Meanwhile in a remote land far from the major nations wherein an ominous aura lingers all around, what seemed to be an abandoned island sits quietly on the vast and heavily disturbed ocean. In the heart of this island, there's an abandoned laboratory or whatever's left of it. Little did everyone know, underneath these ruins lies the headquarters of the incoming threat to the Anomaly world. The primary figure of the Coven a.k.a. Eve established a sophisticated laboratory underneath the remote island in which no one has the knowledge about why she did this and what is the exact purpose of their work.
"Give me the status of the experiments." Eve commanded one of her researchers.
"Madame, Subject 530 rejected the serum. We are conducting a contingency plan as of the moment." The researcher explains. The researcher is obviously frightened for some reason as he started to have cold sweat.
"Failed again? I'm not paying you for your failure!" Eve lashed out at her researcher. "I'm under the impression that scientists from most Noble Nation are the smartest. I'm starting to have doubts. You and your wife should figure this out or you know what will happen to the both of you if you fail me again. Get out of my face!" She continues to burst her anger out. The researcher then rushed to leave the area.
As Eve calms herself down, the door to her office opened once again. She then felt a familiar presence and her mood immediately lighten up. A woman who bares the feature of a Gallant African decent walked in who seemed to have good news for Eve. There's no doubt that this woman is either an Anomaly or a Homunculus due to the fact that her aura screams bloodlust from head to toe. Knowing Eve, Jinx (Saoirse) and Void (Quintin) are not her only pawns in the game.
"Madame, I have news for you." The woman said as she kneeled on floor to show respect to Eve.
"No need to be too formal. Besides, you're the one who has royal blood between the two of us. Am I right, Princess?" Eve responded. It's not apparent if she's joking or being sarcastic.
"That title is nothing to me anymore. Please, call me by the name you have given me. Sandata." The woman said.
"Whatever you say, Sandata. So, what's my favorite Anomaly has for me?" Eve asked as she confirmed that she is not a Homunculus but a naturally born Anomaly.
"I have confirmed the date and the venue of the next Summit. That means, we will get a chance to capture that Montgomery person." Sandata confirmed which made Eve's mood brighten even more.
Sandata continues to explain the details of the information she gathered. She confirmed that she got all these intel from the nation Eve assigned her previously. As per the data she gathered, the next Summit will happen in New America. All five heads of each Nations will be present from New America's Priest to Proud Russia's Mayor and most importantly Professor Montgomery from Noble Asia.
"That is why you're my favorite!" Eve exclaimed.
"What do you intend to do with this information, Madame?" Sandata asked.
"I know you, Void, Jinx and the other one or even just you can definitely thrash that pathetic gathering and take that trash of a Professor and bring him to me but that will surely take the fun out of the game. So, I'm thinking that I'll let those insects do their thing just once." Eve responded. It's unclear who she is specifically referring to but it's obvious that she has a lot of other pawns aside from her elite team of Anomalies and Homunculi.
"My apologies, Madame. Are you talking about those people from the North?"
"Yes, those noisy pests. Though they get into my nerves most of the time, I will be lying if I say that their Anomalies are something. It's just that their non-Anomaly leader keeps on saying they deserve to stay here with us. It's so agitating!"
"So, we'll let those weaklings deal with them first. If they fail, which they will, we'll pick up where they left off."
"You got that right! You know me so well. Besides, it's more fun that way."
Eve and Sandata's conversation was interrupted as another set of familiar faces came in to Eve's office. One has that sickly looking presence and the other is holding a somewhat worn out doll. Without any doubts, these two are Void and Jinx. Three of Eve's top pawns are now in one room. They also seem to have information to share as they also have this dignified expression.
"You look happy. Something happened?" Sandata asked the two.
"Not much but we gathered a valuable information." Jinx responded.
"I do hope it's worth our effort." Void murmured to himself but Jinx heard it.
"Shut your mouth or I'll shut it for you. Permanently." Jinx threatened Void then she held up her doll and started to aim a needle to its face. This indicates that she will use her Anomaly on him if he continues to annoy him.
"Bring it." Void responded. Though he sounded lifeless, which he always sounds, he immediately called a shadow figure and took an attacking stance.
"Cut it out you two!" Eve stood from her chair which immediately stopped Jinx and Void from their squabble.
"Madame, I really don't get why I was partnered with him. Sandata and I are more suitable partners." Jinx contested.
"I couldn't agree more. Instead of me dealing with endless drama, I can be the one doing the special mission." Void agreed with Jinx sentiments for once.
"No. To answer your childish fits, I prefer Sandata working alone. The two of you complements each other's weaknesses which means, both of you works best together. Finally for Void, you can't handle special missions yet. So, drop the childishness or the two of you will suffer the consequences!" Eve explained then the two finally calmed down.
"Anyways, you mentioned that you have an intel to share. What is it?" Sandata asked.
Jinx finally told the vital information they have gathered. She and Void confirmed that Professor' Montgomery's guards in the upcoming Summit won't be one of the Anomalies but his two mentors unlike previous Summits. Zythandra and Calcipher will accompany the Professor as his advisor/guards. On the last Summit, the only one who was with the Professor was Surge. Now, the Professor opted to take the mentors for some reason.
"Are they serious?" Eve was surprised as she starts to laugh so hard. She laughed hysterically that the other three started to laugh with her. "Are they actually thinking that leaving those kids behind is a good idea? Those grownups are dumber than I thought."
"Don't you think it's a trap, Madame? Maybe it's their strategy to lure us in and when we fell for their trap, they'll strike back." Sandata pointed out.
"Good thinking, Sandata. But if there's an underlying plan they've set up, it won't work anyway." Eve confidently responded.
"If you don't mind me asking, Madame. Why do you think so? We're dealing with the Professor here. Not to mention they're two mentors. From what I recall, one of those mentors are a brilliant scientist and the other is an infamous assassin." Sandata pointed out.
"Don't worry too much, sis. Nuke can handle them." Jinx said. Nuke appears to be the fourth and last member of Eve's elite team.
"I appreciate you being optimistic. Also, don't call me sis. We're not sisters." Sandata responded.
"You don't mess with the top dog, Jinx." Void teased Jinx. Jinx just responded with her distinctive eye roll.
"Enough of that. I'm starting to think I'm taking care of kids instead of me harboring elite Anomaly and Homunculi. But yeah, there's no doubt that Nuke will come through once he's really needed so we shouldn't worry about traps and all." Eve eased their concerns.
A ringing sound suddenly filled the entire office. Eve quickly recalled that it's the direct line that only Nuke uses so she quickly answered it. It seemed that Nuke's messaged was short as the call ended as quickly as it arrived. However, the messaged seemed to be a good one since Eve was left smiling as she went back to Sandata, Void and Jinx. The three already knew that another good news came from Nuke.
"You guys are really coming through tonight. It actually seemed that he had a small reunion." Eve mentioned.
"What did Nuke say, Madame?" Sandata asked.
"He just said that Professor Montgomery and his minions are stepping up their game. That only means the game will be more interesting. I am getting elated!" Eve exclaimed. "Why don't we up ourselves as well? It'll be more fun that way."
"I can't wait to see the Crushing of the Mansion." Jinx commented.
"Oh, so that's what we call it now? That's sounds nice." Void said.
"Very well. I suggest you carry on with your tasks if you don't anything else for me. We'll discuss our plans further as soon as it's polished. Continue the good work team! I really hope that the rodents in lab be as productive as you guys are." Eve commended them as she refers to her scientists/researchers as rodents.
Since Sandata, Void and Jinx don't have pending assignments, they headed to lounge in the same laboratory building which is exclusive to them and Eve. It's not uncommon that they treat each other as coworkers and not as comrades because that's what they used to. It just so happens that this day seemed to be in favor for them because all four members of the elite team provided an intel that is useful to Eve. If they weren't lucky enough, Eve will surely lash out to them and will not hesitate to use her Anomaly on them. Eve is also happens to be a Homunculus herself.
Sandata and Void are used to the silent but Jinx isn't. Jinx always wants to talk about anything and everything that she's good at so she will always stand out so she broken the silence in the lounge by saying, "So, Sandata. I'm just curious. Which Nation were you last assigned to?"
"North." Sandata replied briefly.
"There are two Nation on the north. Which one of those two?" Jinx asked again.
"Can you just mind your business? I'm not bothering you so why bother me?" Sandata annoyingly responded.
"Rude much? Do as you please." Jinx responded.
"You know what?" Void suddenly chimed in. "I think it's cool share a story how we got our Anomalies, Jinx. I just realized we're all been working together for a while but I didn't know any of your stories."
"Cheesy. But, I'm with you on that. I'm actually curious who you got the Anomalies you have. In Sandata's case, since she's the only Anomaly among us, I'm curious to know how she awakened it." Jinx agreed.
"I'll pass on that. I don't care how or who you got your Anomalies from. Therefore, you shouldn't mind how I awakened my Anomaly." Sandata strongly disagreed and left the lounge shortly after.
"I can't believe the audacity of that woman. Don't tell me she acts like that because Madame favors her the most? I'll end her one of these days." Jinx said.
"Just let her be. You know we're no match against her. Maybe Nuke can take her on but he's so into her. So, we can't do something else but go with the flow." Void explained.
"You know what? Our attitudes don't match most of the time but there are times they do click so I agree with you on that. But, admit that I'm way stronger than you."
"If it means to shut you up, then fine. You're stronger than me."
"Anyways, you should start with your story. I want to know how awesome my story is compared to yours."
The two agreed upon sharing how or who they got their Anomalies from. It turned out that both of them got their Anomalies from a teenage couple who were living in the north-east of New America. The male one who originally had Void's Anomaly but has little to no mastery of it was taken by Eve and her team at the time. They saw great potential from the said Anomaly, forcefully took it out from the original host resulting to his death and then perfectly matches to infused to Void's anatomy.
On the other hand, the female who originally had Jinx's Anomaly was captured by Eve and her team because she was lead to believe that her lover is still alive. However, little did she know that Eve already knew that she is the last descendant of a bloodline that practices voodoo. Initially, they didn't believe voodoo as an Anomaly but just like what happened to the original host of Void's Anomaly, Eve and her team saw great potential from it. They took the girl, ended her life to extract the Anomaly and infused to Jinx.
From what the two of them know, Eve and the other scientist in her laboratory continue to practice the method of extracting an Anomaly from one host and infusing it to the other but nothing has been successful for a while. A lot of deaths happened inside the walls of the laboratory but only three Homunculi were produced not counting Eve herself because she's a different story. Only Jinx, Void and Nuke were the only successful products of these horrendous acts up to this day.
As for Sandata's story, the two doesn't know much aside from she came from Gallant Africa, she's not a Homunculus like them, she was the last one who was added to Eve's elite team and appears to be the most capable. The woman doesn't tend to mingle with others aside from Eve herself. No one knows what her story is aside from Eve apparently. But as they both think of it, Sandata seemed to be very familiar. They just couldn't put their fingers as to whom or what she reminds them of.
"Code Orange. I repeat, Code Orange. All personnel should vacate Sector C." An announcement echoed in the entire laboratory. Sector C is where the hazardous chemicals are being stored which are mostly used for tests and researches for Homunculi creation.
"Run away! Some scientists from Sector C are running havoc!" A random scientist warned Jinx and Void as he ran pass the lounge.
"Code Orange? That means there's a chemical spill. Let's check it out!" Jinx said.
"Madame and her men can handle that. I'll just chill out here." Void responded.
"Can't you hear the panic? I bet a lot of action is happening there. Fine, I'll go myself."
"Yeah. Do what you want."
Jinx rushed towards Sector C but she wasn't able to get there completely as the halls leading there were being locked out. Personnel with hazmat suits also started to storm in to contain the spill. The situation started to escalate further as some scientists who were in contact of the spilled chemical become hostile and started to attack anyone and anything in sight. The rampage is becoming overboard as other scientists is going on rampage as well.
"Well, this is a sight to see." Jinx commented as she smirked maliciously.
"Lady Jinx, please help us." A scientist begged Jinx as she grovels on the floor.
"Tell me. Can you fight?" Jinx asked the female scientist.
"Sorry?" The scientist asked in confusion. Jinx then quietly plucked a hair from the scientist and placed it on one of her voodoo dolls. "Lady Jinx, why can't I move my body?" The scientist continued to ask.
"Embrace the sensation, girly. Fight!" Jinx exclaimed then started to maneuver her doll. This triggered the scientist to stand up and fight the other scientists who were originally running havoc. Jinx then let out a menacing laugh as she enjoys the despair she's witnessing at the moment.
"I figured it was you." Void commented as he just arrived at the scene.
"I thought you're interested checking out this commotion." Jinx responded while still controlling the scientist.
"I just got curious since the alert seemed to not be easing up. Then, I saw a scientist fighting other scientists like there's no tomorrow. I immediately realized you're already messing around here." Void explained.
"I'm not messing around. She asked for my help so I'm just lending her a hand." Jinx cunningly said while the scientist is bawling her guts out in pain.
"Please. I know your antics, Jinx." Void responded.
"You might want to watch your back. The crazies spread like wild fire." Jinx warned Void. Surely enough, one rampaging scientist is running towards Void. With his quick reflexes, Void hastily called forth one of his shadow figures to fend off the incoming attack from the rampaging scientist.
"Where's the containment team? This is starting be a drag." Void said.
"You see those people who are wearing hazmat suits lying unconscious on the floor over there?" Jinx asked as she points out to the other side of where they are standing. "Those are the containment team. Fun, right?"
"Such weak beings! So, should we just kill the rest of the rampaging pests?"
"That's actually a good idea. Ready when you are."
"Don't be foolish. Don't make it more chaotic than it already is." Sandata commented as she finally arrived as well.
"Oh, it's you." Jinx acknowledged her presence with an annoyed tone.
"Do have any other options for us, Sandata?" Void asked.
"Keep the rampaging scientists in one area. Madame is coming." Sandata said then the three of them proceeded to hoard the scientist to the nearest wall.
"Enough play time, kids. Let me handle this awful mess." Eve announced as she surely personally arrived at the scene as well together with some other scientists.
Sandata, Jinx and Void instinctively got out of the way as Eve announced her arrival. They already know that she'll do something about this situation. In everyone's awe, Eve stepped forward to face the rampaging scientist then she appeared to be blowing something towards them. Suddenly, a purple mist came out of her mouth and started to spread and surround the area. Everyone already knew that Eve is using her Anomaly.
The scientists who came with Eve started to wear gas masks then some of them also handed gas masks to Sandata, Jinx and Void for them to avoid inhaling the mysterious purple mist. The previously rampaging scientists started to drop like flies one by one. From the whispers of the onlookers, it is confirmed that Eve is using her Anomaly. As a Homunculus herself, someone perished in order for her to get a hold of the Anomaly.
• Eve = Anomalous Perk: Poison
Eve eventually stopped emitting the poisonous mist as soon as the last rampaging scientist fell unconscious to the ground. She then confirmed that the toxicity of the poison she used isn't lethal but those who inhaled it should still be check just to make sure. As soon as the remaining mists disappeared, the rest of the scientists moved the unconscious bodies of their fellow scientists to the laboratory's infirmary to run some checks.
"Amazing work, Madame." Sandata applauded Eve.
"I know. By the way, what are you still doing here? Don't you have assignments to accomplish?" Eve asked the elite team.
"I'm just about to head out when I heard the alarm." Sandata responded. "I'll get going now." She added then set off to do her tasks someplace else.
"And the two of you?" Eve asked Jinx and Void. "On second thought, you two follow me. We'll talk discuss something." She added making the two somewhat anxious but they have no choice but to follow Eve back to her office.
A lot of thoughts rush in to their minds trying to figure out what will be the discussion all about. Base on their knowledge, they didn't do any major mishap that Eve might get furious about. She doesn't even sound or feel angry about something at all. All they can think of is the incident during the military event days ago. But, they made sure that their report is spotless so it shouldn't be the reason Eve called for a random discussion.
"Calm your nerves down. Sit." Eve said as soon as they entered her office.
"So, we didn't do anything wrong?" Jinx asked in relief.
"You didn't do anything wrong yet. Let's put it like that." Eve sarcastically responded. "I just want to discuss with you all the data we gathered about Professor Montgomery and his minions."
"Interesting. What to do want to discuss about them? Oh, are we going to plan our surprise visit a.k.a. surprise attack?" Void commented.
"We may or we may not. Let's just see how it will go." Eve said.
They then proceeded with their discussion starting from all the information they have about Professor Montgomery. Followed by all the intel they got about the mentors. Finally, all they got about the Anomalies living in the mansion. They admit that they don't have much but Eve has this unyielding urge to reach her goal of immortality which she believes is currently possessed by the Professor.
She then called in the head of her research team. A couple with Noble Asian decent came in and joined the discussion. Eve pointed out that there are a lot of promising Anomalies under the Professor's hands right now and she wants to take them and create a new batch of powerful Homunculi out of them. But, the challenge is how the research team will accomplish that enormous task. One wrong move and the original host will perish along with their Anomalies.
Dozens of hosts have met their demise through failed tests and experiments. Dozens of Anomalies were gone and wasted along with them. There were attempts to create Anomalies without the original host but all has failed. The technology is not advance enough to achieve that feat. Some may say that the technology in our world will never be advance enough to achieve such heights.
"Head researcher, any other plans in place to secure the Anomalies from the mansion?" Eve asked the male researcher. "We don't want to lose our soon to be precious subjects." She added.
"We are conducting a new tests gearing towards a different route compared to what we are following from previous runs to widen our scope with the host DNA. If all goes well, we will be able to cultivate those Anomalies and we'll finally have a new set of Homunculi." The male researcher explained.
"You know that's what I want to hear. But, I won't be persuaded by just talks. I want results. Not mediocre ones but off-the-charts results. Am I clear?" Eve responded.
"Crystal, Madame." The male researcher said.
"Madame?" The female researcher butted in.
"Yes? Do you have a different lead from your husband? I'm all ears." Eve said.
"Not really but I just want to ask something."
"None? Then why are we even having this conversation? On second thought, you may ask whatever your question is. You're lucky I'm quite in a good mood."
"I just want to ask if you heard something about our son. It's been a while since we last received a letter from him. We've been sending him letters on a regular but we're not getting a response."
The husband was clearly in shock after hearing his wife asking that to Eve. It was clearly not related to work and it was about their personal lives. It was obvious that Eve got triggered as her brightened aura dimmed down a little but she was able to calm herself quickly for some reason. Eve slowly wears her somewhat melancholy expression to tell the female researcher that she and her team is not hearing from their son lately. She even told assured her that they'll try their best to check that matter out.
"I really appreciate it, Madame! We promise you that my husband and I will do our best with the research. You can count on us." The female scientist exclaimed.
"I'm glad to hear that. Do you have any other questions or concerns? If there's nothing more, you two are dismissed. " Eve responded.
Shortly after, Jinx and Void were dismissed as well after they discussed their move against Professor Montgomery and his team. They made sure that their arrival will be silent but very impactful. Though they will surely be some adjustments that must be made but the elite team is definitely prepared for whatever will happen. It may like Sandata is the only capable one but it's not. Everyone in the elite team are a force to be reckoned with not to mention Eve herself. She may look the prim and proper but she's the most troublesome of them all.