The Weight of Authority
1:57 PM.
I walked towards the arena's spare meeting room on the ground floor, mostly used by the staff to organize things for the heroes—coming up with the week's menu, discussing better ways to use the portion of the budget they receive monthly.
From time to time, it was occupied by the council to discuss our group's budget while they used the arena.
It was thanks to the ex-mayor of the city who allowed the program to run. He was a kind-hearted man. Always trying to make Starlight City the best it could be.
The newly elected mayor… he was a corrupt man. He barely tolerated the arena and the heroes and… me.
I didn't know how long before he would come at full force—to try and close the arena.
That was a thought for later.
My white-gloved finger rubbed my temple.
He had not responded to my messages—just like the Grand Directorate. Was his assistant even forwarding the information?
The Mayor of Clematis City was growing frustrated by the sluggish speed of the arena moving to rid the city of this massive problem.
Even Stella was puzzled these days and lost in the GOU archives—trying to pull any information about the creatures looming in Clematis City.
2:00 PM.
The door slid open as I walked in. It was empty.
I let out a sigh, heading towards the seat.
As soon as I took a seat, the door opened to reveal Ava entering.
"Good morning."
"Good morning."
She settled on the seat across from me.
The third member of the council would not be able to make it, so we waited for the fourth.
Assassino Solare.
Seconds ticked by and then minutes.
Where is she?
2:36 PM.
The door opened to reveal Solare. Long, pin-straight black hair swayed behind her—slightly disheveled, like she had rushed and still failed to arrive on time.
"Sorry. I got turned around," she muttered.
Ava and I watched, waiting for her to fix her posture.
She cleared her throat and stood up straight. She walked over to the seat diagonally across from me and settled down.
"Shall I start?"
"Yes, you may," Ava said.
I looked towards Solare, waiting for her approval. Her head was lowered, busy with something on her torso. The seams of her bodice.
I cleared my throat.
"Solare."
Her head snapped up. She looked up at me.
"May I continue?"
"Of course, of course."
I nodded, taking in her approval.
"There is an infestation in Clematis City. The mayor has asked for the arena's help. Three members of the Earth Protectors were sent to investigate. They returned with one sample. Stella has been tirelessly searching through files to look for the creature's origin."
"And?" Solare interrupted.
"Well, you see, I need your help. Stella wants more samples to effectively study and find the best way to rid the city of the infestation. Time is tight, and I need your help—your heroes."
I looked towards Ava who would always step up. No matter what.
"I would help you, but my team is in the middle of intensive training. They're not where they need to be yet—I won't interrupt that," Ava said.
I knew exactly what she was hinting at.
I looked over at Solare, waiting for her approval to lend me her heroes.
"My heroes are also—" she started, a brief pause slipping into her voice—
The door slid open.
"My apologies."
Ojamaris entered.
The room shifted the moment he walked in.
"You are not late," I said. "I didn't expect you to make it."
He walked around the table, sitting down at the head.
"Why was this meeting called?"
"I was just asking Solare to lend me her heroes for—"
"Solare, you allowed it, right?"
She stumbled, looking at both of us before nodding—hesitantly.
"Of course."
I could tell she didn't want to agree—considering how violent her warriors are. Uncontrollable.
But Ojamaris held power over all of us. Being someone who resided within these walls for millennia.
No one could say no to him.
No one.
Nor should they.
"Good. I do hope the situation at Clematis is resolved quickly. The people are agitated," I added.
"Indeed," Mr. Ojamaris said.
"Is that it?"
Solare questioned.
"Yes."
Solare stood up upon hearing my answer, heading out of the room.
One by one, the others left, leaving me alone in the room.
I sat there.
One object archived. Now the other one.
Heading to the Grand Directorate.
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Notes
Grand Directorate: The supreme council of the GOU (Guardians of the Unirex), overseeing interstellar governance, enforcement, and the distribution of powerful resources across the universe. Its decisions shape the fate of worlds—and those who guard them.