly. "Despite the tragic circumstances of your arrival...you appear to be one of us." He stood, bowing his head. "Apologies. My name is Theron Voss. The senior of the council."

Despite his statement, he didn't seem all that old. Middle aged, sure, but Cris wouldn't have thought him to be "senior". Although as he took in the rest of the council, he noticed that they weren't particularly old-looking either. The youngest among them was a woman who seemed only a few years older than himself.

"Your circumstances do bring...trouble," another councilor spoke, introducing himself as Lucian Thorne. "Some among us have presented concerns about you."

"Concerns I hope shall be alleviated today," another man said quietly.

"I agree with Cecil," the young woman said, smiling in Cris' direction. "I see no reason to be too worried about adding to our ranks. This should be no different than any other student."

"You are quick to agree with Councilman Bennet on many matters, Councilwoman Frost," the other woman on the council said, eyeing Cris suspiciously. Despite her appearance, Cris had the odd feeling shewasquite old.

"No need to be so formal, Isabella. Just call me Eleanor."

"Oh what has come of this council! Professionalism matters, Councilwoman Frost. I am Councilwoman Drake to you!"

Eleanor rolled her eyes at that, while the last man besides the king, who appeared to have fallen asleep again, sat in silence next to her. Rainier's eyes fell on the man as well. "Councilman Blackwood," Rainier said, "I believe you have yet to speak on this matter. Perhaps you could get us started."

"Al never speaks till the vote," Eleanor said in exasperation.

"The boy is...dangerous."

Cris swallowed nervously. That didn't seem to be a good start. "Sorry, but I don't even know how to use magic so...I'm not really that dangerous." He felt Rosalyn nudge him, urging him to be quiet.

"Different is not dangerous," the councilor named Cecil said. "I understand your concern Alaric, but let's not presume the boy a threat just yet."

The senior councilor, Theron, chuckled heartily. "The boy said it himself. He can't even channel his spirit energy. And I see no sign of him wanting to harm us or the city. I don't see why there is even a debate about this."

"The circumstances are far too unusual to dismiss the matter!" Isabella snapped. Cris thought she was an old witch with the scowl on her face.

Cecil sighed. "Councilwoman, please. It was a demon attack gone wrong. It's happened before."

"I believe you were one of the more concerned among us by their reported coordination." Isabella slammed the table. "Something else is happening here."

"The boy is not involved!" Eleanor shouted. "What are you so worried about?"

"I've been around long enough to know that a change in the status quo with demons is a sign of very dangerous times ahead, young lady." Isabella did take a deep breath, however, calming herself somewhat. "I apologize for the outburst."

"The boy used magic." That was the quiet councilor, Alaric. Cris was a little creeped out by him.

The eyes of the council turned to Cris at that, and he realized he was supposed to address this. "I don't really know what I did. Mr. Rainier doesn't seem too worried about it, though."

"It may just be a quirk of his Stirring," Rainier agreed with a nod. "Given the stress of the situation and his friend's...passing. While it isn't something we hear of often, it does not mean it can't occur. We usually avoid civilian conflict in these matters."

"My only concern," Isabella said slowly, "is that the boy has some...power we can't predict. If it...changes something in the demons. Or if...they're after something and think he may know…"

"I don't know anything, lady," Cris said. Rosalyn kicked him in the shin. "Er...Councilwoman."

Eleanor stifled a giggle. "He seems fairly harmless. We've had kids come here capable of killing with a twitch of an eye. This boy is harmless. He needs us to learn and we need him if there is, in fact, something going on with the demons."

"Test." Cris couldn't contain his eye roll at Alaric's blunt remark.

"A test, Councilman?" Theron frowned. "To rank the boy?"

"Trigger."

The council went silent at that, and Cris looked to his companions curiously. "What's Trigger?" he asked.

"It's cruelty," Heidi said, surprisingly leveling a glare at Alaric.

"Outlawed," Finn said. "Almost like torture."

Cris gulped. That didn't sound pleasant. "Okay, look," he said, getting the council's attention. "I don't know what the big deal is, but all I did was see my friend's dead body, run from some demons and punch one in the head. Why am I scary to you?"

"It's not that exactly, Mr. Parker," Cecil said softly, appearing somewhat intrigued by Alaric's suggestion. "The circumstances are simply so unusual that there is concern about what magic is at play here. A magic...other than spirit magic. If you've been...affected by it in some way…"

"I am certain he is not tainted by such a thing," Rainier said darkly.

Cecil nodded. "Likely not, but Councilwoman Drake and Councilman Blackwood have reasonable concerns. I must admit that." He paused, sighing. "Still, this is largely a matter of a mission gone tragically wrong. We can investigate demons, but the boy…"

"The test...is not a terrible idea," Theron then spoke.

"I have misgivings regardless, but depending on what is proposed I could support it," Lucian added.

"A Triggering is illegal!" Eleanor said. "How could you consider that?"

"A monitored Triggering," Isabella suggested. "If the boy is Stirring, he may be gaining access to some of his power by the end of the month…"

"And if we know he is Awakened and he is guided by a spirit…" Cecil nodded. "The Academy Games?"

Rainier looked incredulous. "You want an untrained boy in the Academy games?"

Cris bit his lip. "Er...what's the Academy Games?"

No one answered him. Instead, Theron spoke up. "This may be the logical path. The boy can attend Daedal Academy and learn what he may in the meantime. He will be monitored. If he is indeed Stirring, his Awakening may be approaching by the end of the month in time for the games. And the games themselves may provide enough of a Triggering to finish the Awakening. We would then know he is guided by a spirit, untainted by dark magic."

"I don't love it," Cecil said, "but it may be the way. I vote in favor."

"We tow the line on our own laws," Lucian added, "but I vote in favor."

"In favor."

"Me as well."

"And me."

Eleanor was the lone dissenting voice, while the king didn't move. Rainier merely shook his head in disgust. "Cruel and paranoid," was all he said.

Cris, meanwhile, was nothing but confused. For some reason, he was seen as a potential threat. And for some reason, he was being subjected to some kind of...test. Did he have to be part of this? Did he want to be part of this?

He shoved his hands in his pockets, beginning to turn away. As he did so, he noticed his hand touching something. He'd forgotten it, but David's old cellphone was still in his pocket. He hadn't worn these jeans since that night so he'd forgotten.

David.

Cris clenched his fists, his gaze passing over the members of the council, Rainier, and finally the others. Heidi and Rosalyn looked confused, while Finn looked angry. Nonetheless, Cris couldn't help but smile, surprising them all as he spoke.

"Ah, what the hell. I'm in."