The Harbinger's Children (Guardians Of The Arcane Chronicles Vol. 2)

Chapter 16: Confrontation

Fun Fact: There are three main realms; Heavenly realm, Mortal realm, and Hell realm. They are connected by Purgatory, a separate domain which encompasses all three of them. Deities live in their individual domains within each realm. They can move freely within their own realm, although the more powerful ones are able to break the barriers and cross realms.

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The small army of metas marching up the stairs was not an impressive sight at first glance, but they were intimidating nonetheless. Gaius followed the group silently alongside Kleopatra, their hands encased in some sort of technomagick handcuffs. The woman leading them did not look physically imposing, but the air around her was practically shimmering with confidence. Isis waved her hand casually, and the five-metre-tall door transmuted into a small puddle of water.

"Haven't you ever heard of knocking?"

Gaius looked at the solitary man sitting on top of a flight of stairs that looked like they were constructed for giants instead. He was leaning on the armrest of the golden seat, and a slight smirk hung on his face. Gaius couldn't help but swell with admiration. Despite having a desk bound job now, that man was still such a badass.

"All alone eh, Mister President? And not a single guard outside to stop us." Isis waited for him to make a move. "You're either a truly noble man or a fool to value their lives over your own."

Vulcan leapt from his seat, landing in front of the unflinching woman in a single bound.

"You're still pretty spry for an old geezer," the Meta Liberty Fighter said. "But that won't save your daughter."

The metas took the cue to shove their hostages to the front. Gaius stole a glance at Kleopatra, who was looking more defiant than afraid.

"What do you want, Nikolaou?"

"Straight to the point. I respect that," Isis said with a slight smirk. "We want justice and equality for our kind. For too long have magi-kind hoarded resources for themselves, denying us metas our fair share. Return to us what is rightfully ours."

"And how are you going to quantify that?"

"Eighty percent," she replied sharply. "Magis are powerless now, and the responsibility falls to meta-kind to steward our world. It's not unreasonable for us to demand compensation."

"Eighty percent of our resources, even though metas only make up about twenty percent of our country's population?" Vulcan raised an eyebrow. "Fair enough. I was going to pass a policy to allocate more resources to metas anyway. Changing the amount... should be no big deal."

Gaius' mouth hung in shock at the President's casual response. He could not tell if Vulcan was being serious, or if he was merely humouring the meta terrorist.

"I'm not finished," Isis snapped. "You look way too comfortable in that seat of yours, surrounded by your fellow magis. I want an equal seat to your position."

Vulcan frowned.

"Slow down there, lady. I have already passed a bill removing restrictions on metas taking up government positions," he said. "Rest assured that metas will be given a fair chance to run for Parliament seats like everyone else."

"That's not what I asked for."

"I cannot simply give you a Presidential seat without due process. But if you truly wish for the betterment of your kind, I am more than willing to work with you."

"You owe us!" Isis exploded in anger, pulling Kleopatra's hair roughly. "The sins committed by magi-kind must be repaid to me! I don't want to work with you; I want the Presidential seat!"