A few hours passed before we finally got to the end of this long briefing. By this time, Andrew had begun to feel the pangs of hunger gnawing at him, and he could guess that everyone else felt the same.
For the past several hours, they had been discussing various matters in detail. After some careful persuasion – Jane had strategically mellowed down her tone – Warwick finally agreed to join, but under the condition that he would have nothing to do with the people themselves. Instead, he offered to help neutralize other Chosens. Jane accepted his terms, throwing a quick look at Isabella who gave a silent nod in response. Unbeknownst to both of them, Andrew had noticed.
Talen's case was simpler. He had already agreed to join, and Jane went as far as offering assistance in his search for his brother, a gesture Talen accepted without hesitation. Why deny help when those that could actually help him had offered to?
It seemed, for once, that progress was being made. Everyone was finally on the same page, and greater matters could now be addressed. Still, Andrew couldn't shake off the feeling that something was missing. He half-expected a matter concerning him to be brought up, yet much to his surprise, nothing was said. Logically, it didn't make sense that his matter was being ignored. It wasn't being given the level of attention he'd expect it to be given.
"Why PACIFIERS? Why not PACIFISTS?" Talen asked, breaking the awkward silence that had begun to settle over the room.
"Because we aren't pacifists," Adam answered bluntly.
"Huh? What's the difference? Aren't they basically the same thing?" Warwick asked, his arms folded across his chest as he slouched comfortably in his chair. From the look of him, it was obvious that if he didn't know putting his legs on the table would be disrespectful, he would have done it already.
"Of course there's a difference," Jane replied calmly. "A pacifist is someone who follows the moral stance dictated by pacifism – 'stopping violence with words' is their approach. As for us, we 'pacify'. Whether through words or fists, we'll pacify. Our goal is to stop chaos, and we'll do whatever it takes to achieve that. Of course, we aren't barbaric. We'll use words first, but if necessary... Do I really have to say it?"
"No, you don't have to," Talen replied dryly, his gaze drifting toward Isabella. Memories of the beating he'd received from her flashed through his mind, though Isabella appeared completely oblivious to his stare.
"Thankfully, you guys aren't that kind of pacifier," Warwick said with a laugh. "Otherwise, this whole thing would've been boring. What's the point of my abilities if I can only talk? I mean, there's got to be a limit to how long we sit around chatting. I'd be damned." His voice carried that familiar thrill, the kind of excitement that came only from the thought of a good fight.
"Your character is questionable, Warwick," Isabella commented flatly.
"Now that we've cleared up the difference between a pacifist and a pacifier," Jane continued, brushing off the exchange, "let's move on to something that actually matters." She stood up and walked toward the wide screen. "What's the current state of the world? I'm sure we're all curious, so let's clear that up quickly."
The screen flickered, the word PACIFIERS vanishing as a large, detailed world map appeared in its place. Labels, color-coded regions, and cryptic notes covered its surface. Each detail seemed to represent something, something not immediately obvious. Jane turned to the group, ready to explain the mystery behind it all.
"So…" she began, and thus started another long session.
What was meant to be a "briefing" that began at 7 a.m. stretched deep into the afternoon. By the time it finally ended, hunger had become the room's dominant emotion. Even those who weren't starving still wanted something to eat. Andrew, Isabella, and, surprisingly, Warwick volunteered to prepare a general meal for everyone.
*****
When you see us, understand that we are not here for ourselves, for we are nothing more than Precursors of a greater Essence. We herald something far beyond our own existence. Yet, even as mere Precursors, it is our purpose to foreshadow what you must prepare your hearts for. Within us lies only a wisp of what they are… or perhaps it's better said that we are but whispers of Something greater.
I keep saying "we". Do not mind the mistake. When I speak, I often forget that I am an individual; that I am not merely a voice carried by the wind of what is to come.
…
For this brief moment, I am the voice of Trepidation.
—Maliketh, Apostle of Novelty, The Voice
*****
Day Nine…
Time: 8:34PM
The night had once again swallowed everything, plunging the screaming world into darkness. Yet, in this moment of blindness, the world could finally find respite from its tormentors.
Winter was approaching. The night winds were especially frigid, biting into the skin, and had it not been for their wool sweaters, Isabella and Jane would have been left shivering. To be fair, it would only be Jane shivering, since Isabella had her augmentations. Still, sticking to human behavior was a good thing, and Isabella seemed to be doing well at it.
"Isn't it especially chilly tonight, Isabella? Have you heard the story of the 'Frozen Children'? My mom used to tell it every night in winter. I never figured out if it was meant to terrify us or warn us, but it definitely left an impression. My mom was really one heck of a person." Jane chuckled as she held the railing and stared into the darkness where an entire city once stood. Now, after its people had been evacuated, it was nothing but desolation.
"I haven't heard that story. I don't think it's very popular. What's it about?" Isabella asked curiously as she sank into the large couch placed on every balcony of the building.
She was exhausted but didn't want to use her ability to wash the fatigue away. She didn't want to grow dependent on the feeling. That was why she avoided using her powers for ordinary things. The abilities were temporary, after all. One day she'd return to her normal life… or so she hoped. If she made a habit of relying on her powers, it would only become an inconvenience when she no longer had them.
But even with all that in mind, she did what she wanted. A large blanket appeared in her hand, and she spread it over herself.
Fret not in the slightest, I'll definitely not get used to making use of my ability for the mildest things. Just this once, Isabella told herself.
"I'll definitely tell you what it's about, but first…" Jane slid onto the couch beside her, sharing the large blanket. "This is so cozy."
"I know, right?" Isabella replied comfortably, stretching out beneath the blanket.
"You know what would make this even cozier, Isabella?" Jane said suddenly.
"What?" Isabella asked.
"A cup of warm chocolate coffee," Jane said with a mischievous grin. "And there just so happens to be two on Ashran's desk. What do you think?"
"Whatever you desire, O Seer." Isabella let out a light chuckle. With a wave of her hand over the table beside them, two mugs of steaming chocolate coffee appeared.
She took one and handed the other to Jane. "And here's yours, O Seer."
"Thank you, O Traveler." Both laughed. It was clear that Jane and Isabella had been friends long before they ever gained their powers. How comforting it was to have a friend in such a confusing time.
"So, what's the story about?" Isabella asked again.
Jane took a long sip from her mug, letting the warmth spread through her body as it went down her throat. She visibly shivered at the comfort of it, stretching and sighing in delight. After another sip, she turned to Isabella, who was drinking quietly, her face calmer and less expressive.
"Hmm, the story of the 'Frozen Children' is quite the tale, if you ask me," Jane began.
"A long time ago, when the heavens were still visible, when gods walked among men, when the world was boundless and unimaginable," she said, her voice falling into the rhythm of an old storyteller.
"It was winter…"