“We interrupt this regular broadcast with breaking news: the International Agency have officially come out to confirm an ongoing investigation on two of the most influential Guild Masters in Ordo: Seraph and Monarch of Angels and Royals Guild respectively. This is an unprecedented scandal since the time of Oasisgate, but even then, it had involved gross corruption, depravity, and abuse across all levels of one of the deemed ‘Excellent Eleven’. This is, arguably, more serious.

“Apocalyptic charges are in the discussion. Specifically, malicious contracting of an apocalyptic-grade entity—in other words, a Nemesis. This single crime carries grievous consequences from the dissolvement of their guilds and perhaps even execution. But more importantly, the existence of the investigation itself is already having rippling effects on the political landscape of the world.

“We know right now the Global Guards are struggling to convince uncooperative nations to join hands alongside multiple prominent Slayers who have also come out against the various proposals made. Will this investigation prove the dissenters correct in their criticisms of the Guards, or will this harm the dissenters and their positions if the allegations are true? We have also reached out to the President and his press secretary for comment, but they have declined to release a statement on the matter. Currently, no arrest warrant nor charge were served but in the coming hours, anything is possible. Whatever the case, everyone has their eyes on one man in particular: the husband of Seraph and the strongest Slayer in the world, Kosmos.

“What will he do when his wife is in the crosshairs of a brutal investigation? And could he be complicit in this heinous act?”

***

“How did all these journalists sneak inside Ordo?” Kashan asked himself mostly, tightening his lips as his arms were crossed.

Below them were crushed packs of reporters hounding the front gates of the main headquarters of Angels Guild. They pushed against the hard steel bars and shoved their sharp microphones between the gaps, nearly slamming their pieces into the visors of armed guards standing a meager couple feet away. They shouted incessantly for comments, they begged for any scrap of a scoop, declaring their credentials and identities as though they were the hottest thing since Isabella Alvillar. Whenever a distant Slayer was seen scurrying across the main grounds, the cries heightened to screeching vultures. Within the couple hours of the invasion, there had been two attempted break-ins. Crazy people.

Nathan smacked his lips, both strangely intimidated by all these journalists and scorning them for their obsessiveness. “How many do you think are in cahoots with the Guards?”

“I have no idea. We have reporters across the globe clawing at our door. All of them are opportunistic rats one way or another; there are definitely some whose pockets were lined by the Guards, but the shadowman can be a dozen different people and entities, and they all do not have our best interests in mind.”

“Right, then let’s switch gears. What about the media companies we’ve allied with? Do you think we could spin the story?”

“Now? No, I don’t think so. If you really wanted to spin the story, we should’ve done it before the official announcement and claim the first word. But it wouldn’t be effective anyway once the Guards get the ball rolling; it’s inevitable that we’ll get swept by the tide so it’s best to take it early and adjust to the barrage of attacks.”

Kashan was correct. The fatal truth of the matter was that the allegations were factually correct: Devoy, the deal, the universe splitter. By attempting to build a wall that’d inevitably crumble, their legs would get trapped by the debris once it fell and escaping would be much harder. So it was the better option to not acknowledge the rumors, the avenue Nathan had taken unwittingly because there was a lot of freaking work to do.

“I don’t think releasing a press statement will do us any good either,” Nathan said. “Not even when I speak as Kosmos. What am I supposed to say? Am I supposed to lie to them? No, the accusations are true and they know we know that. They want us to lie and when we lie, they’ll bury us.”

Kashan anxiously hummed having come to the same conclusion. “You mentioned the outlets we’ve—ethically I might add—cozied up to. The directors are filling up our inboxes with a hundred calls each; personally, I don’t think we should say anything to them.”

“Because it’ll bite us later down the line?”

“No, because I don’t think we can depend on them. I wouldn’t be surprised if International Agents had taken a curious little visit before the announcement and pressed their fingers hard against some pulses. Some of our ‘friends’ might plan on stabbing us in the back.”

“Don’t be cynical. Nobody has experienced this much pressure before,” Nathan lightly chided his friend. “Our ‘friends’ have their own moral codes. For most people, doing anything that remotely endangers the world is a deal-breaker and we’ve done it all. You’re right, though. We can’t rely on them; all we have is ourselves.”

“Yup. So, silence?” Kashan concluded.

“Silence. For right now, at least. We’re not officially saying a word to the public.”

“But are we able to keep our mouths shut?”

Nathan bit his lip. “Sera can’t. You can’t. Angels Guild needs an answer.”

“Yup...”

Nathan and Kashan continued to observe the journalists from their tower, the ravenous creatures clawing at the bones of the gate. Nathan disliked very few whole groups (besides criminals, obviously) and these ‘reporters’ were one. They viewed truth as commodity and justice as device. In the realm of facts their enterprise concerned themselves on deception, favoring slants for the cabals holding their purses.

Angels Guild was no better; in the world of politics, you had to play the game to survive and Nathan hated it.

When he’d grown tired of seeing the same angry faces, he sensed a set of hurrying feet coming their way. Automatically the office doors swiveled open to reveal one tired yet heightened Sera alongside two guests: Evenfall and White Herald.

Nathan and Kashan pulled away from the large windows and filtered to the center of the expansive office where an arena of lounges and chairs were. Evenfall took the initiative and sat down first. Everyone else stood, funnily enough, and the half-demon snorted.

White Herald licked his lips as if to taste thick blood in the air. “It happened,” he said.

“No, Herald, I believe Mars hasn’t been informed yet,” Kashan snipped. “Whatever, let’s exchange information. Evenfall?”

Evenfall smiled yet something was off about it this time. “As expected, I’m stranded here. Duskfire and Dawnfire left abruptly this morning and I’d thought an expedition called them. Nope, it was the Guards and they weren’t able to tell me the truth until hours later. It’s a clever trick, one that might’ve resulted in my detainment if I wasn’t bothering High Dominion at the time.”

“I’ve asked my team to stay together and never go anywhere alone,” informed White Herald after nodding to Evenfall’s statement. “It’s too dangerous to step foot outside the HQ under these conditions. What about your Baptists? Are they any danger? Seraph, Kosmos?”

“Assuming the eight-fourteens have the full picture,” Sera began, “they won’t waste energy going after people they know weren’t involved. Nathan—ahem, Kosmos told them to stick together and head to Monarch’s location just in case. For the Baptists in the field, I mean, which is…?”

Nathan answered on her behalf, “Empress and Queen, plus the Alumnus. Except for Firebrand who’s on standby. As for the remaining members, Shinzo isn’t reporting any disturbances on her end, Problem's preparing to go into hiding, and Operator’s ready to rendezvous with the main group.” And Initiate is within HQ right now.

“Does anyone else have a tidbit to share with the class?” Kashan asked while meeting the eyes of every person in the room. He pointed at them individually and one-by-one, they shook their head including Nathan. “Okay, we can bother the Baptists when they speak to Monarch, but we have a bigger matter to attend to.”

Sera uncomfortably shifted in place, looking down at the floor—no, she was looking through it. “Yes, my Angels.”

***

[You have entered Angel Channel #12]

[Pax]: Okay, let’s get this straight

[Pax]: Seraph and High Dominion are on the chopping block

[Pax]: Are they going to be charged?

[Cloth]: Idk I’m not well-studied in this area

[Probe]: I’ll help then. In the context of International Law, there’s usually a long and detailed process. An indictment issued by a grand jury and the steps after; but we’re discussing an apocalyptic charge. In these events, your rights and protections as an international citizen are obstacles. A majority of them are waived in the interest of global security and to ‘liberate International Agents from otherwise cumbersome procedures’.

[Cloth]: Is torture on the table?

[Probe]: Only for designated Apocalyptics, but anyone experiencing an apocalyptic investigation is practically considered one already. There has only been a handful of cases where the accused has walked free.

[Probe]: Unfortunately, and perhaps rightfully once you think about it, if you’re suspected of committed an apocalyptic crime, you are presumed guilty before innocent, because the mere existence of an investigation means the IA is almost certain of your guilt. They wouldn’t chase you to the ends of the earth otherwise.

[Pax]: So they have evidence that our GM actually committed an apocalyptic crime? Plus HD and Monarch?

[Probe]: Absolutely, and they must be 99.9% certain she had.

[Cloth]: What are they going to do next?

[Probe]: What else are they going to do? Arrest her and anyone involved.

[Figment]: It might be for the best

[Pax]: What the fuck are you even saying

[Figment]: I heard it from a friend. There was a Void Demon in the Hold and the Royals were supposed to subjugate it.

[Figment]: She said that they actually contracted with the Void Demon and lied to everyone about it

[Cloth]: Bullshit!!

[Acidrain]: I’ve heard the same thing too from a guy who thought he was involved. With his team, he was called in to help Monarch + Angels with a ‘special operation’. The details were really vague and weird but they were expecting a fight; when it didn't happen, he heard them whispering about a 'demon'

[Probe]: Anecdotal evidence doesn’t have much weight

[Figment]: But everyone is sharing their stories and the details are consistent

[Figment]: I think they did it

[Pax]: They wouldn’t destroy the world

[Figment]: But it’s still a crime

“That’s all they’re talking about,” Initiate said as she marched with the group and like usual she was oddly composed despite the drama. “I’ve been monitoring the [Channels] and the conversation began days before the announcement. The idea wasn’t as popular then, continued to be unpopular, but now people are warming up to it once the rumors and anecdotes were proven to be consistent and credible. Then the announcement pushed Angels who were already on the edge of doubt straight into distrust.”

Nathan exchanged a look with Kashan; it was possible this was someone else’s doing, like how they had spread the rumor that Mystic was working with the eight-fourteens. Or maybe this was an inevitable consequence considering the many opportunities for a leak or a wandering eye or an ear. As Angels Guild was experiencing a siege on all quarters, the warriors inside the castle would receive hit-after-hit in morale.

So this was the first time Nathan had experienced a quiet day in Angels HQ. No more employees running down the hall and chasing after the next crisis, but instead a scattered line of them. They stood against the peeling walls, bowing their heads respectfully as the group passed, maintaining silence while the outside world clamored like hounds. Angels followed the main group a courteous distance away, the numbers slowly building as they gradually worked their way down the hall. Like a funeral procession.

They stopped at the heavy steel doors.

Without a word, Nathan and Kashan moved to the front of the group with Sera between them.

“Doesn’t this remind you of old times?” said Kashan in a feeble attempt to lighten the mood, straining a smile. “The three founders standing together once again. I wonder what happened to us, why the band had to split apart.”

Nathan cracked a quiet chuckle; compared to those days? They had been kids. All three of them, starry-eyed little brats who wanted to rockstars. What did happen to the band? Things used to be so simple…

Sera rolled her eyes but she seemed a tiny bit more relaxed. These small differences went a long way. “Let’s go.”

With one powerful push, the doors swung open and the metal handles banged against the walls. The harsh explosion of noise echoed throughout the main hall of Angels Headquarters and killed all racket in an instant. Conversations and voices dead. Coughs and sniffles and wheezes remained as carrion. Anticipation, dread, hope and hopelessness in the quiet.

Inside the main hall was a space that could host an entire convention easily, one that would be filled with booths and displays and guest speakers on high stages; today, much of the space had been damaged by the Disaster. Depressed and dim lights hung on thin wires and cracked tiles made traversal hazardous and sharp nails and rebar and rubble helped not at all in that regard, trash was swept against the walls for later disposal but none knew the date, staircases and escalators were blocked off for further repairs while some were collapsed altogether. Despite that, at least a few hundred Slayers were here in the comfort of their workplace and hundreds more were present: advisors and managers, laborers and white-collars, from the youngest interns to the oldest seniors. A non-insignificant population was here while the rest were outside scattered throughout Ordo and beyond the walls of the city-state, but surely they were listening in via call or constantly updated through text.

For Sera, this was the hardest obstacle to overcome. Like how Glory and Martials were experiencing new change from new leadership, Angels and Royals were enduring severe pressure from severe opposition. This was the price she had to pay—that they had to pay—for standing their ground against the Global Guards and the International Agency. And to do what was necessary to save Ordo.

In a show of solidarity, demonstrating the highest echelon were united, the three original founders of Angels Guild journeyed to the raised platform at the northern wing like ancient commanders minutes away from a clash of blades and spears. High Dominion and the present Baptists chased after. Although they had no explicit direction, they knew to take their place behind the three high-rankers. They knew to maintain an ordered silence, including the unpredictable Evenfall. The party waited and watched as the last remaining audience trickled in and integrated into the crowd.

Discreetly, Nathan rubbed his ironclad fingers together. Metal scratched metal, and underneath his helmet sweat ran down his cheeks. How many times was he glad for having his face hidden? They’d see him making quick glances at his wife like a madman. He trusted her, he loved her, but as her husband and most devoted fan, it was in his nature to worry.

Worry if she actually could regain complete trust of her lower guild members in a single, improvised speech. Not only that, while they had decided to not release a press statement to reporters across the globe, some members in the audience had nefarious plans in mind.

Whatever she was going to say, she was essentially saying the same thing to the public. No pressure or anything, it wasn’t like her liberty was at stake or her guild was at risk of collapse.

Sera’s pale and dried lips creaked open like a bad door. Bewilderment flashed in her eyes as the circumstances had suddenly weighed down on her like previous guilt—what could she say? what could she do?—but Nathan, underneath the slits of his grime-covered helmet, reassured her with the green eyes he knew she loved.

She inhaled. Finally, as the No.2 Slayer of Ordo and the Guild Master of Angels Guild, she spoke: “This has not been an easy time for me to put it lightly. And it’s been worse for all of you, seeing Angels Guild stand precariously on a cliff’s edge. We all know why we’re having this meeting, but to officially recognize the subject: I, alongside numerous others including Monarch, are under investigation for committing an apocalyptic crime during the Disaster.

“Is it true—?” someone rudely coughed but Sera ignored them, “—are the accusations true—?” the same person coughed again but Sera continued to push through, “—that we have—?!”

“Okay, okay!” a man yelled. “Do I need to cough my lungs out for you to shut up?!”

The voice came from above on the cordoned second floor. There was a skinny middle-aged man wearing the attire of an International Agent, and beside him was another man with his back pressed against the rickety railing. He was dressed like a stereotypical aristocrat from a musical, his cape uncannily still against the notions of physics.

Senior Agent Murke and Mystic.

They had stolen the microphone from Sera.

Murke waved at everyone below and tapped Mystic’s shoulder.

Mystic rolled his eyes and snapped his fingers.

Nathan’s senses tingled. To his left, before the stairs.

A moment after his intuition alerted him, the two men blinked out of existence and appeared exactly where he anticipated. A puff of glittery purple smoke was left after their teleport, fading into sparkles littering the floor.

One High Dominion member, Pilgrim, spoke through gritted teeth, “Why are they—?!”

Sera raised her hand and stopped her from saying a word more. The audience had burst into a rumble of whispers but most were keeping quiet to hear what was going on. “How did you get in here, Murke? Mystic?”

Murke thumbed towards the entrance. “The front door. I’ve elected to have former Glory Head Officer Mystic as my escort for my own safety.”

Mystic didn’t visibly react; in fact he wasn’t willing to say a word which was worryingly uncharacteristic of him. At first Nathan had thought he was depressed but it was the contrary once his eyes settled on him. There was nothing but burning rage inside.

“I have to hand it to you.” The Senior Agent rubbed his palms together excitedly. “You stupid jackasses did exactly what I thought you’d do: telling Silverhonor to give her sob story to Rayner and have her step on my shoes, trying to isolate Mystic. Shame. It’s a real damn shame I’ve already roped in that stubborn bitch, and you gave the HO every excuse he needs to switch sides.

”And as it turns out, Mystic has a network of friends who know a thing or two. Once the ball got rolling, the pieces fell into place and life became so easy. It didn’t take long for us to know the truth; it didn’t take long for your people kept in the dark to figure it out either. Congrats, you did it.”

If what Murke said was true, then did they really give him more allies and resources to work with…? Pushing Rayner to him, preemptively and foolishly ostracizing Mystic? Could Nathan have recruited Mystic from the beginning? Maybe if he hadn’t assumed the former Glory was working with the eight-fourteens—a biased assumption considering the civil war he’d caused during the Disaster—then there might’ve been a different conclusion to his confrontation with Leona.

By isolating Mystic, they had ironically given him the very reason for him to ally with the eight-fourteens—if he was uncertain from the get-go.

Nathan bit his lip.

No, it was useless to speculate now.

This was Murke gloating his victory.

Duskfire and Sephirah Hamidi were correct; Angels Guild was stretched too thin, their defenses and manpower scattered. They had to keep the city afloat in the midst of keeping themselves together, and the International Agency only had one job to do.

So they didn’t do enough and they didn’t have enough time.

The International Agency won and they lost.

Nathan was silent as Murke said the dreaded words: “Everybody standing on this stage except for Rector and Kosmos and that gray-haired chick, you are under arrest for contracting with a malicious apocalyptic-grade entity. You can follow me voluntarily where my blue-ties are waiting outside your gates or I can call ‘em in. Either way, understand that you will be injected with contra-system to ensure you will not be a threat to others and yourself.

“And most of all, understand that due to the severity of your charge, you do not possess the same rights and protections afforded to you as an international citizen of the world. The nuances will be made clear once you are in a secure facility, of course. In other words, you all are my bitches so you’d better get comfortable and I swear on my mother, I’ll find Problem too.”

Senior Agent Murke clapped his hands to cheer himself on. “So! Are you following me or what?”