“Eden, where are you?” The Deputy Commissioner demanded. 

“Relaxx DC, I’m almost there. Just got a bit held up” I replied, trying not to sound too out of breath.

“I never knew driving to work was so tiring. You’re rarely ever late but your tardiness has become quite frequent”

“I bike everywhere I go. Don’t have the luxury to pay for gas. Especially when I’m going somewhere that’s walking distance from where I live. And like I said, I’m almost there. It’s not like I’m needed now anyway”

“It’s the principle. Your lack of discipline is”-

“Something that urgently needs to be dealt with, I know. I’ll see ya in a bit” I stated, tapping on my earbud to end the call. My apartment isn't too far from the HQ so I should reach within five minutes. Or less if I actually pedaled with some urgency.  

“You’re out of shape” Was all Deputy Commissioner Sutner said upon my arrival. 

“That’s, how, it, may, seem” I panted. “But, you, of, ALL people, know, why, I’m like, this” 

“DON’T BIKE THEN! You shouldn’t exert yourself too much!”

“I’M NOT TIRED! I just get, out of breath, easily. But it’s not like my, stamina’s poor or anything” My endurance is quite high, actually.

“Hmm you have a point. It hasn’t come in the way of your job and there’s been no medical emergency regarding you” Exactly! “But still just” Be careful? Take care of yourself? “Don’t get too ahead of yourself. Everyone has limits. Sometimes it’s best to stay within them” 

“But that goes against my entire philosophy” I protested. “I’m all about surpassing my limits!” 

“Just don’t die on the job. It doesn’t make your superiors look good. You’ve had far too many close calls already. Anymore and we’re demoting you back to desk duty!”

“Ooh scary” I shuddered. “Where’s the old man?”

“Busy. Now get to work. It’s been over a month since your little ‘prison experiment’ and you still haven’t turned in your report!”

“Because you were there and saw everything that happened! There’s literally no point in me writing that report”

“General Carver allowed you to partake in your ‘extracurricular’ and exclude you from doing most uni work, on the condition that you give it your all on the job. Don’t forget that we can easily revoke that if you’re slacking off”

“…”

“Nothing to say huh? That’s what I thought. Now get to work and turn in that report before you leave. You may be a part-time junior detective but you’re still a part of us and are answerable to your superiors. Especially given the leeway we- ARE YOU LISTENING?!” 

“Mhm, I’ll get right to it” I sighed, taking a seat at my desk and plugging my headphones in. 

“You’re unbearable at times. How the hell are YOU our best detective?”

“I make Squad Thirteen look good” I grinned, leaning back on my chair.

The Empire of Czingrodael is placed under the protection of multiple teams or squads in charge of different sectors. The total number varies from time to time, but in today’s world, there are 12. The highest was about 17, but several were disbanded or fused with other teams. All military police come under the 16th Group, also known as the Guardian Squad. It’s their duty to keep the peace EXCLUSIVELY in the Capital. The rest of the teams are responsible for various regions. Each group has a Commander and Lieutenant Commander, both of which are highly powerful individuals, who are strong enough to take down an entire army by themselves. I’m basically only an intern or trainee, so nowhere near that level.

It’s also interesting that “Commander” Brigadier General Commissioner William Carver and “Lieutenant Commander” Deputy Commissioner James Sutner do not seem capable of taking out an army on their own. They’re both very good at their jobs and are highly capable individuals, but I have yet to see any signs of what powers they have. Then again I’m not one to talk since I’m one of the unfortunate few who never got any powers, in a world that seemed to gift it to everyone. Or rather, I HAVE a power, but I still have no idea what it is, nor do I know how to access it. Which is a bit of a burden when dealing with super-powered individuals in the field, but I’ve found a way to get past it. Also, abilities are subjective and work differently for everyone, so maybe I just haven’t had my “awakening” yet. Most people unconsciously activate it within the ages of 10-16. But in my case, it’s been over twenty-one years…

“Ah Eden! What are you working on?” Officer Dimanche enquired. 

“Hm?” I asked, pausing the music. “Oh just finishing my report. 

“Ooh I see, what’s it on?” 

“Nothing special. Just an account of my work during the Summer. My next semester’s starting soon so I need to get this out of the way before then”

 So anyway, as I was saying; the Guardians exist to keep the peace in Monarch, the Capital of the Empire, and are answerable to the Commissioner, who’s equivalent to the rank of a one-star General. Since I’m working as a junior detective, I’ve also inadvertently become a part of that team. Consider us as the Capital Defense Force. All Team Commanders and their squads are under direct control of the Emperor, who in turn rules both Upper and Lower Czingrodael. It’s been that way for some milennia and it seems like things won’t be changing anytime soon. 

“I seeee. Want to get some meat when you’re finished?” …

“Uhhh, meat?” I questioned. 

“Mhm. Like beef, mutton, venison, you know?”

“Ohh. Just say ‘food’! And I’ll see. One sec” I pushed my chair in and went towards Carver’s office. 

“I told you he’s busy!” Sutner intercepted me before I could go in. I stood by the door, attempting to eavesdrop on the Commissioner’s conversation with what seemed to be a military official. 

“I’ll keep you updated. So far we haven’t come across anything that matches what you’ve said, but we’ll definitely let you know” Carver assured with a smile. The officer nodded, shaking his hand before leaving promptly. Dammit, wish I could’ve heard more. 

“Who was that?” I asked upon entering the office. 

“None of your business” Sutner sighed, rolling his eyes. 

“Now, now Jim, that’s no way to treat our esteemed prodigy” 

“Prodigy my ass. He’s only here cause of us. Legally he’s not even allowed to work for the Capital Defense Force due to not having a proper identity” 

“Well his passports list him as a Torakirri and Quarlian”-

“But he looks the furthest thing from either of those” I stood there silently, listening to them as they went on. 

“If you have such a problem with technicalities, why did you scout him in the first place?” Carver enquired. 

“Because I thought he’d be promising. Well, he is, but we’re sticking our neck on the lines for him so the least he could do is show us some appreciation. I’m surprised he even checked in today given how, sloppy, his track record has been as of late”

“He’s not doing us any harm so don’t worry. Eden still gets the job done and is our best member. Especially considering the fact that he hasn’t discovered his powers yet”

“Speaking of” I interrupted. “I have yet to see either of your powers. Are you sure you’re at the same level of strength as the other commanders?” 

“Wanna find out?” Sutner grimaced, gnashing his teeth. 

“Truth be told, since we’re the Guardians, our powers are more support based, not assault. So they’d definitely be enough to hold off an army, or protect our own. In times of peace, we really haven’t had to use it much” The Commissioner explained. 

Despite being referred to as the 16th team, the Guardians were one of the first groups formed. Naturally, their job was to protect all of Czingrodael. It’s been that way since the empire was established a little over four thousand years ago. Not much else is known about life on the continents before that. Mostly folklore and fairy tales. The calendar started after the first Emperor made this land his own and anything before that isn’t found in any historic record.

The theories range from the existence of Dragons, to Cat-like people from Raux, to creatures like vampires, centaurs, werewolves, and so on. To be fair, these don’t seem THAT unlikely or out of this world, as some evidence has been found, and the existence of powers and magic confirms that there’s more to life than we know. 

But yes, getting back to the Empire. The House Imperius has been the ruler of both continents since the First Emperor established his domain. The Capital, Imperius, is named after the house and has been the seat of the Empire since its inception. The current Emperor is at the top of the food chain, with the military and Group Commanders wrapped under his finger. They’re assigned to different areas of the continent, and the leaders report to the Capital when called upon. 

“Didn’t I tell you to finish your report by today?” Sutner reminded. 

“Ehh no. I’m sorry, I’d rather not” I replied, lowering my gaze to the floor as the flashbacks of THAT day played in my mind. 

“HUH? What do you mean?”

“Calm down James. At this rate your stress will bring you up to my age” The Brigadier General turned to face me. “We know mostly everything. We just need to know what happened towards the very end. We need to know what led to all of Hollentor burning down”

“Ask Aiden. He was there with me”

“Mister Turner only arrived at the last second, to save you. Something happened that triggered a mass explosion and set everything ablaze. You were the only one there, who’s still alive at least. We need to know what that something was and hear your side, and inform the higer-ups. It’s been weeks and to be honest, they’re growing impatient. We can only stall them for so long” Carver’s calming voice explained.

“Can I, just make something up?” I requested. The two looked at me in confusion, tilting their heads and leaning forward in unison. 

“You’re the last person I expected to ask tha”-

“Would you be ok, sharing what happened with us, at least? We’ll come up with something on your behalf”

“We will?” Sutner leaned back, widening his eyes. 

“If you’re not ok, we won’t force you. But, you know you can talk to us” The General assured. 

“I, I’ll, not yet. I’m sorry. Can I be excused?” Without waiting for a response or looking back up at them, I turned around and left. My fists clenched together tightly as I tried my best to control my tears. Dammit, why the hell do I feel like crying now? Thought I was over what happened, but I’m clearly not. Then again it wasn’t even a month ago… Besides, I can’t show this side of me to them. I grinded my teeth together, trying to focus on anything else.

 I’ve thought about that incident nearly every day since it happened. No one else knows the real reason I went to Hollentor and helped Aiden out on his mission. And it’s better if it stays that way. He didn’t even need to save me that day. It would have been better if I just bur-

“Need a lift?” Jeremy Hughes questioned, pulling up to the HQ.