Destinies: The Origin

Chapter 13: Cat Burglar

Adzima's POV

This time, the hologram of Earth in the center of the room displayed videos and images from Varas. As I looked at the visuals, something crossed my mind.
Adzima:'Right, she is in Varas'
I glanced over at Falco, who was still typing on the hologram, and approached him.
Adzima:'If it's him, maybe he can do it'
I tugged on his coat to get his attention.
Adzima:"Are we going to Varas next?"
Falco:"Yes, why?"
Adzima:"My Prince, may I ask for a favor?"
Adzima:"I promise I will give you a reward for it"
Falco:"You don't need to give me anything, Princess. What do you want me to do?"
Adzima:"I will tell you when we get to Varas"

We then headed to Varas, but this time we didn't use Falco's usual sports car; we were in an enormous armored truck.
Fian:"No offense, but why are we using an armored truck now?"
Adzima:"Varas is a very dangerous city; it's a gathering place for criminals from all over the world. We have to be extremely careful"
Qori:"How do you know? Have you been there, Adzima?"
I chose not to answer Qori's question, and Fian, sensing the change in mood, decided to ask another question.

Fian:"Why are we going there if it's a gathering place for criminals? No one's going to help us there"
Adzima:"Not everyone becomes a criminal by choice, Fian. Many are forced into it, just trying to survive by any means"
Aditya:"Why don't they leave if they want to survive?"
Falco:"It's not that simple, Aditya"
As we arrived in Varas, we saw through the truck window that the people on the street were staring at us with menacing expressions.
Artha:"They're not going to attack us, right?"

Falco:"Not while we are inside. They'll attack us and try to steal this truck later"
Dwiyan:"So, someone needs to stay in the truck to guard it?"
Falco:"No need. This truck has a very advanced defense system. It is set so no one can approach it except us"
Soon after, Falco parked the truck near a building on a very empty street. Before we all got out, he gave a briefing.
Falco:"We need to reach that building undetected so the locals won't attack us"

We all nodded, and I held Falco's hand while the others looked at me in confusion.
Adzima:"What?"
Ina:"Why did you suddenly grab his hand?"
Adzima:"Because I need to hold his hand for his cloaking device to work, which also makes me invisible"
Ina:"Um... We could use my ability, Adzima"
Adzima:"You can make things invisible too, Ina?"
Ina:"You already saw my ability at the Sekawan Tower"
Adzima:"Oh right, I forgot"
We then gathered around Ina, who created a barrier around us, making us invisible from the outside.

Before we left the truck, Falco turned to Fian and Aditya.
Falco:"Before we go, Fian and Aditya, I want you to check the area around here"
Aditya and Fian:"Aye, Captain"
Fian then patted Aditya's shoulder, and they both disappeared instantly. We carefully entered the building, making sure not to step out of the barrier and become visible. When we reached the third floor, Fian and Aditya contacted us through the intercom.
Fian:'All clear'
Aditya:'Clear here too'
Falco:"Thank you. Stay alert, both of you"
Aditya and Fian:"Aye, Aye, captain"

Falco:"Why do they keep saying that?"
We stopped in front of a room. Falco knocked several times, but there was no answer. He tried to open the door, but I stopped him.
Adzima:"Wait, let me go first"
As I opened the door, someone grabbed my jacket and slammed me against the wall. I winced slightly but managed to smile at the person who attacked me.
Adzima:"Hey, Hilda"
Realizing her mistake, Hilda quickly let go of me and spoke in a harsh tone.
Hilda:"Adzima, what are you doing here? Didn't I tell you I don't need your help and I don't want to go with you?"

The others were shocked to see Hilda acting like that towards me. Qori stepped forward, trying to get her attention.
Qori:"Hilda?"
Hilda shot a sharp glare at the others before refocusing her gaze on me.
Hilda:"Bringing others along won't change anything"
Adzima:"Hilda, please, at least listen to what I have to say"
Adzima:"The world is in chaos, worse than anything we have ever seen"
Adzima:"We are forming a team to save it, and we need your help. Please"