Late into the night, a meeting had begun in Ben's office on the third floor, in order to explain aura to the new assassins. Ben, Amy, and Aria had gathered there along with Theodore, stunned by the duo's sudden awakening. The two sat in office chairs, twiddling their thumbs, anxiously awaiting what was to come.
"My office again, huh," Ben said sarcastically.
"This is awesome! I can't believe you idiots, erm... I mean, guys, were able to use your aura so quickly! This calls for a celebration! Alcohol, we need drinks now!" Amy shouted.
"Perhaps you should slow down on the drinking a bit, dear sister," Aria said concernedly.
"Ok, enough! So, what the fuck is aura?!" Kai asked.
"Y-yeah!" Cindy added. "And, have you been using this aura thingy to keep us from dying every day, Theodore?"
"Hohoho, how perceptive of you, Madam Cindy. You're spot on!" Theodore said.
"Sooo, how does it work? We're just super strong now or something?" Kai asked.
"Well, to put it simply for you chaps, aura is essentially your life force. An innate energy in all beings, that can be harnessed and manipulated in order to increase your strength and senses," Aria said. "The more you train, the better you will be at controlling your aura. Meditation, exercise, eating healthy, etcetera, are all ways to maximize your potential."
"And where does this aura come from, exactly? And how come we've never met anyone with it?" Cindy asked.
"Were you paying attention, idiot? Aura is your life force. Say it with me now. Aura is your life force," Amy said slowly and mockingly. "Everyone you've ever met had aura!"
"I-I see...," Cindy said.
"Now, now Amy. We talked about the teasing, didn't we? Ben remarked. "What Cindy meant to ask was, 'why is awakened aura so rare,' right Cindy?"
"Yeah... I guess," Cindy said.
"Confusing, I know, ahaha. So, essentially, a near-extinct race of elves, known as the ancient elves, were the one's to unlock the hidden potentials of aura. By using them as a catalyst of sorts, other races could awaken their potential as well. Though not to the full extent an elven race could achieve, harnessing one's aura can make an average person look like a demigod." Ben explained.
"Increased strength, vision, hearing, and speed. That's just scratching the surface of how you can use your aura," Aria said.
"That's awesome! If we can learn to control our aura, then all these contracts will be a cakewalk!" Kai said.
"So, this aura...you can pass it on to others in order to unlock theirs? That's what Theodore and you guys were probably passively doing to Kai and I, right?" Cindy asked.
"Spot on again, Madam Cindy!" Theodore said. "If one wills it, they can pass on a bit of their awakened aura to another, unlocking that person's potential in the process. On missions, if one of your associates were getting weary, you could also spend some of your aura to rejuvenate your partner."
"Wow. This is... a lot to take in," Cindy said. "What about the ancient elves? What happened to them? You said they were near-extinct, right?"
"Yes. Almost all of them died out a few hundred years ago, but there are still some present in modern times," Amy said. "There's one that lives in this city, even. Our very own warden of the state... Elanor Frost," she said with a venomous tone.
"The witch...," Aria said, while gripping her fist tightly. "She'll be coming here soon to meet our newest assassins. Do keep a watchful eye when that one's around. She enjoys playing games and toying with folks quite a lot," she said with a scowl on her face.
"I see. And how many people do you think are out there...with awakened auras?" Cindy asked.
"Well, that all depends on Miss Elanor and the other few ancient elves scattered about; and the people they've passed on aura to. As for us, every assassin in The Fam, as well as father, has full control of their aura," Ben said. "We try to keep it within the family."
"It's just a game. It's all a damn game for that woman," Aria doubled down. "And we're all mixed up in it now. This power... while it is quite useful, we need to be aware at all times, to face any threats she'll send our way."
"Threats? Like what? Why are you so weary of her, Director Aria?" Kai asked.
Aria's dark face turned noticeably redder, the more the discussion remained on Elanor.
"You'll know when you meet her," Aria said. "The way she talks, the way she walks, and that damn grin on her face for starters. The way she coddled up to our father and wormed her way up to the top... she'll dispose of anyone and anything as she sees fit, as long as it's to her benefit."
"W-will she dispose of us too?!" Kai asked.
"She can try," Amy said with a cocky grin. "She's always welcome to try!"
"Alright, alright. That's enough talk for tonight," Ben said. "We still have some time before Miss Elanor arrives, so no need to worry about that for now. As for you two," he turned his gaze toward Cindy and Kai. Your training will continue in a few days. We'll give Cindy some time to repair her right arm, as well as give you guys a bit of a break. You've earned it! For the next month, however, your training will be handled mostly by Aria."
"So, no more trying to get that damn ball from the old man? Sick!" Kai screamed.
"Kai, shut up!" Cindy said, hitting her partner on the arm. "Mr. Theodore taught us so much, we should be thanking him!"
"Yeah, you're right. Thanks, old man. I'm warning you, though. Once I master this aura stuff, the first thing I'm doing is kicking your ass!" Kai said.
"Hoho, I always welcome a challenge, Sir Kai!" Theodore said, smiling.
"Alright chaps, rest up for the next few days. I will not be going easy on you blokes like Theodore, however. Please do come prepared!" Aria said with a smile.
"Yes ma'am!" Cindy and Kai responded in unison.
"Alright, meeting adjourned folks! Now get the hell out of my office already!" Ben yelled jokingly.
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As Cindy settled in for the night, her mind couldn't stop racing about all the things she'd learned.
Aura, ancient elves, Warden Elanor... This is just too much. Mother, what the hell have I gotten myself into? Did you know about all this stuff, mom? What about you, grandfather? What is it exactly... that I should be doing? Do I really belong here?
The half-elf thought to herself, before slowly dozing off into a deep slumber.
