It was already lunchtime at the Sycamore University, and everybody around campus was socializing and going to their favorite places to unwind for a couple of hours before hitting the classes. It wasn’t a sense of naivety among the students and faculty. Everyone knew what happened to the two security guards that were torn to shreds by an apparent monster being rumored around the University. Most people wanted to get back to a particular kind of normalcy again, even if it meant being oblivious to what happened six months ago.

Baseball and basketball tryouts were being held today, to everyone’s surprise. Many others decided to play frisbee and throw footballs at the quad. Some even try to do a little of skateboarding around campus as well.

However, the vast majority of the students and faculty alike were too busy getting a quick bite before they go back to work or get into their studies. Just recently, food trucks around campuses had been trendy over the years. Most people live off of food trucks since it is their “lifeblood.” The contemporary and over-the-top combinations of favorite food flavors usually run rampant in food trucks since every one of them has a unique gimmick.

One of the favorite places around the eastern campus was a Chinese-Mexican food-themed truck parked near one of the dancing halls. Despite the fusion of flavors, it became widely popular and was featured in many culinary magazines.

The food truck’s signature meal was the sweet and sour chicken burrito. Usually, there was a line of 50 people waiting for such a delicious lunch, but many people have been scarce ever since the murders. Sadly, no one or not everyone is so eager to move about and around even in the middle of the day.

For those who are bold enough, could get a quick, delicious bite to eat and savor the weird and wacky combination of flavors.

Including one individual who pulled up near the food truck in a car. But not just any car, a purple Lamborghini Aventador. The Lamborghini Aventador LP 700–4 uses experimental 1300 PS 6.5 liter 60° V12 engine weighing 265 kg. Its transmission, a single-clutch seven-speed semi-automatic, is built by Graziano Trasmissioni. Despite being single-clutch, gear-shifts are accomplished in 50 milliseconds. The new, electronically controlled, all-wheel-drive system is developed and supplied by the Swedish company Haldex Traction, offering traction and handling capabilities based on their 4th generation technology.

Undoubtedly, this car turned a lot of the patrons’ heads. They want to see this driver out of curiosity. He might’ve been some university trustee or a banking executive. Most if not all assumptions and guesses were incorrect, as an attractive female teenager with short black hair emerged from the driver’s seat of the car.

Wearing a white and blue schoolgirl-themed outfit with a gray jacket and white sneakers with yellow striped socks; This pale skinned, bluish green-eyed beauty had perfect measurements. Cherie’s slim body resembled of a banana shape with her small firm breasts and flat tummy in which she proudly showed off.

Swaying her hips with confidence as she walked to the food truck, she can feel many pairs of eyes taken notice of every step that she made. In a way, she positively reveled in it. Even the cook, minding the truck try to regain some of his composure.

“H-hello, how may I help you today?” The cook stammered.

The woman smiled shyly as she blushed a little, “I heard you sell Chinese and Mexican food. You guys sell those burritos, right?”

“Y-yes, yes we do!” The cook eagerly answered.

“Okay, give me four burritos,” the teenager ordered. “One without arugula and tomatoes, one with extra teriyaki beef, one without beef and with extra vegetables and one with extra cheese and guacamole.”

Even though the limits of these burritos are two for each patron and forgetting the fact that they cannot make custom orders, for some odd reason the cook overlooked about those rules, “coming right up!”

Slyly, the flirty teenager knows that firsthand. She gave a soft giggle of approval, “thank you, sir. And I’ll take one of these fizzy drinks as well.” She said as she winked at him. This sent chills down the cook’s spine.

“You’re welcome,” the cook obliged as he eagerly worked on the order.

The woman walked away from the food truck and decided to sit down at one of the tables nearby. She leaned back in her chair and crossed her legs, exposing her well-toned thighs. She pulled out her cell phone from her satchel and started to text.

Most of the men were taking notice of this Chinese-Irish bombshell of a confident woman, and most of the women were taking note as well in a different envious way.

One woman was bold enough to stop this eye googling nonsense from everyone by approaching this fashionista as she proclaimed her to be.

“Excuse me,” the female said as the teenager in the schoolgirl outfit looked up to see a curvy middle-aged woman with glasses. She had long hair that was done up in a high ponytail and was wearing a violet sweater and a long skirt that came down to her knees. Her arms are crossed with a stern look.

This woman made herself known, “sorry to interrupt your lunch, but I saw what you did back there. Not very intelligent… My name is Dr. Leona Harker, I teach biology here at this university.”

The teenager wasn’t really impressed as she started to browse through her phone.

Dr. Harker continued, “I just want to let you know that we do have a strict dress code policy. No tight shirts or no skirts above the knees. Make sure you understand that the next time you walk out the dorms. The last thing we need is a couple of allegations popping up again. I warn females like you so you won’t get into any trouble with the men.”

The teenager ignored her.

Yet, Dr. Harker found humor in this as she continued admonishing her behavior, “how predictable and disappointing. You honestly think you are so untouchable. All it takes is one irrational decision or not even a decision for you to be in great danger. If you wanted to end up like many others last year, then I suggest you take care of yourself--”

“It’s natural,” the teenager spoke. “It’s human nature to stare. To crave something that you want for yourself.”

Something confused Dr. Harker as the teenager lectured more, “biology, am I right? Human nature. Not human biology. As a warrior, it doesn’t do you any justice.”

Overhearing their conversation, most of the men and women can’t help themselves but laugh at Dr. Harker’s claims.

One kid across the sitting area called out on Dr. Harker’s crap, “Oh, leave her alone, Harker! You mad ‘cuz none of us want to screw you like your old man back home!”

“Shut the fuck up, bronies, and jerk off to your My Little Pony porn!” Dr. Harker shot back at the students.

Dr. Leona Harker had always been a hard nose instructor at the University. She is universally hated amongst the faculty for her bullish political endeavors and her heavy-handedness amongst her students.

“Oi! Cherie!” A voice suddenly shouted. It was boisterous, as it echoed throughout the area. It was so noticeable everybody looked around to see who this Cherie person was.

They didn’t have to wonder about that too much as the teenager Dr. Harker was talking to what was indeed Cherie as she made herself known. She looked over to her left and saw two young females walking towards her. Happily, Cherie waved at them both.

One of the women had dark silver eyes to go along with her thigh-length dark silver hair. She was wearing a basic white crop top and solid pleated mini skirt with opaque nylon thigh-high stockings that complimented her figure. She also wore a long black jacket covering up most of her thick and muscular body with black sneakers.

Beside her was another woman who was a lot smaller than her having waist length white hair and ocean blue eyes. She wore a gray jersey dress with a zippered neckline and gray sneakers. She too was waving at Cherie.

Both women joined Cherie at the table as they sat down.

Cherie addressed the silver-haired woman, “Blair, how is it that every time we meet up for lunch you are always on time or early?”

The silver-haired woman who was named Blair defended herself lazily, “it’s simple, who would turn down a free meal?”

“Well, you did have a big breakfast this morning. You shouldn’t really be that hungry,” the white-haired woman embarrassingly said.

“Oh please, Chelsea, you eat more than I do,” Blair accused.

The white-haired woman now known as Chelsea defended herself as well, “I eat a well-balanced breakfast because I don’t want to overeat around lunchtime. It isn't exactly healthy.”

Blair shrugged her shoulders as she slouched back in her chair, “You know me, I will always find a way to burn off the calories.” Her wavering eyes looked over to another table of male athletes who are just minding their own business. Unknowingly, what kind of heavenly or hellish pleasures that Blair had in store for them.

It’s always been a problem with Blair. She likes to sexually tease men in public, which indeed got her into trouble. Always got her in trouble… Always… Like 100% of the time…

And usually her sister Chelsea always bail her out of those sticky situations, “Do you always have to be so vulgar out in public?” She corrected.

Blair shot a glare at her sister, disapproving of her correctness, “Don’t be so coy, little sister. We are nothing but animals wanting to mate with the strongest. I can’t help it if I want to ride the power of a strong bloke now and then. It’s healthy. That’s what makes us human.”

Hearing that explanation made Dr. Harker physically sick. She couldn’t believe what these teenagers were saying as she shook her head in shame, this world is going straight to hell if these kids are our future…

Then, the cook came out with Cherie’s order. Cherie was very pleased with the preparation. She went inside her satchel and pulled out her purse. Pulling out a wad of $100 bills, Cherie gave him one to pay for her food, “keep the change.”

“Wow, thank you,” the cook accepted the hefty tip as he went back to his truck.

Spending mommy’s money as well, Dr. Harker thought, still standing there.

At this point, the three teenagers have wholly ignored Dr. Harker. To be quite honest, everybody was ignoring her anyway, so it didn’t really make too much of a difference. While having their lunch, Blair almost took two burritos for herself, but Chelsea smacked her hand away from the food.

Then, Cherie took the order of food and distributed it accordingly to everyone’s liking, “okay. One with extra teriyaki beef is yours, Blair. The one without beef and with extra vegetables is mine. And one with extra cheese and guacamole is yours, Chelsea.”

“You know me so well. Thanks, Cherie,” Chelsea happily accepted.

“Oi! What about the extra one?” Blair protested, accepting her burrito.

Her mighty sized appetite for men was one thing, but it also rivaled her desire for food which could be annoying for some.

This made Cherie sigh loudly, “one is enough for you! And besides, this one is for Erika. I just texted her a couple of minutes ago? So, she will be here to pick hers up.”

“Yeah, where is she anyway?” Blair asked as she looked around.

“Here…,” a soft-spoken voice crept up behind Dr. Harker. This startled the teacher as she jumped to see a female kemonomimi, behind her.

Kemonomimi is a race of humanoids who are predominately human with minimal animal characteristics. There are many kinds of kemonomimi and Erika is a tanuki kemonomimi with shoulder-length brown hair and big red auburn eyes.

She wore a white dress shirt with lace cuffs and a red plaid skirt which was hemmed with black lace. Alas, with the oversized black hooded sweatshirt she always wears, hides everything. She wears black thigh-high socks and Mary Jane shoes. Tanuki kemonomimis love their hats, and Erika is no different as she wore a red knitted cap.

The kind tanuki kemonomimi waved at Dr. Harker as she took her seat to the table.

“A feminist and a racist. Definitely, a winner amongst the quad,” Cherie scrutinized as Dr. Harker shot her a nasty look before finally leaving the table.

“I see you’re making friends already, Cherie,” Erika said.

Cherie never really had a filter, to begin with, and has no problem being blunt with anyone who gets in her face, including an alleged feminist like Dr. Harker. Honestly, Cherie enjoys being brash and outlandish.

“It’s no big deal. Pompous assholes like her need to be put in their place. But then again, I could’ve been a lot worse,” Cherie summarized as she handed Erika her burrito.

Finally, they started to eat. Blair tore into her burrito by ripping half of the foil off and taking a big bite. Chelsea was a bit more sophisticated by eating hers with a knife and fork. Cherie took pictures of the burrito and posted it on her blog. As for Erika, she mumbled a prayer and cut her burrito in half. She decided to eat one-half of the big burrito now and save the rest for later.

“Did any of you ran into Selena? She should be here by now,” Blair questioned as she took a bite of her burrito.

Selena was their friend and confidant who came along with them. She is the oldest one out of the five and carries herself as the leader of the group.

“Yes, she’s here. Along with the Aethereal Queen,” Chelsea answered. “I heard she spoke to the Dean this morning. This is a beautiful University. Very nice and clean. Such a shame about the tragedies surrounding this place.”

“Yeah. Whoever this fucker is, we’re going to make him wish he was never born,” Blair bragged.

Selena, Chelsea, Blair, Cherie, and Erika were the little girl’s — who is the Aethereal Queen—subordinates who were sent to find the assailant who attacked those two security guards six months ago.

Once in every generation, five females are chosen from The Crux Nexus by the heavens. They are pretty much considered being an elite squad known as “The Crucis Sentinels” which consists of five; Alpha Crucis (Selena Logan), Beta Crucis (Erika Meridian), Gamma Crucis (Chelsea Hayabusa), Delta Crucis (Cherie Konana), and Epsilon Crucis (Blair Hayabusa).

They choose these five women at a young age by the stars and the heavens to represent them in desperate times. Being a part of The Crux Nexus entirely is not a job or lifestyle, it is a calling.

“Never underestimate your opponent, Blair,” Erika cautioned. “We are robust and unified as one, but it doesn’t mean we are all invincible and unbreakable.”

“You don’t have to remind me,” Blair reassured. “But it’s called confidence, ladies. I can’t help myself if I have a lot of it.”

“You say that now. Just you wait when we end up carrying you,” Chelsea begrudgingly complains. “You need to be more careful out on the field.”

“You need to hit the gym, squeaky!” Blair shouted.

“Well, I had a personal trainer last week. But for some odd reason, he decided that only to refund my money, but also discontinued his phone number and his email address,” Chelsea scowls.

“It’s not my fault; he was a lightweight who couldn’t handle his liquor. He had a few ideas about yoga and well… Let’s just say even Dhalsim will be jealous of how rubbery he was afterward,” Blair laughs out loud as the rest of the ladies felt nauseous.

“I am trying to eat, Blair! Shut up!” Cherie demanded.

Naturally, Blair took offense to this, “Are you fucking kidding me?! I swear, you ladies better not go fucking soft and turn into some politically correct, social justice warrior faggots on me while I’m not looking.”

“Oh no, Blair. I do believe if we were all like you, the world would be a better place,” Erika patronized as this made Cherie and Chelsea laugh a little.

Blair’s feelings were a little hurt by Erika as she nodded her head and bears it, “I see. So, Logan is rubbing off on you. Another woman who need to get on top of old Smokey.”

“Be a good girl,” Chelsea reprimands her sister.

“Don’t get me wrong, Logan and I are tight,” Blair reassures. “I like her, Chelsea. But she just needs to chill out a little. Sometimes being a bit too wound up for your own good is not… What’s the word? Healthy! Yeah, that’s it!”

“Not everybody’s perfect, and neither are we,” Erika lectures. “That is why it’s important that we all strive to learn from our mistakes and become better. Whether it fits us being sentinels for the Aethereal Queen or not.”

“Now you sound like that flying rodent Revan Zayne,” Blair scoffed as she bites down her burrito.

“I heard she might hang it up. I wonder who’s going to take over the mantle now,” Cherie contemplated.

“Whenever the time comes, they got big shoes to fill. It’s not every day that a ‘gift from heaven’ benefits not just humankind but everyone under the sun and the moon,” Erika commented as the ladies finish their meal.