The Indigo Society was an organization formed a long time ago. It was just that they never appeared or declared themselves as one to the public. No one was even aware of their existence.
A month ago was the first time they showed themselves to the world.
That had made the Resonant League underestimate them. They thought it would be just another rebel group, but who thought they managed to bring chaos to the world only a month after their appearance.
They succeeded in that because of one person. It was a young man whose origin was unknown. No one knew where he came from or his name.
The only thing known about that man was that the 5 pillars who ran Indigo Society since its founding respected him and nominated him as the prime leader.
They called him Null.
Null was having a private conversation with Noelle.
They talked about the organization's future plan. Noelle wanted to know their plan after wiping all the Dimensional Rifts from the world.
Noelle wasn't a part of the organization. In fact, she only came to Indigo Society because their goal was aligned. In short, they formed a cooperative relationship to reach that goal.
Despite being an outsider, she was in an equal standing with the other pillars but inferior to the prime leader's.
"The agreement is that we will cut our ties after we succeed in wiping out all the rifts, but I can't help but be curious about your plan after this..."
She subtly said she wanted to hear about the Indigo Society's plan for the future. Not that she expected any answer after expressing her desire, though.
Unexpectedly, Null smiled and told Noelle about what would come next.
After listening to his story, Noelle was shocked.
"What?! How is that safe for the world?! You scammed me!"
Null tried to calm her down, but Noelle wouldn't listen.
"I agreed to cooperate because I thought the world would finally welcome an era of peace once we wiped out the rifts, but...!"
But, everything Null had said was otherwise.
What came after all the Dimensional Rifts cleared was another catastrophe. The world wouldn't ever have peace, at least not until another hundred years.
"You are saying that terror will return?!"
'That terror' probably referred to the first catastrophic event that brought all fortunes and misfortunes to Earth.
Or so they called 'Nightingale Terror.'
That night was New Year's Eve.
Everyone gathered together to welcome 2023.
Unaware of the impending disaster in a few minutes.
When the clock struck midnight, a beautiful melody chanted. As a result, 30% of the world's population fell unconscious.
At that time, the catastrophe befell the Earth.
Luckily, the unconscious were saved from the terror because they disappeared to another place and reappeared with a superpower that drove the catastrophe from their home.
Humanity came out victorious in The Great War that lasted almost 20 years.
Null coughed. "It's not the terror... but the gate."
But it didn't end there.
A year later, another catastrophe appeared.
The Nightingale Gate.
Although it didn't bring immediate harm to the world, many people still died within the gate.
That period was called the Exploration Era.
Without them realizing it, that incident was what changed everyone altogether.
And this was what would come back to the world once again.
Noelle couldn't believe it. She couldn't believe that, rather than bringing peace to the world, she created a catastrophe instead.
Feeling overwhelmed, Noelle burst out of the room with deaf ears, unwilling to listen to Null's story anymore.
The five pillars waiting outside were startled when the loud sound of the door breaking erupted.
They just watched as Noelle ran with her head down.
Noticing the gazes from his subordinates, Null scratched his head.
"Ah... I should have told her about it in the beginning."
The shortest guy's hand waved as if telling Null to dismiss that thought.
"Nah, you did a good job, boss. If we told her that, I don't think she would cooperate. Rather, she would have become our enemy."
"I know. But now that Noelle knows it, she will become our enemy either way."
"No," Astor chimed in. "She won't become our enemy, Null."
Null stared at him with wonder.
"Do you foresee something?"
Astor nodded.
"It's about her brother."
Catching what Astor meant, Null frowned.
"Her brother, huh? You said before that he will become 'that.' Is the reason Noelle won't be our enemy because of that?"
Grinning, Astor commanded his shadow to detach and go somewhere.
"That'd count. But the main reason is because he was the one who stole the kill of the Wonderland Rift."
All the people present at the moment were surprised by Astor's statement.
"Does that mean..."
Astor's grin widened.
"Yes. Noir Teundre will land early with us."
***
After her conversation with Null, Noelle immediately headed towards her car, planning to leave Huantinco.
She was angry at Null and the Indigo Society. She could have fought them earlier.
But then what? Die and leave the world with regret and guilt?
She wasn't an idiot to pick a fight against stronger enemies. Moreover, she had one more thing to place her concern on.
Her brother.
If the world was going to be in chaos anyway.
Then, wouldn't it be better if he protected her brother instead of making enemies?
As Noelle tried to turn on her jeep, she saw a blob of shadow pass by her and stop on the passenger seat.
A moment later, someone emerged from it and winked at her.
"Hello, Noelle. Are you leaving?"
"Yes. Now get out, Astor."
Pouting, Astor refused to leave and held on to his seat instead.
"No! I'm coming with you. I have class tomorrow!"
"Isn't that more the reason you should get the fvck out of my vehicle? Traveling with your shadow is much faster, right?"
"It is. But, I need time to set up my shadow, approximately around 10 hours? So, in the meantime, let me ride with you, Noir's sister."
"What did you say? Do you know my brother? I mean. Everyone knows about him. But, from what you said, it feels like you've known him... like a close friend. Or are you one of those bullies?!"
Noelle was ready to beat Astor up, but he quickly explained that he and her brother were, at least, like a friend.
"I'll hold on to your words, kid. But if you're caught lying, I'll make you can't use your hands anymore."
With that, they drove out of the city.
Their designation was the city closest to Huantinco.
Apollis.