Fun Fact: There are three main realms; Heavenly realm, Mortal realm, and Hell realm. They are connected by Purgatory, a separate domain which encompasses all three of them. Deities live in their individual domains within each realm. They can move freely within their own realm, although the more powerful ones are able to break the barriers and cross realms.
~ ~ ~
The small army of metas marching up the stairs was not an impressive sight at first glance, but they were intimidating nonetheless. Gaius followed the group silently alongside Kleopatra, their hands encased in some sort of technomagick handcuffs. The woman leading them did not look physically imposing, but the air around her was practically shimmering with confidence. Isis waved her hand casually, and the five-metre-tall door transmuted into a small puddle of water.
"Haven't you ever heard of knocking?"
Gaius looked at the solitary man sitting on top of a flight of stairs that looked like they were constructed for giants instead. He was leaning on the armrest of the golden seat, and a slight smirk hung on his face. Gaius couldn't help but swell with admiration. Despite having a desk bound job now, that man was still such a badass.
"All alone eh, Mister President? And not a single guard outside to stop us." Isis waited for him to make a move. "You're either a truly noble man or a fool to value their lives over your own."
Vulcan leapt from his seat, landing in front of the unflinching woman in a single bound.
"You're still pretty spry for an old geezer," the Meta Liberty Fighter said. "But that won't save your daughter."
The metas took the cue to shove their hostages to the front. Gaius stole a glance at Kleopatra, who was looking more defiant than afraid.
"What do you want, Nikolaou?"
"Straight to the point. I respect that," Isis said with a slight smirk. "We want justice and equality for our kind. For too long have magi-kind hoarded resources for themselves, denying us metas our fair share. Return to us what is rightfully ours."
"And how are you going to quantify that?"
"Eighty percent," she replied sharply. "Magis are powerless now, and the responsibility falls to meta-kind to steward our world. It's not unreasonable for us to demand compensation."
"Eighty percent of our resources, even though metas only make up about twenty percent of our country's population?" Vulcan raised an eyebrow. "Fair enough. I was going to pass a policy to allocate more resources to metas anyway. Changing the amount... should be no big deal."
Gaius' mouth hung in shock at the President's casual response. He could not tell if Vulcan was being serious, or if he was merely humouring the meta terrorist.
"I'm not finished," Isis snapped. "You look way too comfortable in that seat of yours, surrounded by your fellow magis. I want an equal seat to your position."
Vulcan frowned.
"Slow down there, lady. I have already passed a bill removing restrictions on metas taking up government positions," he said. "Rest assured that metas will be given a fair chance to run for Parliament seats like everyone else."
"That's not what I asked for."
"I cannot simply give you a Presidential seat without due process. But if you truly wish for the betterment of your kind, I am more than willing to work with you."
"You owe us!" Isis exploded in anger, pulling Kleopatra's hair roughly. "The sins committed by magi-kind must be repaid to me! I don't want to work with you; I want the Presidential seat!"
Warlock Vulcan's face darkened, but he broke into a small chuckle.
"You see now, Felix?" He raised his head, shouting towards the ceiling. "There never was any intention for charity. All that was ever present was her lust for power."
"What?" Isis looked around wildly, before spotting the psychic standing on a ceiling beam. He was not alone. Several figures dressed in all black were standing around the ceiling as well, and they seemed to be led by a red-haired lady.
Gaius' mouth dropped in shock. Is... is that Cybele?
"H-how...?" The Meta Liberty Fighter breathed; bewilderment plastered all over her face as she stepped back slowly.
"I was a fool to believe that you ever had any good intentions, Isis." Felix landed hard, kicking up the dust on the ground. He walked menacingly towards the retreating lady.
"It's over, Nikolaou." Cybele dropped to the ground behind her, accompanied by the mysterious men. "You've lost your bargaining chips and your strongest weapon."
"Just in case you're still confused," Vulcan joined in. "The Secret Service has been watching you ever since you took two of my Guardians as hostages. And unfortunately for you, Cleric Vulcan isn't one to take things lying down. They launched the true rescue operation right after you left. You are in no position to make demands now."
Isis was shaking in anger now.
"You...You think you're so clever, huh?" She seized Kleopatra roughly by her cuffs and pulled out a device with a red button on top. "You're forgetting I still have her! I'll fuck her up! I swear, I'll kill her dead-"
The technomagick cuffs shattered just as the woman pressed the button. She choked, grasping at her throat futilely as a pink energy slowly lifted her into the air. The rest of the metas moved to seize Kleopatra-
"Don't move!" Felix roared, freezing the rest of their bodies as well. "I'm giving you one chance. Go back to your pathetic hiding holes and never bother us again."
The psionic bindings released them.
"Like hell I will!"
Spikes jutted towards the psychic, and he burst off the ground before they could reach him. Gaius somersaulted as well, avoiding a spear of light thrown in his direction. He growled as energy shot up his spine again.
Tch, about time. Let's dance.
The sorcerer leapt forward, leaning to the side to avoid another beam of light. Energy spiked out from his body violently, blasting his foes away from him. Gaius rushed into the skirmish, flinging bodies around with his new strength.
A barrage of knives perforated his body without warning, causing him to roar in pain like a wild animal. He breathed heavily, searching for the culprit.
"You little shit! I see you!" he yelled, charging towards Isis. Columns of concrete rose from the ground, but he broke through them anyway. That woman was going to pay for catching him off guard.
"That's pathetic! You can't stop us!" His distorted voice tore through the commotion, and Gaius punched Isis cleanly in her gut. He grinned in satisfaction as he felt a couple of bones snap above his fist.
Pink energy flashed as more men rained all around him. The boy ignored them, taking his time to saunter towards the woman. She was coughing blood, pulling herself weakly away from him. A sadistic smile curved his lips as he aimed a red-hot energy bolt at her.
"Leader, look out!"
The energy burst from the sorcerer's hand, blowing a large hole through the human shaped piece of steel who had pushed the woman aside. The meta collapsed as Isis screamed, shaking the man's lifeless body.
"Hmph. Talk about a pointless death..." Gaius kept his glowing gaze on the woman, raising his hand again.
"You murderer!" Isis cried out in anguish as spears materialised in the air, flying towards him. The boy flipped around, dodging the projectiles before catching the last one casually. He dropped it to the ground as he opened his mouth to reveal the energy pooled in it.
A knee met his face without warning.
Concrete crumbled in a corner as the energy blasted into a pillar instead. Gaius swung a fist blindly, but it only met air.
"Leader, we can't beat them. We must away!"
He whipped his head to the source of the voice and found a young man helping Isis to her feet. The sorcerer growled in irritation and quickly raised his hand at them, but they disappeared in a flash of light again.
Gaius looked around frantically, and found them crouching beside another wounded meta. Several flashes of light continued, and the parliament hall was soon cleared of the Meta Liberty Fighters.
Or at least, what remained of them.
Felix landed gently beside him; his eyes glowing as he lumped the corpses together. The rest of the magis slowly came out of their hiding place as well and tended to the wounded. Gaius powered down as he made for the exit without another word.
A clatter of footsteps from behind stopped him in his tracks.
"Gaius... I'm really worried about you." Kleopatra pulled his arm. "Please come back with us. We'll fix your problems together."
"There is nothing wrong with me." Gaius' voice was back to normal, although his tone was still as harsh as ever. "You fell for the wrong guy."
"No, I didn't. I know I didn't!" Kleopatra insisted. "You... you're just going through something..."
Her voice was beginning to crack.
"Wherever you go, I'll follow." Her eyes were brimming with tears. "Whatever you choose to do, I'll support you. Please Gaius, let me be with you..."
Gaius kept his silence.
"Far be it for me to butt into personal matters, but Kleo is right." Felix walked up to him. "The Guardian Council could use all the help we can get, even from a civilian like you. I am well aware that your powers are unstable at the moment, but I know we can count on you anyway."
"Fine, I'll return with you. But stay away from my magic."
~ ~ ~
Gaius reached the Headquarters earlier than everyone else. After all, he was no longer subjected to the dreary jurisdiction and administrative procedures of the Guardian Council. He took his time walking to the common room. Though his footsteps were heavy, he never felt emptier.
The boy rushed forward, supporting a heavy toolbox before the girl lost her grip on it.
"That was close. You alright, Parthena?" Gaius propped the box back onto the table before turning to his schoolmate. Although darkness still lingered in her face, she was looking a lot better now.
"I am." Parthena paused, taking a moment to look at him in concern. "But are you okay? You look... a little scary."
"Do I?" The boy chuckled, waving his hand dismissively. "Nah, I'm feeling great."
"Gaius... It's not your fault. Bad things happen."
Gaius' eyes hardened briefly. Of course bad things happen; that's why he needs to fix them. And he has to stop making these mistakes anymore, or he will not be able to protect anyone.
He felt her hand lead him out of the room.
"Remember when you gave me this flower?" The girl pressed something soft into his palm. Gaius glanced at it. The flower had long wilted, though its lustre did not fade. He pursed his lips; yet another reminder of his failure to save the Druid leader.
"Pity people aren't as lovely as flowers, you said." Parthena's voice was gentle, yet it remained strong on the inside. "You were right."
The boy looked away.
"Life disappoints, because people fall short," she continued. "But that doesn't mean you have to give yourself up. You're going through something terrible, that much I can tell. I really wish I had the strength to help you through it, but I know I don't."
Gaius closed his eyes painfully.
"You risked your life for me. You rescued me even though you only knew me for a day," Parthena said. "You're my hero, Gaius. And gods, how I yearn to be a hero for you right now too. So let this flower be a promise from me to you. A promise that I will always strive to be like you, no matter how scared I am."
He received the flower from her.
"And let this flower be a reminder for you," She squeezed her eyes shut and bowed her head. "That no matter how dark your world may seem, I will always be cheering you on. Even if it may seem like you've failed, know that you'll always be a hero to me."
"Thank you, Parthena." The boy kept the flower in his robes and embraced her tightly.
"I really needed that."39Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXOrxsdnPgl
