Phase I: First Impressions

☽

Calum’s footsteps echoed through the grand halls with cold white marble walls and floors that stretched on for miles. He stopped in front of towering double doors and briefly admired the intricate floral designs carved into the lustrous bronze wood.

He gave the doors three curt knocks and waited.

“Come in,” replied an all too familiar voice from within. A heartbeat later, he opened the doors and stepped into the room.

“Calum. Glad to see you could make it.” 

The man lifted his gaze toward a woman seated behind the large dark oak desk in the middle of the room—a stark contrast from the elegant white marble floors and walls. The sun’s rays from the tall windows behind her casted a soft glow on her form and highlighted the streaks of silver that ran through her dark ochre hair. 

The woman observed him, her eyes slightly wrinkled with age and shone a warm light beige. A corner of her lip lifted into a knowing smirk, and Calum felt some of the tension ease from his body. He took a deep breath and exhaled, straightening himself as he stood at attention.

“You said there was something you needed to tell me, Head Instructor?” The smirk on her face dropped and was instantly replaced with a frown.

“How many times have I told you to call me Aunt Isabella when we’re alone?” she huffed. “You were so much cuter as a kid. Always clinging to my leg and calling me ‘Auntie Izzy’.”

Calum gave her a dry look and she let out a defeated sigh, “Yes, yes. Strictly business. I wouldn’t expect any less from the next Director.”

His tired lavender eyes grew downcast in response. “Please, can we drop that topic already? Out of all the possible candidates, I’m honestly the least qualified for the position.”

“Nonsense! I’ve watched over you since you learned how to walk and trained you personally. Out of everyone in the Guardian Division, you’re more than qualified,” Isabella stood from her desk and circled around it as she headed toward him. She reached out and placed a gentle yet firm hand on his shoulder. “I know you’re hesitating because of your parents. But believe me—they would’ve wanted this for you too.”

He averted his gaze from her comforting one. “That’s not the only thing. I don’t deserve the position.”

“And why is that?”

Calum couldn’t say. After all, he continued to blame himself for what happened, even if his aunt and many others at the Organization assured him of the opposite. There were still nights where he couldn’t sleep due to the nightmares that haunted his mind the moment he closed his eyes. 

Predatory amber eyes that glowed in the pitch dark, the bone-shattering snarl of a beast, the heavy taste of copper on his tongue. He would start awake, covered in a layer of cold sweat and heart thundering against his chest. 

It was those nights that Calum donned his hunting clothes and gear, cloaked underneath the moon’s soft rays and hunted. Only the sounds of pained yelps and defeated growls soothed his wired nerves, and the flicker of faded auburn that dissipated like a waning candle brought him satisfaction. It was only in the night he felt at peace as the moon watched over him and blessed him with its comforting presence.

“…Nevermind, forget I said anything. Now can you tell me exactly what you called me here for?”

Isabella narrowed her eyes at him. She was known all across the continent for her fiery nature and stubborn streak, but Calum knew she would always relent for him. A few moments passed before her frown eased into neutral expression she often used for her students.

“You’ll be assigned to a partner for a cooperative mission,” she clasped her hands behind her back as she trailed over to her desk. “I need you by the borders of Lunae Village, just east of here. Activity spiked within the past few weeks, so I had a Guardian scout the area.”

She paused in front of the desk, eyes stormy and lips pulled into a thin line. “He never reported back. It’s been four days since then.”

“I can handle this by myself.”

“I knew you were going to say that,” she glanced at him. “But this is an order. And I expect you to follow it.”

“Aunt Isabella, you just said I’m more than capable. Why do I need a partner?” Calum scowled.

“Because this is a high risk mission. If what’s out there is strong enough to take down one of my men, then you damn well know I won’t be sending you there alone!” Isabella slammed a fist onto the desk. The room grew silent aside from the muffled chatter of the busy hall behind the door. Calum pointed his gaze to the floor as frustration bubbled in his chest. 

“…Who was it?”

Isabella went eerily silent. He waited for her as a grim shadow slowly formed over her features with each second. Eventually, she released a shaky breath and recomposed herself.

“Niko. He volunteered.”

Niko. Not only one of Isabella’s men, but one of her best. He had trained under her for only five months before his promotion to her squadron. A bright young man who wanted to travel the world one day and saw an opportunity to do so as a Guardian. Calum had a few run-ins with the man—every single time he’d greet Calum he would do so with a loud, jovial voice and a blinding smile.

“… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. He was a good man and knew the dangers of the job.” Isabella gave him a pained smile. “So, now you understand why I need you to have a partner. I selected you because you are capable, but that’s not always going to be enough on the field. It’ll be better to have someone watch your back.”

He met his aunt’s earnest gaze. “Alright, I’ll do it.”

“Good. Thank you.” Both perked up at the sound of a knock from the door. “And looks like he’s right on time. Come in!”

Calum turned to face the door as it creaked open. The first thing that caught his attention was the man’s head of jet-black hair and ruddy red eyes that crinkled with a friendly smile. 

The man, who appeared to be at least several inches taller than him, swiftly closed the door behind him and waltzed toward Calum. Upon closer inspection, Calum noted the way that his sculpted muscles moved languidly with every minute movement and pulled his undershirt tautly over his chest. He could’ve easily been mistaken for a celebrity with those looks, save for the thin, jagged scar that ran down the middle of his left eyebrow and past his eye.

However, it wasn’t just his looks that caught Calum’s attention. There was something about the man, or rather, his aura, that drew curiosity and intrigue. It felt like an insistent tug on Calum’s senses that told him this man was so much more than meets the eye. 

The moment the man made it to Calum’s side he stopped, his eyes trained on Isabella. Calum quirked a brow but redirected his gaze toward her as well.

“Well, since you’re both here now we can get started,” Isabella raised a hand and gestured at the man next to him. “Calum, this is Jin Valentine, your partner. Jin, this is Calum Luna.”

The man, Jin, turned to greet Calum. He extended a hand toward him as his smile widened. “Nice to meet you, Calum. Isabella’s told me a lot about you.”

“…Is that right?” Calum noted the casual tone the man spoke with and the way he addressed his aunt. Looks like they’re quite close. He quickly reared a disgruntled scowl at his aunt who merely rolled her eyes in return. “That’s odd, she’s never mentioned you before.”

“Ah, there’s too much to relay all at once. Though I’ll gladly tell you anything you’d like to know.” Jin winked. Calum cocked an unimpressed brow at him, though it did little to deter the mirthful glint in the man’s eyes. Despite Calum’s brusque attitude, he always prioritized professionalism and reached to take Jin’s hand. 

The moment his skin met Jin’s sent a wave of emotions throughout his body. A rush of familiarity, fondness, remorse, and grief slammed into his core that left him breathless for a brief moment. 

His senses had never failed him. This man, just at first glance, was someone who Calum knew was special—whether in the good or bad way, he wasn’t sure. 

His eyes trailed from their hands and up toward warm red eyes that regarded him with a mysterious yet familiar look. They silently stared at each other for a bit. Was it possible that Jin felt the same rush just now? 

This was the first time Calum had ever experienced a feeling like this. First times never worked out in Calum’s favor, so he quickly hid the shock behind a well-practiced poker face. 

Calum managed to pull his face into a forced smile. “Thank you for the offer. I’ll keep that in mind.” He let go of Jin’s hand as relief and remorse flooded his mind at the loss of contact.

“I have to say though, Isabella—you were right. He’s much more handsome in person.”

Calum sputtered and his cheeks flushed with warmth despite himself. Jin’s infuriatingly attractive face splitted into a teasing grin. Both men looked over at the sound of Isabella’s poorly contained chortle. 

“Easy there, tiger. My nephew’s not like anyone you’ve met before. Push too hard and you’ll be sorry.” Calum threw a dirty glare at her as she snickered. 

“Oh, I know a fair game when I see one, ma’am. I’ll be on my best behavior, I promise.”

“If you say so. Though knowing you, I bet you’ll be smitten in no time. My nephew’s got a certain charm to him.”

Jin’s focus shifted back toward Calum, those ruddy eyes observing him with piqued interest. Calum resisted the urge to look away and held his ground. He knew what his aunt was trying to do, and it only served to sour his mood. After a few moments, Calum narrowed his eyes at the other man before he turned to Isabella. 

“Are we done with introductions? The sun will set in just a few hours, and we need to get to the border before nightfall.”

She waved a hand. “Of course, of course. Go on, get out of here before I have to watch another sap start waxing poetry about how pretty your eyes are.”

Calum’s face burned with mortification, but he took that as his cue to leave before she could say anymore saint-forsakenly embarrassing things. He quickly turned on his heel and went for the door. He heard Jin’s footsteps fall into place behind him as they both exited Isabella’s office and into the hallway. 

~ ☽ ~

Several officers ambled around and bowed their heads in greeting while Calum made his way down the wide corridor. Jin followed right behind him as a little contemplative hum left the man’s lips moments later.

“It looks like you’re well-respected, just like Isabella said,” Jin began, his voice light and inquisitive. “That’s amazing, considering how much younger you are compared to a majority of General Guardians.”

Calum resisted the urge to scoff at the words. “There’s nothing amazing about it. I had to learn at a young age, unlike the others.”

“Is there a reason for that?”

“Nothing you need to know. And I suggest you keep the questions limited to the mission.”

“Ah, I didn’t mean to pry. I’m sorry.” Jin’s tone instantly turned apologetic. Calum craned his head around and saw that the man had a guilty look drawn over his handsome face. 

…He doesn’t seem like a bad person. But I can’t shake off this feeling that there’s something more to him than meets the eye, and that’s what I’m wary of. Calum turned away and sighed. “It’s fine. I’m sure if my aunt’s told you enough about me then you know I don’t work well with others.”

“She’s told me you’re a bit… difficult, but a good leader. The people listen to you and believe in your words. You’re strong and capable as a General,” he could hear the smile in Jin’s voice. “It’s admirable. It makes me wish I knew someone like you back at home. Our Sanctuary would’ve prospered with someone like you in charge.”

Calum huffed softly and rounded the corner of the hall. “Somehow I doubt that. I don’t know exactly what my aunt’s told you, but I’m nothing like how she’s described.”

Jin chuckled, the sound warm and inviting. “She also said that you’d say that.”

He didn’t know how to respond to that, so they fell into an amicable silence. However, just as they traversed through another corridor, the sound of heavy footfalls headed toward them. Calum paused without warning and felt Jin’s body collide into his back for a brief moment before it left. He heard a muttered apology from the man, but Calum was too focused on the figure that now stood several feet in front of them.

The man was remarkably tall, more so than Calum and Jin’s already impressive heights. His broad shoulders were cloaked in a sleek white caped coat, embroidered with silver threads that caught the sun’s rays and created an angelic glow around his upper body. Sandy blond hair curled around a dashingly handsome and kind face that resembled a prince’s visage from children’s storybooks. The man regarded Calum with a gentle smile—a sight that he was long accustomed to since they were children.

There was a time where Calum’s heartstrings tugged when he was greeted with that smile. But those memories were long buried, and all he felt now was the bitter sting of reality whenever he shared the same space with the man.

“Calum, it’s good to see you.” His voice was rich and possessed a commanding yet mellow tone. 

“Dimitri.” Calum practically bit out. The other man didn’t seem put out by the brusque response and instead moved his gaze to Jin. 

“I take it this is your new partner. Head Instructor Luna mentioned him briefly in passing, but he is quite different from what I expected.” 

Calum spared a quick glance toward Jin, who seemingly wasn’t insulted by the sly comment in the slightest. And yet, despite having just met the man, Calum wanted to stand up for his partner. This wasn’t the first time Dimitri had scrutinized anyone that came near Calum, despite how much he had outrightly told the man off for doing so. 

“What business do you have here?” Calum all but growled. “I don’t see any reason for the Head of Research down here at the Guardian Towers.”

“I have matters to discuss with the Guardian Council. There’s been some… concerning events that I noted as of late that need to be brought to attention.” Dimitri’s brows furrowed into a troubled frown. “My researchers are working on documentation, but there is something urgent I must speak to the Council about.”

Calum’s anger subsided minutely at the information, but Dimitri eased into a comforting smile once more. “Please don’t worry, I have the situation handled. Are you headed out for a mission?”

“Yes. There’s been an incident east of here. The threat level is severe and needs immediate attention.” Dimitri’s expression shifted into worry. 

Ah, and here it comes.

“Another high-risk mission? Weren’t you on one several days ago?”

Calum’s face pinched into a scowl. “I was. And I took care of it.”

“But you’re still recovering from it. Please reconsider and have someone else assigned to—” 

“I don’t need to recover from anything. I’m fine.” Calum gritted between his teeth. 

Dimitri frowned and took a step forward. “Calum, please. I’m worried about your safety.” He spared a glance at Jin before looking back at Calum. “If you’d like, I can request for your assistance at the lab.”

His hand moved and gently grasped Calum’s right arm as if holding onto a delicate treasure. Calum tensed under the touch but did not move away. Despite the frustration and bitterness that ate at him, he knew underneath all the unnecessary coddling was genuine concern from the other man. 

“…I said I’m fine, Dimitri. You don’t have to keep an eye out for me like this anymore.” Calum grumbled under his breath, his eyes not meeting Dimitri’s. The other man closed his eyes and heaved a soft sigh.

“There’s your stubborn streak again. You’re becoming more like Aunt Isabella every day.” He opened his eyes and gazed at Calum with a tender fondness. 

“I get that a lot,” Calum laughed quietly. He inched away from Dimitri’s grasp, and the man slowly lowered his hand. “But we need to leave now. The sun is setting, and we have to get there before nightfall.”

Dimitri sighed once more. “Alright. Please be careful.”

“Always have. See you.” Calum nodded at him and started to walk past Dimitri. He heard Jin’s hurried footsteps from behind until it settled into a pace that matched his own.

Calum could feel Jin’s stare boring into him. He knew that little exchange piqued the man’s interest, naturally, so he expected this. 

“If you want to ask something, it better be about the mission and the mission only.” 

“Are you…” Jin hesitated for a moment. “Are you okay?”

Well, that wasn’t what Calum had expected he would ask.

“Of course I am. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“Well, it’s just that you seem really tense. Is that guy trouble?”

Calum scoffed. “It depends what sort of trouble you’re asking about.” 

“It seems like you two don’t really get along,” Jin remarked. “He seems nice enough, if not a little overbearing.”

“Hah. Believe me, you’ll find out just how overbearing he is soon enough,” Calum shook his head. “But that’s just how he’s always been. His looks aren’t just for show—he’s a capable man, and everyone adores him for his wit, power, and charisma. Just like a prince. He lets that get to his head, though.”

“I could see that pretty clearly. From what I saw, he’s probably riled up at the fact that someone didn’t fall for his charm.” 

Calum threw a scowl at him. “He’s only eager to protect me because we grew up together, and he’s fond of me,” his scowl deepened as he spoke. “He doesn’t realize I’m not the quiet and weak child I was before. He’s looking out for an old childhood friend, that’s all.”

Jin hummed, “Well, if you say so. I’m just glad I didn’t get paired up with someone like him.”

The two arrived at a set of towering doors with floral insignias similar to Isabella’s office doors etched into the wood. Calum pushed at them and they cracked open with a loud groan. The sight in front of them was a grand stable with dozens of horses docked in their individual stalls, varied in colors and sizes. 

Calum walked in and immediately approached a stunning mare with fierce cobalt eyes and a coat dipped in a deep midnight shade. Calum smiled softly at the animal and took several minutes gazing at him as he gently brushed his fine coat in soothing strokes. 

Once again he could feel Jin’s eyes pinned to his form. He was used to the staring, given his position, but something felt… different with Jin. Whether that was a good or bad thing, only time could tell. 

“What are you waiting for? We have to get going.” Calum unlatched the hook of the stall door and pulled it open before he stepped inside. “You’ve ridden a horse, right?”

Jin blinked, as if broken out of a stupor. “Er, yes, I have.”

Calum readjusted the sleek black saddle and mounted the horse in one elegant swing. “Then hurry up. Ride with Lilac—she’s the most accepting of strangers.”

He watched as Jin peered around the stable. Red eyes widened in awe as they found a gorgeous white mare with a light blonde mane and peppered with gray spots across her body. Jin quickly dashed over to the horse and went about the same way his partner had done, and soon the two faced each other on their steeds. 

A second set of doors to the stable slid open and revealed the outside world dyed in oranges and yellows. The sunset was already on the horizon, which meant only an hour or so before nightfall. Calum tugged gently on his reins with a short call, and the mare began its trek. Jin followed suit, and the two were out onto the dirt path that was covered overhead by long, arching trees. 

“We’re running out of time. We have to get there before nightfall at all costs—the lives of people are at stake.” Calum’s brows furrowed in deep concentration. “Let’s go.”

~ ☽ ~

Night greeted the two as they made their way onto the paved roads of Lunae Village. Unlike the bustling nature of Saint’s Capital, the village was quaint and serene, with humble brick houses neatly arranged and spaced evenly apart from one another. Calum seldom visited the area due to its distance from the capital, but he appreciated the calm of the village and its rich history. 

Lunae Village was one of the first settlements established in the Occidental region, serving as an essential trading midpoint between the expansive terrain of the Moonlit Forest and Winter’s Peak. The village’s location offered plenty of protection from natural threats such as wild animals or wandering thieves with its dense forestry of towering Blackwood trees. 

“Gods, this is terrible,” Jin muttered under his breath.

But that, of course, had no guarantee against otherworldly forces. 

The deeper they had gone into the village, the more apparent that something was horribly wrong. The houses within several yards of where they stopped were in absolute disarray. Windows were broken, and doors ripped from the hinges, personal effects of the civilians scattered around in a haphazard heap. Splotches of dried blood stained the grass beneath them, leaving little to the imagination of the events that transpired here. 

Confirmation of Calum’s worries were the distinct, deep, jagged claw marks that scarred the exterior walls of each house. 

The handiwork of Ater. Multiple ones. 

Calum scanned the area, senses heightened and on high alert. “The villagers?” 

“Anyone within a three-mile radius has been evacuated, just as Isabella ordered. The issued nightly lockdown is already in place,” Jin glanced around, jaw clenched tightly as his eyebrows furrowed. “If it were up to me, I would have evacuated everyone.”

“Transportation is limited because of the distance between the village and neighboring cities. We’re only here to eliminate the problem. As much as I want to help these people, there’s only so much we can do,” Calum explained, his words tinged with bitterness and remorse. “We offer protection, not the transportation of civilians.”

“But is a lockdown really going to work? If there was a threat, we should have had everyone leave in order to minimize any possible casualties.” 

“Again, that is not under our jurisdiction. Transportation is handled by each corresponding city’s Council, not our organization.”

“We can issue a lockdown order but can’t help with transporting people safely from here?”

Calum scowled, pointedly avoiding Jin’s steady gaze. “Look, I don’t like the idea any more than you do. If I were in charge of the operation I would’ve done things differently. Head Instructor Luna feels the same way. She’s only following the orders from the Guardian Council.” 

“I know. But this isn’t right. If we had done something sooner, then these innocent people wouldn’t have died.”

Calum cast his gaze to a small, tattered plush doll that laid a few feet away. Half of it was stained with a dark color that Calum desperately wished was mud. 

“It’s always the ones with connections and enough coin that can make an easy escape, leaving the poor to fend for themselves,” Jin all but growled. “And even then, some are just unlucky enough to meet their end. …Like this.”

Calum looked up at Jin, unsure of how to react to the ever-growing spite in each word uttered from the other man’s lips. Jin’s fierce gaze bored holes into the blood splatters near his feet, and Calum could sense the animosity that radiated from him in waves. 

He couldn’t blame him. Even Calum, who did his best to separate his feelings from work, felt the pure vitriol boiling underneath his skin at the horrendous sight in front of them. 

He lamented the loss of one of their best men, who had fought bravely to protect these people. He lamented the loss of innocent lives that could have been saved if they had been more careful.

But like his mother once told him—regret was not a life sentence. It would only fester if one allowed it. Calum had enough experience with it to know that he couldn’t let it consume him. If he did, his hope would not be the only thing that was lost. 

“That’s why we’re here,” he said as an assurance to the man and himself. “And now that we are, we’re going to make sure that no more lives are lost.”

Jin observed the carnage in front of them once more. He sighed softly and jerked a nod at Calum. 

“Right. What do you suggest we do now? It’s not uncommon for Ater to work in groups, but that also means they’re more careful,” Jin mused. “It wouldn’t make sense to stay around here since we’ve already evacuated everyone in this area.”

“No, we stay here. The residual energy here is the ideal bait for Ater,” Calum looked toward the houses off in the distance. 

The raven-haired man pursed his lips but made no further objections. He shrugged and led his horse to a tall Blackwood tree, its thick branches stretched out toward the moonlit sky. Calum watched the man take a graceful hop off his steed and right onto the soft grass, back propped up against the massive tree trunk. 

Calum followed suit and slid off his horse. The animal gave him a content huff at the gentle brushes to his mane, and moments later, he found himself seated a few feet beside the other man.

The moon hung high above their heads, not a cloud in the sky. Without the presence of any life in the area aside from a few stray animals, it could have been a peaceful night. Calum clenched a fist as a bitter tang hit his tongue. 

If only it were true. 

“Say, how do you deal with it?”

Jin’s voice snapped him back into reality. He glanced at the man and found the other’s gaze locked on to the moon and stars. The soft lighting framed his handsome face and casted an angelic glow to his hair. Calum found it difficult to focus on just one specific feature on the man’s face.

He shook his head with a huff, “What do you mean?”

“You saw how I blew up earlier. I… don’t know how to handle situations like this,” Jin sighed as his attention drifted to the ground. “I’m not exactly the best at keeping my temper, especially when innocent lives are at risk.”

Calum hummed and contemplated his answer. He had said personal questions were off-limits, but something compelled him to give this man a chance.

“I separate my feelings from my duty. I vowed to protect these people with my life. But I can see where the line between personal justice and the law blurs,” frustration filled his chest at the reminder of their current predicament. “I don’t ‘deal’ with it. I chose this line of work and I intend to follow through with it until the end.”

For his parents’ sake. For his hometown. For the future of humanity. 

Jin huffed out a laugh, “How admirable of you. It really shows how much of a difference there is between you and I. Cool, calm, and collected—like a true leader.”

The words weren’t new to Calum. He’d been given similar praise before, but most of the time it was spoken with thinly veiled sarcasm and contempt. Being the youngest amongst the ranks of many seasoned Guardians garnered plenty of intrigue and scrutiny. And yet, those words sounded so genuine from this man, who seemed increasingly more frustrated at himself rather than at Calum. 

“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m hardly meant for the role.” Not for now, at least. 

“Hah, and he’s humble, too! There’s no need to hold back in front of me—Isabella has told me plenty of stories about your victories and exemplary leadership,” Jin grinned wolfishly at him. “Back in my small town, you were known as the top Director-candidate in all of Saint’s Capital. The Luna family’s always been held in high regard in every corner of the region.”

Calum bit his cheek. That prestige wasn’t meant for him—his mother and father were the ones that deserved to hear these words, not him. 

“Any talk regarding my candidacy for the position are just rumors. If I were given the choice I’d elect the Instructor instead. She’s far more qualified than I am,” he met Jin’s gaze. “But that decision won’t be given any time soon. And I don’t intend on dwelling on it when far more important things are happening.”

Jin looked as though he wanted to continue, but the only thing that left his mouth was a small sigh. He leaned back against the tree trunk, arms folded behind his head. 

Silence followed that rather abrupt end to their conversation. Calum could hear his Aunt’s chiding over his behavior already. It wasn’t like he didn’t know how to hold a conversation, but any mention of his personal life and he admittedly would shut things down rather quickly. 

But Jin didn’t know any better—many people did not, in fact. Only a select few in Calum’s inner circle knew the truth about his parents, while the general public was left blissfully ignorant. 

He took a deep breath and steadied himself. Aunt Isabella taught him nearly everything he knew, and that included having small talk amongst the Organization and civilians. 

“You… mentioned your town. I never received a proper briefing before our meeting, so I have no idea which city you’re from,” Calum coughed awkwardly into his fist. 

Jin perked up at the sudden question, a look of complete surprise on his face. After a few moments, his expression shifted to that warm, amicable smile he presented when they first met. 

“Oh, right! I received an immediate transfer notice last week and rushed over, so I never got to do a formal introduction,” he chuckled and rubbed the back of his neck. “But I’m from a town called Vimarda. It’s tucked away behind the mountains, and it’s where I was born and raised.” 

“I’ve heard of the name before. The Head Instructor visits that city every few months because of its rich culture and advanced agricultural engineering. I take it that’s where you met her?” 

Jin nodded as fondness crossed his features. “Yeah! I met her when I was still young and at the orphanage. I was a bit of a troublemaker at the time so I did sort of… literally run into her.” 

Calum couldn’t help snorting at the image of a quivering young Jin at the mercy of his rather menacing aunt who stared him down. 

“Some luck you have, running into her of all people. If I remember correctly, that was when she had just been promoted to the Head Instructor position. She was in her prime and as hot-headed as the rumors said she was.” 

“She definitely gave off that sort of feeling as soon as our eyes met. Even my usual, cocky self was stunned into silence,” Jin shuddered, but that fond look never left his face. 

“But meeting her that day changed my life completely,” he continued, those ruddy eyes looking off to somewhere far, far away. “I got introduced to another Guardian who basically adopted me. He took me to one of the local barracks they had stationed just on the outskirts of the city, and that’s where I started my new life. I began my training once I turned eighteen, and now I’m here.”

So he was saved by the Guardians as well. 

After what happened with his parents, Calum was immediately taken in by Aunt Isabella and given time to recover. One day she approached him and kneeled down to meet his gaze, asking if he was ready to move forward. 

He had looked her directly in the eyes and nodded. He wanted to make a difference. He had grieved long enough, and wanted to pursue the goal that his parents fervently sought after. 

“Sorry, I didn’t mean to ramble on about my past,” Jin’s light laugh broke Calum out of his reminiscing. “But I figured I’d share a bit since your aunt has told me plenty about you.”

Calum grimaced, “I assure you a majority of what she’s told you are complete lies or inflated half-truths.”

“Is that so? Then is it true that you were born on the night of a full moon?” 

Out of all the questions he could’ve asked, Calum never expected he’d be asked that. 

“… That’s right,” Calum cocked a brow. “Why are you asking? I didn’t take you for someone to be interested in someone’s Divinity.” 

“Oh, to be honest, I’m not really into it. But I was born on the night of a lunar eclipse, actually. Pretty interesting how that works, right? Reminds me of a story I heard a long time ago.”

Calum’s eyes widened in surprise. Is that why he felt such a strong pull toward the man? 

He vividly remembered all the stories his mother told him before bed when he was young—tales of the Divine Saint, their disciples, and common folklore during her time as a child. 

There was a tale of two people, one born under the full moon, and the other born under the lunar eclipse. Those born closer to or on the full moon were given a particular blessing by the Saint and possessed a closer bond to the divine deity. However, those born on a lunar eclipse received no such blessing, as the moon was the very symbol of the deity. Without moonlight, the deity would not appear and offered no protection against the darkness. These people were considered ‘cursed’ and often shunned by their own people. 

But despite their differences, the two polar opposite souls met and formed an unbreakable bond. They grew stronger together as they worked in tandem with their complementary skills and abilities. The world could not comprehend their relationship, and while some scorned them, there were those that supported the union of blessed and cursed. They were called—

“‘The Divinus Duet’. That’s what the story was called.” 

The words left Calum’s mouth before he could comprehend what he was saying. Jin’s eyes lit up in recognition and he nodded. 

“That’s the one! I remember hearing about it from one of the caretakers at the orphanage,” Jin chuckled softly. “I used to think that was only folklore, but look at us now.”

Calum watched as those ruddy eyes slowly trailed up to meet his gaze. How could someone be so candid and warm with someone he just met? Was it possible that Jin felt the same pull as Calum?

Even though he tried to convince himself that it wasn’t real and he was simply feeding into some ludicrous fairytale, something in the back of his mind said otherwise. 

The sharp chirp from his back pocket drew him out of his stupor. He threw a quick glance at Jin who waved him off with a smile on his lips. 

Calum jerked a nod before he stood and moved away until he was out of earshot. He took out a flat, round disk that resembled a compact mirror and was no bigger than his palm. The insignia of two crescent moons facing opposite directions was etched in the center, tinged a light blue in contrast to the surrounding midnight blue of the device. A brief tap from his thumb caused a ring of light to appear within the disk, and the insignia’s blue faded into a shade of rose. 

“How’s the date going so far?” A teasing female voice cajoled from the device. Calum’s eye twitched in response, an annoyed growl already on the tip of his tongue. 

“What do you want, Talia?” 

Talia tutted, and Calum vividly imagined the red head shaking her head and wagging a finger at him. “Don’t get all angry with me, I’m just asking how things are going! It’s been forever since you had a partner, so as a dear friend I’m checking up on you. Especially since this partner is a very handsome guy with a great personality to match, from what I’ve heard.”

“I will hang up, you know.”

“Wait, don’t tell me—oh my Saint, you like him.”

“Talia.” 

“Spare me the Director Voice, Cal. Give me all the details,” Talia huffed. “Isabella didn’t tell us anything and by the time I got back you were already gone.”

Calum pinched the bridge of his nose and willed himself to stay calm. “There are multiple Ater out here terrorizing civilians and I need to keep watch. If you don’t have anything important to say then I’m hanging up.”

“Okay, okay! You’re no fun at all, y’know that? Wait till Mr. Handsome finds out how bossy you are, that’ll seal the deal,” he didn’t even bother responding to that as he listened to the distinct sound of papers rustling through the device. “Checked with the trading posts in between where you are and the next region. Nothing unusual except for a brief influx of travelers from Winter’s Peak about two weeks ago.”

“You’re saying this is connected with the group of Ater here?”

“If it is a group, then there’s got to be a higher level Ater leading them. There’s no way a bunch of lower rank Ater would group up and attack civilians—they work lone wolf style to reap all the benefits for themselves.”

Calum had thought of it as a possibility when he examined the damage inflicted on the houses. Normally lower rank Ater lurked in the shadows individually, careful to avoid larger crowds of humans. Caligos were just barely stronger than an average human, often unable to retain a proper form and isolated their targets for easier feeding. 

The attacks in the village were powerful enough to take down a skilled Guardian—which meant at least several Tenebra led by an Obscura or Umbra. While he was capable enough to handle a pack of Tenebra on his own or even a single Obscura, things would not go well if it were an Umbra. They were the strongest rank of Ater and a challenge for even several General Guardians. 

“Noted. Was there any other information you could find on this group?” 

He heard another shuffle of papers before Talia sighed, “That’s all we could dig up at the moment. Sorry, it’s not much to go off of.”

“It’s better than nothing. Thank you, Talia,” Calum pinched the bridge of his nose and let out his own little sigh. “I’ll report any findings once we finish here.”

“Alright, you two be careful out there. Niko was a good guy—I don’t want anything happening to you either,” she spoke quietly, voice devoid of the usual cheerful ring. 

Calum mustered a small smile even though he knew she couldn’t see. 

“I’ll be fine. I promise.” 

She huffed but said no more, the device now turned back to its original blue hue. Despite her dramatics and obnoxious teasing, Calum knew she called to warn him out of worry for him. Even when they bickered he treasured the woman like the little sister he never had. 

Calum slid the device back into his pocket as he made his way back to the tree. Jin tilted his head up toward him when he approached, an inquisitive look in his eyes.

“Everything okay?” Jin questioned. Calum took a moment to decide on his answer and settled with a nod. 

“Just a report from the Headquarters. We’re dealing with more than just a few stray Caligos,” Calum leaned against the tree, arms crossed over his chest. 

“Hm, nothing we can’t handle together though, right?” 

Calum eyed the smirk on the other man’s lips, “Don’t get too cocky. This group took down one of our best men. Be on your guard at all times.”

“I will, I will. I’m excited to see you on the field at long last,” Jin huffed out an amused laugh. “After all, Isabella raved about your performance the most. I’m already impressed just from hearing about it.” 

“Hm, and I look forward to your performance,” Calum countered with an arched brow. 

~ ☽ ~

A shrill, bloody scream immediately froze the two of them in place. Calum sprang to his feet with his weapon drawn as Jin followed suit. Jin’s gaze instantly honed in on something ahead of them, and his eyes narrowed at whatever he had detected.

“That came from the forest directly west of us,” Calum moved his attention to the tall Blackwood forest several hundred feet away. The dense forestry blocked off any source of light and made it impossible to see anything beyond the first line of trees.

Jin swiftly took out his weapon from its holster. The sleek black metal of a handgun gleamed brilliantly against the moonlight. “Okay, so what’s the plan?”

“We stay together and head in as quietly as we can. Once we’ve located the Ater, you and I split up,” Calum commanded, his eyes solely focused on their target ahead. They left the horses behind and quickly made their way towards the entrance to the forest. “Remember, our top priority is to protect any humans in the area.” 

Jin jerked a nod before he set off at a hurried pace. Calum was right on his heels as they neared the first line of trees. They both leaned against the tall, sturdy trunk of a Blackwood tree, weapons held close and poised for attack. 

Calum craned his neck just enough to get a good look into the forest. The dense forestry barely allowed any of the moonlight to come through and only sparse patches of light could be seen from his vantage point. 

“This isn’t good,” Jin whispered. “Our weapons won’t do us much good with this kind of terrain.” 

Every Guardian’s weapon took on a specific form, but the powers drawn from the moon were the same. They existed to purify the darkness that tainted humanity—which was why they hunted at night, with the moon hung high above their heads. 

Without the direct pull of the moon, the weapon’s power would wane and eventually become nothing but an ordinary tool. 

Calum pressed his lips into a thin line. “Under normal circumstances, no.” 

“What do you—” Jin’s response was cut short as he watched Calum’s combat knife engulfed in a blinding flurry of purple flames. The blade of the knife extended until it was twice as long and energy thrummed from the glowing steel. 

“How…?” 

“My Blessing. I was granted the ability to amplify the moon’s energy,” Calum took a deep breath as he felt the familiar harsh tug in his chest. “Which means I am able to use my weapon to its full potential, even in less advantageous areas.” 

However, he withheld the caveat to this incredible power from the other man: this power would gradually wear down his body until he was forced to stop. It drew on his own energy and vitality slowly, for the price of being able to use his weapon at full strength. He had trained vigorously so that his tolerance far exceeded what it was in the past, but he could still hear the warning voice of his aunt in the back of his mind whenever he used the ability.

“Give me your weapon.” 

Jin eyed him for a brief second but handed the gun over to him without a word. Calum’s fingers met brutally cold steel that quickly warmed under his touch. 

Seconds later, the gun glowed a bright red and the insignia of a dragon’s head etched on the handle lit up. He released a controlled breath and extended it back to the man. Jin’s brows nearly reached his hairline as he took the weapon with a look of absolute slack-jawed awe. 

“That’s incredible. It’s no wonder you’re one of the best in the current ranks.” 

“A special ability can only go so far. But that’s not what’s important right now,” Calum pointed his gaze toward the forest again. “Can you sense anything from here?”

He noticed how Jin had quickly honed in on their targets earlier and wanted to test it out once more. He was unaware of Jin’s ability on the field thanks to the lack of information he was given about the man. Calum trusted his aunt’s choice, but he wanted to make sure that he could put his full trust in the man himself. 

Jin’s eyes narrowed at a particular spot to the right of their current position. Calum could not see anything past the first two lines of trees, but he could tell from the look on the other man’s face that trouble lurked right ahead.

“Five of them, crowded around something. From the looks of it, all Tenebra class. There’s one murky aura in the middle… that’s probably the civilian we heard just now,” Jin’s grip tightened on his gun. 

Calum marveled in silence at the man’s perception but quickly shook it off. There would be plenty of time later to inquire about his ability. He nodded and made his move, the leaves barely made a sound as they treaded lightly across the forest floor. As they neared the spot that Jin pinpointed, Calum could pick up several voices. 

One was easily recognizable as a woman’s terrified, tearful voice. She whimpered and sobbed quietly, immediately followed by warning growls from the creatures that surrounded her. 

Calum met Jin’s eyes before they bolted into action. 

A bellow tore from one of the creatures as one of Jin’s bullets went straight through its chest. The dark shadows surrounding the monster instantly swirled toward the gaping hole to mend the wound, only for the hole to light up and send the body flying backward. The Tenebra’s back slammed into a tree with a resounding crack before it slumped to the ground. The prone body then blew up in a flurry of red flames and engulfed the shadows.

The rest of the Tenebra, now on high alert and hackles raised, reared their angered growls toward them. Jin dashed forward to the ones farther away from the woman, gun raised with steady hands. 

Calum wasted no time and sprang toward the two Tenebra closest to the woman. He raised his blade before it swept down in a graceful line. The Tenebra to his left howled in pain as a long, glowing line appeared diagnoally across its chest. Iridescent purple flames bursted from the wound as it swallowed the Tenebra’s entire body. 

As he watched that one fall to the floor, he spun on his heel and slashed at the other Tenebra with a shout. This one managed to dodge his attack as it leaped back on its haunches. The form it took on was exactly like the ones Calum used to read about in his father’s journals—with the hind legs of a ram, the torso of a man, clawed arms, and an indiscernible face with protruding long horns. The entire body was cloaked in a dark purple shadow-like mist and framed its form much like the ceremonial robes of a priest.

A creature conjured from human’s darkest emotions—an amalgamation of all the ugly, uninhibited thoughts of man.

Three piercing gunshots echoed from behind him. Seconds later two resounding thuds of heavy bodies fell to the ground. Calum felt a tap on his shoulder before he could even sense Jin’s presence beside him now. 

“Go on and help her. I’ll take care of this guy,” Jin threw a wink over his shoulder. Calum scoffed under his breath and quickly turned his back to him. Show-off. 

Calum ran over to the woman and kneeled in front of her. He gingerly reached a hand out to grasp her trembling shoulder, “It’s alright, you’re safe now. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“N-No… Are they gone?” She raised her head, dull brown eyes glossy with tears. Calum smiled softly at her and nodded. 

“Yes. Now we have to get you out of here, it still might not be safe. We’ll be escorting you to the vil—”

“There’s m-more!” She wailed, face devoid of all color as she darted her frightened gaze back and forth from the forest. “There were so many more chasing me! I-I can’t run! They’ll find me, and if you bring me back there, they’ll kill everyone!”

Calum gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze, “We’ll protect you, I promise this. We’re Guardians, sent by the Organization.” 

“G-Guardians?” 

“Yes, we’re here to serve and protect the people from dangers like this. You have my word that you’ll be safe with us.” 

He sheathed his blade, and he raised his other hand for her to take. She hesitated for a moment before she took it, and he helped her stand. 

Three shots rang in succession right as they did, and Calum breathed a small sigh of relief. They might’ve not found the one controlling the Tenebra yet, but at the very least they prevented the death of another innocent. 

Only seconds ticked by when Calum noticed something was wrong.

There had been no sound of a body meeting the floor. 

Calum jerked his head to the right where the fight was taking place, “Jin?”

The only one left standing there was Jin, who wore a look of shock on his face. His gun was still raised with a light trail of rust tinted smoke from the nozzle. 

“Jin. Report.”

“It just disappeared. I never miss my shots—I aimed right for its chest and saw it land. How…?” Jin muttered in response to Calum’s urgent shout. 

Calum cursed under his breath. Could that one have been the leader all along, disguised as a lower rank to trick them? It had moved much quicker than its companions, but Calum had foolishly believed it wasn’t anything important to note.

This was the last thing he wanted to happen. They hadn’t escorted the civilian to safety yet, and now they were all sitting ducks while they waited for the creature to strike. Calum dropped the hand that was on the woman’s shoulder and grasped onto his knife handle again. 

“So, what’s the plan now?” Jin kept his gaze pinned on their surroundings, finger steady on his trigger. 

“We have no choice. If we move now, we could be surrounded again in seconds,” Calum gritted his teeth. “We stand our ground and wait for it to strike. We won’t miss it a second time.”

“I just scanned the perimeter. We’re safe… for now.” 

“Okay. I’ll prioritize protecting the civilian. If you sense anything you will take it down immediately without hesitation, understood?”

“Yes, sir.” 

Now Calum truly understood why his aunt chose this man. Despite his cheerful and friendly disposition, underneath that was the true nature of a well-trained and professional Guardian. Calum quickled shuffled those thoughts away and looked back at the woman. Her hand clutched tightly on to Calum’s, but some of the fear had left her eyes, much to his relief. 

“It’s alright, ma’am. We’ll be out of here in no time.” 

“But I’ve seen what those things did to the others before you came… They left nothing alive. I managed to get away, but…” she bit her lip as her eyes watered again. “My little sister, she was there too…”

Calum’s breath caught in his throat. The memory of the stained doll on the ground by one of the destroyed houses vividly emerged in his mind. 

“I heard her screams. I–I couldn’t do anything. When I tried to go back into the house for her, all I saw was the blood,” her haunted voice spoke volumes despite how quietly she mumbled. “Then, everything went black. I felt like I was drowning. I tried screaming or crying, but nothing came out.”

Despite recounting such a dark, visceral memory, she remained eerily still, “I woke up after that, in this forest. I tried calling for help, but then I was surrounded by those monsters.”

Dear Saint, Calum truly felt for the woman. He could remember his own encounter with them clearly as if it had happened yesterday. Back when he was still young, unable to protect anyone, just like her. He knew exactly how it felt to lose someone dear right in front of him. 

“I’m sorry. We should have been here sooner—there is no excuse for that. But we will make sure that those creatures won’t hurt another soul,” he urged despite how hollow the words sounded to him. Words could never bring her little sister back. 

“…That other man said the same thing too.”

Calum froze. 

“You met the Guardian that was sent here a few days ago?”

“Oh, yes. And look what happened to him. Died, just like the rest of them.”

Something pricked at the back of Calum’s mind. Every inch of him screamed at him that something wasn’t right.

The hand he held felt like pure ice against his skin.

“Now you two are next.”

He heard a sharp intake of breath from behind him. 

“Calum—!!” 

It was too late. As Jin shouted his name, Calum’s world spun as he tugged harshly with inhuman strength. He hissed as searing pain shot up his arm and to his shoulder. Shit, it’s probably dislocated. His other hand was torn from his handle and forced behind him. An arm draped over his chest and elongated nails lightly trailed against his neck. One wrong move and his throat would be slit. He was forced to remain still in her arms as his jaw clenched. 

A demented giggle reverbated from behind him.

“Ah, ah. You’ve fallen right into my trap yet again, little hunters.”

The once trembling voice of a human was replaced with the breathy hiss of a malevolent creature. An Obscura, judging by the strength she exuded. 

Calum forced himself not to struggle against her hold, “Using that form to bait us in until we let our guard down. Underhanded as per usual of your kind.”

“Oh, but you lot make it so easy. Useless bleeding hearts that drop everything once a troubled soul meets your path,” she snickered. 

“So, the Guardian was your doing.” 

“Mm, yes, I remember that annoying little thing. He put up quite a fight, all with that infuriating smile of his,” she grinned, showing rows of sharp teeth. “So I sliced his head in two.”

Calum’s breath hitched as anger and anguish flooded his mind. 

“You’re also the group responsible for all of this. There hasn’t been sightings of Ater in months, why suddenly show up in a small village like this?”

“Quite simple, really. We needed fuel for our next course of action. Certainly you can’t feed an army with just a few scraps.”

“An army? Are you declaring war on humans?” Jin shouted incredulously.

“Don’t be silly. Why would we declare war on lowly creatures we could easily crush?” she tutted at him, as if chiding a child. “No, we have something far more annoying to deal with. A newly developed thorn in our side.” 

Her hold on Calum tightened and he let out a strained shout as claws dug into his shoulder. “Though, I suppose we should be more optimistic. Our power will grow with each feeding, and with humans of this caliber at our disposal, it shouldn’t be a problem.” 

She leaned in, her breath ice cold against his neck, “Perhaps you will keep me well fed compared to that weakling I had several days ago.”

Jin growled, a deep animalistic sound that raised the hairs on Calum’s neck. Calum could have sworn Jin’s normally calm red eyes now glowed angrily. 

“Let. Him. Go.”

Calum felt the woman tense up minutely. An Obscura, showing fear in front of a human? 

“Hah? A human trying to make demands of me?” she barked a shrill laugh. “His life is mine now. But if you’d like to stay and watch, be my guest.”

Jin took a step forward. Something in his body language looked odd and foreign to Calum. He was stiff as a board, as if he struggled to control his own body.

“I said let him go.”

Calum felt sharp nails tap warningly against his brow. 

“Watch your tongue, livestock, or I’ll tear out his pretty eyes first,” she snarled. Calum felt the delicate skin of his cheek burn before a drop of blood trailed down his face. 

A crisp snap reached his ears before a dark, deep rumble that shook the floor followed. 

“Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” 

The Obscura barked a laugh as she snapped her fingers, “I’d like to see you try and do something other than talk.”

In an instant, six Tenebra emerged from behind the trees surrounding them. They stomped toward Jin and slowly circled around him with their claws extended. 

“Jin!” Calum hollered as concern slammed into his chest. The man made no move or changed his expression—his eyes were solely locked onto Calum’s. “Run! Go back and get reinforcements!” 

Jin’s features lightened minutely at the sound of Calum’s voice. He gave Calum a reassuring smile while those red eyes gleamed with confidence. 

“Don’t worry, Calum. I’ll handle this.” 

Calum renewed his struggle against the Obscura’s grasp despite the danger. He shook his head and urged the man once more, “Jin, go! That’s an order!”

“You can punish me later. I promise I’ll take whatever you give me.” 

Calum’s objection died on his tongue as the first shot rang. 

And yet not a single Tenebra had fallen. In fact, not one moved a muscle, as if they were frozen in place. Calum darted his gaze from each creature and found himself growing more confused by the second. I clearly heard him shoot. Why is there no—

He jolted as he felt something warm and viscous drip onto his chest. His wide eyes trailed down to the gaping hole in the Obscura’s arm in front of him. 

Everything happened in a flash after that. The Obscura let out a blood curdling screech as the wound burned away at her flesh. Calum felt her grip on his arms loosen ever so slightly, and he made his move. 

He tore his arms free from her slackened hold and instantly used his non-injured arm to draw his blade. The metal came to life with its brilliant iridescent flames once more and he swiped with deadly precision. 

The same arm that held him earlier now flew several feet into the air before it was engulfed in purifying flames. Shadowy ashes scattered into the wind as the Obscura shrieked in agony. 

“You worthless worms will pay for that!” the Obscura’s shrill voice hissed at him. “Don’t think you can kill me that easily!” 

Unlike Tenebras, whose bodies were easily susceptible to attacks from the blessed weapons the Guardians used, Obscuras were far more difficult to deal with. The limbs could be regenerated with time and the only way to take them down was through decapitation. 

It seems that her most recent feeding gave her the energy she needed, Calum grimly noted as one of her arms regenerated in a matter of seconds. However, the other arm faltered and she clicked her tongue in irritation. 

“So that weakling could only give me this much power? What a joke,” she scoffed, and Calum’s grip on his knife tightened. “Fine, this will do. I’ll only need one arm to take you and that cocky human down.” 

Without another word she lunged at him, killer intent burning in those beady amber eyes. Calum instantly shifted his footing as he dodged sharp claws aimed straight for his chest. 

“Such quick reflexes! You certainly live up to your reputation,” the Obscura giggled gleefully. “Tell me something, little hunter. What good is there in risking your life to protect livestock?” 

“I do it so I can protect humanity from the likes of you.”

“Oh come now, we’re not so different, you and I. There is so much potential in you, and yet you live amongst these weaklings.” 

He scoffed as he swung again, the blade hissing as it sliced through the air. The metal’s bright lilac glow intensified while Calum poured more energy into his weapon. Warning bells rang in the back of his mind that told him he was taking too much at once—but he grimaced through the pain and pushed those thoughts aside. 

“Tell me, how did it feel, witnessing all my handiwork? Did it anger you? Was your blood boiling at the sight of so many innocent lives lost?” she continued to taunt him. Her features were twisted into a sadistic grin that showed just how proud she was of her work. The sight made Calum sick to his stomach. 

“Guardians lament the loss of all human lives. What you do is no different from carnage that I’ve seen from fledglings,” Calum kicked his leg out and swept at her feet. The Obscura leaped high up into the air as she let out a wicked cackle. 

“Don’t make me laugh, little hunter! You foolish lot are blinded by that nonexistent god you idolize,” she snapped her neck upwards, wild amber eyes narrowed into slits. “I, like many others, realized the truth. There is no such thing as a ‘Divine Saint’.”

She landed back on the ground without a sound, “Tell me, where was your Saint when the village was attacked? Where was the benevolent deity when blood was spilled?”

Her stance shifted into a predatory prowl as she stepped toward him. 

“Where was your Saint when my dear little sister was killed by the so-called human lives you lot cherish?” her words near the end were almost indiscernible behind the fanged, rabid snarl that tore from her throat. 

Calum’s lips pressed into a grim, thin line. So the memory she was recounting earlier wasn’t a ruse. It was her last moments as a human, before she fell.

Every human carried a seed of darkness in their hearts. In places of tragedy or areas saturated in negative emotions, ‘it’ would flock to the site. The Scelus, an unseen, thrumming energy that crept in the shadows would wait for the opportune moment and struck a weakened human’s heart. They were akin to a parasite that needed a host in order to thrive. Once they took over the human’s body and mind, it would slowly corrupt and alter them until they became something like the sight before him now. 

He meant it when he lamented the loss of all human lives. Even the bloodthirsty creature that stood before him had once been human. But even with the decades of research his parents had put into finding a potential ‘cure’ from this parasite they did not come any closer to finding an answer. 

“You’ve lost a great deal. But does doing any of this bring you real satisfaction? Your sister wouldn’t have wanted you to become a bloodthirsty killer.”

She snarled, the sound distorted and ugly. Veins from her forehead and neck bulged as those eyes glowed with pure rage. “Don’t you dare preach to me! I avenged her. After I was reborn, a terrible hunger seeped into my bones. I sought those same men out, just on the outskirts of the village. I tore them limb from limb, keeping them alive and in agony until the very last minute.”

A wicked cackle left her mouth as she continued, “Who needs a god when you can take things into your own hands? What good is praying and hoping when you are the salvation? I have never been more free in my life!”

This display never failed to strike anguish into Calum’s heart. This woman was so consumed by her grief and anger, left only to be controlled by these dark emotions like a puppet. 

“At a loss of words now? Just like that idiotic Guardian before you, all of you act like saviors for a worthy cause when all you do is LIE!” she lunged forward, claws pointed right for his throat. 

Two shots cracked from behind him followed by the sharp whistle of bullets flying past his ear. The Obscura managed to dodge the first, but the second landed on her left shoulder. Flames bursted from the area and forced her to stop as she snarled like a feral, injured animal. 

“I’ve got you covered! Go!” Jin’s voice rang. Calum dashed forward while the Obscura was preoccupied with her new wound. Her crazed eyes locked on to Calum and she screeched as she swung wildly at him. Thick rivulets of pitch dark blood splattered on the floor, painting a twisted macabre portrait around her. 

He avoided her claws with practiced ease as her movements slowed down considerably from the various wounds. He dodged another swipe and ducked his head under her arm. His free hand shot out and grabbed her forearm before he yanked her forward. The blood forced her to lose her footing as she fell, and Calum spun on his heel, kneeing her square in the chest. 

“AGH!” she howled, her back now flat on the bloodied ground. He applied more of his weight on her as he bent his other leg to trap her arm. The tip of his blade met her neck and glowed brightly against her pale skin. Narrowed amber eyes glared darkly at him—a wordless challenge held in that defiant gaze. 

“Where is your compassion now, little hunter? Now that I am beyond saving, am I no longer an innocent life to you?” she sneered with blood-stained lips. Black veins framed her face—a clear sign that the parasite was preparing to leave the host’s decrepit body. 

He stared into those eyes, foolishly hoping to find a shred of humanity left in them. All that met him was a pitch black void, cursed with those revolting orbs of amber. 

This woman was no longer a human. He had failed again. 

“…May the Divine Saint guide you to tranquility and be reborn in a new light.” 

He dug the blade into her neck and slashed with a flick of his wrist. 

A clean cut was made across the skin as it lit up, the light blinding his vision for a brief second. Several heartbeats later the brightness subsided, and gone was the body underneath him. Only the bloodied halo of darkness was left with remnants of what used to be a living, breathing, human being. 

Calum took in a shuddery breath. This cycle was never-ending—he would meet another tortured soul and took them down before it could harm others. But where was the salvation for those who became these creatures in the first place? He feared he would never find the answer.

He stood and sheathed his blade. He craned his neck around and found Jin standing there, looking a little worse for wear and his gun back in its holster. The Tenebra were nowhere to be found, despite the fact that he hadn’t heard any sounds of a battle while he was preoccupied.

“What happened?” he questioned as he made his way to the man. Jin’s eyes met his, tired and drained of all the energy he had earlier. 

“Took care of them like I promised. Am I going to be punished now?” Jin managed a weak smirk. 

Calum stood in front of him, scanning for any noticeable injuries on the man. Aside from a few scratches on his arms and legs, he looked unhurt. And yet, something in those eyes of his told Calum he was hiding something from him. Perhaps an internal injury he refused to reveal, or maybe…

He raised a hand, and watched as Jin immediately shut his eyes, braced for whatever Calum was about to do. 

Calum paused for a brief second as that oddly familiar tug at his chest appeared once again. He lifted his hand toward Jin’s cheek and cupped it softly. The man’s eyes flew open and widened with shock. Calum contained the laugh that bubbled up his throat from witnessing the comical expression on the usually confident man.

There were so many questions Calum had for him. What was that ability he showed before they threw themselves in battle? How was he able to stop a pack of Tenebra from attacking? Why did an Obscura show fear in front of him, a human?

But, after a long, hard fight, even Calum knew there would be a better time to ask all these, eventually. There was no point in rushing into everything when he had yet to know about Jin himself. Calum had a feeling one thing will lead to another, despite how he had stubbornly told his aunt he didn’t need a partner.

He knew his aunt had chosen this man for several reasons. Firstly, he begrudgingly knew that she was very much aware of his preference in partners, both on and off the field. When he had confided it to her about it as a teen, she gave him that infamous knowing smirk. Secondly, his fighting style suited Calum’s close-combat, and they were a good match. He could depend on Jin to keep an eye on his back while he fought. 

And thirdly, that connection he felt with the man as soon as he had stepped into the room—was it truly because of their Divinity? He never believed in things such as fate or a predetermined destiny, but once again, something about Jin felt so fundamentally different. 

“So… if this is my punishment, what would being on good behavior get me?” Jin’s teasing voice struck through his train of thought. Calum blinked as his eyes refocused onto Jin’s, ruddy red gleaming with interest and a spark that made Calum’s breath hitch. 

He quickly collected himself and slowly slid his hand off the man’s face—but not before he reached and pinched his cheek. Jin yelped in pain and shock as Calum tugged at his face, the flirtatious energy completely gone in a matter of seconds. 

“If you’re not injured, then we’re going back to report our findings. Come on, let’s head back to the horses,” Calum huffed. He freed Jin from his grasp and watched in amusement as the man rubbed his sore cheek. 

Jin eyed him, those eyes drifting up and down Calum’s body, “Are you hurt? You took way more damage than I did.” 

“Don’t worry about me—this is nothing. Let’s go.”

~ ☽ ~ 

Calum took a step forward before he was stopped by Jin’s hand on his wrist. 

“Sorry, but… does this mean I get a pass? Isabella told me that you’d ‘evaluate’ me while we’d be on the field and then I’d receive a final answer,” Jin rubbed at the back of his neck with his other hand. “I know I didn’t exactly perform like how I wanted to, but I’d still like your honest opinion.”

Calum stared at him, contemplating his answer.

“Look, if things didn’t work out or I was out of line, I understand. I actually did a lot of solo work back at my Sanctuary, so this is a bit new to me. I can tell Isabella—”

“There’s no need.”

Jin didn’t look convinced. “I literally ignored a direct order from you. I was in your way because I decided to stay.”

“Jin, I already told you I’m not the acting Director right now. Or ever, for that matter. I’m only one rank higher than you,” Calum sighed. “I told you to run not because I didn’t think you were incompetent. I was just… worried for your safety.”

“You told me to run because you were worried about me?” 

Calum felt his cheeks warm, despite the neutral expression he carefully maintained. “Any good partner would be worried about their partner. Don’t read too much into it.”

Ugh, why did he have to go and say that? Calum groaned internally as he avoided Jin’s gaze. He tugged his wrist out of the man’s hold and moved away from him in a hurry. 

After a few moments he could hear Jin’s footsteps follow him, the sound that steadily became more and more familiar to him now. 

“…Wait, you just said ‘partner’—”

“Another word, Valentine, and I’ll revoke my decision.”

Jin chuckled, the sound warm and melodic. Thankfully, he said no more after that and they continued to walk in peaceful silence.

They finally stepped out of the forest and were greeted by the sight of the bright sun peeking over the horizon. While their mission had come to close, Calum couldn’t help but feel as though it hadn’t ended. He wondered if what he was doing was the right thing after all, but it was the only path he had. There were more questions than answers, and he knew his report would be a lengthy one, filled with nothing but grim news. 

His attention trailed over to Jin, who looked straight ahead with bright eyes. 

Calum decided at that moment that he would give him a chance. Perhaps a partner was the change of pace he needed. It felt like a piece had clicked into place for once in his life, despite his stubbornness that told him it wasn’t necessary. 

At the very least, maybe his path wouldn’t have to be as much of a lonely one now.