Terry couldn't believe his ears.
She had just authorized a solo mission for Ryan nice.
He adjusted his black jacket, the Izigan clan crest stitched proudly on the shoulder, revealing the fitted round-neck shirt beneath. The fabric stretched over his frame, showing the build of a commander who had seen more than his share of battles. Sliding into his seat, he shot Stella a knowing smile.
"you must really have faith in that kid. Twenty-three, full of confidence, and now you've put this mission under your name. I'll prep the SPU team for backup. Won't be long before his pride crumbles. And if he fails, you know the council won't waste a second stripping his rank."
Terry knew how Stella and Kenneth always talked Ryan up like he was something special. Sure, terry had seen him pull off the impossible more than once, but hype was hype. Still, if Ryan succeeded here, maybe terry's perspective would have to change.
Bank of Spain – 11:50 a.m.
Ten minutes until the peacemakers were expected to make their move.
The white pillars of the bank stood like sentinels, gargoyles crouched on corners and roof edges.
Ryan approached with the measured pace of someone who belonged there. The guards didn't even question him; his merchant disguise worked perfectly.
From Galaxia's satellite feed, Stella watched him disappear into the building.
"so that's why he dressed like that."
Inside, the bank was a sea of noise. Merchants jostled for a view of hologram screens predicting market shifts. The air was heavy with the stench of steel and sweat, irritating ryan with every breath.
He saw the greed in the eyes of many of them, even those whose swollen bellies should have known satisfaction.
It reminded him too much of his own past. There had been plenty who went without food, left clawing just to survive, all because of the cruelty of the wealthy. Even in a healing world, greed still fueled the minds of men.
He needed a quiet place, somewhere to activate his cosmic energy unnoticed. Among the Izigans, it was a source of power that all possessed. From it, techniques and abilities were formed, each unique to its wielder.
Stella's voice cut through his thoughts.
"Ryan, I think I know what the peacemakers are after. Background database says that bank is holding one of the cosmic cores."
"a cosmic core? That makes sense," Ryan replied.
The cores, Izigan property, had been shared with powerful organizations to provide energy and wealth. But their power also made them irresistible to the selfish and power-hungry… like the one leading the peacemakers.
"I'll mark each of their positions inside," Stella said.
"Don't..... I don't need disturbances." Ryan pulled out his ear-mic and crushed it beneath his boot.
Stella's brows knitted in frustration. Terry, watching from beside her, just sighed.
Here we go again. She's not even hiding how fake that anger is.
Below the bank – cosmic core vault
Two Izigans lounged at the gate, guarding the core.
They always thought their job was boring, just sitting and watching a door all day. At least the pay was good, so there was nothing to complain about. They weren't aware of the danger closing in.
In the shadows just ahead of them, three peacemakers waited. The corridor was narrow, its metallic walls broken by decorative brick steps that created deep pockets of shadow. Their weapons glowed faintly, infused with cosmic energy.
The huge man among them wore massive gauntlets on both hands. The others carried deadly blades, and one held the most dangerous weapon of all: the energy extraction device.
"Hey john, something's moving over there. I've been watching it for a while," Ivan said, lifting his hand to shield his eyes, squinting as he tried to make out a shape.
His brows furrowed as he leaned forward.
The other guard, uncomfortable and thinking it was just a joke, replied, "this is no time for games. Funny how we aren't even allowed to carry a phone in here to ease the boredom."
"Shhh, I'm serious. We're not alone."
Ivan dropped into a defensive stance, knees bent, hands raised slightly, ready for anything.
"why don't you go check it out? If someone's there, we'll fight them off."
Ivan kept his senses sharp. Two pink daggers of cosmic energy formed in his hands, his wrists crossed in front of his chest. Holding them in a reverse grip, every muscle tensed, he stepped forward slowly. He reached what he thought was a wall but it wasn't.
He looked up into dark, hollow eyes staring back at him.
Before ivan could react, an iron gauntlet clamped over his head, draining his cosmic energy. It leaked out like faint pink gas. He screamed, but the gauntlet swallowed his voice completely.
The other two guards leapt forward, using the wall as a springboard to launch themselves at John.
John was too slow to realize what was happening. He was slammed to the ground, and the extraction device, shaped like a wide-mouthed cannon was jammed into his chest. His cosmic energy was ripped out, his skin turning pale and cracking like dry earth.
Then they cleared the way for the huge man with the gauntlets, who began hammering at the gate. It was reinforced with both cosmic energy and rare metals, breaking it wouldn't be easy.
Above – Ryan's vantage point
Ryan stood at a balcony inside the bank where no one else had reason to be. He activated his era eyes. His pupils turned red, a golden ring glowing in each iris. The rare Izigan technique allowed him to fold reality itself.
With it, he could separate humans from Izigans in his vision. His world turned red, faint energy trails glowing from each person.
He pushed his ability further, listening to every heartbeat and nerve twitch. He could tell exactly who among them had tightened muscles ready to strike.
"found them." He counted fifteen enemies, including the ones below. "I'm too late. I guess I have no choice."
Pow! Pow!
Two shots cracked into the air. Panic broke out instantly, people diving to the floor.
"everybody get down!"
A tall figure with two pistols stood at the center of the bank.
Other peacemakers stripped off their suits, revealing black shirts marked with their crest: a broad-edged triangle with three lines extending from each side, nearly touching in the middle.
"this is simple. You know what we want. Fill the bags and….." he was cut off by a tap on his shoulder. His partner pointed up at the balcony.
Ryan's red eyes glared down at them.
The peacemakers aimed their guns at him.
"hey, you! Get down now. This is your last warning."
"let's just shoot the damn boy down already," another snapped.
The atmosphere thickened as Ryan's cosmic energy radiated. Though invisible, its pressure was undeniable. Dust lifted from the ground, swirling toward him.
The peacemakers opened fire. But in that moment, time and space bent. The bullets slowed, stopping mid-air as though trapped in invisible force.
"construct reality: flaming palace!"
Ryan declared.
Suddenly, a burst of red fire roared out, exploding like a storm. In an instant, the bank was swallowed by flames that burned a deep, blood-red.