The streets were even quieter than back when the so-called nuclear miss fire event had just transpired. The city was not actually evacuated in the end, quite possibly because of the already high tensions rather than the official reason that the not so far away radiation cloud was dispersing in the exact opposite direction from the city. This part of the city was not as bad, though when Galileo had gone down some less reputable streets the previous day, there had been signs of raided stores and violence. Since the local police simply could not keep up with the contagious and self-fulfilling panic, society was slowly beginning to break down. Galileo considered that both a shame and a curious event. The speed and scale at which fear could spread through the internet had thoughtfully astounded him.

But it was not the time to stumble around as today Galileo had arranged another meeting with Quinn. The recent semi-apocalyptic events had the extremely regrettable side effect of likely reducing the frequency of their future matches, perhaps the worst thing about the entire situation in Galileo’s opinion. Since that was the case he wanted to enjoy as many of them as he could before all the events caught up with them. He walked by the local large store along the way, noting that even as society was being crippled by terror, retail workers still didn’t get a day off. Soon enough he had arrived at the cafeteria where he and Quinn would usually hold their matches. Although Galileo had come a few minutes early, he could already distinctly feel the woman's presence inside.

She had grown significantly more powerful since they had used Galileo’s hand-carved and specially enchanted chessboard during their last meeting. In fact, she had reached high enough to complete her first leap with just a gentle nudge. The problem was, as Galileo came to realise, the woman was not aware of her own abilities. Based on what Galileo had observed her gift was some sort of inner mental enhancement. Quite a few of them came to mind, though considering her ability Galileo had assumed the most potent gift possible, since that would explain at least a small part of how she managed to continuously defeat him: The gift of third eye. Although it would only enhance her mind during the first leap, the changes that would happen in the second would at the very least disturb her and everyone around her. For that reason, Galileo was not sure how to properly explain her circumstance without revealing that he was not just a normal guy who really enjoyed chess.

The first idea was to use the guise of the Golden mask, however, considering the reputation he had built there was a very high chance they would just believe Quinn had gone rogue after returning alive from a meeting with someone as dangerous as him. On the other hand, the information would sound even less likely if spoken by someone of a lower profile. Lastly, just inserting the information directly through magic would not work either as the third eye just happened to be one of the only 3 known gifts which granted their bearer a complete immunity to mind magic. Thus this situation had even Galileo in quite the bind.

As he walked through the front door, Quinn in her casual dress instantly spotted Galileo and waved at him. She looked unusually tired, black circles beneath her eyes and her posture seemed generally more stern. Moreover, based on the mugs around her, she had already drunk at least 2 coffees. After he gave the owner a wave, Galileo stepped towards Quinn and took a seat opposite to her, his back towards the entrance.

“You look terrible. What happened?” he asked. Her fiance had just died the day before, so that could have ruined her mood quite a bit. Assuming she had even been informed, that is.

“I didn’t get to sleep much,” she managed to smile, “You wouldn’t believe how much can a single unexpected accident multiply my workload. Also, I guess Igor died so I had to walk here.”

“Your fiance is dead?” Galileo acted surprised.

“Yeah, thankfully. This fatigue would be even more unbearable otherwise,” she just laughed Igor’s death away as though it actually made her happy, “Two more strong coffee’s please,” Quinn then raised her hand and called out to the woman browsing through her phone by the entrance counter.

“That cannot be healthy,” Galileo commented.

“The would is basically about to end. Who cares about health,” she just chuckled.

“Things are not that bad. People will calm down eventually, or at least in some areas,” Galileo objected.

“Sorry, didn’t mean to be the doomsayer,” Quinn patted the table awkwardly, “Anyway. What had you been up to yesterday,” her gaze grew sharper for a moment before it relaxed again.

“You ask as though you didn’t know me,” Galileo chuckled at the question, “You are the only reason I ever walk through the front door of my flat,” he didn’t even lie that time around. Not usually relying on food to sustain his body saved him quite the hassle. He could enjoy the taste of cuisine, though he had been seeking different things since he had returned to the world.

“You are right, I am just being silly,” Quinn laughed as the owner just delivered them a fresh cup of strong coffee each. Considering the speed, she probably began to prepare them as soon as she had noticed Galileo enter. The fresh coffee was the perfect opportunity to slip in a bit of his power which would help Quinn at the very least reduce her problem with sleep deprivation.

"There is something I need to talk with you about," after basically chugging the steaming drink Quinn spoke again, "I had not been entirely honest with you."

"Go on," Galileo beckoned with his hand as he also sipped at his own coffee.

"I don't really work a normal job like I have made you believe," Quinn breathed out and continued, her exhaustion already slightly withdrawing with Galileo's help "Rather, I work for a large multinational organisation that is not exactly publicly known."

"Continue," Galileo's glare sharpened.

"It might be difficult to believe, however, magic exists," Quinn said after sorting her thoughts, "It's a horrible and rare power used against humanity to commit atrocities I would rather not describe," Quinn tried to explain and Galileo had enough courtesy to not mention the incredible irony of those words, "The Foundation exists for the sole reason of shielding humanity from those horrors. That is the cause which I had sworn to follow the day I had turned 14."

"And how is that protection working out," Galileo sighed, "The world is in shambles, murder and robbery rates increased tremendously overnight. The world had gone to shit basically in a few days."

"I am certain there is a purpose in the suffering we have to endure," Quinn lowered her head a bit, "Although there might be sacrifices, when the dust settles, mankind will stand victorious."

"Why are you telling me all this?" Galileo finished his cup, "I don't care who rules the what world from what shadow. All I need is what I already have now."

"The times are turbulent," Quinn raised her head back up and stared at Galileo, "Each day you are less and less safe wandering these streets. I want you to also join the Foundation so that you can be protected," Quinn finally reached the conclusion as Galileo loudly sighed. Although his identity was well forged, it was bound to have at least some holes. In fact, it would be strange if a throughout background check didn't make the Foundation at the very least very suspicious about him, and Galileo was sure that every joining member had to go through one.

"I sorry," he shook his head, "I am not interested in greater good or wealth. In the end, I am just a selfish man who wants only to play chess with you."

"I see," Quinn nodded though she seemed disappointed. A lot of her fatigue had vanished by now as though her coffee had been magical, "In that case at least take this,” she reached into her hand back and took out pistol, passing it over to Galileo, “For you own safety.”

“I will be alright either way,” Galileo picked up the weapon, affirming that it was indeed a real firearm as he simultaneously made sure the cafeteria owner was not looking in their direction, “I am more worried about you.”

“I am more dangerous than I look,” Quinn shook her head, “I have received training not inferior to regular soldiers,” she then patted the side of her dress, clearly touching something hidden beneath, “I am also carrying, just in case.”

“By the way, are you carrying that talisman left behind by your father?” Galileo decided to change the conversation.

“Yes. Always,” Quinn nodded.

“Could I please have a second look at it?” Galileo implored. In retrospect, it had been stupid to be so indecisive when he first got to see it.

“Sure…” Quinn agreed after a few moments of hesitation. She took the familiar black box from beneath her clothes and revealed the crow shaped metal pendant within.

The moment Galileo’s hand touched it he magnified his focus as far as he could without resolving to overcharging his brain with mana. Time slowed down for him as his power began to stealthily surge into the amulet. The material it was made out of was known for its astonishingly low ability to conduct magic. That made enchanting it far harder, however, once the work was done the result would be far more difficult to counter or disable.

“I have done some research,” in the meantime Galileo talked in order to earn himself enough time, “From what I can tell this sort of metal is considered extremely valuable among collectors. Apparently its composition or creation method had never been found out so there are only a few which remain from times long gone. Moreover, there are rumours claiming that the metal alone can protect you from curses and evil spirits. Had your father been a collector?”

“I don’t know much about him,” Quinn shook her head, “He had died in an accident when I was 10,” she claimed through Galileo noticed a minute tremble as she spoke.

“Could you tell me the few things you know?” Galileo needed a bit more time and this seemed like the best direction, “I don’t even remember my own parents anymore.”

“He used to always be kind, unlike my mother,” Quinn said, though she glanced at Galileo a bit strangely, “I did not have an exactly happy childhood. He had been my bastion of warmth whenever I could no longer take it. His death was devastating for me back then,” Quinn opened up.

“Then what about your mother?” Galileo continued his work. He needed just a bit more and he would be done.

“I hate her,” Quinn stated without hesitation, “Though I would not dare admit it to her face, there is no one I despise more than her. The things she had put me through. Over and over and over and over again,” a tear ran down Quinn’s face and she shook as Galileo had accidentally stirred some repressed memories.

“Calm down, she won’t hurt you anymore,” Galileo took her hand and pushed the pendant into Quinn’s palm, his work done. Since he couldn't calm her with mind magic, he had to do so manually.

“You don’t know her,” Quinn shook her head as she tried to pull her hand away, however, Galileo held on tight.

“I promise,” he said, releasing her, “And I am sorry for bringing it up in the first place.”

“Don’t worry,” Quinn smiled, wiping away the tear, “I will have to face my demons eventually.”

“Tell me when the time comes. I might be able to help,” Galileo smiled back.

“Let’s go upstairs and play,” Quinn reached into her handbag after a few moments of just silence when they stared at each other. Then she pulled out the chessboard Galileo had gifted to her not that long ago, “I need to calm my nerves.”