Angel Monarch

They all went to one of the largest rooms. They didn't teleport this time, and on their way, they told the staff that they were safe to return to the facility.

They also informed the scientists to not approach the room where the Gateway was located. A few soldiers went down there too, to make sure nobody did anything to destabilize it.

Only Mary, Collins, Lee and the newcomers went to the recreational room... And Brian, since the little girl didn't want the enormous spider-dog to be alone.

She travelled on his back, while giggling, and as they entered the large room, Brian went around the place sniffing every corner... Even the ones on the ceiling.

The large room had a lot of different games, some electronic, some more conventional. There was even one of the weird new chessboards that Sera had brought here.

There was also a large kitchen area and a dining table. They brought a bunch of snacks and drinks to there, then sat down in silence. Other than the girl, ––who was still playing with Brian––they all looked at each other, not sure what to say.

Since the newcomers were very awkward and had no intention of starting the conversation, Collins decided to speak first.

"I think we should begin with the introductions. I am Professor Collins, a scientist here in the Angelic Order Research Facility. This, uh... Lovely lady here is the lead scientist, Mary. And the grumpy-looking man is the head of security, Lee."

Hearing this, the eldest of the newcomers, the white-haired man, introduced everyone on their side, then stared at the Professor with curiosity.

"So you are the famous Professor. Didn't expect to see you in such a place. Last I heard, you were living the best of your life in your mansion... And what is the Angelic Order?"

As the conversation started, they munched on different kinds of cookies, chips, chocolate and other types of snacks.

"Then you haven't heard about me for the past ten years. I retired back then and only helped a select few with their evolution. I spent more time researching, which was a lot better than listening to spoiled brats who think they know better than me..."

Before he could've continued to grumble under his breath, Lucy ––the pale woman––cut in.

She had already made herself comfortable, with her shoes off and her legs placed on James, the cyborg guy's lap.

"Why would anyone ask for your help with evolution?" Asked Lucy, with her mouth full of food.

Damien, the older white-haired man, stared at her with a smirk.

"For no reason, he is just the single most knowledgeable person when it comes to Evolved... But why would anyone ask for his opinion... Maybe if you would've asked for his help, you wouldn't have accidentally changed races!"

Hearing this, Lucy just shrugged and continued to feed herself and the cyborg.

"Ah, I wondered why you were so different... Hmm, your pale skin and scythe suggest a connection to death, and you control The Essence of Life and Death—the green fog... You changed races into either a revenant or a reaper... Was my guess correct?"

He asked mockingly, causing the entire table to laugh at Lucy's ridiculous expression.

She murmured something to the cyborg, and they both walked away towards one of the game tables.

"You still haven't answered. What is the Angelic Order?" asked Damien again, but instead of Collins, Lee provided an answer.

"It's a religious organization, and a secret military force all behind our one and only Leader, the Deathless Phoenix, the Angel Monarch, Lady Seraphine!"

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The table turned quiet, with each newcomer looking at each other with different expressions. Some, like the shadowy woman named Faith, were excited, while others, like Damien and the hellish knight name Leslie, looked skeptical.

The others were more curious than anything else. They wanted to bombard Lee with questions about Sera, but Damien continued to lead the conversation...

"What happened in the past two years?"

The question hung in the air like a guillotine. Collins and Lee looked at each other, not sure where to begin, while Mary was just typing away on her table, not paying attention to them at all.

"A lot... Two years ago, a bunch of cities in the South got taken over by one group called the Federal Alliance. They are trying to 'unite' Europe, by taking control of as many city-states as they can!"

The news ignited a firestorm of anger within them. Damien was the worst. The air chilled down in the room, but with much self control, he managed to not freeze everything.

"Who is the leader of this so called Alliance? And what cities had they taken over?" asked Leslie, while looking at Damien's hand pointedly. Under his fingers, the table began to freeze and turn white.

"There is no specified leader. They are led by a council of powerful Evolved, called the Central Command... As for how much they control?... A few weeks ago, our Lady took control of New Constantinople, so now the Federal Alliance controls the whole of South Europe!"

Damien growled in anger and walked around while muttering to himself...

"Central Command my ass, it's fucking Harold, that crazy fucker!" said the blue-haired man named Will with anger. Next to her, Sarah placed her hand on top of his in silent support.

They left the table soon too, leaving only Faith and Leslie. The shadowy woman was staring at Lee, with not well contained excitement, but didn't say a word.

Next to her, Leslie just rolled his eyes... "Come on, ask him already!"

"Fine!... Could you please tell me everything about this Angelic Order, and how can I join?"

Lee wasn't expecting to hear this question, but with a bright smile, he recounted the Order's complete history.

They spent the next few hours like so. At some point, Mary had lost interest in the group and went to study the Gateway. Collins spent time talking to everyone, learning how each became an Evolved.

He was especially interested in Damien, who was twice as old as anyone else in their group. The problem was that he was also the most reluctant to share his past.

Faith spent the whole time listening to Lee explain everything about the Angelic Order, and as the two of them spoke, she seemed to be already devoted to Sera.

Brian and Vicky, the white-haired girl, spent a lot of time playing and chasing each other, and currently they were both taking a nap. Brian laid on his back, with his eight fluffy legs folded around Vicky, like a silky-smooth blanket.

Everyone was talking and laughing with rarely found joy when Bea came back. Her hair was messy from the flight, and she showed redness around her eyes, as if she'd been crying.

With a brittle smile on her face, she walked to the kitchen area and began eating in silence.

Seeing her, the Professor shuffled towards the kitchen with excitement. Bea was munching on a piece of cookie with a thoughtful expression when he reached out his hand.

"Excuse me Ma'am. I heard a lot about you from your fellow companions, and I would like to ask a few questions about your special evolution..."

Before he could say anything else, Bea turned towards him with annoyance, and cut him off.

"You know, I'm tired from all the previous events. Can't you just leave me alone to my thoughts?" Her voice was louder than she intended, causing everyone to stare at her.

They all looked either disturbed or scared... Everyone except the Professor.

He just sighed with sadness and shook his head. With kindness and warmth, he stared into Bea's eyes and spoke in a whisper, so the others wouldn't hear.

"I'm sorry for your loss..."

Bea's face scrunched up in confusion. She said nothing that could've indicated such a response...

"I haven't lost anyone. What are you talking about?"

The Professor chuckled to himself, with no joy... "I have survived multiple wars, the Last War and even the Apocalypse. Throughout my long life I saw many people lose loved ones, and one thing was common between them... That look in their eyes. That deep sadness, which is within yours as well..."

"Who did you lose, if you don't mind me asking?"

Bea stared at him for a while longer, before sighing... "Alyrine told me... She told me a lot about everything that happened... I have lost no one, not in the physical sense at least, but a lot has changed in the past two years..."

Seeing that the previous scene was over, the conversations around the room started again. While from one corner, Brian's snoring rumbled the floor.

With melancholy Bea stared at the cookie in her hand, then was about to eat it, when a small portal opened between the cookie and her mouth.

Her eyes snapped to her daughter, who was happily giggling and munching on her stolen prize.

Seeing her brought a bright smile to Bea's face, making the sadness disappear in its entirety.

Collins was about to speak further, but the door to the recreational room opened and five people stepped inside.

Other than Lee and Collins, nobody knew who they were, but seeing that Lee bowed to them, it was clear that their ranks were high in their leadership hierarchy.

In the front stood a slim, tall man with dark brown hair and light hazel eyes. His expression was serious as he scanned each of the people's faces.

A step behind him stood two women. One with a luscious purple hair, which reached down to her ankles, and pink curious eyes.

Next to her stood a woman with whitish-blond hair and two different colored eyes. Her bearing was more serious than Cass's, but still not as solemn as Bran.

Behind the two stood an interesting pair. Each wore long robes, which hid most of their features. One was a man, the other a woman. One was tall, the other short.

Both of their hairs were golden, except at their roots, which were black. The man was very handsome and looked much older than his actual age. He also seemed exhausted, like he spent the past few months not sleeping right.

The woman looked much more healthy, and she kept glancing up into his orange eyes with concern.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Their robes had a large seven-pointed stars embroidered on them, marking their allegiance.

The room turned silent yet again. Bran scanned the crowd, spending a second longer on Vicky, then her eyes fell on Bea, who was staring at him too.

"Let's talk." said Bran, then seated himself at the dining table.