Guardians Of The Arcane Chronicles

Chapter 14: Infiltration

The duo walked wordlessly along the deserted village. Felix was not in the mood to talk, and his companion looked like she would agree with that decision, but a strange headache was bugging him. So he opened his mouth to distract himself.

"Why are you obsessed with the Guardian Council?" His raspy voice barely punctuated the sounds of croaking frogs in the nearby river. "A magi of your power and status can easily get a comfortable, high paying job anywhere. Why put your life on the line by joining a law enforcement organisation?"

"It's not about the money," Kleopatra replied. "It's about what's expected of me; of someone my social status. I know I'll never live up to the Vice President himself, but the least I can do is come close enough. My whole family's in the Council, so it only makes sense that I join as well."

"Even your mother?"

"Not anymore." Her voice dropped. "She was killed in action during a mission. Dad thinks I was too young to remember, but I do. That's why I must get stronger. I mustn't allow the same to happen to me; Dad won't be able to take that blow again."

"Then you really shouldn't be following me." Felix stopped in his tracks as his voice softened. "Where I'm going is highly dangerous, even for a trained Guardian. I'm not expecting to return from this unscathed."

"All the more reason for you to accept my help," Kleopatra insisted. "I have no doubt that you're powerful as hell, but you're not a god."

Felix clutched his head. The ringing in his brain was ramping up dangerously in intensity, and did not seem to want to leave any moment soon.

"I know, but these criminals are going to wish I was," Felix muttered behind gritted teeth. He pointed at an abandoned castle in the distance. "There. My sister's locked up somewhere in that castle. Prepare yourself, Kleo. We're gonna have to fight our way in- Argh!"

The boy fell to his knees, clutching his head with both hands this time.

"Felix, what's wrong- Ah!" Kleopatra shrieked as well, her body suddenly flattened against the ground. Cracks began to appear on the nearby rocks as a vibrating force sent tremors along the ground. She tried stretching a hand towards Felix, but was not able to even lift up her head against the immense weight pressing on her entire body.

Thankfully, the force left as abruptly as it came, and the girl was finally able to stand up gingerly to her feet. She knelt down beside Felix, who was already sitting with his knees hugged close to himself.

"I'm sorry, that was me." Felix shook his head as if to clear it. "I lost control over my psychokinesis briefly, though that hasn't happened in five years. Guess I have been more stressed out lately than I realised."

"Of course you are." Kleopatra helped him up. "Your sister has been missing for days and now you have to go up against a crime syndicate to get her back. I don't think I'd have the mental strength to go through all of that myself."

"Well, you do what you have to do to survive in this world as a meta. And besides, I'm not all by myself now, am I?" Felix chuckled slightly. "I really appreciate this, Kleo. But I'll thank you properly when all of this is over. For now, we gotta take down all these guys. I count about twenty of them. It's a little troublesome, but it should be no-"

"Wait, there's no need to go in head-on." Kleopatra grabbed his arm with a slight smirk on her face. "I got a cloaking rune, but we only have about five minutes before it wears off."

"Well played." A wide grin spread along his face as he turned to his magi companion. "Y'know, if you ever need a recommendation into the Guardian council, feel free to use my name."