Traversing the walkway of the sprawling urban park, Damien observed the intricate scenery with a tinge of intrigue. The vibrant green of fresh grass contrasted with the dark shade of oak trees, framing a mosaic landscape.
However, what fascinated him was the gleaming light of warmth weeping from the blue skies. It hasn't been an hour since he became a member of Block 7, yet the night skies of midnight seemed to have vanished for no reason.
Instead, what resided from above was the pleasant morning of dawn.
'Interesting... I wonder how this plaza works.' He pondered to himself, unable to pierce through the veil of daybreak. In mere moments, he understood his ignorance of the matter and glanced towards the secretary.
No matter how much he pretended to be normal. For some reason, his mind was almost completely enamored by his senior. It was unnatural.
Even the most beautiful wouldn't have such logic-defying charm; Otherwise, the world would have been ruled by women. This attraction wasn't normal, so his thoughts reached a suitable conclusion.
'A Brand?' After Damien learned about the Aether and its related subjects, such as metahumans and the so-called Brands. He was interested in learning more, as it was wholly abnormal to someone like him.
It hasn't been a day since he saw the black towers descending from the heavens and bringing forth destruction to cities that formerly held a vibrant scenery of humanity. Before, there was no such thing as Aether.
Magic was considered a fictional subject; the ability to manipulate reality was but a foolish and unattainable dream to most humans. But a decade later, people like his boss, Miss Alastair, prevailed and transformed into powerhouses.
'In any case, I should further my research about Brands and maybe start testing the limits of the Monster Gacha System.' He hadn't been able to experiment with his system as Alastair intruded on his moment over the rooftop.
"Senior Francine... It should be midnight, correct? Is this an illusion?" Not wanting to waste time beating around the bush, he asked the beautiful secretary before him.
Staring at the waving Alastair in the distance, Francine halted and glanced at her junior, who stood behind. "It isn't an illusion, but you can't consider it the actual skies." She answered and continued walking.
"Long ago, during the years of strife and revolution, this plaza was the last place with natural vegetation. When everything was burning asunder, it persevered and became humanity's symbol of hope. For this reason..."
"The headquarters of SIGIL was established over the park and protected it from the harshness of the New World. The moment this plaza is ravaged will be the time when SIGIL will collapse alongside the Federation of North America."
A hint of nostalgia escaped her coal-shaded irises before she decided to change the subject. "As your senior, I will be taking care of you from now on. Since you are already acquainted with Miss Alastair, I believe you aren't ignorant of her faults."
Damien's lips formed a complicated smile as he responded. "I will be in your care, Senior Francine." To which she acknowledged with a soothing smile. "No need for the formality, Damien."
"You can call me Francine." She softly patted his head as her pale fingers stroked strands of his sable-tinted hair. There was some slight resistance from his body, but he steered it and decided to let her be.
"Then, I'll be relying on you, Francine." Damien nodded as seriousness coated across his face. He felt complicated as there hadn't been anyone to pat him since his time in the orphanage. Even his best friend didn't do so.
As they neared the silver-haired lady lounging over the wooden bench, the two of them noticed her huffing as she pouted at them. "The two of you sure did take your time. But I'm glad, regardless."
Alastair smirked at the two of them as the Block 7 was finally beginning to form. At the moment, the division was barebones with no appropriate office. Their members primarily comprised her, Francine, and Damien.
Her pearl-white irises turned towards the young man beside her secretary. As the curve of her supple crimson lips widened, she inquired with nonchalant pride. "So, Damien. How is your time in the headquarters?"
"Not bad. Though I have some worries about the future. They'll probably try to kill me in one way or another." Damien placed his finger beneath his chin as he contemplated her question. He wasn't naive or foolish.
Even if the SIGIL higher-ups have accepted his identity as a member of Block 7, they wouldn't be satisfied with an Aberrant roaming in their headquarters. The fear of disasters was too entrenched in their hearts.
Alastair chuckled as she grinned and remarked with a conceited tone. "You shouldn't worry too much, Damien. Those old fossils won't dare to mess with those under me. But they are politicians."
"They don't use power, but instead sway others to their cause through words. That's one thing they are skilled at." Her gaze narrowed as she continued. "You have to be careful and must not get caught in their conspiracies."
Shouldering her grave warning, Damien hardened his resolve for what was about to come. "I understand, Miss Alastair. I will be cautious and avoid being provoked by them." The reason wasn't solely because of his identity.
It was also a chance for them to prove Alastair wrong and humiliate her for trying to bring an abomination into the cradle of humanity's hunters. Without a doubt, it would be damaging to her reputation.
Whether she cared about her reputation or not didn't matter. As the supposed strongest of humanity, she was responsible for carrying the torch and ensuring that it didn't burn out in the darkness.
"Good, I am expecting a lot from you, Damien. Unfortunately, while I'd like to teach you about the intricacies of SIGIL, I have committed a grave offense by dragging you here without the necessary precautions."
"SIGIL is deploying me for an operation in the southern front. Those True Bloods have been causing trouble lately." She tapped the wooden bench and relaxed her body. "Francine, you will be his handler. Teach him well."
Turning her pearl-dyed irises towards the young man, she carried on. "I have a mission for you. It should be pretty easy for someone of your caliber. Though you particularly lack experience."
"Francine will brief you on the details about the mission. The foremost information you have to learn is that the assignment will be a collaboration between Blocks." A bored expression was present on her pale and beautiful face.
"The conservatives from Block 6 will be sending a Jaeger with you. It should also be a junior, so I hope that the two of you will get along." Alastair stretched her arms upward and yawned.
"To have a voice in this world, Damien... is to become stronger than everybody else. Those who do not have strength will not be heard by the ones standing at the top. I don't tolerate weakness." A cold tone escaped her supple lips.
But moments later, she grinned and squeezed his cheeks. "You're my Aberrant, capable of growth, intelligence, and destruction. You have the potential to stand above everyone in this building, except for me."
After Alastair stopped pinching his face, she winked at him as the air cracked like a shattered mirror. The gorgeous white-haired lady vanished in an instant, leaving the beautiful secretary and her Aberrant behind.
'Damn...'