“Where do we find them… “ Kenzo adds.

 

“Oh yeah.” Manya agrees, looking at Alice.

 

“You don’t… They find you.”

Manya sits back down to think

 

“I’ve overstayed my visit here anyway, I need to assure my people that I'm okay.” Bogdan says.

 

“Hmmm. I may have a plan..” Lando says, rubbing his chin. 

 

He continues, “They want Bogdan, so let’s give him to them.” Lando grins.

 

“…Are you insane?” Kenzo replies.

 

“Yeah what he said!!” Manya agrees.

 

Lando puts his fingers together on the table, “From what I can tell from his taint, he won’t die. They’ll realise that too. If they want to get rid of him, they’ll have to kidnap him”

 

“What’s your point?” Kenzo says. 

 

“We’ll let them.” A villainous grin morphs Lando’s Face.

 

 

Vostokian Headquarters - Voskhod, Joint Capital City of Rodina and Vostok

 

“What a mess…” General Sofia - General of Vostok.

 

She’s pacing back and forth in her office, biting her nails. A first-class soldier is sitting opposite her desk.

 

She continues, “Not only has the monarch of the Chamomile district been kidnapped, the perpetrators are unknown too…” 

 

“That's right General… If you don’t mind my input, perhaps we could consider sending some soldiers to investigate.”  The soldier replies

 

“No need. I’m sure the Rodinian military is behind this. They can’t stand our treatment of the Tainted.”

 

“Tensions have been rising ever since The Rupture…” he adds.

 

“Indeed they have… I suppose I should call a meeting with the Rodinian general… What a pain.”

 

After The Fall of Heroes many years ago, the nature of superhumans was a major topic of debate. 

 

800 Years ago…

 

*

 

Elysium - The Heart of Philosophy

 

“We can indeed agree that the superhumans are unnatural and a corruption of the natural order.” Marcus the Wise said.

 

“Indeed we can…” Yusuf the Fool said.

 

These figures known by history as Marcus the Wise and Yusuf the Fool were having what would go down as the most influential debate in history. 

 

“If so then how could you possibly come to any other conclusion than that they are the true manifestation of evil. The substance of evil incarnated in human beings.” Marcus added.

 

“This reasoning is absurd. While one can agree to the proposition that they are corrupted. Is a leper not also corrupted in so far as he is in a state which he should not be in. Why would we view superhumans as any different?”

 

Marcus did not respond.

 

He continued, “I’m merely proposing that these abilities should be treated as a plague. Why on earth would we condemn one for something which he has no control over?”

 

Silence…

 

The crowd that was viewing at the Agonas Sophias were at the edge of their seats.

 

“A plague..? Truly how ridiculous of an idea. You’re on the verge of being a Galilean.”  Marcus retorts

 

“I have nothing in common with that school of thought. I acknowledge the pure evil superhumanity entails.”

 

“If a man turns into a beast and kills thousands… No… Tens of thousands, is that a mere sickness or the true scourge of evil made manifest?”

 

Marcus turns to the crowd.

 

“Truly, my opponent is a fool amongst fools. He defends the savages that wreak havoc on our holy land. The Divine Six must convulse in disgust at what we allow!”

 

The crowd intensified.

 

The victor was clear. 

 

And thus, the doctrine of Incarnated Evil became theological consensus. 

 

Present Day…

 

General Sofia has organised a meeting with the General of Rodina.

 

“Olga…” General Perun - General of Rodina.

 

“Nikolai…” she replies.

 

“I don’t want to speak to you either. However, it seems you have been tampering with our jurisdiction.” she adds.

 

General Perun scoffs.

 

“The holy and mighty nation of Rodina has no interest in your property.”

 

“Property… Interesting wording.”

 

“Is that offensive?” he smirks.

 

“It is.” 

 

“Have you considered that things could be going wrong because you refuse to accept the truth of incarnated evil? Perhaps it’s time Vostok submits to the mother land once again.”

 

“Tsk…”

 

General Sofia storms out, slamming the door behind her.

 

As she arrives back at her office, a first-class soldier hurriedly meets her. 

 

“General! The monarch has been spotted back at the chamomile district!!”

 

The Chamomile District of Vostok 

 

“King Bogdan has returned!!” The citizens of the chamomile district scurry to the pistil in excitement.

 

According to Lando's plan, Bogdan is going up to give another speech in the Pistil. 

 

“We should be able to track where he is with this, the location sharing seems to be working.” Lando says, holding up the navigator. 

 

Suddenly, the environment goes silent.

 

The monarch is about to speak.

 

“Ahem…” he clears his throat.

 

he continues, “I am safe!”

 

Cheers explode throughout the Pistil.

 

Meanwhile, Lando is watching in anticipation ensuring everything goes according to plan. 

 

Manya and Kenzo are on lookout for when they make their move.

 

 Nothing… 

 

Minutes go by, the speech lasting much longer than the last.

 

Suddenly…

 

BANG!!

 

A perfect shot.

 

Screams erupt in the Pistil. 

 

However, through the panic, Bogdan is… Fine. The navigator in his pocket has been decimated by the bullet. 

 

“Shit! He’s not showing up on my navigator!!” Lando panics, smacking his navigator.

 

“Get Bogdan out of there, they aimed for the tracker… They knew!!”

 

 

~ END ~