"Target spotted," Eudokia said quietly through the ear piece.
Hunapo replied through the comms, "Good. Follow. Do not engage."
Peering down, he saw Eudokia tailing a hooded figure walking through the heart of Valmira.
"Roger."
To his left, Slader stood tall and powerful. He gave Hunapo a reassuring look, his face softening and lips curling. He was big and brawny, with short black hair and stubble on his muscular jaw. His muscles stretched the carefully woven golden and black cloak of the Aegis.
"She's got this under control, Hunapo."
Hunapo let out a small scoff. "We'll see."
His golden eyes reflected the passing lights of the traffic in the city. His short, black hair blew in the wind along with his cloak. He was muscular, but not beastly huge like Slader.
"Phel?" Slader asked, the pitch of his deep voice slightly raised.
Ophelia didn't look back at him; her gaze was focused and steady through the scope of her sniper rifle. Her steady hands didn't waver as she turned the weapon slowly and precisely, tracking the movements of the hooded figure. Her hair was dark amethyst, long and straight, flowing through the night wind chill. Her slim but toned figure kneeled perfectly against the ledge of the roof.
"I'm with Slader on this one. Don't count her out just yet," Ophelia replied.
The hooded figure was now leading Eudokia astray from their vantage point. The three Aegis soldiers raced through the rooftops to keep vision on her. Eudokia was following several feet behind the target, her gaze unwavering and her fists clenched.
The figure approached a popular cafe in the city. They scanned their surroundings quickly, then entered.
"Shit," Hunapo muttered as he rushed through the rooftops to catch up. Ophelia and Slader lagged slightly behind.
Eudokia approached the cafe. "Sir, the target entered this cafe. Awaiting orders."
Hunapo came to a halt and looked over at Ophelia and Slader. Slader gave him a small nod. Ophelia said, "We're here to back her up."
"Proceed."
"Roger. I'm going on ahead," Eudokia said, swinging the door open and entering the cafe.
The room was packed with civilians, loud chatter filling the air. She scanned the room, her eyes darting from the tables to the register line. A drop of sweat trickled down her forehead.
"The target is lost…" she said quietly through the comms. Then she felt an arm wrap around her shoulder from behind.
Hunapo took out his radar and glanced at the screen. "We're still picking up the Dissonant's signature."
Shit. She might be in trouble. We need to hurry.
Eudokia slowly began to turn her head. "Don't move," the voice said. "Everybody here has already been marked."
Eudokia remained still, facing forward. She muttered under her breath, "Marked?"
"Yes. My Dissonance technique allows me to burn alive anyone I mark. All I need to do now is snap my fingers."
Eudokia's fists clenched tightly, her body slightly shuddering. "You're bluffing."
"Do you wish to see blood splattered all over the floor? Is that a risk you're willing to take?" the hooded figure said, with a tiny smile.
Hunapo, Slader, and Ophelia came to a halt as they reached the edge of the rooftop. They saw the hooded figure with one arm around Eudokia, the other in his pocket.
"I'll kill you," Slader muttered, his huge legs coiled like a spring.
Ophelia readied her sniper, locking onto the target's head. "Just give the word."
Hunapo looked down at the scene. Civilians walked by, cars honking. He gritted his teeth. "Now—"
"Don't move."
It was Eudokia's voice through the comms. Their eyes widened. None of the Aegis moved.
"If anyone moves a single inch, everyone inside this shop dies," the hooded voice said through the comms.
Ophelia put her weapon down. Slader stood up straight, glaring down through the cafe window.
Hunapo didn't twitch a single fiber. "Eudokia…"
"It's okay, Commander. Everything's okay," she reassured.
I sense it. This guy's Dissonance. His raw, destructive energy. It's overwhelming.
Eudokia clenched her fists tightly, gritting her teeth. Stay calm… stay calm… buy time.
"Who are you… what are you trying to accomplish with this…"
"I was just wondering the same thing. Why are you following me, little girl?" the voice replied, his breath sending goosebumps across her cheek.
Eudokia didn't answer. She stood frozen.
"You're an amateur. I can tell. Your control over your Resonance is pitiful. I sensed your presence the moment you began to follow me. Now here you are, right where I want you," he said, chuckling.
Screw you. You don't know the first thing about me.
"I mean… I expected more from you, Commander… you're going to get these kids killed. Someone with your reputation ought to have better judgement, don't you think?" the voice taunted through Hunapo's earpiece.
Hunapo didn't move, but his right golden eye twitched. His expression was like a statue. A golden aura started to surround his body as the amplitude of his Resonance rose.
Ophelia looked over at him, her lips curling into a slight smirk. She took a deep breath and relaxed the tense muscles in her slim body.
Slader looked at Hunapo with relief. "You've done it now..."
The hooded figure's body started shaking. His hand around Eudokia quivered. He slowly turned his head toward the source of the massive Resonance he felt.
He felt it before it came. A powerful shockwave of air crashed through the windows, shattering the reinforced glass.
Through the shards, the hooded figure glimpsed Hunapo's face. His lips scowled, golden eyes piercing. Pathetic.
The hooded figure gasped, unable to move. The people inside the cafe screamed, diving under tables.
Then the world spun upside down. Eudokia swiftly grabbed his arm and flipped him over her, slamming him powerfully into the ground.
OOF. His body groaned as the wind was knocked out of him. Eudokia pinned his arms behind his back, restraining him with the Dissonance cuffs she carried.
Murmurs rose from the crowd. She slowly looked up and smiled. "No need to worry, folks. Everything is okay."
Claps and cheers emerged. Her cheeks flushed pink. Eudokia smiled softly.
She dragged the hooded figure to his feet, where the now Aegis stood. Slader looked like a proud dad. Ophelia smiled approvingly. Hunapo's face remained blank.
The hooded figure caught his breath. "You little shit… you'll pay… all of you…" His fingers twitched in the cuffs, snapping. He froze.
"How is this…" he muttered in shock.
"Anti-Dissonance cuffs, obviously. Enjoy your life behind bars, scum," Slader mocked.
"Get him out of my sight," Hunapo commanded. She nodded and escorted him out. Slader and Ophelia followed. The task force arrived promptly.
Eudokia let out a sigh of relief. "I did it… my first arrest," she said softly.
Slader put an arm on her shoulder, rubbing her cherry-pink hair. "You did good, kiddo. You flipped him over flawlessly and neutralized the threat in an instant."
He smiled at her. Her face warmed.
Ophelia chimed in, "For your first mission… not bad. You saved all those people's lives today. Don't forget that."
Eudokia smiled brightly and twiddled her fingers. Ophelia rarely praised anyone, much less a fifteen-year-old recruit.
"I won't," she replied, eyes blazing with determination.
Inside the cafe, Hunapo remained still, staring at the marble tiles. The crowd murmured, returning to conversations, food, and drinks.
"That's Commander Hunapo… he's so intense," someone murmured.
He opened the door and walked out without looking at anyone.
Back at Aegis headquarters, Hunapo entered his office. Eudokia waited in front of his desk, alongside Slader and Ophelia. She looked up at him, eyes beaming, fists pumped.
"S-sir… did I pass? Will I finally be in the Aegis now?" she asked excitedly.
Hunapo's blank stare turned into a glare. "No. You're not ready."
Eudokia's smile dropped, her arms falling. "But… b-but I arrested the target. I saved everyone. Why am I still not ready?"
He scoffed, "Your lack of experience allowed the target to endanger your life and every civilian in there. He was right about one thing: your control over your Resonance is sloppy. Disgraceful. You're not ready."
"But… sir! Please reconsider. I knowthar I should have been more aware… but nobody got hurt!" she pleaded.
His scowl turned to disgust. "Nobody got hurt? This time, yes. But our target wasn't a major threat. If he was, I never would've let you handle it. Forget joining the Aegis. Just quit."
Eudokia's muscles tensed, her whole body trembling. A pink aura radiated from her. Everyone in the room felt the air shift.
"No… NO! I won't accept that. You're not giving me a fair chance. I've been training with the Aegis every day for months. You haven't acknowledged me once. WHY?!" she screamed.
"You had your chance. Mistakes cost lives. Only now are you starting to realize how many lives we are responsible for."
"I- I know—"
"You know what? How to punch and kick? Here's what I know: you're naive. Unstable. An emotional brat. Weak."
Eudokia's eyes widened before tears covered her face. She sobbed heavily, keeling over.
Tsk. Hunapo looked down. "Get out of my sight. I can't bear to look at you any longer."
Eudokia glared through her tears. Her pink aura spiked. "I hate you."
She stormed out, slamming the door so hard the whole room vibrated.
Turning to Slader and Ophelia, Hunapo said, "Don't look at me like that. It's the truth."
"Hunapo… she's still just a kid… and she's been working hard and growing stronger every day," Slader said.
Ophelia crossed her arms. Hunapo felt her disapproval. "That was harsh… even for you…" she muttered.
Hunapo sat at his desk and turned to his computer, ignoring his comrades as they left. The door shut softly behind them.
The screen glowed against his face. For a moment, the reflection wasn't the Commander of the Aegis.
It was a boy, smiling, holding a wooden sword tightly.
Across from him stood a tall woman with dark blue hair, smiling gently, holding her own wooden blade.
"Did I… did I do good?" the boy asked, breathless with hope.
The office snapped back. Just a monitor. Just a reflection.
Hunapo's jaw tightened. His fist clenched beneath the desk.
It was necessary.