Current Day
Another week passed, and life returned to something resembling normal for Max. Things had settled down, and Max went back to sparring with Ren every day, as well as training his Flux control with Devon. They started patrolling again, but it was eerily quiet now, with Ninth Ring related incidents being fairly rare, and they were usually out of Max's patrol range when they did happen. These days, he heard more about the recent serial arsonist on the loose, which the police department had tried and failed to catch multiple times now. Luckily for Max, the Association is only required to deal with Flux related incidents, so it wasn't his problem. Max was steadily getting better with his staff, and his reinforcement could now withstand Ren's merciless attacks, leading to their matches becoming more strategic battles, rather than a desperate struggle to survive. Max had finally managed to adjust to this life, and he settled into a routine. Until he was summoned by the Director. An official approached him during a break in his training, informing him that Director Edris herself was requesting his attendance for an important meeting. "What's it about?" Max asked, and Ren looked over as well, obviously curious too. "I don't now, Calder. They don't tell me anything around here." Ain't that the truth, Max thought, before getting up and starting off towards the door. "Good luck," Ren called after him, and Max gave her a thumbs up.
The office looked nothing like Max had imagined. It was drastically different from the cold, soulless grey halls of the rest of the building. Instead, it had warm lighting, comfortable looking furniture that was clearly expensive. There was a soft fur rug in the middle of the room, and a beautiful painting of a cottage by a frozen lake on the wall. A cup of tea sat on the side table by a couch, steam curling gently into the air. Director Edris stood when he entered the room. She greeted him warmly, as if they'd known each other for years. "Welcome, Max. I've been wanting to meet you in person for a while now." She looked to be in her late fifties, tall with her graying hair tied in a tight bun, held in place with a long spike. She wore a tan suit, cut perfectly, with a small Association insignia pinned to the left side. "Uh- Yeah, nice to meet you, ma'am." Max managed to get out. Despite her pleasant demeanor, there was something suffocating about her presence, as if Max were a mere insect to her. She gestured to the other couch. "Sit. Please." Max sat, his staff resting against the arm of the couch. "Care for some tea?" She asked, tilting her head. Max thought for a second, before shaking his head. "No thank you, ma'am." "Suit yourself," She responded, before taking the seat across from him, and picking up her tea.
"So, how are you recovering?" Edris asked, tone kind. "I heard about the… complication at the warehouse." Max's stomach tightened. Complication? I almost died! He thought, but he kept his composure. "I'm fine, Ren got it much worse." Her gaze hardened a bit. "Oh yes, I got the report about that. I can't say I was too pleased to find out that two of our senior agents not only failed a simple mission, but also came back seriously injured." The Director lifted her cup and sipped. "You, on the other hand, I'm very impressed with." Max kept his face neutral, but couldn't help but feel a bit of pride. "A quick learner. Good instincts. High attunement to Flux. You've got some serious potential." She paused, taking another sip of her tea. "At least that's what Astor tells me." "Really? I didn't know he thought so highly of me." Max responded, surprised. He knew he'd been improving, but didn't think it was enough to get Devon's attention. "Yes, well…" She started to say, before cutting herself off. "Anyways, I didn't call you up here for idle chatter. We have a situation." Max looked up. "Oh?" She nodded, and her warm tone shifted into the one of professionalism everyone else always used. "I'm sure you've heard about the recent fires on the news," The Director set her cup down. "The police department believes that they were all started by an arsonist. The weird thing about it though? They didn't find traces of any known materials commonly used for starting fires. One of our agents did, however, notice something out of place at the sites." I think I'm starting to see where this is going… Max thought. "Let me guess. Flux residue?"
"Exactly. It could be a rogue flux user, or it could be a demon, but either way they need to be stopped. The goal is to capture the arsonist, or eliminate them if an arrest isn't possible." Max sat in silence for a minute, clasping his hands together. "What does that have to do with me though? Isn't that an assignment you'd give to Devon?" "Based on your rapid growth, and Devon Astor's… lackluster performance in the last mission, I have made the executive decision to give you, and only you, this mission." Max's eyes widened, but before he could respond, she continued. "You will be given absolute freedom to come and go as you please, as well as access to any records or camera footage we have on the matter. I understand that this is a big leap for a beginner, but I have faith that you will succeed." "A- Are you sure, ma'am? I don't know if I'm the best choice for this," Her gaze went cold. "Are you questioning my judgement, Calder?" "No, of course not ma'am! I'm truly grateful for the opportunity." The director smiled, but it didn't reach her eyes. "Good. That will be all, you can return to your training now." Max left in a hurry, determined to never see that side of the Director again.
Outside, in the crisp winter air, Max tried to brainstorm a way to catch the arsonist. The Director didn't exactly give him any hints, and there wasn't really anything of use on the camera feeds the Association had access to. As he made his way to the first address he was given by the police station, Max's mind wandered. I wonder why it's always snowing here. Why's it always so cloudy too? Max knew what other seasons were like; he'd visited his grandparents across the country when he was younger, and it was bright and sunny, unlike the permanent winter this city was locked into. He pulled his coat tighter, and approached the burn site. There was yellow tape around the scorched remains of the apartment building, but the block was still relatively busy. This area was among the nicer parts of Sector 0, near the very edge of town. People went about their lives, ignoring the rubble, as if it were just another aspect of life you had to learn to live with. Max ducked under the caution tape, walking slowly through the destruction, taking in his surroundings.
The bricks were scorched black, and any wood that was in the building was reduced to ash. Then, something else caught Max's eye. Something smooth sticking out of the ashes, and a piece of metal, catching the light from the destroyed windows. Max approached it, and immediately felt sick. That piece of metal was an Association pin, and all around it… Were bones. Human bones, burnt black, sitting amongst the ashes. Then, Max's attention finally turned to the wall. Behind the pile of human remains, the bricks were melted. Not burnt, but melted. And all around the melted area, there were trace amounts of Flux residue. It was clear to Max now that this wasn't just someone out to get a kick from burning down buildings. This was a murder. Max took some photos, and left the scene of the crime.
Not quite finished with the investigation, Max stopped at the shop across the street to ask around for information. The owner didn't give him any valuable info, and neither did the patrons. No one in this part of town really answered any questions, actually. They all avoided Max's attempts at conversation, either ignoring him or simply telling him to go bother someone else. Max gave up on gathering information from any potential witnesses, and started the trip back to the Association HQ. He circled back towards the entrance to the subway, and found himself caught in a crowd of people. They were gathered around a makeshift wooden stand, and in front, a preacher. Max noticed the stand first; it looked like it was hastily put together with cheap scrap wood, with a small cross nailed to the front. It was covered in snow, and it was clear that it'd been there for a while.
"And they believe they can bargain with these demons!" the preacher shouted. "They believe they can take power that only God should have, and call it a gift!" His voice rang out across the plaza, catching the attention of more pedestrians with every word. He seemed young, too young for a street preacher. He looked around Max's age, with his short black hair slicked back, and striking blue eyes. He wore a plain black coat and leather gloves, but what set him aside was his composure. He stood up straight, confident, as if he was chosen by God himself. People watched him warily, while others looked mildly entertained. Max slowed down instinctively, listening to the preacher, but then forced himself to keep walking. He was on a mission, he didn't have time for street sermons. The voice got louder. "These demons, they seek to bring suffering to all of mankind! And anyone that would deal with them is no better! Do you really want to live with evil amongst you, threatening your very lives?" A woman in the crowd scoffed. "You're insane." The preacher smiled at her as if she'd proven his point. "Insane? Insane is simply what they call those of us who choose to see the truth!" He spread his arms out into the air. "But tell me, how many of you also get a twisting feeling in your souls when certain people pass by? How many of you constantly feel the pressure of demonic presence around some people?" Max finally cleared the crowd, and started to walk down the steps to the subway. He didn't see the preacher's eyes lock onto his back, and he missed the last part of the sermon, where the preacher declared, "But God does not ask you to tolerate this corruption. He asks us to purify it. He asks us to burn it out."