The doors hush open into a room that looks like it was designed to bully every other conference room on the continent.

The entire outer wall is just floor-to-ceiling glass, curving with the circular shape of the chamber.

A panoramic sweep of the Veltharion skyline pours in — golden towers, skybridges, distant clouds drifting between skyscrapers like slow tides.

The sun bleeds through in a warm, regal glow that paints everything gold.

The table is round, heavy, elegant.Dark polished wood reinforced with aethersteel, smooth enough to see faint reflections.

In the center sits a quiet, rotating holographic projection of Aetheros.

As he walked in Nightwalker sighed, as expected the other Paragons weren't here yet— and he was intentionally 30 minutes late.

Without anyone to pour his frustration out to, he turned to Ashley. "Ashley, why aren't they here yet?" He raised his wrist to her face even though he wore no watch. "Don't they know what time it is?"

Ashley flinched but before she could answer a man slid past them and entered the room. Not even sparing them a glance as he proceeded inside.

Brown skin, around his forties judging from his short yet slightly greying hair and the subtle sag of his cheeks.

"You." Nightwalker was obviously offended. "Who the hell are you and what are you doing here?"

"Oh. You didn't hear—" he took off his sunglasses and folded them into the jacket pocket of his fitting suit. "—I'm the lead agent in charge of the case. The name's Alex Carter."

He continued inside, dragging one of the fold up chairs from the side, setting it round the table and sat down.

Nightwalker finally relented and went to take his seat. Rolling his cape and settling down into his chair.

Each chair has a subtle emblem of its nation on the back — no flashy colors, no arrogance, just minimalistic, expensive embroidery.

The doors finally swung open as the first Paragon entered.

Monochrome black suit, glasses, long black hair that was sleek back and a white cane?

• · ─ ·✶· ─ · •

Name | Levi Kane. / [ Alias: Reaper. ]

Faculty of Soulcraft | Affinity: Necromancy.

Rank: Paragon Of Ygraven.

God Trait | Sixth Sense. [The ability to see, hear, feel and sense things on an atomic level. But it came at the cost of his traditional sight.]

• · ─ ·✶· ─ · •

"Am I late?" Levi smirked as he proceeded to his seat. "Judging from how much Ian is gritting his teeth, I guess so."

"It's Nightwalker." He folded his arms. "And you knew what time the meeting was supposed to be."

"Firstly, I hopped on a plane from Ygraven and left my nation unguarded because you can't do your job properly." He leaned back as if enjoying his taunt. "So how bout we drop the aliases for today."

"Burrrp!" An immature burp drew both their attentions as they turned to see the third Paragon.

Long disheveled honey blonde hair that fell to his shoulders, some were braided the others were just tangled. The full hipster beard that looked like it stored food within it.

A flannel shirt that wouldn't stay on his shoulders and a potbelly so big and round it made you feel pity for the buttons.

• · ─ ·✶· ─ · •

Name | Ivan Drakov. / [ Alias: Surge. ]

Faculty of Elementals | Affinity: Lightning.

Rank: Paragon Of Aeralithe.

God Trait | Unbound. [The ability to have visions and clear images of the future and future events. But with the inability to control them, he became an alcoholic to at least dull them.]

• · ─ ·✶· ─ · •

Ivan stumbled into the room, can of beer in hand, with the grace of an intoxicated monkey. He reeled back and forth for a minute before finding his way to his chair.

'Fucking idiots.' Nightwalker thought as he watched in irritation.

"I heard that." Levi made known. "Sixth Sense is sharper than you think."

Levi then turned to Ivan. "How you been doing man?"

With his head tilted back be swerved his chair in Levi's direction. "I'm still alive. That's the best and worst thing I can say." He attempted to take off his glasses before the light of day hit and forced him to snarl like a vampire. "Why is it so bright?"

~BAM!~

Nightwalker's fist met the table hard. "It's bright because it's fucking daytime. We're here to have a serious discussion not this..."

He trailed off as the footfalls of sharp heels entered the room. They all turned their head once more in the direction of the door.

Hands in her black trench coat that swayed almost as majestic as Nightwalker's cape— maybe more.

Amber eyes, burnt orange hair tied into a single braid that stopped at her waist and a complexion that was made by the gods.

• · ─ ·✶· ─ · •

Name | Lyra Irvine. / [ Alias: Whisper.]

Faculty of Soulcraft | Affinity: Compel.

Rank: Paragon Of Solmyria.

Domain: Valhalla. [ Blessed with the realm of the fallen warriors where she experienced her Transcendent trial. She is now the warden of Valhalla and controls all it's subjects. ]

• · ─ ·✶· ─ · •

She stopped as she noticed all eyes on her. A mischievous glint flashed across her face as she pouted her lips and placed a finger on her lips. "Did I do something wrong?"

"Marvelous." Ivan declared. "The band is back together and we're all here... Why are we here?"

Nightwalker dragged a hand across his face, exhaustion gnawing at him. "How is this—" he pointed at Ivan. "—supposed to have an intelligent conversation?"

"Haa!" Ivan let out a short burst of laughter. "Don't be cruel. I'm perfectly capable of having a conversation." He ended by dropping his hands on his belly like a pillow.

"Ian. Control yourself." Levi said as he held onto his cane. "And you more than anyone know that you can't beat us."

Nightwalker pushed off his chair so fast he nearly toppled it over. Ashley shifted slightly to avoid crossfire as she saw his eyes light up. "Don't test me, Levi."

Levi sighed but didn't move. "You still have the emotional maturity of a five year old."

"Boys!" A figure pushed the twin doors of the room wide open. "Please, control yourselves."

Leather jacket, black gloves, green eyes, short blonde hair that stopped at her shoulders and an already tired expression despite being the latest.

• · ─ ·✶· ─ · •

Name | Zoe Clarke / [ Alias: Conjuror. ]

Faculty of Beasts | Affinity: Summons.

Rank: Paragon Of Orinthal.

God Trait | Death Touch. [ Anything and everything living she comes in physical contact with withers away. Without control, she's forced to keep physical distance and cover most parts of her body. ]

• · ─ ·✶· ─ · •

"You're as beautiful as ever Zoe." Ivan complemented.

She smiled as she made way to her chair. "And I see you've lost some weight."

He laughed. "I thought no one would notice."

"You truly are beautiful Zoe." Levi added. "But you're also incredibly late."

She pouted. "It's not my fault. There's no place to park a dragon around here."

"At least they called you beautiful," Lyra focused on Levi. "What do I have to do to get you to notice me like that?"

~BAM!~

Alex's palms finally slammed onto the table. He'd been waiting in silent for a while, guess he had enough.

"I'm glad that you all are acquitted once again but we have actually business to talk about here." His gaze shifted between every one of them.

"So let's get down to business."

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