The Golden Guardian and Ethan descended into the lower chambers of the Golden Tower. Endless stairs spiraled downward, lit by soft blue orbs embedded in the walls that pulsed gently like living stars. The air grew cooler and heavier with each step.
The Golden Guardian walked ahead with composed strides. Ethan followed close behind, his body tense, shoulders slightly hunched as if the shadows themselves might reach out.
"Uhmmm… Debra," he asked, voice shaky, "forgot to ask—why are we going down there?"
"The Elders keep records of everyone who has ever taken a Flow test," she replied calmly, noting his unease. "Rare or new Flows are watched closely."
She glanced back at him. "So you're still afraid of ghosts?"
"Mock a man of his nightmares," Ethan muttered.
The Golden Guardian let out a soft, calm laugh. "I could've sent you with the others if I had known."
They continued in silence for a while longer until they reached a heavy door covered in ancient carvings. She pushed it open and they stepped inside.
Blue orbs illuminated the vast chamber, casting a serene glow. Bright square-shaped light boards floated gently in the air, each labeled with glowing years above them. The atmosphere felt surprisingly calm and welcoming, like stepping into a sanctuary of living memory. The Golden Guardian moved forward with purpose, while Ethan's eyes darted around, taking in the floating archives with quiet awe.
They approached a raised altar at the far end. The ground here sat higher than the rest of the room. White-flamed candles burned steadily on either side of two tall pillars that stretched toward the ceiling. The Spirit Elder knelt with his back to them, deep in quiet meditation.
"Welcome," he said, his voice calm and resonant.
Both bowed deeply.
The Spirit Elder rose smoothly and turned to face them. "You may rise."
The Golden Guardian straightened. "Thank you."
"You are here regarding a Flow that causes petrification?" he asked.
"Yes," she answered.
The Spirit Elder extended his hand. One of the levitating light boards drifted gracefully toward him like a page turning in an invisible book. He waved his palm across its surface, and names scrolled smoothly sideways in glowing script, as if flipping through an endless digital ledger with a gentle swipe.
Ethan leaned close to the Golden Guardian. "This is the first time I've gotten this close to the Spirit Elder," he whispered.
"Congratulations… now please shhh," she whispered back.
The Spirit Elder tapped a name. "Here it is… someone with a petrification Flow. Max Elmis."
The Golden Guardian and Ethan stepped closer. The Spirit Elder tapped again, and a shimmering hologram of Max rose into the air. He appeared slim and tall, with a calm expression, black hair, and dark eyes.
"Pretty tall for a twelve-year-old," Ethan noted.
"He lives in Addin," the Spirit Elder said.
They thanked him respectfully and took their leave.
Back in the upper chambers, Ethan asked, "Where exactly is Addin? I've never heard of it."
"It's the smallest settlement in the Golden Globe," the Golden Guardian replied. "Come on, let's go pay it a visit."
They made their way to the highest point of the Golden Tower and stepped into the iron wheel — a massive spherical orb of reinforced steel, the primary means of swift transportation across the realm. The orb glowed brightly, hummed with power, and lifted smoothly into the sky, accelerating at breathtaking speed.
Meanwhile, Carol and Cain arrived at the first crime scene: the library. Carol activated her Sight Flow, her eyes glowing with shifting rainbow patterns as she scanned every inch of the ancient history aisle for hidden traces. Cain stood guard nearby, alert and silent, watching her back. When she finished, they moved on to the museum. Again, Carol swept the extinct animal display with her enhanced vision while Cain kept watch, ensuring no one interrupted or approached unnoticed.
The iron wheel descended gracefully and landed just outside the entrance to Addin. The door hissed open, and the Golden Guardian and Ethan stepped out.
"Welcome to Addin, Ethan."
Addin was a quiet, intimate village nestled in a gentle valley, home to barely a hundred souls. Modest stone-and-wood cottages with thatched roofs and colorful flowering vines climbing the walls lined winding cobblestone paths. Soft lanterns hung from curved posts, casting warm golden light even in daylight. The air smelled of fresh bread, blooming herbs, and damp earth after rain. Children played in small groups near communal gardens, while elders sat on porches weaving or sharing stories. The atmosphere felt peaceful and tightly knit — everyone seemed to move with a slow, familiar rhythm, as if time itself lingered here. Laughter and quiet conversations drifted on the breeze, giving the place a warm, almost familial fantasy charm. It was small enough to feel like one big extended family, yet rich with its own quiet magic.
As the Golden Guardian and Ethan walked the main path, people stopped what they were doing and bowed respectfully. Children rushed out of houses, eyes wide with excitement, pointing and whispering. Smiles broke out everywhere. The Golden Guardian waved back warmly, her presence spreading a happy, comforting vibe through the streets.
"So that's why the iron wheel stopped outside," Ethan said calmly.
"Yes," she replied, genuine happiness in her voice. "I know seeing me makes them happy."
They continued toward the Addin building — the central hub and home of the Watcher. Though it was technically a single-story bungalow, it felt grand in scale: sprawling low and wide with thick, sturdy stone walls reinforced by elegant wooden beams. A gently sloping roof covered in living moss and flowering plants gave it an organic, grounded look. Large arched windows let in plenty of natural light, while intricate carvings of local legends decorated the doorway and pillars. The structure blended strength and humility, serving as both meeting hall and residence without towering over the humble homes around it.
The door opened smoothly before they could knock. Akki — a muscular man of average height with vibrant orange hair and calm orange eyes — stepped out. He wore flowing robes of deep green and grey, the uniform of Addin's head of security. He greeted them with a gentleman's warm courtesy.
"Welcome, Miss Golden Guardian. What occasion requires you to bless us with your presence?"
"We're here to see your Watcher," she replied.
Akki studied them for a brief moment, then nodded. "Follow me, Ms. Golden Guardian."
They followed him inside. The interior was spacious and inviting: thick pillars rose to support the high ceiling, while white walls glowed softly from orbs mounted in elegant sconces. The floor featured fine stone tiles arranged in intricate, swirling patterns that told subtle stories of the village's history. The overall atmosphere remained calm and welcoming, like stepping into a well-loved family hall.
Addin's Watcher, Charles Briscroft, waited for them ahead. He was a short man with a bushy beard, broad shoulders, and an excited, almost wild look in his eyes. His hair was strikingly white — not from age, but as if touched by nature itself. He smiled calmly as they approached.
He stood from his seat. "Welcome, Golden Guardian."
"Thank you," she said.
He gestured for them to sit. Ethan and the Golden Guardian took their places. With a nod from the Watcher, Akki quietly excused himself and left.
"So, what brings you all the way to Addin?" Charles asked once they were settled.
The Golden Guardian leaned forward. "I'm here to ask if you know of a Max Elmis."
The Watcher smiled warmly. "Yes, I do. Well… everyone in Addin does. Max was once the pride of our village. A respectful young man, admired by all."
"Can you tell us more about him?" Ethan asked.
"Max is the son of Addin's champion, Jacob Elmis. He looked up to his father more than anything and wanted to become just like him. He trained hard, grew strong… and took a big step toward his dreams after his Flow test. He awakened a unique Flow he called petrification." Charles's voice grew quieter. "But everything went dark in his life after Year X."
"The year thirty-three of the thirty-four troopers were killed by the Beast," the Golden Guardian whispered.
"Why are you asking about Max?" Charles inquired.
The Golden Guardian fell silent, lost in thought for a moment. The question hung unanswered in the steady quiet.
Ethan smiled smoothly. "We're just doing some research on people with unique and rare Flows," he said with a light, calming laugh.
The Golden Guardian snapped back to the present. "Thank you for your help."
Back at the Golden Tower, the iron wheel landed smoothly on the peak. The Golden Guardian and Ethan made their way to the office and found Carol and Cain already waiting inside.
"Welcome back," Carol said.
"What did you two find out?" the Golden Guardian asked.
"A book was missing from the library — one about the gods. And in the museum, the Messenger God's item was missing," Carol reported.
The Golden Guardian stood quiet for several seconds, letting the information settle.
She moved to her chair and sat down. "You said the torn piece of cloth belonged to a mist Flow user?"
Carol nodded.
The Golden Guardian tapped her desk. A hidden panel slid open, revealing a file that rose smoothly. The panel closed. She opened the file and scanned its contents intently.
Ethan, Carol, and Cain watched her, curious and slightly tense about what she might uncover.
She stopped suddenly, a stunned look crossing her face.
"Debra, what's wrong?" Ethan asked, concern clear in his voice.
"Mist Flow is the most inheritable Flow there is," she said. "Out of the thirty-three who fell in Year X, one had a mist Flow. Max lost his father to that tragedy… Meaning it's no coincidence. They're working together, plotting something tied to history."
Ethan folded his arms. "Yeah, that's a possibility. The Watcher said Max went missing about three years ago."
"But wait," Cain added, "I might be wrong, but the thirty-three who fell may all have children — some more than one. Which means there could be more people involved in this."
The air in the room grew thick with unease.
In an unknown location, three hooded figures entered a dark chamber. One raised a hand, and glowing orbs materialized, floating upward to illuminate the space.
The hooded individuals lowered their hoods. One of them was Max.
Before him stood more than a dozen people clad in black cloaks.
"One more," Max said, his voice calm and steady, "and it will be time."
TO BE CONTINUED.