(Chan)

 

               Chan returned to the school with Kai, Ersa, Serafina, and Oma’ar by his side. They were solemn and silent as they sat in one of the horse-drawn carriages that the school had provided as taxi to the fallen fortress. Not even Serafina had anything to say as she stared out the window, twirling a lock of dark green hair.

 

               As the carriage slowed, Chan wondered how everyone would react now that their Headmistress was dead. Chan had seen blood and death before, but there was something different about this. Zenith’s death was the beginning down a dark path he wasn’t sure he wanted any part of.

 

               He let the others exit first.  He stepped down onto the hard gravel outside the stables. They were around the back of the school.

 

               “Cardinal Equinox?” a man with a voice as deep as Chan’s was calling out as the knights and staff trickled out of the carriages.

 

               Curious, Chan walked over, waving a hand. “Hey!” he greeted the man who was a good foot taller than him. He had dark reddish skin and short grey hair that was spiked in the front. His hair still had a few dark patches of youth still clinging on. He looked like he hadn’t shaven in a few days, but was still well-groomed. The man’s face was kind but riddled with age and sorrow. His soft brown eyes sadly looked at Chan as he approached.

 

               “Are you the only one?” he asked.

 

               “Um, no sir?” Chan looked around. The rest of his team had vanished into the crowd. “There’s me, my co-leader, and- who may I ask are you?” Chan caught himself from giving away too much information. He had no idea who this man was or what he wanted. He needed to be a bit more careful.

 

               “I’m the new Headmaster, Damocles. I was Dean, but with recent events…” he shook his head sadly. “I need to speak with you and-what’s the pink haired one’s name? Anya?”

 

               “Ersa?”

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               Headmaster Damocles nodded “Yup, that’s the one. I thought I could catch you two before the news did, but it looks like I’ll be talking with you alone for now. Come, follow me please. I’ll have the new Dean send for the rest of your team.”

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               Chan obeyed. “Headmaster Damocles,” he began a bit confused. “We were right there when… you know… Headmistress Zenith-”

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               “I’m afraid that isn’t the only tragic death that’s happened in the last 24 hours.” Headmaster Damocles interrupted in hushed tones.

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               Chan’s feet stopped working for a moment and he stood, letting the new Headmaster’s words sink in.

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               “W-what happened? Who was it?” his mind raced. Why was everything happening so quickly? Was this normal for this school?

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               “We can talk more freely in the Headmistress’s office. Er, in my office.” He sadly corrected himself.

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               They continued the long walk in silence. The Headmaster’s office was towards the front of the school on the first floor, facing the large double doors to greet all those who entered.

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               They entered and Headmaster Damocles closed the doors behind them. Chan dutifully took a seat in front of the intimidating mahogany desk.

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               “Alright,” Damocles sighed, running his hands through his hair. “I’ll not beat around the bush-what was your name again?”

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               “Chan, sir.”

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               “Chan. Right. I’ll definitely remember that.” his mouth twitched with a smile. “Well, Chan, co-leader of team Cardinal Equinox, first of all what you and your friends did today was reckless, stupid, and incredibly brave.”

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               Chan sat up a little straighter, trying to wipe his clammy hands on his dirty pants. He’d have to dry clean them later or toss them, they were a wreck. He had guessed there’d be some kind of punishment for their insubordination, but not so soon. He prayed expulsion wasn’t on the menu today.

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               “Now, I loved Zenith like a daughter, but I didn’t always agree on her methods. You and I could fight and squabble all we want about why I should or shouldn’t expel you and your friends. In the end, I know from past experiences it’s better to just live and let live.” he leaned back in his chair.

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               “I was a professor when the Top 10 were students,” he began. “I know it’s better to have gifted individuals on your side, rather than against you. So I’ll make a deal with you and the rest of your team. You and your co-leader deal punishment accordingly and I’ll pretend it was me. If anyone ever asks just make up some bullshit about getting in trouble. Loss of library privileges, no party going, stricter curfew for you for a week, whatever, I don’t care.”

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               Chan sat in silence. Was he for real? Or was this some weird test?

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               “I see the skepticism in your eyes.” he smirked. “Chan, your eyes deceive you, you’re too honest for your own good. You may want to work on that. Then again, the world could use more honest people.” he muttered the latter to himself. “I want to see every student here succeed and become a new generation of guardians. With what happened today, tension between the royal guard and guardians will be tenser than ever. These are dark times, Chan. Darker than ever before. But we need to bring the light to the citizens, do you see what I’m saying?”

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               Chan nodded, not totally sure.

 

               “Tell me, then.”

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               Chan’s eyes widened slightly. “Well, as guardians we’re supposed to snuff out all evil of the world. It’s our duty to right the wrongs and bring peace to the people of the Realm.”

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               “Hmm…” Damocles stared at Chan a moment in silence. “A very black and white view on things.” he leaned forward. “On that note, how do you feel about Serafina, a clear demon, being allowed to live? Demons are notoriously evil, you know.”

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               “Well, sir,” Chan cleared his throat. Had he just backed himself into a wall? “It’s different with Serafina-”

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               “No.” Headmaster Damocles interrupted. “And that is precisely what I want you to learn, Chan. The world is a myriad of colors. Black, white, grey, purple, blue, and so forth. Serafina is an exception in that she’s young enough for us to mold her mind to not be the stereotypical evil demons embody. But realize that every circumstance is different. Take your friend Pyaar.”

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               Chan coughed. “Friend?” Pyaar was barely tolerable. Chan wouldn’t categorize him as a “friend.”

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               “There’s those easy-to-read eyes again,” Damocles smirked. “Pyaar may be a pain in the ass, but he’s not a lost cause yet. Now stay open minded while I tell you what happened while you were all off trying to stop one injustice.”

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               Oh gods, what has he done now? Chan tightened his fist, trying to not be so transparent to Damocles.

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               “Early this morning, just a few hours before sunup, Pyaar was caught by a student holding a bloodied rock, the body of Lady Rene Haas crushed not five feet from his stance.”

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               Chan’s eyes went wide. “What?!” he fell back into his chair.

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               Damocles continued. “It was later proven that Pyaar had merely discovered the body. Wrong place, wrong time for him. Her corpse was cold, making the time of death early into the evening. About right after the funeral service was held for all those who fell during the week. Pyaar was in a fight with another student at that time. He had the wounds and alibi to prove his innocence. Now, Lord Ricardo Haas has decided to not press charges and will hire a team of private investigators to try and find the culprit. That being said, you and your team need to watch your backs. Be on your best behavior for the rest of the semester at least. For my sake as well as yours.”

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               “Yes, sir.” Chan nodded solemnly.

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               “That’ll be all.” he waved “Go find the others on your team, tell them I wish to speak with them one-on-one.”

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               Chan stood awkwardly and turned to leave.

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               “Oh, and Chan?” the Headmaster stopped him. “Think about what it really means to be a guardian. Not just to you, but to everyone else, okay?”

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               Chan simply nodded and left, feeling very small and helpless.

 

(Kai)

 

               Kai sat in the student center with Serafina and Oma’ar. They had all just spoken with the new Headmaster. What was his name? Doyles? Something like that. Kai needed to talk to Serafina, but he wasn’t sure what to say to her, so he had come to the student center to sort out his thoughts. Somehow the demon had found him, though. At first he thought she was going to make a scene, but instead she started crying black tears and hugged him.

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               “I’m so grateful, Kai.” she sniffed and wiped her eyes.

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               “I… uh…” Kai looked between her and Oma’ar.

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               “I didn’t realize how much I wanted to live,” Serafina admitted. “At least, not until I blinked and was suddenly standing next to Chan, Ersa in my spot.”

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               “Um…” he still wasn’t sure what to say. It wasn’t like him to actually save people. That was the whole point of being a guardian, but that had never really interested Kai.

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               “Anyway,” Serafina shook her head and tucked a lock of hair behind her pointed ear. “Thank you, Kai.” she beamed and passed a piece of paper to him.

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               He picked it up and saw a picture of a grumpy-looking cartoon cat with dark blue fur. Scribbled in crayon was “Thanks Kai! From Serafina”.

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               “Uh, yeah… sure. Don’t mention it.” Kai gave a smile and sat starting at Serafina and Oma’ar awkwardly.

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               “Well,” Oma’ar finally broke the silence. “I think we’d better leave Kai to his thoughts,” he stood and tugged on Serafina’s pigtail.

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               “Ouchie!” she pouted rubbing her head.

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               “C’mon, let’s go get some more coloring pages.” he smiled at her.

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               “YES!” Serafina jumped up and ran out the door, dragging Oma’ar along.

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               Kai sighed. He glanced at the childish drawing once more before crumpling it up and stuffing it into his pocket. He rolled his eyes in apathy for the demon.

               

               He felt his phone buzz in his pocket and gave it a quick glance. It was a text from Chan saying he’d accepted a mission for them this next weekend. They’d be shadowing an upperclassman on a supply run to Di’Angelo, The Walled City. Also Serafina would be cleaning up the bathroom for the rest of the month and joining Chan for his morning workout routine to remind her to be less careless when opening portals to Hell. Kai put his phone back up, disappointed. If it were up to him, he’d have the demon tried and punished accordingly. But, then again, he wasn’t voted at co-leader.

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               He got up to go to the dining hall for lunch. If he could avoid his team for just a few more hours, he’d be happy. There was too much drama for his liking. A day to himself would be just what he needed.