"You wouldn't meet Lucius himself; he sent his top officer, General Kael—the only one who wields the most powerful system ever created."
"So, Kael is leagues stronger because of his system," I asked, noticing the way he nodded, slow and deliberate, confirming the threat I was about to face.
He leaned forward, his arms folded in front of him as if in silent prayer. "Here's a glimpse into his plan: he aims to secure an alliance with the shape-shifter clan, either through diplomacy or brute force. They're weaker than most but advanced in technology, second only to the humans."
His voice was low, almost reverent, but there was an edge to it, a warning. "With their alliance and technology, Kael will then target the elementals. They pose little threat compared to the time manipulators. But once he has the soldiers, magic, and tech from both the elementals and shape-shifters, he'll march on the time manipulators—and with that, he'll have enough power to overwhelm them."
My heart pounded as he spoke, and I noticed he'd said nothing about the humans, so I dared to ask. "What about…us? The human world?"
"Humans pose no threat to him." His tone was cold, final. "With a flick of his hand, Kael could wipe them from existence."
A chill ran down my spine. This wasn't just a power grab; this was a conquest. "Do you have any plan that could work against him?" I asked, keeping my gaze steady on him, searching for any hint of hope.
He shifted slightly, a glimmer of something in his eyes. "The shape-shifter clan's leader would readily align with Kael. He's a man of Lucius's own corrupt ilk. But if you can depose him before Kael arrives, a new, incorruptible leader could rise. One who wouldn't willingly march to Lucius's drum."
"And who would this new leader be?" I asked, my voice barely above a whisper.
He gave me a small, knowing smile. "Your elder brother, Zane. He's the rightful heir and the leader they need."
A surge of determination filled me. Zane. This was my chance to avenge our father's death and set things right. "But if Zane refuses to ally with them, they'll force him into it, likely costing us lives and soldiers," I said, more to myself than to him.
He gave a single, resolute nod. "That's why you must protect them and stop Kael, whatever it takes."
I hesitated, feeling the weight of his words pressing down on me. "Isn't Kael's system supposed to be stronger than mine?"
He smirked. "You thought the Diviner would grant you a weaker system?" His tone was sharp, his confidence in me absolute, yet he turned and began to walk into the shadows.
A ping sounded in my mind, and a translucent screen appeared before me.
"Wait! What about the council? I'll need their support for this mission!" I called after him, but he paused only briefly.
"The council members are retired," he replied, almost amused. "They answer only to the Diviner they served. Each Diviner is expected to choose their own council—people they trust. You must build yours."
"How much mc do you have?" I ventured, hoping he might help fund my mission.
He snorted, barely glancing over his shoulder. "Twelve million. But I don't lend mc; you'll have to earn it."
I swallowed my pride and dropped to one knee, hands clasped, the weight of desperation in my voice. "Please, I'm running low, and this mission could demand more than I have."
Another ping sounded, and I looked up, surprised to see a new notification.
I pressed Accept in a heartbeat, and just as I looked up to thank him, he disappeared, vanishing into the darkness. Taking a steadying breath, I opened a portal to my room.
---
The shrill voice of my mother pulled me from sleep. She was in my room, calling my name, her tone a mixture of impatience and worry. I rubbed my eyes, exhaustion settling into my bones from the night's conversation with Councillor Thomas.
"Mom, I won't be going to school today," I muttered, sitting up. She paused for a moment, silent, then left. She must have understood.
After a quick shower, I called Aaron's house, asking him to cover for me at school. I had a mission, and I couldn't afford any distractions.
I opened another portal, leading me to the place where Zane, my brother, had gone into hiding after our father was overthrown. The landscape that greeted me was barely recognizable. The shape-shifters' clan had modernized considerably since I last saw it, their technological advancements apparent in every corner.
It took nearly thirty minutes of wandering before I reached a neighborhood that felt familiar. I found a house that looked like my brother's, though time had softened my memories. I knocked for what felt like forever, but no one answered.
Frustrated, I started down the street, which was eerily quiet as the sun dipped lower in the sky, casting shadows that stretched along the pavement. At a dead end, a voice echoed from behind.
"Hey, kid. Hand over everything you've got."
I turned slowly, eyes widening. Standing there was a young woman, her expression hardened but familiar, a glint of defiance in her eyes.
"Elise?" I asked, stunned. Recognition flickered across her face, and she stepped closer, her curiosity overtaking her hostility.
"How do you know my mom's real name?" she demanded, her voice a mixture of suspicion and intrigue.
"Because," I said, keeping my voice steady, "I'm John, brother of Harry—your father. He never mentioned me?"
Her eyes narrowed, scrutinizing my face. "He's my dad… But he never told me he had a brother."
I held out a hand, hoping for a handshake. "I was the long-lost one, the 'famous' John he might've mentioned."
The wariness in her expression softened, replaced by an almost-smile. "He talked about you sometimes, but I thought you were… I thought you were dead. But aren't you supposed to be…older?"
I chuckled, though there was no humor in it. "It's…complicated. Can you take me to him?"
She folded her arms, a smirk playing on her lips. "Depends. What are you offering?"
My jaw clenched. She really was Harry's daughter. After several minutes of back-and-forth, I managed to convince her that I was genuinely broke, but her suspicion lingered. It felt like hours, but finally, with a sigh, she agreed to lead me.
As we walked, a familiar, weighty sense of destiny settled on my shoulders. For the first time, I felt hope that we could turn the tide. My brother and I would face Kael—and together, we might just stand a chance.