August 8th, 2222. "Where are the kids?" Zia asks as Silas enters the living room.
"They're still outside." Silas says, looking up and noticing his dad is finally home. "Dad's back?"
"Just got here a minute ago." Siran replies. "Were you able to talk to your little sister and find out anything?"
Silas scratches the back of his neck, trying to think of the best way to describe the situation. "I definitely did..." he says. "Laibah was just really emotional too. But for now, she's doing fine and with her friends. But, more importantly... mom, dad? I know you guys taught me a lot about... the laibah and all of that, but I think there's something that I don't know about that Laibah really needs to have a talk with you two about?"
"Like what?" Zia asks.
"Well, do the names Kein and Heinnen ring any bells?" Silas asks. Siran and Zia both froze in shock. Clearly it struck a sensitive spot for them. "So, you know who those two are?"
"Why? How were they brought up? What happened with Laibah?" Siran asks.
"Well, I got her to admit to something... confusing." Silas answers as he sits on the floor. "At first, she thought they were just imaginary friends that she was dealing with, but these... entities... they're behind what happened to Laibah at school today."
"Entities!?" Siran asks, panicked. "Like a shard of Chronos!? Someone that knows about Kein and Heinnen!? What happened to them!?"
There was a long pause, as Silas felt concerned, confused and a little guilty exposing Laibah's business like this. "It's not a shard of Chronos, is it?" Zia asks, softly. "She... Our daughter... she can see them, can't she?"
Silas nods his head, then Siran asks "Wait, wait, wait! See them? As in... Kein and Heinnen?"
"Who are they?" Silas asks.
"They were... our children." Zia replies, feeling saddened. "From long ago. Remember when we discussed Laibah being the reincarnation of our daughter from ancient times, back when we were Inari and Ishmael? That happened because... as a parting gift, Gaia gave me the recovered souls of our old children. I guess she wanted to return them to be or wanted me to bring them back. It sounds to me that... for whatever reason... Kein and Heinnen attached to Laibah's soul."
"Those two imaginary friends she has... is her older brothers from long ago?" Silas asks.
Zia nods her head as Siran asks "So, Laibah reincarnated, but Kein and Heinnen won't be able to? They're stuck as they are now?"
"I'm afraid so." Zia replies. "There isn't anything we can do about that."
"So... why would they attack a human child?" Siran asks. "Those two boys were protective and never hurt humans."
"I think..." Silas says, then pauses for a moment, "that Laibah said it was just Heinnen who did that. But if I had to guess, they're likely just looking out for Laibah. Maybe it's a blessing in disguise?" Both Siran and Zia were silent for a moment. "No?" Silas asks.
"No, no... you're right." Zia sighs. "I guess... I just feel depressed. Part of me looked forward to seeing our boys come back as well, after Laibah came back. I just thought... we could provide them the life they deserved."
"But that's not your fault, is it?" Mikoto asks. "Look, I can't exactly keep up with all of this ancient this or ancient that talk, but if there's one thing I understand, it's being a mother is difficult. I never knew Ishmael nor Inari, personally. But if I had to guess, if they're anything like the two of you, I think they died happy being a part of your family."
Zia lets out half of a laugh, then says with a faint smile "I guess we'll have to pass the story onto Laibah... I'm just not sure how. She's only 6. She's already got a lot on her mind as it is... what if it's too early?"
"I don't think we have that luxury..." Siran says, feeling guilty. "Maybe we should've told her before she started school. But she's going to need to know so she can confront those two for us. Right now, Laibah is the only person who can talk to Kein and Heinnen. She'll likely be the only one ever to talk to them directly again. If she's going to live the life she deserves, she's going to need to get control of the situation. We owe her at least that much..."
"I can't imagine how hard it must be..." Satomi says softly. "Trying to talk to your child about... well, your children who have already passed as if they're not there. With them being able to hear you, but you can't hear them. Do you want us around for support, Zia?"
"It might be best if we clear out the house, actually. Make this a private matter." Siran says. "This isn't going to be comfortable for anyone here."
"I hate to spring this up as well, but I figured I should say it while Satomi and Mikoto are here as well." Silas adds. "I'll only be around for about two weeks this time. Our vacation was delayed due to a mission as well as shortened because of a possible upcoming deployment. I wanted to bring this up with the rest of The Six Guns, but I'll assume someone here can pass this information on to Benjie and Ali?"
"Sure we can." Satomi replies.
"Great." Silas continues. "Over the last few years, there's been increased activity in Seeira. Mostly where we grew up. The first theory we developed was that someone was snooping around looking for clues on The Six Guns."
"When aren't they?" Siran scoffs.
"But this time was different." Silas adds. "There's been lots of people, seemingly moving against each other. It's hard deducing why, but it almost seems like there's some sort of... competition to getting results on information. The crazy thing is, we managed to arrest a former Hunter."
"Former Hunter?" Siran asks.
"Right!" Silas adds. "These past years have been wild in Omnia. For whatever reason, people were being paid under the table to gather intel illegally. The Hunter won't release who's paying him, but we managed to get at least a little information out of him, such as how much money he's being paid, why he's taking a risky job after losing his Hunter license, as well as who he's gathering intel on. As for the amount, its a whopping two-million dollars. But it gets better. Two-million to dig up intel leading to the capture or assassination of none other than Holly. Our director and head seat of the Mages Guild."
"Two-million for Holly?" Siran asks. "But that price doesn't match up!"
"Which is why we questioned him for what's at risk." Silas adds. "It's already weird people are looking into specifically Holly and not The Six Guns, but what was at stake was apparently his family. These people threatened him by letting him know they know his family, their address, how many there are, where they come from, what time they work, where they go after work, even down to how they take their coffee. Ring any bells?"
"America..." Siran scoffs.
"Bingo!" Silas says. "It seems our team, Squad 9 is responsible for... de-escalating this situation before military actions needs to ensue. Now, I don't have any leads on who is sending former Hunters into Seeira, but things are about to get real busy, I can feel it. I'm worried for Holly, of course. She's been a great teacher and director. She's taken great care of us. But I also worry for Laibah... I know she needs her big brother... So I will be leaving contact information. I told her if she needs me for anything, to give me a call. I don't want her to feel like I'm going to abandon her, especially after the news she's about to get here..."
"You won't be able to come over every year?" Zia asks, saddened.
"Maybe not." Silas replies. "It all depends on how busy we're going to be."
"What about your military contract with the Ly'Lum?" Siran asks. "It's been 7 years. Doesn't your contract end soon?"
"Well..." Silas says, scratching the back of his neck again. "I kinda... took... the 20 year contract..."
"You what!?" Siran panics.
"Well, I don't have... a family of my own." Silas adds. "Plus, I can fully retire after 20... so I thought it would be a good course for me. By the time 20 years pass, so long as I can keep Holly and the others safe, they should be just fine on their own. I mean, I'm not even sure Holly has 20 years, to be fair. She's got a few gray hairs, and she's younger than Demetri... but, as you already know, Demetri recently passed away in his sleep. Death had to take the tough Doc down in his sleep, he fought a great fight. Even Shelby attended the funeral. I worry Holly doesn't have much time left either. She's not too much younger than Demetri. Those friends you used to call your teammates in the old days of The Six Guns... I wanna protect them too. It's what I signed up for."
"You really do make me proud, Silas." Siran says. "But why the hell didn't you talk to us first about taking a 20 year contract!?"
"Sorry!" Silas says, throwing his hands up in surrender. "I just... thought it was the best course!"