Back upstairs, in the penthouse of the massive tower, Roun was still trying to get his bearing as he found himself surrounded by the five most powerful men on the planet.

“Roun—” Shin’s voice dragged the youngster out of his own mind and refocused his attention on his surroundings. “—I assume you know why I brought you here.”

“Actually, I don’t.” He stated, much to Rayad’s amusement. “I thought it was to get me away from the Rogues but their Commandant is standing right in front of me. So then I thought that I was hiding out from these haima’sa things, but apparently they can track me across oceans from wherever it is they come from – and on top of that there’s this Teros thing that’s also trying to kill me. So actually, I’d be very appreciative if someone told me what on Terra is really going on here.”

“He’s a bit of a drama queen, but I like this kid.” Rayad’s smirk grew into a grin.

“Seriously Rayad, do not encourage the child.” Marshack admonished him with visible disdain.

“The task of explaining the situation to you is not ours.” Kyasho spoke up next. “We are merely facilitators, here to bridge the connection between you and the guardian.”

Roun’s eyebrow tipped upwards at the statement.

“Indeed.” Shin affirmed. “Rayad. Marshack. Are you ready?” He questioned as he got up from his desk and took off his jacket, draping it carefully over the back of his chair.

“Yes.” Marshack affirmed as he began to make his way towards Roun; an action that caused the young man to step backwards instinctually.

“Let’s do this.” Rayad also affirmed as he slid off his jacket and tossed it onto Shin’s desk, before he began to limber up.

Roun’s gaze narrowed as he watched the three legends make their way towards him. As they did, their already stifling energy signatures began to intensify. Ambient zeta was drawn into their bodies to bring their legend forms to full power. The stifling feeling in turn intensified until it felt as though Roun could barely maintain his own channeling.

From the sidelines, Kyasho and Maika just watched as the young man fell to his knees under the crippling auras of those that approached him before his braver form flickered and vanished. Once again a broad grin broke across Rayad’s face, this time as he took up his position on Roun’s right. To the youngster’s left, Marshack stood with a serious face, simply staring down his nose at the youngster while Shin towered over him from the front. Soon their energies were lifting him from his knees and to his feet once again, before they each began to coax his internal energy out of him.

Involuntarily, he powered up once more and the swirling streaks of aesis leaked from his body. Roun’s face displayed the only sentiment that filled him at that point – utter confusion – as he found his aesis quickly overrun by the green flames of veranos. But these forbidden flames were short-lived and soon found themselves superseded by the strange golden flames that seemed to be linked to the mysterious entity at the heart of this all, the one called Synchros.

Unlike with his previously manifested energies however, the three legends seemed to focus on the gold flames and began drawing them out of him. The feeling was almost as if he was throwing-up but rather than being confined to his stomach his entire body convulsed and expelled the very essence of his power. The experience was horribly painful and extremely off-putting as the youngster had completely lost control of his not just his channeling abilities but his body as well. The process continued for a few more mortifying seconds, with Roun’s body spasming sporadically before he was lifted off the ground by the force of the energy being expelled from him. The final energies left him with a burst of gold light, before the force on his body was relinquished and he was allowed to fall to the ground once again.

With his body completely drained of zeta and his capacity for channeling seemingly removed, the youngster fell to the ground in his recreant form. His vision blurred as a result of the experience and his body felt weaker than it ever had. His eyes had been drained of their colour and now exhibited a dull brown pigment, while his hair no longer manifested a second colour and existed instead as a single mat of black strands. His confusion intensified as he struggled to his feet, finding himself unable to even sense the ambient zeta that he knew was still around him. The stifling sensation of the legendary energy signatures in the room had also vanished and it felt like he was indeed one of the unfortunate masses with the inability to channel.

Confusion gave way to despair at this revelation, but in the corner of his eyes a golden glow caught his attention. Stumbling as he tried to stabilise himself, he raised his head and for the first time laid his eyes on the corporeal manifestation of his channeling abilities. The sight was a familiar one however, manifesting as the dark-skinned young woman with golden hair that he had seen in his mind’s eye on that one occasion.

“Greetings Roun.”

She spoke with the voice that had echoed in his mind since his abilities had first awakened.

“Aesis?” His eyebrow tipped upwards, calling out the name that he’d given the voice so long ago. The young woman just smiled.

“A precious few call me by that name but you may also, my host.” Her voice had a soothing effect on him as she spoke, slowly pushing back the encroaching feeling of despair at his inability to channel. “It was my name in life – but in death I am known only by my power, they refer to me as Synchros.”

It was only then that Roun noticed the fact that his father and the four leaders of the world’s military factions were each on bended knee in front of him, while Rueben did the same some distance behind him.

“I know your mind child, so I know you have questions.” Synchros stated with audible amusement. “Why don’t we start with the most obvious one?”

“Who are you?” Roun simply complied, dying for answers at this point.

“I am the unfettered spirit of the Planet-Mother’s chosen, Guardian of the Binding and Seer of The Four. My name is Aesis of Persia, first wife of Darius the Great and wielder of the legendary flame: Synchros.” She announced with pride, like a knight reciting an oath, but her exposition did little to assuage Roun’s confusion.

At this fact Synchros just laughed lightly and tipped her eyebrows upwards to prompt the youngster to continue with his questions.

“Uh…” Roun paused, still doing his best to process her first answer so that it would inform his second question. “Why do you exist inside of me?” This was the best that he could come up with in his confusion.

“To explain that would require a history lesson. The nature of our bond is linked to the very energy that binds us – and despite man’s progress in the study of zeta over the last century, your knowledge of these extra-physical energies is mostly limited… and in some areas—” Roun’s eyebrow tipped upwards as she paused.

“What?” He pressed.

“Plainly?” She inquired, causing Roun to nod at the question. “Well, they are quite wrong.” She shrugged.

“What do you mean?” Roun inquired now, even more confused than he was at the start of their conversation.

“I’ve watched you over the past two decades and learned with you as your mastery of zeta has developed, but key aspects of your history have been fabricated for the sake of convenience.” She explained.

“Like what?” He pressed, prompting her to simply correct these misconceptions.

“Like this premise that your ‘zeta’ is man-made and that its existence dates back less than a century.” She started. “What you call zeta is hardly different from one of the primal forces of our universe. In my time we called it Qi and believed it to be linked to the life-force of our planet. Much like your zeta, there were those among us with the natural ability to harness this Qi and generate our own Ki from it. My Ki, the manifestation of my soul’s will, was called Synchros during my lifetime.” She explained. “In death, this Ki lives on and carries with it the imprint of my consciousness – but what you see is just an echo of who I truly was. That person is long dead.”

“So your soul is bonded to mine?” He inquired, causing her to nod slowly.

“A fraction of it at least.” She explained. “This is what grants you the ability to manifest my power, along with your own.”

“But why me?” He questioned.

“Ki is motivated by the wielder’s will. When I died, my will to continue my mission lived on and as such, my Ki remained in this world. But without a soul to house it, a mind to guide it and a body to channel it… all of my power is useless.” She explained. “Your will and mine are aligned – our spirits are kindred.”

Roun paused, his mind racing as it did its best to process and – even more difficultly – believe what it was that he was being told.

“What does all of this have to do with the haima’sa?” Roun inquired, but his question just seemed to confuse Synchros.

“These creatures are as strange to me as they are to you.” She shrugged. “They appear to be the product of sorcery – they have neither will nor souls and as such they are not of my concern.” She dismissed, causing Roun to chuckle lightly for the first time. “You find this funny. Why?”

“Because they seem to know you very well and they’re willing to kill me simply for harbouring you.” Roun pointed out what he assumed to be the obvious.

“Be that as it may, I have no recollection of them and they are inconsequential to my mission.” She dismissed once more.

“That’s the second time you’ve mentioned this mission of yours.” He stated. “If it has nothing to do with these haima’sa, what’s all of this really about?”

“Teros.” Her gaze narrowed as she spoke the name, her voice laced with venom that suggested the two had a history.

“The creature from the Garrison?” Roun’s eyebrow tipped upwards. “It wasn’t one of those haima’sa things?”

“Far from it.” She replied. “Teros is the adversary of man, but his existence predates our own. People in my time believed him to be the devil himself and his power lent credence to such claims. In three millennia I am yet to ascertain his true origin – I know only his purpose.”

“Which is?” Roun’s inquired as a sense of dread crept over him.

“The complete annihilation of man, and all of his works.” Synchros explained.

As she did however, her corporeal form began to flicker before Roun, losing cohesion slightly before she managed to pull herself together.

“Alas, my will is too much to be contained within this soulless vessel—” She smiled proudly. “—even one generated by three of Terra’s strongest sons. I must return to my host, but before I go allow me to offer you a gift for your service thus far.”

Roun looked particularly puzzled by her statements; in particular the fact that she could survive inside of his body but not in one created by the combined efforts of men whose individual powers dwarfed his own. Unfortunately, time was running short and he would not have time to question her on this in such a forum. Instead he watched as she used much of her remaining strength to draw ambient energy into her summoned vessel. Unlike normal, he could not actually sense the energy, but instead saw it as golden streaks of light that rushed towards her hands. Initially these streaks coalesced around her hands in a spiralling formation much like his aesis before they stretched out to form a glowing cylinder of raw energy. This energy then burst into flames before solidifying into a blade that fell into her hands. As she smiled and outstretched her hands, Roun watched as her body became less opaque, forcing him to reach out and accept it without hesitation. A smile broke across his own lips as the blade was rested in his hands, before Synchros’ body destabilised and returned to the golden flames from which it was created.

Now unfettered from its corporeal shell, the mass of energy extracted from Roun rushed back to its source to energise him once again. As it rushed through his chest, the impact caused him to stagger backwards slightly before his body was overwhelmed by the sensation of zeta permeating his body. First strengthening his bones, then his muscles and eventually the rest of his tissue; his frail recreant form was replaced by the braver form that he’d come to appreciate much more in the short space of time that it had been taken from him. His hair and eyes once more shone with golden energy to match his winter gear before the residual energy that still lingered danced over his skin as golden flames. Much to his surprise however, these golden flames also overran the sword with which he had just been presented. Soon it was once again reduced to energetic flames before being reabsorbed into his body and stored as one of the many ‘hashes’ that allowed him to summon his abilities. With that done, the others in the room returned to their feet.

“Three down – just one more to go.” Rayad stated as he walked over to Shin’s desk as picked up his jacket, before charging his energy to its maximum stock.

Roun watched as red energy that appeared almost liquid in consistency began to leak from his body before he vanished from the room completely in a brilliant flash. Marshack just shook his head at the display.

“Always an uncouth child.” He shook his head before turning to the others. “Shin, once again, thank you for your hospitality. Kyasho, Maika: until next time.” The regal knight sounded before turning towards Roun and Rueben and simply nodding once.

He was the next to vanish from the room. With an incredible surge of energy, his body dissipated into streaks of white light as he did.

“I suspect I should also take my leave.” Kyasho sounded. “But before I do, have you had any luck locating the Geon vessel?” He inquired towards Shin, who simply shook his head.

“I’ve been monitoring a few candidates but I haven’t come up with anything.” Shin shook his head. “Whoever he or she is, they continue to elude us.”

“That’s worrying.” Kyasho replied. “With the haima’sa suddenly taking an interest in guardian vessels, my men are stretched thin in Merricent as it is. Let’s hope that whoever the host is, they’re there.”

“I’ve had Bayman tracking haima’sa activity in Usiles and it is extremely low.” Maika finally spoke up, with a gruff voice that matched his appearance. “And based on what Marshack will share, activity in Odessa is at a bare minimum as well, despite the presence of the gate in that location.”

“So they’re definitely hunting, and Merricent is their stalking-ground.” Shin deduced. “Well, we created channeler meccas for just this reason – we’ll continue to concentrate our searches around Merricent. The final vessel is bound to show up there.”

“I agree.” Kyasho nodded. “We’ll just have to hope that we find him before the enemy does.”

“Indeed.” Shin nodded. “We’ll, keep in touch.”

With this Kyasho nodded and faded from view in a far less spectacular show that the two before him. So subtle was his manipulation of energy that Roun didn’t even catch a glimpse of the manifestation of his personal zeta variant. All he managed to pick up was the faint whistle of the energy resonating with the air as it transported him out of the building. This, more than anything else, intrigued Roun and piqued his interest in the ‘strongest man on the planet’ as he vanished from sight, leaving just Maika who made his way towards the door.

“Shin.” Was all he stated, causing Roun’s father to nod in reply before Maika turned to Roun and Rueben. “Children.”

He was the first and only of the legends to actually speak to them, and the mere fact that he did caught them both off-guard.

“Uh… goodnight.” Roun quickly stammered.

“Good night, sir.” Rueben also replied quickly as the reinforced door slid open and allowed Maika to leave the room on foot – without theatrics.

The two young bravers watched as the last of these foreign legends exited the room, leaving just Shin lingering with the two youngsters.

“Thank you for allowing me to witness the awakening ceremony, Shin.” Rueben stated, now that everyone else had left. “It was truly a once in a lifetime experience.”

“Do not mention it Rueben.” Shin replied dismissively. “For your help with keeping my son safe you, more than most, deserved to witness Synchros’ awakening. Unfortunately however, I cannot allow you to rest. The Geon vessel is still at large and haima’sa activity continues to increase – I need you to select a team and return to Merricent to aid in the search.”

“Of course.” Rueben complied without hesitation. “But I’d like to look into something else before I head back… if that’s okay.”

“What did you have in mind?” Shin questioned.

“Roun made an unsettling connection between one of his friends from Titan Academy and the haima’sa ability. I’d like the pay the boy’s parents a visit and find out the source of his affliction.” Rueben explained.

“This is correct, Roun?” Shin pressed.

“Yeah, there’s a kid at school named Kanrei Angelus – he’s from Odessa – his energy type is a lot like the weird chaotic energy that those haima’sa attacked us with.” Roun confirmed.

“Odessa? Near the gate most likely.” Shin muttered to himself. “This is indeed interesting. Alright Rueben, take your team to Stonehenge first, then Merricent but be careful—” Shin paused “—in fact, take Jorna with you.”

“What!?” Rueben’s eyes widened at the suggestion, but he knew better than to question his boss. Instead he simply sighed. “Yes sir.”

Shin just smirked. “That is all. Get some rest and stock up before you head back out.”

“Will do.” Rueben replied before he turned to make his way out the door.

“And Rueben…” Shin’s voice drew his attention back to the large framed legend.

“Yes sir?” He pressed.

“I’m sorry that you didn’t get much of a vacation.” Rueben just smirked and nodded.

“I’ll rest when this is all over, Shin.” Shin smirked and nodded in return.

“We all will.”

With this Rueben made his way out of the room, leaving just Roun and his father. Shin just smirked and turned his attention to his son.

“I assume you still have questions.” Shin spoke up, resting his right hand on Roun’s shoulder as he did.

“Only about a thousand.” Roun nodded with a light smirk. “But for the most part they can wait.” He added. “It’s been a long day, and I’d much rather see mom and Seth than pick your brain.”

Shin just chuckled at the youngster’s reply.

“I don’t blame you. Let’s go say hello to your mother.” He replied before making his way out of the office and towards the elevator.

“Once they called me Aesis of Persia; my most notable attribute was being wed to the man who would go on to become Darius the Great. But that was countless lifetimes ago in a world I can barely remember. I was taken away from that world by our planet-mother, charged with the task of protecting her progeny and restoring her balance. To achieve such a monumental task, I was granted the flame of binding and came to be known by its name. Synchros.

This is my fifth summoning, and I suspect that I will not survive a sixth; so it is up to my fifth and final vessel to end a war that greater men have failed to see to its conclusion. The beast, Teros, must be slain at all costs and neither of us can rest until this task is completed.

Gaea's strongest sons will correct her greatest mistakes and finally we shall achieve the Restoration of our Earth.”