[South Korea, Somewhere Under the Rainbow]
[Midnight 4:49 am]
...
More time has passed, with a month remaining before the next Great Mythical Beast Clans gathering. During those past few months, EAO recruited more known and newly awakeners, totaling their sum to around 400.
With the number of awakeners affiliated with Eminence at an all-time high, positions within EAO were getting filled by the second. Not by newly awakeners as they're inexperienced and too busy learning and training from the academy. But by known and experience awakeners who know their way around the awakened world like the back of their heads.
As you can see, Eminence is working. Their academy works, with many still following through with the 4-men-cell team or flying solo if that's what works best for them, or just taking up a civilian side of the job behind the desk. Everyone is content.
All they're doing and focusing on right now, is honing their skills to its finest, sparing with one another, and taking on more missions. While also planning for their masters upcoming 8th birthday.
But that will have to be postpone until after the war as the day of the attack is on Dec 7, which is the day of their birth. Not that the sisters mind, as that just means the party will be bigger and better. At least in Chelsea's opinion.
Point is, Eminence is fully prepared and are just adding finishing touches to their abilities. Everyone's busy. Heck, even Chelsea who was bored out of her mind not even a couple of minutes ago, is actually doing something useful. All but Yulius, who just finished making last minute preparations.
With time on her hand, she decided to take a leisurely stroll, enjoying the way the cheese ball (moon) holds itself onto the midnight blue sky as slight breezes brush along her silky white locks.
Naturally, she wouldn't walk out in the open as that's basically screaming, 'KIDNAP ME! I'M NOTHING BUT A PRETTY HELPLESS GODDESS!' Which makes her a prey in the eyes of awakeners who requires more human test subjects.
But after mastering hiding her presence, she can say proudly that not even the Top 10's can spot her. Unless they focus all their energy into sensing her, which is unlikely but if they do, there's a 4.29% chance they'll see her. Still low, but it doesn't mean she will let her guard down when she's around one.
Currently, she was walking near the rim of the poverty. Ranging from lower middle class to the lowest of the lowest lower-class civilians reside at the edge of the main city. Now you must be wondering, why would Yulius, someone hella loaded, be venturing off in the poorest part of the city.
There's nothing but garbage liter everywhere on the streets, graffiti plaster everywhere you see, and not the pretty ones but the inappropriate kinds. All in all, there was nothing this small part of the city could offer. Not to mention how dangerous it is, not that it bothers her when it kind of should.
Because this part of the city she's exploring is where many children, or just people in general, have been disappearing a lot. Polices have tried to stop more kidnappings from happening, but that's way out of their payroll.
All they could do was warn people to not stay out late at night, lock your doors, have a gun, etc. All things people should automatically do to ensure their safety, really.
Yet here you have not even an 8-year-old child, who's walking aimlessly down the streets, in this not so dangerous city. Yulius was aware of this yet continued on her merrily way to her targeted destination.
You see, though this part of the city is filthy, there is this part of it where it has a breathtaking view Yulius happened to come across a few months back when she was on a mission in the area. It was so magnificent. She couldn't help but revisit that place over the past few months once she had spare time.
Though in her opinion, the view is more spectacular when you see it at night. Which explains why she's walking in the middle of the night to see this place. As it's just her, no disturbance from people living around the area, or her twin's teasing, or awakeners.
Just nothing but peace and quiet.
Except for the late-night critters singing to the moon, or the slight rush of wind flowing in her direction. Other than that, it was hushed.
The tranquility only seemingly deepens as she continues going in further of the neighborhood, until she reached the end of the block, making a right before swiftly jumping onto the roof of a house.
There, she leaps onto a tall apartment complex, walking on the wall like a spider. Once she was at the top, she ran to the other side of the building before taking a leap of faith, doing 3 backflips on her way down as she landed perfectly onto the next structure.
She slides off the roof of the structure as she swinged her body towards a window ledge. Her left hand gripped onto it tightly before she swings herself to the right, clutching a flagpole before launching herself forward.
In the air, she finally sees her favorite view, as she allows herself to float while sitting criss cross applesauce.
From where she was, you could see the entire city glowing. All the skyscrapers lighting up. The moon reflecting itself against it, brightening it up even more than it already was. Not to mention, the stars dancing in the background, with some flying across the night sky.
Truly, a stunning sight to behold. One Yulius takes great pleasure in witnessing every night she gets. Even Chelsea agrees, as she sometimes come here to cool off when she's having a bad day.
Cause when you look at something as rare as a jewel, they can't help but want to paint that moment. To capture it. In order to keep that special moment with them. Forever if they can.
Yet no matter how many times they paint, draw, imagine it. The sisters can't help but feel disappointed, like somethings missing from it. And that's because there is.
And it's not the 86 stars, they made sure to paint each and every one of those tiny specks. Even the ones reflecting on the black tinted windows. Nor did they forget to capture the shooting stars or the way the moon reflects differently at opposite angles.
Or how the entire city just seems to bask itself with the moonlight.
They couldn't possibly forget a star, a window frame, the different shades of colors, the light and dark shadows, while possessing a photographic memory. It's impossible, especially if they possess the Rikugun which makes it hard to miss a single little detail.
So, if not that, then what could they possibly be missing?
I'll tell. And it's not that they were missing something, anything, in their picture frame.
It was that no matter how many times you draw, paint something or someone, nothing beats experiencing it live. Because witnessing the way the moon brightens as the star's blasts itself, or when a single window frame was able to capture all of the night sky, is unbelievably magical.
A single painting, drawing of any sort, cannot photograph the exact experience. Sure, it's gives you a glimpse of the wonderful moment, but it is not the same as feeling it. Witnessing it. Live.
The twins were quick to give up capturing the exact moment and settle for a glimpse of it. As that is better than capturing nothing at all. Moreover, they believe nobody is talented enough to capture that exact moment as best as they could.
Which is true. Nobody is as talented as them. Nor will there be any in the future. Unless...
Anyways, Yulius wanted to enjoy the moment a bit longer, but from the corner of her eyes, she spotted dark figures, masked and armed. That can mean no good. And something was up.
Seeing this, she couldn't help but sigh depressingly, cursing this bad neighborhood with one hell of a good view. As much as she would like to avoid troublesome matters such as the one she sees right now, it goes against her principles.
Having the power to stop a crime, but choosing to ignore it, doesn't sit right to her. In addition, if these dangerous people end up killing many, she can't help but feel slightly responsible for their deaths. Because in the end, she could've prevented them.
This doesn't necessarily mean she has a hero complex. Sure, she wants to stop bad people. But that is only if the said bad peoples interfere with her life. Because at the end of the day, you can't save everyone.
And so instead of worrying about every single person, she rather focuses on protecting those that mean something to her.
Eminence. Her brother Jiwoo. Chelsea, even though she doesn't require such protection when she's already strong as she is.
And then there is her mother. Who is off the grid by the way. Not to mention her current job as a scientist puts her at great risk. She is a human. And there are awakened ones who she works with that can end her life in a mere second.
Thankfully, Yulius had H.A.V.E.N.S. monitoring her to make sure Yujeong Kang (their mother) is somewhat safe. Ms. Kang is currently in Germany helping little awakened ones improve their power in secret. And as risky and dangerous as that sounds, the sisters trust their mother to be careful.
Moreover, as much as they want to trust the plot to follow as it was supposed to go in the manhwa, with Eminence's creation and debut, they fear that butterfly effects have already or started to occur. So, they cannot rely on it to know that their mother wouldn't be endanger until later on.
Which was why they were rushing to spread their influence worldwide; hence they'll be able to send skilled awakened to watch over her. So, in case they weren't able to reach her in time, they'll be able to protect her in their stead.
The twins are actually quite close to succeeding. Once they defeat the dragons and basilisks, and finally integrate them into Eminence, they'll be able to focus on widening their influence around the world.
Point is, it is within her capabilities to prevent a lot of death around her. But will she. No. Because she is only one person. She acknowledges that no matter how strong she is, it means jacksh*t if she isn't fast enough to save the people she loves.
Knowing that she cannot be everywhere at once, if it comes to choosing between her friends and family, or some random stranger, she wouldn't hesitate to save the formers.
Heartless, she knows.
But at the end of the day, she didn't know the stranger. Doesn't mean she won't feel a little guilty, but she won't change her mind or regret her decision. Because she will always, always choose the people she loves and care for over and over again. Over herself. Over a stranger. And over the world.
She is no hero. Nor is she a villain. But if she must be a villain in order to protect the people she loves, then so be it. Makes her think back to a quote she heard, 'a hero would sacrifice you to save the world, while a villain would sacrifice the world to save you.'
She is that villain.
Selfish? Yes, she's well aware. But who isn't. And at least she is selfish because she wants to protect the people she cares for. Not for money, fame, etc. But for the people that holds a special place in her heart.
Personally, Yulius would be consider anything but selfish. Selfless if you may.
Then again, burning the entire world down just for one person. Not so much. Especially in the eyes of others. Not that she would care if that seemed selfish or not. Considering that she rather be known as a cold heartless monster, if it meant saving her love.
And trust me. If not me, trust Chelsea. An angry Yulius is one sight to behold, but not for the reason you may think.
A story for another time.
But just because she is neither a hero nor a villain, doesn't mean she'd turn a blind eye when she sees something. On the account that she is in the right time and place to interfere accordingly.
Which is right now.
Chelsea probably wouldn't. Making the excuse saying that she was too busy enjoying the view to notice a kidnapping happening right in front of her. Which everyone knows is bullsh*t. She has 20/20 vision and with sixth eyes, it's even better.
So, whoever is being kidnap right now is lucky Yulius is in their presence.
The white head teleported on top of the building where the transportation is occurring. A small child with her hands tied down with cuffs on both her hands and legs was held down by 1 sole female.
Aura seeped out of her, giving the elder Seo twin an idea of what her awakened ability is. And seeing the people- or should I say awakeners around her, their abilities range from enhanced individuals to mind controllers.
With one who gave her an unsettling feeling. Nevertheless, they shouldn't give her too much trouble.
"Shut up," she kicked the crying girl, "nobody is coming for you?!" The girl, looking no older than 14, slammed into a wall, cracks forming on the wall showing how hard the impact was.
Naturally, it would've been heard with how loud she hit against the wall, but they were in the deep part of the neighborhood, where little to none of the residents reside there. Moreover, there was a thin layer surrounding them, probably a silencing barrier Yulius easily broke through of.
"Now Cecilia, go easier on her, you wouldn't want to damage the goods any more than she already is." One voice their concern, though not for the child's well-being but for her worth as an awakener.
"I know, I know. I'm just roughing her out a bit. Crushing her hopeful self. Right?!" She shouted, stepping on the child's head with her heels, forcing her to eat dirt as she struggles to break free from her hold. Only further fueling the abusers need to put this girl in her place.
Eminence chairwoman blue eyes narrowed agitatedly. As much as she would like to step in and stop the girl's torment, she is not foolish enough to dive head straight into battle without a plan. And as much as she would like to blast these mongrels to smithereens, that'll be too much.
As the current awakeners residing South Korea will sense it, thus drawing attention towards them. Not that she cares in the least as she can teleport from the scene, completely evading them.
Adding on, damage control. It is such a pain in the a*s. Period. And as much as she wants to cast a curtain, something tells her that the one giving her the unsettling feeling will notice it and break it.
Same with spatial isolation. Though they won't be able to break it, they'll notice it. And once they do, they'll hold the child hostage, not allowing Yulius to make a single move that could jeopardize the girl's life.
Though that can be easily solved with stopping time, it takes too much energy. Energy she needs to reserve to not only defeat every single one of them, but also take the girl back home safely.
:: (— —"")
One word.
Troublesome.
What the hell did she get herself into to. Sighing, she decided it's better to take them out one by one. Or better yet, take the child and run. It seems like a better and simpler solution.
Of course, it couldn't possibly be as easy as it sounds. As any one of them could use spatial isolation. Though they're quite weak if you ask her. Doesn't take away the fact that one could use it, especially the quiet one that gave her the unsettling feeling.
Making up her mind, she watched as they carried the girl into the abandoned building and waited until they all did their own thing, essentially splitting up, so she can take most of them out one by one.
Hopefully clearing a path to get in, get the girl, and get out.
But like all plans, they go wrong.
You remember the 4 rules when making a plan.
1. You make the plan.
2. Execute the plan.
3. Expect the plan the go off the rail.
4. Throw away the plan.
Gotta love Leonard Snart/Captain Cold.
...