0VincentRayne0
Faith
We walked in silence for the rest of the way until we finally reached the steps to E.D.G.E. headquarters and Nero stopped.
“Akino, there are a lot of things your parents hid from you.” I slowly nodded.
“Yes, I’ve known this for years.”
“Then you know it was for your protection.”
“How would leaving me in the dark about anything dangerous protect me?” Nero sighed. We both knew where this conversation was headed. We stood in silence once again. The only sound was coming from the steady sound of rainfall and the occasional rumble of thunder.
“Fine.” Nero said suddenly.
“Fine?” I asked.
“I can see that flame in your eyes that’s similar to my mother’s. And she said she got that from your father.” What was he getting at? “Your parents wanted you to have a normal life but since several years ago that opportunity was lost. You’re a Guardian, Akino. Your parents have to come to terms with that fact.” I had a hard time figuring out which side Nero was on. Mine or my parents. It seemed more like he was on his own side. Just wanting what was best for everyone in the long run. That was the Nero I knew; looking out for everyone’s best interest.
When we went inside the tall building a security guard immediately put himself in front of us.
“I.D.” He stated. The guard wasn’t that big at all. He was more of an average buld but his eyes held a coldness in them.
“Don’t tell me you don’t recognize who I am.” I stated. I had no I.D. and I never came here on my own before. I was hoping that since I was the daughter of a well-known member I might get special treatment. I’m sure there are better ways to go about this but no others came to mind.
The guard stood glaring at me. He apparently thought I was joking and he wasn’t even close to cracking a smile. I could understand how he felt. Who walks into a high security area with no badge and just says, “I hope you recognize me.” I blushed when I realized how stupid I must have looked.
“Look,” Nero stepped in front of me. “we need to see Mr. Yumari. We don’t work here so we don’t have an I.D. but maybe someone can vouch for us. This is an important matter, I assure you.” The guard at least seemed to be thinking about what to do. He finally pulled out his radio and asked for some type of assistance. I hope it wasn’t assistance in escorting two random people out the front doors.
A woman with long, amber colored, pigtails approached, soon afterward. Her facial features suggested her to be Asian but, unless her hair color was dyed, that was it. Her skin was pale as well. She looked like a cross between Asian and Irish. She talked with the guard for a moment before dismissing him. She then turned to me and Nero.
“Hello, my name is Mei. I am the head CEO of E.D.G.E.” Short and to the point. I didn’t think it was possible to be blunt and nice at the same time but Mei did it without any difficulty. She looked at me and nodded. “Akino, now that I see you up close, you definitely resemble your mother. So what is it that you need?” Nero cleared his throat and Mei turned her attention towards him.
“We actually came to see Zack.” Lei looked taken aback.
“Then I guess what you’re here for isn’t regarding E.D.G.E. matters then?”
“It is and it’s not.”
“What?”
“I have to speak with Zack first. He will then decide if E.D.G.E. has anything to do with this.” Now a look of utter confussion was portrayed on Mei’s face.
“So he can decide that but the CEO of the very company he works for can’t?” Nero waved his hands apologetically.
“Don’t misunderstand my intentions. I do not mean to insult you in anyway. You see, this is a matter involving Zack’s status as a Guardian.” Now Mei seemed to understand.
“Why didn’t you just say so? Follow me, then, please. There shouldn’t be any delay if this involves Guardian matters.” If it was that easy to get in the facility, I wondered if anyone could walk up, mention anything about Guardians, and be let through.
We were led onto an elevator that took us to our desired floor and Mei led us to large double doors. When she opened them my eyes grew wide. The room was massive with many people. Most of the people in the room sat at lined rows of computers while others were running in and out of the run. Most likely errands, I guessed. I reminded me of the command centers you see in movies that help a space shuttle do its mission. In the middle of the large room was a large circle of four desks.
At one of them sat my father chatting with several other coworkers. He still looked fairly young despite being forty years plus. I guess it has something to do with being a Guardian. You get to retain your prime age and looks. Zack seemed to notice us right away. A broad smile played across his face and he pardoned himself from his coworker before rushing to us.
That’s my dad; Always energetic. I always thought he would steal that excess energy he has from my mother and I because it seemed we would get tired just by watching him move around so much.
“Well, Well! What’s my daughter doing here?” I gave him a quick hug.
“Hi, Dad. Actually, I was brought here by Nero.” Zack’s smile faltered a little and turned to Mei.
“What’s going on?” He asked and Mei shrugged.
“He didn’t tell me a thing.” Nero stepped foreward.
“My mother, Sarah Rayne, sent me to speak with you. The matter concerns your position as a Guardian.” Nero turned to me. “This also includes you and your aunt as well.” Zack’s smile, now, was completely gone.
“I guess this is serious.” Zack stated.
“There are concerns about the Void Realm.”
“Where Kai and Evelyn are from, correct?” Nero nodded.
“There is a portal open and my mother had a vision of an army flowing forth from it. There may be the possibility of an invasion from them on a grand scale.” Zack put a hand through his white hair.
“How do you know if what Sarah saw was a premonition or a metaphorical vision? I don’t remember her visions being vivid or blunt.”
“Judging by what happened in England, the same thing could happen again.” Zack frowned.
“Okay, tell me what do you have that is factual?” Zack brought out a notepad and a pin.
“Well, there is a portal open. That’s how the others got here.” Zack nodded.
“Yes, but it is also very weak and small. Only a couple people could go through it in the span of several years. Hell, it’s not even detectable. And you’re saying an army is going to come through that same portal?” nero remained silent. Zack needed hard facts to be able to do anything. Even if he wanted to really help he couldn’t perform actions without evidence. Mei cleared her throat and everyone turned towards her.
“If this is a Guardian matter, then why not ask your sister, Zack?” The smile reappeared on Zack’s face. “Good call. Get Lara to help you guys out. She’s going to be easier to reach out to, considering she’s not a part of E.D.G.E.” Zack wrote something down and tore the page out of his notebook. He then handed it to Nero. “That’s her address.” Zack turned to me.
“I know I’ve tried to give you a normal life and I know how much you hated that, but it—”
“Was to keep me safe.” I finish his sentence. The same sentence he has repeated to me for the past eight years. “I know. But this is my destiny, right? You can’t hide from that.” My dad nodded his head and I gave him another hug.
“I’ll let your mother know what’s up. I’ll try to lay it on her softly. She’ll blow a gasket when she finds out you’re giving up on school.” I smiled. I’m told I get my warm smile from my father as well. Dad chuckled.
“This very well may be my most dangerous assignment. If I don’t make it back then I leave my possessions to you.” We both laugh and say our goodbyes before Mei leads me and Nero back to the entrance.
“Good luck.” Mei said as we exited the building. Hopefully, Zack was right in saying there wasn’t an immediate threat. The thought of facing an army is definitely unsettling. But regardless of whether or not people were invading I can finally feel that ting of excitement and fulfillment like I felt when teaming up with my friends to defend Japan those eight years back.
