Cat's pause was prolonged, her reflective silence hanging heavy in the air. "I struggle to put the vision into words," she began, her voice measured, "but it concerns the emergence of a new Jyuran. I sensed an entity beyond our Anthropter race has been chosen by the Krara."
"Other than our Anthropter race? Preposterous!" Dango's incredulous sneer sparked an uproar among the council, his outburst ignited a chorus of dissent.
"How is that possible?" Thanny asked, his voice laced with skepticism amidst the murmurs. "This defies our entire history!" The cavern echoed with the council's shocked whispers.
Mat, wings spread wide, stood up, his commanding presence demanding silence. The room gradually quieted, though hushed conversations still simmered beneath the surface.
Mat's infuriated gaze swept the room, pinpointing the source of the persistent noise. His eyes locked onto six young Anthropters standing at the rear of the council, their wide eyes frozen under his piercing stare.
"What are you doing here?" Mat thundered, contempt etched on his face. "Shouldn't you be in seclusion, preparing to be hanging right now?" His rebuke sent a shiver through the young Anthropters.
The cavern fell silent once more, the only sound the soft rustling of Mat's wings, still spread in agitation. The young Anthropters exchanged nervous glances.
"Leave, now," Mat ordered, his voice firm but controlled. "This council is not for novices. Your presence compromises our secrecy." The young Anthropters swiftly bowed, turning to leave, but was halted by Cat.
"I brought them here, Mat," Cat explained, her voice firm yet gentle. "They represent the next generation of Jyuran Slayers. They deserve to understand the stakes and the burden they'll inherit." Her gaze swept the council, emphasizing the importance of succession.
"One of them will replace me when my time comes, just as they will each assume your roles." Cat's words hung heavy with the weight of responsibility.
Mat's expression softened, his earlier irritation replaced by understanding. He turned back to the council, his voice measured.
"We've witnessed Cat's visions before. How many times has she guided us accurately?" Mat's gaze locked onto Dango, his question rhetorical yet probing.
"Has she ever been mistaken?" Mat pressed on, his tone encouraging the council to reconsider their skepticism.
"Remember the spy in our midst, years ago?" Mat reminded them. "Cat foresaw the betrayal, but we doubted her. We almost suffered the consequences of our disbelief." His words resonated through the cavern.
"Now, she shares another vision. Can't we afford to trust her instincts?" Mat's gaze shifted to Cat, though his words remained directed at the council.
"If Cat says the Jyuran originates from another world, shouldn't we prioritize finding him?" Mat asked, his tone resolute.
The council's murmurs subsided, replaced by contemplative silence. Dango's expression faltered, his skepticism waning.
"That's not the issue, Mat," Thanny countered, his expression thoughtful. "Locating the Jyuran is merely the beginning. Our concerns run deeper."
Cat's curiosity and apprehension were palpable. "Share your thoughts, comrades. What troubles you?"
Thanny's eyes scanned the council, his voice measured. "We're unaware of the Jyuran's nature. Perhaps he's a being who'll perceive us as adversaries."
His gaze turned solemn. "Consider his origins. His planet might be hostile, lethal to us the moment we set foot on it," he continued. "And even if we find him, how do we persuade him to abandon his family, his loved ones, and his world to fight for strangers?"
Thanny's voice rose, emphasizing the complexity. "To leave everything behind and risk his life for our cause?"
"Or, more profoundly, to become one of us – an Anthropter. This dilemma is far more intricate than we initially imagined," Bilibi added, her words ignited a fresh wave of turmoil.
The council erupted into a cacophony of concerns, each member voicing their reservations.
"We're considering asking a stranger to sacrifice everything for our survival!" Dango exclaimed.
"But what choice do we have? Our existence hangs on his shoulders," Rildeo countered.
Mat's wings spread wide, calming the room. "We must weigh our options carefully. We can't afford rash decisions."
Cat's eyes swept the council, her expression resolute. "Then let us ponder this: What do we stand to lose by trying, and what do we gain by doing nothing?"
The room fell silent once more, the council members lost in contemplation, grappling with the enormity of their decision.
****
Friday morning dawned, and Christina settled into the backseat of her father's car, driven by the familiar Mr. Kingsley. As they turned into the alleyway leading to the school gate, Christina spotted Rachael and Stefan lingering by the roadside.
"Drop me here, Mr. Kingsley. I'll take it from here," Christina said, her voice low and urgent.
Mr. Kingsley's refusal was immediate. "I'm under strict instructions from your father to deliver you safely to your classroom," he replied, his eyes meeting Christina's in the rearview mirror. "Do you want me to disobey him?"
Christina's gaze sparkled with mischief. "Are you certain you want to obey my father right now?" she countered, her tone laced with subtle warning.
Mr. Kingsley's expression remained resolute. "I work for him, not for you, young lady. My duty is to follow his instructions."
Christina's eyes narrowed. "I could have you fired, you know that?" she said, attempting to intimidate the driver.
Mr. Kingsley slowed the car, his eyes locking onto Christina's in the mirror. "Are you threatening me?" he asked, his voice low and even.
Christina's voice took on a menacing tone. "Yes, if you don't do as I say, I'll ruin your reputation. You'll never work for my father again."
Mr. Kingsley's expression remained unruffled, but a hint of surprise flickered in his eyes. "You're your father's daughter, through and through, aren't you?" he murmured, his gaze returning to the road.
"If you're really trying to threaten me, well then... Good luck in trying, just know threat doesn't work on me," he scoffed, his expression confident.
A sly smile spread across Christina's face. "Not yet, it will work when my father learns that his driver was drunk on alcohol while driving his only daughter to school." Her voice dripped with mock innocence.
"I can't wait to see his expression when I tell him I almost died in a fast and furious car race," Christina continued, her eyes glinting with mischief.
Mr. Kingsley's composure shattered. "What!? I'm not drunk! I only had a cup, and that's not enough to get me drunk," he protested, his face reddening.
Christina's smile widened as she held up her phone. "I doubt my father would listen to that, and for your information, I already recorded your reply." She played the audio recording of Mr. Kingsley's incriminating words.
Mr. Kingsley's face turned beet red. "Shit!" he muttered through gritted teeth, making a sudden U-turn just before entering the school gate. The car sped away from the gate, heading back to where Christina had initially asked to be dropped.
The car screeched to a halt beside Stefan and Rachael, who looked on with curiosity.
Mr. Kingsley turned, his eyes blazing with indignation. "Happy now? Will you delete the audio?" he demanded, his voice tight with anger.
Christina's smile lingered. "Of course, Mr. Kingsley. I'll delete it... as soon as you promise to keep this little secret between us." Her eyes sparkled with triumph.
Hesitantly, Mr. Kingsley nodded frantically. "Okay! Okay! I promise, will you delete it now?" he demanded, his patience wearing thin.
Christina's face broke into a wide, mocking grin, her lips spreading from ear to ear. "So you actually fell for my threat and forgot about the dashcam installed right in front of you?" she asked, her voice dripping with amusement.
Mr. Kingsley's eyes widened in shock as realization dawned on him. Before he could react or utter a word, Christina swiftly exited the car, standing tall as she faced the driver. With a fixed smile still plastered on her lips, she waved at him in a sarcastic gesture.
Mr. Kingsley's face contorted in contempt, his eyes blazing with indignation. He glared at Christina before accelerating away, leaving her standing alone on the road.
As Christina turned around, she was startled to find Stefan and Rachael standing right behind her, their eyes fixed intently on her. She flinched, recoiling in surprise at their sudden proximity.
"Good heavens! You both scared the living daylights out of me!" Christina exclaimed, taking a step away from the road to compose herself.
"What are you doing here, anyway?" she asked after regaining her equilibrium, her curiosity was piqued.
Rachael's expression remained grim, her eyes locked onto Christina's with an air of seriousness. "What else could we be doing? We're waiting for you, of course!" she replied.
Her gaze intensified, boring into Christina's. "Have you received any news from my brother?" she demanded, her voice tinged with urgency.
It was then that Christina understood the reason behind Rachael's somber demeanor - her deep-seated concern for her brother's well-being.