The Golden Guardian, Ethan, and Cain sat in her office. Ethan slumped tiredly in his chair, head tilted back, eyes closed. Cain sat composed but equally drained. The Golden Guardian stood motionless, staring at the investigation board covered in notes, strings, and unanswered questions.
"A month has passed and the cloaked individuals haven't made a single move. We still have nothing new that could help us figure out their plan."
She walked over and sank into her chair with a heavy sigh.
"I've been too busy with a thousand things — the Ground Festival, multiple nobles' birthdays, preparations for the new fifty students, and more. No real time to focus on what actually matters. Now all we can do is sit here and wait for them to attack."
No response came from Ethan or Cain. They understood her frustration completely and wished they had even the smallest clue about the cloaked group's intentions.
The three of them sat in heavy silence.
A scout entered the office and stood at attention.
"Sorry for the intrusion, Golden Guardian, but the Elders need you. Matters relating to the new fifty."
The Golden Guardian stood and left without another word.
Later, Ethan and Cain also departed.
The day moved smoothly across the Golden Globe capital. Only the council and scouts knew the truth about the Golden Storage massacre, so ordinary citizens continued their lives freely. Streets buzzed with activity, stores thrived, and the atmosphere remained calm and welcoming as ever.
Later that afternoon, Carol, Cain, and Ethan waited in the Golden Guardian's office. They had been sitting for a while when she finally arrived.
"Sorry for keeping you guys waiting."
She removed her mask, moved to her seat, and sat down with visible exhaustion.
"So why did you call us over?" Ethan asked.
The Golden Guardian exhaled slowly. "While making preparations for the new fifty, I remembered Ty'tilian. I think I have a way to find out what the cloaked individuals are planning."
She stood and walked to the center of the room.
"I might be wrong… but I feel like someone in our circle is part of the cloaked group."
Everyone froze, stunned.
"That's the only way they could have broken into the Golden Storage so cleanly. But to be certain, I'll use my Flow offensively." Her voice dropped, low and heavy. Her expression grew dull.
Ethan noticed the shift immediately. "Debra… are you alright? Is using your Flow offensively dangerous?"
She hesitated. "The first and last time I did it… Ty'tilian and I almost died."
The room went deathly silent.
"Yeah… I tried to read his mind as a joke, and both of us nearly didn't make it." Her body visibly chilled as the memory surfaced. She looked down at the floor, eyes distant.
Ethan stood and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "Debra, you don't have to do this if it's that risky."
She met his eyes and offered a calm, reassuring smile. "Don't worry, Ethan. It's going to be fine."
He stared back, worry etched deep in his face, but forced a small smile in return.
Later, the four statues were gathered and positioned so each touched the others.
"Okay, Debra. It's in place," Ethan said.
She walked forward, closed her eyes, and took a slow, deep breath. Her fingers rested lightly on the cold stone.
Ethan, Carol, and Cain stepped back, giving her space.
She stood perfectly still, concentrating with everything she had.
At first… nothing.
Then fragments began to appear — images, memories, voices — flashing violently in her mind like broken glass. They came too fast, glitching, overlapping, impossible to hold onto. A sharp backlash of pain slammed into her skull. She let out a strained, quiet scream.
"Debra, stop!" Ethan yelled.
"Don't worry… I'm fine," she gasped. "I need to try harder."
She exhaled again, forcing herself deeper. The images flooded in faster now — memories pouring from all four statues at once, no pause, no mercy. They hit like hammer blows. Pain bloomed behind her eyes, in her chest, everywhere. She tasted blood. Her nose began to bleed. The statues started cracking with audible snaps under the strain.
She pushed through, teeth clenched, body trembling.
More memories crashed in — faces, cloaks, whispered words she couldn't quite catch. The pressure built unbearably.
Suddenly her eyes flew open. She inhaled sharply, staggered backward, and collapsed.
Ethan lunged forward and caught her just before she hit the ground. Blood dripped steadily from her nose.
"Debra!" Ethan, Carol, and Cain shouted her name in unison as her eyes fluttered weakly. A faint, desperate sound escaped her lips before everything went dark.
She passed out cold in Ethan's arms.
Moments later, she gasped awake.
She was lying in a medical room in the Golden Tower. Ethan, Cain, and Carol rushed to her bedside.
"Debra… Debra… Oh thank goodness you're awake," Ethan said, his voice thick with concern. Tears gathered in his eyes.
The Golden Guardian groaned weakly. "Oh… hey guys."
"Don't say a word!" Ethan interrupted, tears now rolling down his cheeks. He grabbed her hand tightly, holding on as if afraid she might slip away again. "Don't you ever scare me like that again."
A calm but heavy mix of worry and relief filled the room. Cain and Carol watched with soft, relieved smiles.
A little while later, Ethan, Cain, and Carol stepped out of the room.
"We'll leave her to rest," Cain said quietly.
They walked away.
A week later…
Ethan, Cain, and Carol entered her office. The Golden Guardian sat at her desk, looking weak and exhausted.
"Seriously, Debra… go and rest," Ethan said.
"I think I've rested enough," she replied with a tired laugh. "I've already been in bed for ten days. The info I got is still a little scrambled in my head, but I think I found something useful."
She tried to stand. Carol quickly moved to help, steadying her gently.
She thanked Carol, then turned and tapped her desk. A holographic image rose up, displaying the symbols of the six most powerful families.
"The six most powerful families," the Golden Guardian said. "Cal'lian, Allen, Shella, Hercule, Emra, and Byer. I saw one of these symbols during the reading, but I couldn't place it until now. It was Shella — from the petrified scout in the Golden Storage. And from that same scout's memory… I saw a black-cloaked individual standing right in front of him." She pressed a hand to her head. "I still can't remember exactly what they were saying though."
Cain stepped closer. "So… you're saying the Shellas are possible accomplices of the cloaked individuals?"
She nodded. "That's what it looks like."
Everyone froze in shock. The idea that one of the pillars of their society could be a traitor hit like a cold wave.
"I think we should go pay the Shellas a visit," the Golden Guardian said, her voice calm but deadly serious.
TO BE CONTINUED.