Citdael
Planet unknown
Star system unknown
Galaxy unknown
In an unknown planet, millions of light years away from the Federation Quadrant, loomed the Citadel, a towering structure that pierced the thick, green sky, which was smeared with dark clouds swirling ominously. This unknown planet that housed this Citadel was nestled deep within the Neutral Free Zone, a region so well-hidden even among other star systems in this quadrant.
Within that citadel, Hekate moved ahead, stepping toward the massive door that awaited them. The door was already opening of its own accord, without them making any effort to open it. The halls of the Citadel were vast, stretching endlessly in every direction, but they were eerily silent, save for the soft echo of their footsteps. The smooth, obsidian-like walls shimmered faintly, a reflection of the Citadel's mystical nature. Hekate knew well that this place was more than just a technological marvel. Beneath its sophisticated machinery and countless layers of defense, there were powers here that few could comprehend.
The silence did not fool them. Hidden behind those walls were lethal Mana cannons capable of tearing through even the best barrier spells. And the Controllers—those ever-watchful figures—were scattered throughout, isolated in their surveillance rooms, constantly monitoring the movements within and outside the Citadel. They arrived at a large circular platform in the center of the hall, its edges adorned with ancient symbols etched in glowing runes. As they stepped onto it, the platform hummed with a low, resonant vibration. A beam of pure white light enveloped them, lifting them upward at an impossibly smooth rate as if they were rising through dimensions themselves. Hekate kept their composure, though the feeling of traversing this Citadel's many layers was like stepping through a living, breathing entity.
When the light faded, they arrived at the next floor. This space was markedly different—a grand chamber with high vaulted ceilings, the walls decorated with intricate carvings and crystalline structures that pulsed with latent energy. The inhabitants of the Citadel, their identities concealed by suits of deep black, moved about silently.
Their attire bore a symbol—a tiara adorned with two pairs of bull's horns—marking them as the elite, those who served in the most secretive arm of the Federation. The Great Bull was carved along the walls, its image imbued with strange, arcane energy. The symbols of power were not just for decoration; they served to enhance the Citadel's protection, channeling both mysticism and advanced technology in perfect harmony. Hekate followed the path laid before them, their footsteps echoing softly as they approached the grand set of doors. On these doors, an armored figure was sculpted, its form exuding both strength and authority.
Hekate stepped forward, placing their palm on the door's surface. With a subtle hum, the doors parted, revealing the inner sanctum beyond. The door closed silently behind them as they went through it. Inside, the room was dim, lit only by the flickering glow of holographic displays and the faint shimmer of runes lining the walls. At the center of the room sat Master Mallus, seated on an imposing marble throne.
The throne's armrests were crafted from the likeness of bull's heads, their eyes hollow, but Hekate could feel their power—ancient and undeniable. Mallus wore his signature black tunic suit, the bull's horn mask that obscured his face a constant symbol of his authority. Hekate couldn't sense Mallus's Mana, as it seemed to be cloaked by something beyond their immediate perception.
What Hekate did feel, however, was the sheer sense of order and control emanating from him, an aura so potent it suffused the very air around them. It was as if the room itself bent to Mallus's will. The other agents of Sector Zero stood in silence, their identities concealed beneath masks, but Hekate knew them all well.
Each one of them had earned their place in the shadows. But there was one who stood beside Mallus, a figure whose presence stood out from the rest. The silver-haired woman caught Hekate's attention immediately. Her aura was different, as though she belonged neither to the Federation's underbelly nor the ethereal forces of the Citadel.
"Hekate, you've finally arrived." Master Mallus said, his voice as impassive and cold as the stone throne he sat upon. There was no warmth, no hint of emotion behind the words, and his tone made it difficult to discern anything about the man beneath the mask. Mallus was a leader who operated from a place of pure calculation, and his mask concealed not only his identity but his entire being, making it nearly impossible to predict his actions.
"Greetings, Master Mallus," Hekate responded, bowing respectfully. They could feel the weight of the other Agents' gazes upon them as if they were all waiting for them to make a mistake, or perhaps to say something that would reveal their thoughts. The tension in the room was palpable, but Hekate was no stranger to such atmospheres. "Might I ask why I was brought here, My Lord? I know you're quite aware that I was in the middle of—"
"Insolence," hissed the purple-masked Agent. His voice was sharp, laced with an obvious disdain. Unlike Master Mallus, who was dressed in deep black, the other Agents wore colors that signified their respective Houses. This one, dressed in the garnet hues of the House of Capricorn, was one of the more vocal—and volatile—members.
"It's okay, Nabu," Master Mallus interjected smoothly, his voice still lacking warmth but somehow authoritative enough to quell the tension. Hekate would have liked to imagine that Mallus smiled, but they knew it was unlikely. Smiling wasn't something the leader of Sector Zero was prone to. "I'm quite aware of your situation, Hekate. But a new crisis has arisen. There's been a situation within sector 29996."
"A situation?" Hekate asked,
"As you're quite aware, years ago, we began Project Starseed thanks to Orion's efforts," Mallus continued, his eyes briefly flickering toward the silver-haired masked female who stood beside him. Her presence in the room was almost as commanding as his own, and Hekate was well aware of her status—Orion was one of the best, one of the rare few who had reached the heights that Mallus sought among his underlings.
She was an asset to Sector Zero, a fierce and dangerous agent who had played a crucial role in many of their covert missions. Hekate's black eyes lingered on her for a moment longer than necessary. Orion had always been a mystery to them. Her mask gave no clues about her House affiliation, and unlike other Agents, they had never seen her use any of the specialized skills that defined their Houses. It was as if she stood outside of their hierarchical structure, a wild card in the most dangerous of games.
"Project Starseed reached its final phase not long ago," Mallus continued, his voice turning darker. "But something's gone wrong. We've lost contact with the facility. It's... unsettling. Which is why I'm sending those of you in this room to investigate and eliminate whatever obstacle stands in our way in that sector."
Nabu's mask shifted as if to show a sneer. "What kind of development, Lord Mallus?"
Mallus leaned forward, his hands clasped in front of him. "The kind that sets us back for many years."
His voice was colder than ever, a statement not just of concern, but of something far worse. Hekate's instincts screamed that this was serious, the kind of development that could threaten their entire operation.
"Project Starseed was nearly complete, but now we face an unknown interference. It doesn't smell right to me."
The room fell into a tense silence, all eyes on Mallus. Hekate could feel the subtle hum of anticipation in the air, the weight of a mission that could shift the balance of power within Sector Zero. Mallus, as always, was calm and calculated, yet there was something in his words that suggested urgency, perhaps even desperation.
"It shall be done, Lord Mallus," Nabu said, bowing low, his voice steady with the certainty of a warrior who had been given an order. The others followed suit, their response automatic.
"Make sure nothing gets in the way," Mallus instructed, his gaze sweeping over the Agents. "This is more than just a priority; it's critical. I would go myself, but I have pressing matters to attend to in Lamentias and Litvain. Hekate you will be in charge of this mission. I take it you understand the urgency of the matter."
"Yes, My lord," Hekate said. They could sense the tension among the others, their dissapproval at someone like them being given leadership over such mission. Yet, Hekate did not care. They did not care for this was their chance to prove themselves. For centuries she had been involved with the organization, looked down upon for the mere fact that she was not of the same bloodline as many of the prestigous agents.
Now was their chance to show off their skill. Their talent. They could not afford to let this opportunity pass them by. Hekate felt Lord Mallus gaze on her, and they knew that he was well aware of how much they wanted....no...needed this mission. They understood well the consequences of failure. And it was something they could not afford to happen.
"You are all dismissed." Lord Mallus said.
Without another word, the Agents bowed once more and left the room, their movements synchronized as if they were trained to leave without hesitation. Hekate lingered for a moment, before joinning the others in leaving the room, heading back to her station to prepare for the mission.