Beep…beep…beep.
She opened her eyes…her vision hazy and distorted. She could hear the gentle murmur of voice close by…and the gentle beeping of machines.
"Quick! Call the doctor…she is waking up." Hae-in said.
"Where am I? What happened?" Thalia asked confused.
"Shh…shh…its ok. You are safe…you are safe. I am here. I am right here." Gaia said in the gentlest motherly voice.
"Mom? Is everyone ok…what happened in Japan?" Thalia asked.
"Shh…shh…take it easy. You were asleep for 3 days. Don't push yourself too hard." Gaia said worried.
"Yes, everyone is ok…Tokyo is safe…you did great!" Hae-in said.
"I will let Miho know that you are ok…she had been calling every day. Oh, and I will also let Jinwoo and Suho know that you are awake and doing ok…they have been worried about you." Hae-in added.
All Thalia heard was, 'Suho has been worried about me.'
She blushed bright red.
"Thalia! Thalia! Are you ok? You are burning up! Do you have a fever?" Gaia asked as she inspected her daughter.
[…]
Later that day Thalia was released from the hospital.
Stepping out of the hospital, Thalia asked, "is it just me…or does it seem awfully silent?"
"It's…umm…the quarantine order." Hae-in said.
She added, "you have been asleep for three days. A lot happen in those three days. Colossal gates have appeared all over the world…eight gates in total…all massive. As a precaution, all civilians have been ordered to remain indoors. We think it's an elite strike force of Apostles."
"What? How did this happen? How did they get past the Shadow Monarch and Suho?" Thalia asked completely confused.
"From the information we have, the Void is currently in a state of flux. It appears they found small "back doors" through the void…probably similar to how you got here." Hae-in replied.
"You need to rest…don't worry about that for now." Gaia said with great concern for her daughter's health.
"It's nothing to strenuous…let me just take a look," Thalia said as she activated her PERCEPTION skill.
"They are Cherubims…and Seraphims too…all of them! I see 26 in total!" Thalia said with excitement.
Gaia was speechless. She thought about who they could potentially be and the reason for their arrival.
After some time she said, "then, maybe it's not an invasion. Maybe we don't have to fight. I think we can reason with them…or at least reach an agreement that doesn't involve killing each other."
[UNITED STATES - IHA]
Adam White and Jinchul Woo stood up as Gaia, Thalia, and Hae-in Cha entered the conference room.
"Hunter Cha, Hunter Thalia, and Lady Gaia…it's good to see." Adam said as he extended his hand to say hello.
"Please have a seat…we have much to discuss."
He continued, "Hunter Thalia…it's certainly good to see you back on your feet. We were all very worried about you after the Japan mission. Thomas Andre returned and filled us in with the mission details. On behalf of the IHA and the people of Japan, I want to say "thank you"…thank you very much." Adam and Jinchul stood up and bowed their heads deep.
Jinchul said, "We were hoping for a more elaborate ceremony…with a large group of distinguished guests, friends, family and media coverage befitting the occasion…but given the dire circumstances we are now facing, all that will need to wait. On behalf of the people of Japan, in recognition of your extraordinary contribution please accept the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum."
A large ornate medal was brought forth and placed around Thalia's neck.
"Now back to the business at hand," Adam said, "your intel was very much welcomed news…like rain in a desert. Avoiding unnecessary bloodshed is the ideal outcome…if there is a possibility of avoiding a needless battle, we are willing to try."
"However…we must prepare for the possibility that negotiations may fail…or even worse that the "visitors" may be unwilling to talk."
"Regardless, the IHA plans to do everything in our power to seek a peaceful resolution. So, we have appointed and authorized hunter Suho Sung as earth's representative in these discussion with the outsiders."
"As you know, Hunter Sung is the Monarch of Transcendence. In addition, he has the respect of all the hunters in the world…and he also has the respect of all the Monarchs and Rulers alike. He is more than qualified to lead this mission."
"In addition to Hunter Sung, we have appointed Hunter Liu Zhigang to also join this mission. He is a powerful ally, experienced and skilled in combat…if things go badly, he will be invaluable."
"The third member joining the mission is Arsha, the Monarch of the Void and Queen of Insects. She will handle all the logistic."
Thalia thought, 'that sounds like a glorified bus driver…she is not going to like that.'
Adam shifted his focus to Gaia and said, "Lady Gaia, we would like to humbly ask you to please consider joining this mission."
He explained, "we think you can help find a common ground with them…or at least your very presence will send the message that we come in peace."
Without hesitation Gaia accepted the mission.
"So then, that is the mission's team. Hunter Suho Sung, Hunter Liu Zhigang, Monarch Arsha, and Lady Gaia." Adam said as he concluded the meeting.
"Sir! I would like to join…I think I could also help." Thalia said quickly.
Adam and Jinchul looked at each other.
"I apologize, please give us a moment." Adam said.
[whisper…whisper…whisper]
"Hunter Thalia, we accept your proposal…you will be the fifth member of this negotiation team." Adam said with a smile.