Morning sunlight filtered gently through the thick curtains of Arthur’s office, filling the room with a warm, soft glow. Astra ran her fingers across the fine fabric of the chair she sat in, still feeling out of place. Vincent, ever impeccable, was carefully arranging a stack of papers on Arthur’s desk, while Kennedy stood in a corner, arms crossed, analyzing her with a piercing gaze.

  Arthur, seated behind his desk, let his eyes rest on Astra. He waited for answers, but didn’t want to force them. That kind of silence needed time to be filled. He clasped his hands and gave a faint smile.

  — I’m sorry to keep you here, but I’ve called my team. They’ll be arriving shortly.

  As if his words were a signal, two firm knocks echoed from the door.

  — Come in, Arthur said.

  The door swung open, and four people stepped inside. Astra shifted her gaze to them, studying them carefully.

  Nicole, a tall woman with glowing ebony skin, short hair, a curvy figure, and a sharp stare, stood with her arms crossed, dressed in a lab coat, clearly not one to waste time. Beside her was Ulrik, a massive man with a long blond mane and a deep scar over his right eye, radiating calm strength. Lee stood upright and still, nearly bald with a thick ponytail and an emotionless, perfectly controlled expression. And finally Moses, the eldest of the group, built more like a gorilla than a man, with a thick beard, clothes that barely fit over his wide frame, and a pair of tiny glasses perched on his large face, giving him a strangely intellectual look.

  Astra blinked rapidly, overwhelmed by their presence, even though the office was spacious enough.

  — Where’s Orfeu? Arthur asked, looking around.

  Nicole let out an exaggerated sigh and rolled her eyes.

  — Of course he’s late again, she muttered.

  Right on cue, a hurried voice echoed down the hall.

  — I’m here! I’m here!!!

  The door was pushed open roughly, and a lean guy with a buzz cut, covered in tattoos, wearing a white hoodie with a large front pocket and a partially-burnt shirt underneath, tripped over the threshold and nearly crashed into the room. Astra flinched at his chaotic entrance.

  — Can you be on time at least once? Nicole raised her hand and gave him a light smack on the back of the head.

  — Hey! Stop acting like the boss! Orfeu snapped, rubbing his head with a pout.

  Arthur folded his arms and cleared his throat, steering the conversation back on track.

  — Now that we’re all here… Astra, this is Nicole, Ulrik, Orfeu, and Moses. Together with me, we’re part of V.O.I.D - Vanguard of International Defense. It’s a strategic protection organization where, in exchange for payment, we guarantee the safety of the client who hired us.

  — I still say we could do this without charging anyone, Ulrik said, folding his arms disapprovingly.

  — True, but we’ve had this conversation before, Ulrik. This isn’t just about you or me, it’s about the survival of this entire village. Sadly, money still dictates this world, and sometimes, compromises must be made, Arthur replied, fingers laced. And as much as I enjoy philosophical debates, we’re here today to introduce you to Astra, he added, gesturing toward the shy girl in the red armchair.

  — With all due respect, Arthur, of course we welcome her warmly and wish her the best in our little village, but… was this meeting only to introduce another newcomer? Lee asked, expression unreadable.

  — Hold on, Lee, Nicole interrupted. I’m actually very curious about Astra's story.

  — Okay, to be clear, yesterday Astra was chased by three strange creatures. They had both primal traits of dragonflies and elemental wind abilities. They were dual-types.

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  — Like you? Orfeu asked.

  — Exactly! That’s why I gathered you all here. Astra is going to tell me what those creatures were, and I thought you should hear it too. So, Astra, Arthur said, turning his gaze to her. What were those things?

  Astra's gaze darkened slightly. Her fingers clenched around the fabric of the chair, thoughts swirling in her head like murky waves.

  — They’re creations of Ezequel. Monsters made in a lab by his doctor, Valerio. Designed to follow his every command, she replied, her voice slightly trembling.

  Kennedy tilted his head, studying her.

  — So why does he want you so badly?

  Astra looked down.

  — I’m not exactly sure… He always said I was his moon, and that only in his presence I could shine. He wanted me to be perfect. He pushed me through the most brutal training… Hours of fighting, nonstop, just to reach the potential he claimed he saw in me...

  The silence in the room pressed down on her, but in Astra's mind, other voices were rising voices from a past she wished she could bury.

  — Get up.

  Ezequel’s voice echoed coldly in the darkness of the training room. Astra lay collapsed on the floor, her knees scraped and her fingers digging into the dirt. Tears mixed with sweat, and her heart pounded wildly.

  — Why don’t you fight back? Why don’t you show me your real power? he demanded, towering over her.

  The girl lifted her dust-covered face, blood streaking her cheeks. Her eyes burned with frustration.

  — I don’t want to train anymore! I want to go home! she cried out.

  Ezequel grinned coldly, his expression laced with sadistic satisfaction.

  — Home? This is your home. Out there, there’s no one waiting for you, no one who’d even notice you’re gone… no one but me. Now be a good girl, stop crying, and get back to training.

  With one last flicker of defiance, Astra stood and tried to strike him. But he was faster. He knocked her down effortlessly, leaving her gasping for air.

  Kennedy cleared his throat, pulling her back to the present.

  — If you’re that important to him, why hasn’t he come for you himself?

  — The truth is… I’ve never seen him leave his castle. Not once.

  — Then what does he really want from you? Arthur asked, resting his chin on his hand.

  Astra closed her eyes for a moment before replying:

  — I think he wants me to gather crystals.

  Arthur crossed his arms.

  — Crystals?

  Moses looked toward her.

  — Crystals that would help him become a god… right? he murmured, folding his arms.

  Astra gave a slight nod.

  Arthur turned his gaze toward Moses.

  — You know something about this?

  The old man stroked his beard thoughtfully.

  — I read about it recently… though I thought it was just a myth. It’s said that Metheor, the god of elements, was defeated by the goddess of nature, Diana, using a divine crystal. After the battle, the crystal was shattered and scattered across the earth. Anyone who gathers them all could obtain ultimate power.

  — And why does he need you? What use are you to him? Arthur asked.

  — I don’t know. He never told me his full plan. Only that the moment I begin to shine is drawing near.

  Arthur stood, smoothing out his coat.

  — You can relax now. If he wants to take you, he’ll have to get through us first.

  Astra clenched her fists.

  — You have no idea how powerful he is, she whispered.

  Arthur gave her a short smile.

  — And he has no idea how powerful we are.

  Astra looked at him, surprised by the confidence in his voice, though a flicker of doubt remained in her eyes. Could they really stop Ezequel?

  — What makes him so powerful? What are his abilities? Nicole asked.

  — He… controls iron. Not just around him, but sometimes even the iron inside people’s bodies. And he’s a sadistic vampire. He kills out of boredom. He’s a true monster.

  An uncomfortable silence fell over the room. Arthur broke it.

  — Alright, everyone. Let’s not overwhelm her with more questions. Thank you all for coming. Astra, come with me, please I want to show you something.