Officer Ulyssa had just returned to Paris on a grey day, about to go into base, when Marceus grabbed her arm and yanked her away from the door. “What the…” she about to curse before she realised who it was. “Walk with me.” He said, pacing heavily towards the main headquarters. Ulyssa jogged to keep up and started walking fast. “Sir?” “Details, now!” he snapped his fingers. “We’re too late. She’s too powerful.” She replied, talking about the incident with Maha Azim. “Fuck.” Marceus looked behind him, as if trying to see if anyone was following them. “Walk faster.” “Sir?” she looked behind them as well but wasn’t sure who or what to look for. “We have new intel that may help our case on Maha Azim. It helps the case but it fucks us right up the ass with the war with the humans.” “What’s the intel?” she asked but he grabbed her arm again and pulled her into an alleyway. “We have to take the long way to HQ.” “Who’s the tail?” Marceus stopped dead in his tracks and checked the path they came from. “There’s been sightings of Cain. We believe he’s going to make a move on Alexis.” “What’s that got to do with Maha?” “My father read your report on the red eyes. He says Cain had them. We believe whatever is going on with Maha is somehow connected to him.”
Cain, a man who had fought Arcadeus in the streets almost causing a city-wide path of destruction, was feared by all except the General. Arcadeus had beaten him but it took all of his strength to do so. No one had seen such power before, not until the Necromancer showed up, and the Necromancer was more powerful than both of them combined.
“What’s the plan?” asked Ulyssa. “We go ahead and make it seem like our schedule hasn’t changed. Instead of transporting Alexis during the day we take the risk of doing it the night before.” “The dark will be an ambusher’s heaven.” She warned. “But it also helps getting Alexis out of here covertly.” Marceus pointed out. Ulyssa crossed her arms as he checked out their surroundings to see if anyone was around. “Are we expecting Maha or Cain to attack?” “Does it matter?” “Well yeah, sir. We can take on Cain... Or, your father can. But Maha...” “My father won’t be around for this.” “We’re completely on our own to defend against all attacks?” “What we do is pray that anyone who wants trouble that night will be human.”
The two entered the Headquarters, the stone floor echoed their footsteps as they made way towards a large briefing room. Arcadeus sat furthest away at the end of a long and rectangular wooden table. Several of the chairs beside him were occupied by those he deemed trustworthy. “Take a seat, officer.” Marceus waved towards the nearest empty chair and then took his seat beside her. Gallus was sitting in front of them and extended his hand to greet her. “Welcome.” He said with a warm smile. “Thank you.” Her heart started to beat fast. She didn’t feel like she belonged at the table. The faces at the table all looked in her direction and gave her silent and acknowledging nods. Arcadeus looked to his left where a stern looking lady sat, her grey hair in a tight top-knot, wearing a slim black blazer with padded shoulders. They briefly had eye-contact and she understood it was time. A handbag lay beside her chair and out flew pieces of paper, one for each member sitting at the table. The papers swiftly landed in front of each and everyone one of them.
The paper revealed the current events of Europe’s borders and showed the presence of Human and Demigod forces. “Our friends increase by the day.” Otho stated, sitting at Arcadeus’s right side. “Severe losses in the Middle-East have made it so that the Demigods there have made haste in attempting to join our forces. The Muslim community have sentenced every Demigod to death, and I believe we can all understand why.” “Religion is to be tossed out the window, Otho.” Said a member sitting near the middle of the table. “We aren’t welcome anywhere except amongst the presence of our own race.” “So right you are, Amadeus.” Arcadeus spoke. “Do you have word from Africa?” “The ports between Spain and Morocco are in flames. Travel has become increasingly difficult, as it is everywhere, but we are losing the port at Ceuta. Those without the special abilities to make it across the sea on their own are struggling to find ways to get to Gibraltar.” “We can make land.” Said the lady to Arcadeus’s left. “Lady Emilia, no elementalist is powerful yet to create twenty kilometres of land. We have discussed this before.” Said Arcadeus, respectively. “I can do it.” She looked towards the rest of the table for support. “You’re needed elsewhere.” The General rejected bluntly. “Where am I needed?” She sounded surprised yet irritated. “Those highest in the chain of command need to stay close to Paris.” “We cannot command an army if we do not disperse.” “Not until we secure France.” “General, my word has no weight when I am by your side.” “My Lady…” “Arcadeus… I am of no use here. I am but an advisor if I stay. If I head south, I can lead. I can help.”
“I can aid the Lady Emilia.” Ulyssa offered, wanting to stay close to a woman in power. Marceus looked at her with eyes wide open. “Officer Ulyssa, that is kind of you, but you are needed elsewhere.” said the General. “You are to assist in my daughter’s protection, or have you forgotten?” “No, sir, of course not. I just thought that I would be reassigned by now after being unsuccessful with the capture of Maha Azim.” She received the attention from all the heads once more. “The lack of success is not to be put solely on your shoulders. We have all underestimated the abilities of Maha Azim.”
“Perhaps now it is the best time to announce the news, General?” Otho suggested. “Indeed. Everyone, take a good look at the map in front of you.” Some of the members held the paper to take a closer look while others simply stared at it. “The borders we control… The lands we have claimed… The earth soaked in our blood… The nations we have begun to call home… will no longer be theirs but ours.” Arcadeus stood up and with him everyone else. “From this day forth, France no longer exists… Spain… Portugal… These lands belong to the Gods now. Therefore, these lands are now called EMPYREAN! The land of the celestial beings! The Divine! A land of pure fire! Of POWER!” General Arcadeus slammed his fist on the table. “Let the name strike terror in our enemies! Shed blood in its name for it is our name and glory! Conquer all and leave no human standing. Let those who buckle to their knees, to their hands and foreheads, live.” “FOR EMPYREAN!” They all shouted in unison. “FOR EMPYREAN!” General Arcadeus agreed.
“Your orders, General?” asked Lady Emilia, with a fist to her chest. Arcadeus took a good long look at her. "How sure are you of yourself? Of your abilities? We can have no mistakes." "I am ready for this. I can do it." “Then aid our comrades in the south. Extend Empyrean land. The Strait of Gibraltar shall cease to exist. The rocks and stones taking its place shall create its mark on history!” “For Empyrean!” They shouted in unison once more. “Marceus! Gallus! Take Alexis towards the west tomorrow night. Make haste on your journey. Get the best warriors you know on the job. Officer Ulyssa is the take command of the operation once it’s settled.” “WHAT?!” The brothers exclaimed. “And for the rest of us,” Arcadeus ignored his sons. “We make war. Germany is our next target.” “For Empyrean!” Everyone but the brothers shouted, who were looking at each other in shock.
Ulyssa looked at them. This was too much responsibility. Marceus put a hand on her shoulder. She looked at him in terror. “You’re no longer an Officer…” Her heart beat faster. “You’ve officially been promoted, Lieutenant Ulyssa.”
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