Picture of Guardian Headquarters

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Straight ahead of a grand staircase, stands the main door of headquarters. An irritable young woman, Valery, glared at it, head in her hands as she sat on the steps. That door won't open to her anytime soon if things don't change. She took a peek up and down the hall. Noise can be heard from the council room just around the corner. The whole council is there, voices raised yet unclear. She can't make out a single word being said. Not a single clue of what her future entailed.

She let out a groan that echoed on both sides of the hall. To the left, a barren hall of white walls of the medical ward, nothing but the occasional bench for visitors litters the area. Doors line the hall on both sides, all closed. And to the right, a hall full of large paintings depicting the Guardian's glorious history. A continuous symbol of what they dream to achieve again. This is not getting me anywhere.

Valery let out another groan and climbed to her feet. Looked back down the medical ward.

Olivia could be anywhere.

"OLIVIA! Olivia, I need you!"

"Restocking," Olivia called from the far end of the hall.

"Liana booted me again," Valery complained as she made her way towards Olivia.

"She's a busy woman," Olivia commented, her voice distracted.

Olivia is hunched over a table with some freshly gathered herbs on it from the garden, carefully inspecting the contents. Her dark brown hair is pulled into a tight bun.

"So are you, but you still work with me," Valery commented as she came to a stop in the stock room doorway. "Anything good?"

"It's been a hard year but they're salvageable," Olivia sighed, reaching above her head for vacuum-sealing bags. "Val, admit it. You are only here because you want to practice. Because you were hoping I could help you. No one sees the healer because they want to. No one WANTS to see me."

Valery sighed and leaned up against the doorframe with her arms crossed. "I do need to practice healing."

"It's been a slow day; something tells me it's the calm before the storm," Olivia commented, pausing to look out the window to her left, watching a blue jay flutter past.

"How can you tell?"

Olivia carefully picked a handful of leaves off the table. "Dedicate yourself to healing long enough and you'll see the patterns. Feverfew. Great for treating fevers."

"You've only been healing for five years," Valery pointed out. "I'd hardly say you were healing ALL THAT long."

"And spent seven with my mentor before that," she retorted, rolling her eyes behind Valery's back. She deposits the leaves into a bag. "You're twice blessed. You know as well as I do that your duty is to your people. And you can't do that if you aren't trained properly."

"True," Valery admitted reluctantly.

Olivia plopped the bag down and reached for another small pile. "So, do you want to learn about some of these plants or not?"

"Sure, it makes sense to lug a massive bag full of herbs around the wilderness JUST IN CASE, when I can touch someone and urge their body to heal itself. It's not like that space can be used for more useful things like more weapons. Or extra snack bars. Or you know, life-sustaining water."

"You clearly can't rely on that yet. Otherwise, you wouldn't be here. Now. What's echinacea used for?" Olivia pressed, trying to get some sort of a lesson to stick in her head. Such an obvious question among healers, and a first-year could answer it.

Valery rolled her eyes and headed towards the door.

"Let me know if you get someone who needs help. I'll be in my room."

She let the door close behind her, cutting off Olivia's objection.

A tall, imposing figure leaned casually against the wall, effectively blocking the path to the staircase. It was Trent, a warrior of a man with warm brown eyes and tousled black hair. Her bad mood evaporated upon seeing him, replaced by a flicker of excitement. Trent smiled as Valery squealed, throwing herself into his arms. "Training tonight. Liana said I can take you out on a real date later on," He commented in greeting. 

Valery gasped, her excitement bubbling over. "What? She actually said that?" 

He nodded a mischievous glint in his eyes. "She mentioned being occupied with a meeting for a while and thought it would be a good idea for someone to take you out before you end up doing something reckless. She wants to make sure she doesn't regret it."

"I won't!"

"Good. Get your weapons. I'm driving," He commented as he released her from his hold.

A grin spread across Valery's face. "Oh, I love you," she sighed, leaning forward to give him a quick peck on the cheek. She dashed up the stairs.

As she descended the stairs in record time, with her katana secured around her waist and her untied tennis shoes flapping with each step.

  "So, what's the plan?" Valery asked, her eyes gleaming with curiosity.

Trent met her at the bottom of the stairs, a playful smile playing on his lips. "Get in the car, and you'll figure it out," he teased, guiding her towards his gleaming blue jeep, ready and waiting.

"You just love keeping me in the dark, don't you?" Valery playfully complained as they stepped out of the door. The early spring air greeted her with a refreshing breeze, and she couldn't help but sigh in delight. Her pixie-cut hair and casual t-shirt allowed her to soak up as much of the weak sunlight as possible. "Ah, I wish I could have more of this."

Trent chuckled, opening the jeep door for her, his smirk hidden. After a month-long mission, this was the first time she had seen him, and he was lucky she waited this long to ask about it. He knew it. "I found a specimen," he revealed as Valery settled herself and adjusted her sword before he closed the door before she could ask. They shared a brief moment of silence as Trent jogged to the other side of the jeep. "It was a plant, mass-produced on a farm. They used it to administer to people held captive in camps," he explained.

Valery's expression turned serious as she listened intently. "The drug steals their minds and memories," Trent continued. "It erases their sense of self, leaving them as mere husks, like human robots. They obey orders because it's all they know."

Trent skillfully pulled out of the parking lot and onto a side street, eventually merging onto a main city road. 

The once bustling population had dwindled, leaving only a few scattered individuals shuffling from shop to shop. A small group huddled together, waiting to cross the road, replacing the former swarms of people. Navigating the roads was no longer a headache, and outdoor seating had vanished. A sense of fear had settled over the city, with everyone on edge. However, life continued to move forward.

Valery whispered in a somber tone, "That's terrible. The city, the world... it's dying."

Trent nodded gravely. "There were burn piles, remnants of those who didn't survive the transition. People lose their strength, the will to eat or drink, and any hope of a normal life. Those who do survive are shipped south for training," he explained, as he glanced at Valery and noticed her crossed legs with shoelaces dangling. He couldn't help but to sigh, watching them swing lightly. "Will you just tie your shoes?"

As Trent's words sank in, Valery's energy started to buzz. She tore her gaze away from the city, the gravity of Trent's findings settling heavily upon her. "They want control, and it seems like they're getting it," she murmured.

Trent's expression softened. He took a deep breath, momentarily distracted by the traffic light turning red. Sensing her restlessness, he glanced at her. "You alright?" he asked.

Valery nodded. "I'm in control. I want to know," she assured him, her voice tinged with a newfound resolve.

As the traffic light turned green, Valery swung her foot onto the seat, reaching to tie her laces. Trent nodded. "With Clermont falling, there are more active Devil's Own camps. So many people suffering," he began. "And with the loss of the mayor, it won't be long until the city is completely overtaken."

"We'll be next," Valery sighed, her second foot hitting the floor as she secured her laces.

Trent nodded silently, pondering on her words. "Something needs to be done," Valery commented, her gaze fixed on the city flashing past her window.

Trent nodded in agreement. "Things are being done. That's why Angela runs every day, and it's why I was brought into the city. These soulless people are already among us, blending in with the locals, and studying our weaknesses. It's difficult to tell the difference unless you're directly attacked or get close enough to see the emptiness in their eyes. Even when they smile, it's cold and heartless," he explained.

As they drove past a faded "thanks for visiting" sign, realization dawned on Valery. "You're taking me out of the city," she realized, her voice filled with a mix of excitement and apprehension.

Trent smirked. "That's right," he confirmed.

Valery's mind raced as she quickly assessed their surroundings. "Let me see," she said, pausing to scan the horizon and the position of the sun. "We're heading north. You're taking me to Clermont, aren't you?" she surmised as the car bumped along the rough, neglected highway.

Trent nodded, his gaze focused on the road ahead. "You need to witness firsthand what these cities have become to understand what we're up against. You need to understand why they are so hard on you. You'll stay close to me, follow my lead, and be vigilant. Don't touch anything," he instructed.

As the jeep swerved to avoid a rim-ripping pothole, Valery clutched the handle above her head, her knuckles turning white. "Alright," she replied, her voice steady despite the rough road.

"They've set traps and triggers to capture the remaining city folk. We have to be careful, can't take anything for face value," Trent warned, his tone serious.

Valery scoffed and shook her head in defiance. "Hunted like wild animals," she muttered.

"To the point of extinction," Trent agreed. "They know there are Guardians out there, but they don't know how many or where we are."

"Liana allowed you to bring me here?" Valery asked.

As the road grew rougher, jostling them both, Valery grasped the headrest with a firm grip. Trent glanced at her. "Why do you think she emphasized not regretting it? We need you. I need you," he replied, his voice earnest.

Rolling her eyes, Valery planted her feet on the floor as the jeep jolted over another obstacle. The forest loomed ahead, and she kept her gaze fixed on the budding greenery. "Yeah, yeah, yeah. The Angels chose me. I'm the only one twice blessed with Guardian parents. But don't start with the praises. They're just trying to butter me up, trying to compensate for how often they've thrown me aside lately," she retorted, frustration lacing her words.

Trent's gaze hardened, but he kept his eyes on the road. "You have Guardian parents, which means you have warrior blood running through your veins. You possess more power and energy than anyone at HQ, and you need to learn to harness it," he lectured, undeterred by her sharp tone.

"Trent," Valery groaned, throwing her head back against the headrest. "I know all this. I don't need you to lecture me as well. Why don't you tell me something fun for a change?"

"When are you going to start listening?" Trent asked, a hint of frustration in his voice. "I know you got into some trouble while I was gone."

Valery tore her eyes away from the horizon, glaring at him. "You're supposed to be my boyfriend, my support. Don't act like my father or my mentor," she snapped, her tone laced with acid.

Trent shot her a dirty look before refocusing on the road. "I am supporting you," he retorted. "That's why, right after I returned from my month-long mission, I'm here with you, taking you out for training instead of indulging in a hot shower, shaving off a month's worth of beard, and relaxing in my own bed like I want to. Like I deserve to," he explained, his voice tinged with raw emotion. "Liana assured me that I had every right to turn down the idea. I know you're tired of the pressure, tired of everyone expecting miracles from you. You're tired of being held back. But you also need to learn and grow. And sometimes, you need a break, away from all the prying eyes. So today, I'll be tough on you, almost like an asshole, because I want to make sure you'll be okay. But guess what? This weekend, I'm taking you to that new community center—the one with rock climbing, laser tag, and mini-golf, among other things. We can play as many games of laser tag as you want. Shoot me as many times as you can until they throw us out," he declared, a glimmer of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.

Valery's eyes widened, a flicker of excitement replacing her frustration. She met Trent's gaze, her voice softening. "You mean it?" she asked, a hint of vulnerability creeping into her tone.

Trent nodded, his expression tender. "I mean every word. But for now, let's focus on the training ahead. We have a lot to cover," he said.

Valery's gaze flickered to the berry bush on the side of the road, its branches reaching out like tendrils. She couldn't help but imagine someone seeking refuge within its leafy embrace.

"Will I be able to fight someone?" Valery wondered aloud.

Trent glanced at her, a hint of amusement dancing in his eyes. "Let's not actively go looking for danger, but if the situation arises, we'll see what happens," he replied, a wry smirk playing on his lips.

"Do you think a leader is going to be floating around?" Valery wondered, her gaze fixed on the side mirror, watching the berry bush until it disappeared from sight.

Trent pondered her question, uncertainty creasing his brow. "I don't know what to expect yet," he admitted. "But Matt will have some information for us. Look, there he is now." Trent nodded towards Matt, who stood in the shade at the edge of a trampled clearing. Matt waved to them, motioning for them to park the car just ahead.