The room was warm, totally in contrast with the chilly night. This sudden temperature change would have caught Asher''s attention earlier if not for the blade beside his neck.
"Stand up and turn around. "
A voice commanded him from behind, it was of a female.
My heartbeat was the only thing I could hear properly in this situation. I didn''t even sensed when someone came behind me.
Slowly turning around I saw her- An extremely beautiful woman, her back hair reaching to her waist with a shade of light orange mixed in it.
Her eyes were calm and contained a beautiful light shade of red.
She wore a black uniform-like cape with a white star above her heart.
''Is she from Temple?''
The woman looked around the room, seeing the broken chair and chains scattered around. A man''s body lying in the corner with the faint smell of blood.
"Don''t move or try to use your ability. If I suspect any movement from you. You will be executed."
She warned in a composed manner, clearly used to this type of situation.
"I am the one who fired outside, also I hope you can help us." From the corner of my eyes, I tried to show her the woman lying behind me.
The orange sword left her hand as it floated near my neck, waiting to strike me down.
The woman in black went near the girl lying on the floor to check her pulse. After confirming she was alive the women checked the man.
"Are you the one who did this?"
"No" I shook my head. "The man over there kidnapped the girl, I luckily managed to follow him and saved her."
"What''s your name?"
"Asher, I am new to this city."
Asher was giving her more information than she asked for trying to show his cooperation.
He was not showing it on his face, but he was nervous. He had no idea how to get out of this situation.
"I am Morgana, High Priestess in the temple of Stars."
''I will not be killed right? I did her job after all'' Asher thought to himself, trying to find some comfort in his actions.
Morgana took a deep breath and let out a sigh, her sword vanishing in thin air. "You have done well, Asher. I will not harm you."
"Mrs. I think it will be better If you can take that woman to hospital for better treatment. With that wound she won''t live long."
I suggested trying to be as helpful as possible, hoping to ease the tension.
"You are coming with me as well." She told before taking the other woman in her hands.
"Are you going to carry her like that.?
I asked in concern, as Morgana passed through the doors going outside the house.
She did not answer as she conjured two swords attached glowing in twilight and took a step above them.
The swords floated in the sky carrying both of them.
"Follow me."
Morgana''s eyes remained focused on the horizon as she levitated above the cobblestone street, the swords beneath her and the unconscious woman casting a soft, ethereal light. Asher had no choice but to comply, his own feet feeling heavy with the gravity of the situation. He hurried to keep pace, his boots echoing in the quiet night as they ascended through the city.
It was already the middle of the night, and the streets were empty with no sign of life.
Giving me a side glance, she increased her speed.
''Okay, you want to race. I will give you a race.''
I was feeling competitive for some unknown reasons, my head was still heavy from the man''s death. But this sudden change in mood was also welcomed by me.
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Kairosflow started working as my speed accelerated.
Morgana raised an eyebrow at my sudden burst of speed but she didn''t slow down. Instead, she smirked, and her swords shot upwards, carrying her and the girl even faster through the night air.
The wind rushed past Asher''s face, making his eyes water slightly as he pushed his legs to keep up. The buildings of the city whizzed by in a blur of darkness and shadow, the only light coming from the occasional flickering street lamp and the glow of the swords.
Finally, they arrived at the gleaming white walls of the Temple of Stars. The grandeur of the place was unmistakable, even under the cloak of the moonlit night. The doors opened before Morgana, revealing a well-lit corridor.
Asher followed her into the office of the High Priestess, his eyes adjusting to the brightness after the darkness of the streets. The room was neat and clean, with a large wooden desk at the far end, laden with scrolls and papers. A plush chair sat behind it.
The injured woman was already sent to get taken care of by the clergy in the temple.
Morgana gestured for me to sit on a chair opposite the High Priestess''s desk. "Now I hope you can explain in detail what happened there."
With a nod, I first took out the syringe and gun I got from the drawer putting them on the table.
"This is what I got from there." With a bit of thought, I added. "He was going to inject some drugs into her for some experiments. To know more you will need to ask her."
Morgana looked at me with her sharp eyes, looking for any sign of deceit. Seeing none she nodded.
With a deep breath, I began to recount the events of the evening, starting from the moment I first spotted the kidnapper. I told her about the chase, the fight, and the information I got from him.
Morgana rubbed her palms, then brought them together near her chest holding them in a prayer. After that, she again looked at me.
"Thank you for saving her."
I nodded. "Can I ask why the Temple is not getting rid of the gangs?"
She was transcendent, I was sure of it. Unless she could conceal her presence I cannot think of any reason on how she managed to come near me.
"Because all the small gangs are decoys set up by Red Hands. They have more awakened than Temple. If we try to get rid of them all the gangs will declare war on us."
"All the gangs are decoy. Does that mean the majority are branches of Red Hands?"
I couldn''t help but show my astonishment toward this revelation. If this was true it would explain their concerns.
Morgana nodded her beautiful red lips parting as she added. "The number of awakened they have is twice then ours. If I went to fight the Leader of Red Hands many innocent will die."
"So can you not save the people kidnapped."
Asher''s voice was filled with confusion and a hint of anger.
Morgana''s expression for a brief, almost imperceptible changed in frustration. "We are... managing."
"Our resources are stretched thin, trying to maintain peace and balance. We need to be strategic."
She continued. "If we try to make our move they will do as well, that''s something no one wants to happen...But if someone could break the balance of power we would gladly declare war on them."
Her words hung in the air, leaving a trail of hope behind them.
Her eyes moved right to left for a moment it was so quick that if not for my thoughts accelerated I would have never noticed.
"Then can I try to save them?"
The question was out of my mouth before I could think twice about it. Morgana''s expression remained calm, but her eyes widened slightly.
"Do you have something in mind?" She inquired, curiosity lacing her voice.
I thought for a moment before responding, "I don''t know. But I can try. We know the location where the prisoners are kept. If a transcendent is not there I am sure I can infiltrate and save them quietly."
Morgana studied me intently as if weighing the risks and rewards of my offer.
The silence grew heavier with each second that ticked by until finally, she spoke with a sigh. "You are brave, Asher. Or perhaps foolish."
"Do you know which gang is behind the drugs and kidnapping?"
I asked Morgana, eager to get more information.
She to my surprise shook her head.
"We have our suspicion, but no solid evidence to pin them down. Are you by chance talking about the drug that made people awakeners." She asked with squinted eyes.
"Yes, that''s the one. Do you know about its source?"
She was going to say something then hesitated. "I see... That matter is way too high level for even me. Can you come tomorrow as well, it''s late now so I won''t keep you here too much."
Morgana spoke with a hint of finality in her tone, but Asher could feel the wheels turning in her mind. He knew she was contemplating something important.
"Can I ask why?"
"It will be helpful to that woman you saved, people tend to get..... trauma from these events. Your presence might offer a small measure of solace."
I nodded, understanding her reasoning. "Alright, I will come."
"Visit me again tomorrow we can discuss your plan then."
Morgana handed me a small card with an address scribbled on it. "This is where you will find me in the morning."
"Alright."
With that, I finally took my leave.
-----
Soon a man with frenzy hair entered the room. Seeing Morgana at her usual seat he gave a curious greeting.
"Lady Morgana, why did you agree to his plan? Isn''t it too risky for him?"
Morgana glanced at him her hand not stopping as she continued to write something on the paper.
"You have a bad habit of spying don''t you Franz."
The man gave an awkward laugh before saying. "Sorry, I was curious to see the men I was asked to keep an eye on."
Morgana looked up at him, her eyes piercing through the darkness of the room. "If he is willing to help us, then we should consider it. We need allies."
"Also don''t try to stop him, we have gotten strict orders from headquarters to keep him alive at any cost as well as to not get in his way."
Morgana''s voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.
"But why him?" Franz pressed, his curiosity piqued. From what Franz had noticed from his observations in the last five days.
Asher was strong, but not strong enough to get Temple''s attention.
Morgana soon lost her serious demeanor and tilted her head. Slowly tapping her fingers on her desk.
"I don''t know..... I just told you the orders we were given."
Franz seeing her antics just sighed.
"Lady Morgana you forgot to ask the reason, did you not."
The man''s voice was filled with a mix of surprise and accusation.
Morgana''s hands stopped for a moment, then she skillfully ignored him.
She would never admit she made a mistake.