On an ordinary Wednesday, at 3:20 p.m., a young man sat at a desk in a school. Looking closer, the institution's logo could be seen: Argentavis School, in the Aldebarán district, in the West.
The boy participated little, if at all, in class; he just answered questions directed at him by teachers or classmates and wrote his assignments.
—Long yawn… What a boring day… —Anyael said, showing no interest in the lesson.
Suddenly, one of his classmates, Alex Weather, asked:
—How are you so smart, bro? You never study and still pass exams with over ninety. You never memorize presentations, and yet you perform better than anyone I know. And almost every time I ask you something, you answer. I've barely seen you not know an answer when you don't feel like responding.
Anyael, being the Anyael he is, just replied:
—No fucking idea, bro. —And leaned back again.
After that, the day went on as usual: the occasional fight between classmates and little else.
An hour and several minutes later, Anyael was at home, staring at his headset, deciding what his next question would be. Only a few days had passed since he accepted Rhys' proposal, but today was already his extermination mission.
"I know… the question I'll ask Rhys will be: what exactly are these objects with powers we have, and what abilities do the other department members possess?" Anyael thought.
Suddenly, a voice called out:
—Anyael, come downstairs for dinner, it's ready!
Anyael jumped, looked at the clock, and said to himself: "When the hell did so much time pass?" Without further thought, he went to eat.
—It's kind of weird that we're all eating at the same table, isn't it, Anyael? —Nala, his mother, said, looking at him.
—Yeah, ma', it really is. Usually it's just you and me —Anyael replied.
Yane, the sharp one between her and their father, quickly caught Anyael's hint and said:
—Uh… well, I've been a bit busy with school stuff and things —she said, embarrassed.
—"A bit," she says, —Anyael muttered aloud, with a sarcastic, teasing tone.
—Anyael, respect! —his mother scolded, giving him an elbow in the process.
—Alright, ma', I'll behave —Anyael replied, with disdain, glancing at his father with concern. He hadn't said a single word throughout dinner.
As soon as dinner was over, Anyael's father went to his room. Nala called out to him, but he completely avoided both conversation and eye contact, making an excuse that he was tired. Nala suspected something, but let it go, entering the guest room, sad.
Yane, meanwhile, was talking with her "friends," so Anyael didn't have to worry about her at all. That's when his escape operation began.
About twenty minutes later, he arrived at the meeting point: 18th Street in Frax City, Aldebarán district. The Riel Obelisk shone like never before under the moonlight, and atop the 35-meter structure stood three hooded figures.
They descended and looked at him through their masks: one of a black leopard, one resembling a plague doctor, and another almost identical to the Mask of the Leprous King.
Then Rhys approached and said:
—Hey, Anyael, how are you today?
Anyael responded politely, and they continued the conversation. Then he asked:
—Did you bring everything?
—Yeah, I brought everything you need for this mission. Remember, we're only here to watch in case something gets out of hand. —He handed Anyael a black-and-red demon mask, a hood capable of changing colors, and a stainless steel sword, saying— —Good luck.
Some time later, Rhys taught Anyael how portals to Niviro were created:
—To create a portal to Niviro, you first need a Sinner, which in this case is Kael, and a Saint, which will be Elara. They have to enter a state of Ego/Karma Re-flow, meaning they're passing their energies to each other: Kael gives Ego to Elara, and Elara gives Karma to Kael. Since their bodies and souls aren't compatible with this "strange" energy, a space-time disruption forms toward Niviro, as the place itself detects a familiar energy. When this happens, a portal to Niviro randomly appears within a ten-meter radius. That's why it's best to do it in an open area, like this plaza.
—Ready to go in? —Rhys asked confidently.
—Yes, Captain! I'm ready! —Anyael shouted, making a subtle reference.
Both Elara and Kael chuckled softly.
Hours later, in an unknown place, Anyael stood with a thirty-centimeter hole in his chest, in a puddle of blood, and a blurry black silhouette on his forehead, ready to strike…