Cordelia's Story

Once more, the monochromatic rift pulsed with ethereal energy, and a captivating scene unfolded. Bladed metal pieces shot out, swiftly anchoring themselves to the floor, interconnected by otherworldly ribbons. These spectral strands pulled taut, giving off a melodic resonance that seemed to echo through unseen dimensions. In the symphony of this surreal overture, a graceful purple figure materialized, descending with a gentle tap of clawed feet onto the floor, alighting like a bird.

Avian-like and undeniably feminine, this creature diverged significantly from its predecessor. Draped in an opulent cloak of ornate fabric that billowed around her like majestic wings, further enhancing her avian motif, and under this cloak she wore an elegant silk body suit covering her entirely so no skin exposed. A sharp golden birdlike mask veiled her face. The only exposed aspect of her form was her brilliant, somewhat faded, blond hair, cascading freely in a wild dance with an untamed elegance.

In stillness, she stood, craning her neck forward and turning her head slowly to survey the entire expanse of the bar, in a clear state of bewilderment. Her golden mask betrayed a soft gasp, a muffled sound escaping the confines of its sharp contours. Her searching gaze traversed the room, as if in pursuit of something: the giant that preceded her.

The atmosphere seemed to envelop her, and even the air felt, tasted, distinctively different, carrying with it a subtle familiarity—a whisper of a long-lost memory. She did not linger too long, she looked down and saw the still frozen black sand, and, with a sharp exhale turned towards the door, and swiftly shot towards it, and, opting to use her feet, she opened the door with a not-so-elegant kick and continued to rush through to the side alley outside.

Very briefly as the scenery shifted around, Yun Yun stumbled, one second she was seated at a table, next thing she knew she was standing in a hallway similar to the entry of the eating place. it wasnt as hard of a transfer, the Jie Ma Empire Academy had similar technologies to ensure safety of the students.

Taking Zii lead, Yun Yun nodded to her, following in step, heading towards the main road. the precense felt weird, almost unsettling as if it shouldnt exsist, but somehow did. But thankfully it was fainter then it first was. As the two walked along the narrow alley Yun Yun was briefly confused as to how Zii was speaking to another person, and then the person answered her ?

She had to remember she had seen other people doing similar things already, When she initally started running she had crashed into a man on his phone talknig to his wife. Thankfully the man convinced his wife that he just had an accident, but when he tried to speak to Yun Yun at the time, she had taken off.

But now as they neared the mouth of ther alley, the strange precense that felt unreal, yet real, was still faint but also still strong. She looked at the road, a look of slight confusion at the technology on the road, cars, trucks, vans, what looked like a street going train too.

This place was confusion. Looking around at the mouth of the alley, Yun Yun asked simply. "Where do we go now ?" She had a place, it was small the man allowed her to stay as long as she needed, rent free, all because she fended off a gang of thugs. But she couldnt risk it, not now. Not with that strange somehow stronger presense in the alley behind them

A moment of hushed tranquility enveloped the onlookers as OttO stood there, a towering figure frozen in time. Patient and silent, as if anticipating an appointment or a rendezvous, he held that position in still anticipation. After a while however, he moved, head tilting to the side as if in reaction to something only he seemingly could see or feel.

"Ah," he uttered, a soft exhalation escaping behind his mask, as he delved once more into his bag. From its depths emerged a strange knife, its handle a simple construction of wrapped cloth, but its blade, looking like a shard of a mirror, shimmered with an ethereal silver glow. As he gestured with the knife, it left behind a lingering distortion in the air, reminiscent of a heat haze on a scorching summer day.

"Are you observing carefully? Witness," he uttered to seemingly no one as he glanced over his shoulder. With deliberate precision, he stroked at the unseen, his hand moving like a surgeon seeking the precise spot for an incision upon a patient. Then, in a swift, fluid motion, he thrust into the air itself, a silvery streak trailing behind as he cut through the very fabric of space. The ethereal display unfolded like a masterful artisan with careful strokes, forming a sizable fissure in space. He then gracefully bowed and paused, noticing something.

In his wake, the peculiar avian figure from pursued with elegant grace, executing a mesmerizing parkour routine around the onlookers, bounding against the walls of the alley. The ornate cloak flowed through the air like the wings of a bird in flight. Onlookers were bracing and ducking as she effortlessly bounded over them.

"Ah, swan, you and your master are far too behind," he murmured cryptically. With that, he stepped into the fissure's embrace. The bird-like figure, swift and determined, launched ethereal bladed ribbons toward OttO in a desperate attempt to seize him. Yet, before her very eyes, the rift sealed shut, leaving her breathless, her bladed ribbons recoiling in vain. A frustrated utterance escaped from what would otherwise have been a delicate voice, echoing within the metal mask. She then looked towards where he could have gone, tapping her feet impatiently against the concrete.

Caught in the gaze of the spectators, she scanned the faces around her, spinning in a slow circle feeling their collective attention. Unease stirred within her, even behind her mask was evident in the unsteady rhythm of her breath and stagger. Unable to bear the scrutiny any longer, she sun down, and wrapped herself as much as she could within the folds of her cloak, as if finding solace in its embrace. Swiftly, she began to move, running away trying to fixate on her mission.

Heralding watched as the new figure chased after the being that he was tracking. He knew that he was noticed. But he also knew that, just like a shadow in the sun, just because you make out the outline and figure the origin...you cannot tell everything there is to know about the depths of what lies beneath that darkness.

At least, that is what it would have felt like to the average upper level being. With the extra spells casted earlier. It would feel closer to looking at a mirage in the desert, a vague understanding of what one THINKS is there, what they believe it to be. Heralding would be seen and felt as an oasis in the distance. Vaguely identifiable, but in the end, a trick of the sun and heat. Heralding placed multiple identical selves to watch and observe. With the same capabilities and presence as himself. An ancient technique that was likely lost to time.

Heralding kept a hive mind psychic link to each one, instead of allowing for complete free independence like he normally did. He didn't want any variables in his reconnaissance, so no conflicting personal decisions this time.

Out of the 4 clones, 1 was made. He didn't think that was bad odds. So he continued to split them into different distances and followed from different angles, with different cloaking techniques overlapping the dimension walking he was currently doing.

"Truly remarkable, there is a pursuant of such a creature." The original exclaimed.

"Yes indeed, I would surmise that such a deity could not exist without consequence." Clone 2 stated.

"What deity? Such assumption cannot persist given the advent of detected nature." Clone 1 rebutted.

"The detected nature is one of non-existence...like a-" Clone 3 tried to start.

"Void." The original answered.

"Yes...but also more....like, something primordial." Clone 3 responded.

"So THATS why you sense divinity instead of simple nothingness." Clone 1 lamented.

"Perhaps." Orginal responded.

"Perhaps indeed. Let continue pursuit. Everyone, stay vigilant." Clone 2 proclaimed.

Zii was quite happy about the next things to be done. Completely focused on the library she remembered. She felt like there was a book store somewhere, but she couldn't remember if it was still there after their announcement a few weeks back. Maybe they never opened, for now she didn't want to waste time looking. So she made a beeline for the Wing City Library.

Just as she had the thought she could relax, the void-like presence dissapeared from her senses. But not right before a different and yet similar presence briefly appear and dissapear as well. Now she felt like she truly couldn't relax.

But what was there to worry about if they were gone?

If she was that neglectful and undeligent, she would have died a long time ago.

She continued on, keeping her guard high. But with the same smirk as always, she just sped up her steps through the Main Street.

It been ages since Zii has stepped foot back into this place. But the library was somewhere she spent alot of her earlier years with her master, studying arcane knowledge and history. Other topics of need was also availible. Including some fun fiction from time to time. Many of the stories she read, really were what informed her of all the possibilities of other worlds. From ancient civilizations to modern ones, there was always historical fictions and fantasy at her fingertips. Each with different flavors.

Her master, and herself, set up a space beneath the library that was accessible inside. They invested alot of money, time and investments into the city at large. But they also spoke to and have a contract with the government officials, the library itself, and various power figures.

So it's no surprise, upon entering and nodding at the beautiful young Terran gentleman at reception and very tall Velarian Officer, that she would be given a note and gestured in without fuss.

"Thank you, is the Chinese fiction subdivision still where it used to be Staycee?"

"It is a little further down and more expanded now. So just follow the steps towards R67-C."

"Thanks babe."

Zii took sure steps on the blue carpet, towards the maze-like rows of books. The towered over like buildings. But interesting, the smell of wood, paper and leather wasn't the overwhelming thing about this place of pristine beauty. It was the fact that there were various robots, walking, flying and sorting. Various kinds of local Terran and otherworlders.

Zi could see book floating on there own, and some where following people who were picking through the various ailes, gathering more books along the way, looking like a single file of obedient kids following their parents.

Zii followed her normal route and arrived at her destination. She grabbed the books of relevance, intending to retreat to her underground hidden spot that she used to go to for privacy and lessons.

"Let's see..."

She grabbed Wu Dong Qian Kun, Da Zhu Zai, Zui Wu Dao, Shen Yin Wang Zuo, Douluo Dalu vol. 1 of each of the sequels, and of course...Doupo Cangqiong. Which should give her the answers she needed.

"That should do for all the fantasy." She said as she gestured to be followed to wall.

The wall shimmered at her presence, and she walked through it, which led to some stairs that allowed for them to continue downstairs and away from the light murmur of the library. Complete quite decended upon them as they reach a door.

Upon opening, they were introduced to an entire other library of sort. Vast shelves lined the walls, various other sitting locations existed. But it was built more like a house than a library. She took a seat and started sorting through the pile of books she took.

"Here is the Doupo Cangqiong or Battle Through The Heavens. Where Xiao Yan is most known."

Lead through the city to the library was something that Yun Yun never expected, people who met and spoke with Zii knew her somehow and respected her, and asked no questions regarding who Yun Yun herself was. She herself was in absolute awe at the massive scope of the library structure, the only other place she had been to was the Yunlan sect's library, and even that was not as huge as this place.

Not wanting to get lost, Yun Yun stayed close to Zii and made a note of every turn and how many steps they took after each one to retrace her steps back if she had to get out quick. But then when they started deeper into the many shelves of books far as the eye could see Yun Yun soon lost track of where she had been from and how to get back.

Quickly enthralled as she was surropunded by books, books that seemed to have a mind entirely of their own for that matter. As Zii went through all sorts of books, titles Yun Yun couldnt hope to understand or read, it was strange really. But she got the books they'd need for something.

The book for Battle Through the heavens was huge compared to the other books that Zii had picked up. Yun Yun then once again followed in step with Zii as they went down another flight of stairs after walking through a wall ?? Yun Yun breifly looked back as the wall reformed after they passed through.... spatial movement ? she thought briefly, then shook her head, nah couldnt be that.

In the absolute quiet they came to a door. A dead end ? Yun Yun briefly wondered before the door silently opened on its own. instead of a library it felt more like they had entered some elders study and were allowed to read adn enjoy themselves t otheir hearts content. As they sat down Zii held out the thickest book, Doupo Cangqiong, what she called Battle Through the Heavens. Yun Yun briefly stared at the book, it felt hauntingly familar. She took it and opened the cover. The first few pages had artwork for each character.

Including herself.

There was no mistaking her blue eyes and black hair with just a mere hint of blue to it. However her outfit was missing, as was her sword. She still had her hairpiece though. Infact if it werent for her currnt outfit of black leggings, a similar colored tanktop and also a black hoodie with pale white lines on its hem she'd be a spitting image of the woman in the picture she had opened the page to.

Zii knew that there would likely be some sort of connecting piece to this story that she would need to get out of Yun. But she didn't know exactly what it could be. Far as she could tell, there was very little that could be done in the universe without effort and know how. So the idea of a character from a story being real...

It wouldn't be the first time it's happened.

"Far as I can tell. This here should make it clear as to how I know about you and your world. Also, as I said earlier, I've met those who have visited. But, the means to which is always a bit foggy or intentionally vague."

Zii stared at the large book, specially printed and bound. A first edition book like that was worth alot, but in these walls it was a dime a dozen. What made that book even more impressive was that it was written by someone from another world. The original author's origins being outside of Terra, was no mystery. Yet that book was here through means of trade.

"I imagine that the author, drawing up your world, probably never would have imagined that it could be real. To be honest, I'm curious if you could clear up the means for which you have gotten here. Maybe explain the people chasing you too." She said in a bit of flat yet curious way.

Zii looked around, loving and noticing how this place strengthened those familiar with its arcane nature. A place built with the foundations of a spiritual vein and used as a mana source as well. Fluctuating with amplifiers and signal blockers and plain old intra-dimentional magic. She knew that it would be noticed by Yun eventually that this place is prime ground for cultivation as well.

She Clclocked all the shadows, all of the ones studying in plain site, and all the one walking through dimensional doors. It may look normal in master's extended home. But she knew that the place was as secure as any place could be. If anyone could break into this place, it would be a place to mean harm. Everyone of these people go about there business are some of the most serious folk in arcane, ancient or otherwise time based magics. Not to mention the trained one's in the shadows. This is Zii's training grounds. She felt most at home here, more powerful even.

Granted...some time ago her master did start to allow select few from the public in...so she wouldn't be surprised if some of those defenses and barriers were missing. Still...this had to be one the more secure spaces.

Various members of The League notice Zii's entrance into their cove of training. They embrace her presence and the one she brought with her.

How to answer and not feel like a Misty Cloud Sect instructor when the faction of Misty Clouds had been disbanded ? Then again how could Yun Yun explain anything when she rapidly went through the first volume of Battle Through the Heavens, finding the point where she and Nalan Yanran had reached the Black Corner Region of the Jie Ma Empire.

She held the page out to Zii, "Here" She said, "Nalan Yanran and I were last together in this area. I remember her saying she wanted to explore a bazaar, I said I'd meet up with her in the markets after getting supplies." She turned a page. And stared, she didnt remember going that way before ?

She was confused. The only way to explain it as she read further was that she did indeed leave the Jie Ma empire as she and Yanran intended. The book said that much.

So why was she there, in another world ? With people chasing her ? She had one of her fans, and her sword, spatial pockets worked wonders really. But her original clothing, she had no idea someone had discovered it and already had it packed away somewhere.

She closed the book, she felt an odd sense of strength from all around the room. Like there was energy sources to allow for cultivation. She hadnt found anything like that since she left the Jie Ma Empire... or at least according to the book left the Black Corner Region.

Then again she did take a wrong turn, a seriously wrong turn in that weird alley in the Black Corner Regions marketplace. She tried to remember, could she go back ?

Easy answer: not really, no

Did she want to go back ?

Well, she wasnt sure.

Did she miss Xiao Yan ?

She picked up the book again and went to the character art pages, finding the first three pages were of various angles of Xiao Yan, with and without his sword. Yes she missed him, just hearing his name made her smile. Seeing him kill Yun Shen, her old teacher right before her eyes, and in the process removing the seal he had placed on her own cultivation, with Yun Shans death, her cultivation had a breakthrough. If she remembered correctly she lost her first real kiss, to Xiao Yan

So did she still miss him ? Yes, yes she did

Nanlan Yanren and the bazaar. Zii remembered that. She didn't feel the need to comment, but she was curious about the other thing.

"OK, so you don't remember how you ended up here after all that? Stands to reason you traveled dimensions through space and time."

Which was one of the reasons why she was at her old stomping grounds. This place had a lot of connections to such concepts. They were close to the metaphorical, aspects and concepts that are pure. They were all here, the history and knowledge of this place was at her disposal.

But...Zii still needed to check in with Tierge. Who undoubtedly would be at his restaraunt right now. She could send one of the trainees here...it would be good experience to get out of here every now and again. She turned to inner general area where other folks moved about.

"Assemble, second and third rank or below." Zii said.

Shadows moved and swirled swiftly in her direction. Some faster the others, some shadows deepened and then dissapear altogether before appear next to some of the people that came walking or scattering over. Some general looking people even stopped what they were doing immediately. All turning and almost teleporting to line up in front of her. About 35 people lined up in orderly rows in front of her, some shadows that weren't around before, were there and deeply embedded into whatever they were attached.

"I need a message delivered. Squad of 4 with a backup recon unit. Anyone interested?"

Many would be members were excited to operate at the whim of any senior. Especially one as respected as Zii. They were happy to exceed and eliminate her needs, or fall on a sword if necessary.

Some of them trained day and night, getting very little sun or action. Just more and more training, endless improvement, endless study, days awake on edge for those in the shadow, and nights awake for those study for Light. They always needed a breather. Senior Zii and her unit always knew how to make sure the trainees got some air, which is why they were so respected.

One member, the oldest in the room who was sitting on the ceiling unnoticed (like it was a floor) right above their table, began to speak for everyone first. A deep and hauntingly disturbing vocals rang out.

"Senior, shadow units 56 and 78 are most needing. I see 4 and 5 here but I recommend Daylight unit 3 for recon."

The entirety of the people lined in front of Zii rearranged themselves according to units mentioned. Some shadow stepped in silence, appearing as if teleporting from where they stood to where someone else was. Shadow wriggled and some people melted into their own shadows. Until there was only 12 people left.

Zii nodded. She liked those units and they were always so diligent and silent. They would have never said a thing nor asked to be sent.

"Thank you Yuri, I'll go with the 3 units. Have Daylight track from Outpost 6. Bless the 2 field units, and I want you to track the op."

Zii leaned back in her chair to look up at the person sitting on the ceiling. She smiled bright when she saw Yuri sitting with the scarf and gauntless she gifted him two weeks ago for the holiday season

"I appreciate a man who can rock such a non-stealthy piece of hardware. You make pink somehow look black."

She could see his facial muscles twitch. But she knew that wss just hom trying not smile or blush. Even though they are not always killing, they do very often. So trying to hide the emotions was something they were all taught. A bit foolish from Zii's perspective. But she understood the need for that skill.

"Alright. I'll telepathically send you the message, but meet with my recon leader. He'll let you in on the op. Tell Tierge I'll be running late."

Zii focused back on Yun Yun as everyone of the people she spoke to dissapeared like mist or smoke, in complete silence and without a single movement...or so it would seem. Zii smirked, because she caught 3 of them making noise. She tapped her earpiece.

"Hey, tell unit 3 of Daylight to work on that."

"2 weeks in the forest for training. Got it." Said the person on the other end.

Yun Yun shook her head and spoke softly, "No, it is more like, I was in a marketplace, but once I passed through that archway I was somewhere else, it was raining and when I turned to go back the way I came the archway was gone. My outfit at the time stood out among those I suddenly found myself, so I had to dress similar to what was the norm there." she motioned to herself, her current outfit at least. Of course she didnt have money to afford the outfit, she ended up stealing it.

Finding something that fit snug without being too snug was not easy, but it worked. "I had no idea where I was, but I managed to get to a transport and get away from there. When I arrived here... wherever here is, wing something or other, They attacked me, if it werent for some soldiers I would have been captured, I've a small place to call home I guess ? But I havent been to it since yesterday." Yun Yun explained. Concluding on how she got her current clothing and where she was. She remembered it all.

She then looked at Zii. "When I asked you before the meal we shared if you were an Assasin, you answered part of my question by whatever mision you completed. But.... You're not one of theirs, are you ?" She meant the people chasing her, the man she got away from referred to himself as she heard him calling for backup as Hunter C-21

"I'm no number. I don't really understand how someone could be so generic as to refer to themselves as such. Unless they were..."

Zii made a serious face. Thinking hard and quickly as she is looking Yun in her eyes. She came to a bit of a theory.

"An authority figure referring to themselves as numbers...that only happens when there are so many of them that it's easier to do so...such an organization would be massive. But the fact that I have not heard about it. It implies they aren't safe nor known, and that they are certainly not bound by any other major forces in the multiverse. I'm surprised the Aschen Empire or others aren't at war with them."

Zii began to wonder if these people weren't even a part of this reality with such a hypothesis...but, how would that be possible? There are tons of people she knew who navigated dimensions, time, and space. There would be some sort of information from Tierge or Heralding.

Zii started to get pretty worried given the explanation of Yun. Moving through time and space and then ending up here? Followed immediately by getting chased? Her being from a fictional universe is by far the least of her worries at this point.

Such authorities...if they were real...wouldn't be stopped by regular authorities. Wing City militia being fully out and around due to planetary scuffles and war, they wouldn't be able to get away with things easily. Wait...

"Shit. The timing is too tight."

Zii looked at Yun with a furrowed brow.

"Remember that void feeling at the restaraunt? The fact that it happened RIGHT when I met you...things are happening that I can only guess at. But I'm putting pieces together. I just need an expert like my master or Heralding. We gotta go."

Zii got up. She would need more than the recon unit she sent earlier. She touched her earpiece.

"Hey, we got a serious problem. We need to assemble the elite units in the area. At least 40 of the best. Get it done in 10 mins." She said in a serious tone, gathering the books up that she intended to relax to.

She looked and saw Yuri still above. He nodded and looked over at the group who were still in the room. Some nodded and dissapeared and others walked off quickly putting books away that were previously used by others who left. The snappy reaction was seemless and coordinated with very little communication needed.

Zii spent a few minutes heading back to where she took the books from and returned them before, taking out the note the receptionist gave earlier. She scribbled on it two words as she headed back to the entrance and handed it over.

'Danger, Prepare.'

Cast away from a world she had long been estranged from, or at least a facet of this inexplicable existence that eluded her comprehension, Cordelia harbored a singular focus. Rather than dwelling on the memories erased from her, she fixated on a goal that could potentially make things much... much worse: OttO. This wasn't the result of following orders but an autonomous initiative, born from a desperate yearning for significance. She sought to perform a duty that carried weight, that held meaning, even if recognition would forever elude her.

Once, she was something, somebody—of this, she was certain. However, the Gray Void had warped her, taken her memory, and dissolved her into her fundamental self, erasing even the contours of her former self. To the point she didn't dare to show herself out of fear of being repulsive. Had she been loved, adored, or hated? The answers were lost in the void of her forgotten existence, and it seemed unlikely that she would ever recover them.

For any vigilant security officer watching the monitors, the cameras would distort slightly as doors seemed to open of their own accord. In person, a figure draped in purple charged through the openings, moving at a speed that defied the limits of mere humanity. She was careful, even if reckless, to not bring harm to any non-target, though stealth... that was not of any concern of hers.

Cordelia skidded to a stop, her momentum halted just a foot from the library door. Peculiarly, she sensed no trace of the voidtouch in this vicinity. A perplexing thought crossed her mind—had she managed to outpace OttO and reach the destination first? The notion seemed implausible; OttO's pursuit was relentless. Unless, perhaps, his intentions extended beyond a singular target. Could his goal be more far-reaching, entwined with a larger tapestry of events?

As Cordelia surveyed her surroundings, an odd sensation enveloped her, as though unseen eyes were fixed upon her every move. And there she spotted it, fixed on the desk, unseen or unnoticed to the bewildered staff... an ornate carved mask, placed on display, his calling card. OttO wasn't late, and he certainly wasn't hiding! He was... waiting?



She charged one last time and put her full weight against the library doors.

Yun watched briefly as Zii explained what she knew and also briefly paced. But when Zii said they had to go and all but took off running, Yun Yun was hard pressed to keep up with her. Snapping up the book from the low table, she hurried after Zii who also carried the other books, after a few twists and turns, Yun Yun unfortunately lost track of where Zii had turned after putting the books back and was left alone.

Still holding the book of Battle Through the Heavens in her hands. she never heard the timedoor open. She never saw the two dozen men and women filter through the two golden panels a few aisles away.

She never knew what happened next. Her mind and gaze focused on the words of Xiao Yan wanted her, Yanran, and Ya Fei to join him in leaving the Dou Qi Continent. Those were the last things she could remember seeing, because the next thing she knew, raw solid energy smashed into the small of her back and sent her sprawling to the floor, out cold.

The Minuteman Hunter known as C-21 looked around, he motioned with a hand to have his group pair off, Since they were in a library they had to be quiet. Stun weapons only. They had two targets to capture.

Two minutemen spotted Zii speaking to the Librarian on duty, handing her a note, the Librarian was not their target, nor was she to be collatoral damage, they werent going to reset the timeline branch. No, they were there only to capture two targets and disappear.

Hunter C-21 spotted Yun Yun, and silently brought up his stunner, a whisp of zoong type sound and Yun Yun collapsed in a heap on the floor. completely out. "Primary target down, secondary target, go!" Hunter C-21 spoke into his earpiece quietly as he melted into the shadows.

Jinn. This is what he went by when he first met Zii. Back then, they didn't get along. Zii was rough, edgy, sad, hurt, and short-tempered. The complete opposite of who she is now. But no one could rival her class when it came to learning and intelligence. None but him. They took down empires together and escaped death a hundred times over.

Jinn fought with Zii on nearly every mission, being her emotional opposite but intellectual equal. He excelled at all the same things she did. From swordmanship, shadow techniques, adaptability to hidden weapons, languages, magic, recon...everything. They even competed in the more obscure things, from torture techniques for extracting information to being a honeypot to extract information.

Yes...even that act...they were equals.

At some point, Jinn does not remember when, they became true colleges...friends even....well, more than friends at one point. But being is this business, it's difficult to keep up with anything more than friends or colleges.

So when Jinn heard Zii's command to mobilize the 40 best and get them in vicinity to track her and keep task, he knew there was an emergency. Not only did he do so, he personally went into the scene himself.

"I need all local squads 1 through 4 to mobilize on me, squads 5 through 10 to mobilize on Zii. Weapons are a go, I'll mark Zii's companion myself."

The convenient thing about shadow travel is that once you were proficient enough, it acted like teleportation for some. He collected his mana and melted into the shadows as he arrived at the library from 120 miles away in a minute. He could see and feel others arriving a couple of minutes afterward.

As soon as he arrived, he noticed the commotion right aright. He saw Zii was racing to the front desk. She was moving far faster than expected. Certainly faster than the 10 mins she wanted the mobilization.

That didn't matter to Jinn. He needed to find her companion. Jinn noticed a strange sight, as golden frames of light started opening up in the ailes. Where some people started to walk out. All wearing the same uniforms.

At this point, he started to move. Still one with the shadows, him and his squads melted into the shadows of the books, of people, of the robots, of Zii and of even these strange people appearing. Waiting to pounce at his signal.

Once Yun Yun got knocked out and zapped, Jinn waited for the The Minutemen to finish speaking. They were saying they were also after another target, whilst looking at Zii.

Jinn wrapped Yun Yun in a shadow, pulling her into darkness as he replaced her with a body clone of herself. They wouldn't be able to tell the difference unless they started asking her questions. That double should last about 2 hrs.

Jinn signaled for daggers to be thrown at every minutemen present. At least 3 daggers would swiftly and silently be impaling minutemen from random angles if they weren't swift to react.

Zii had been moving so fast, she forgot to check her 6 to make sure that Yun was following her closely. She thought she signaled for swift follow, and she believe she even said so from the outset. But somehow, she wasn't present behind her.

"Shit." Zii exclaimed.

In that instance, she sent out a telepathic wave and tracking rune to find Yun. But instead, she sensed several squads from The League, which was a great thing. But also, several unknown auras surrounding and spreading out past Yun's aura signature.

"Well damn." She looked at the librarian who was already pressing an emergency button near the desk with a nod.

Right when Zii was about the press her earpiece to communicate, the door behind her burst open and the security next to it stumbled away a foot, surprised for half a second. The 7'2 Valerian security guard pulled out a futuristic stun baton, but looked confused at seeing nothing at the door.

Zii was in an extremly heightened magical sensing state. Injecting mana into her eyes and overlapping spells for defense, speed, and strength. The door distraction cost Zii valuable seconds as she could now perfectly see a being she never has seen before. As well as notice a mask 3 ft from her at the reception.

"You're not the being from earlier...you feel different." She said to the being who was now staring at the mask.

Zii heard her comms go off in her ear as Jinn confirmed moving Yun into the shadows and body replacing her out of danger. She smirked, but still felt unsafe.

"Do we have to do this here? Or can we solve that problem first." She indicated about the golden doors opening in ailes.