Narrator's P.O.V.:188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcLmrTJ8qui
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡH8ggctz9tx
One of the many things Rondon hated was teleporting from one place to another. He never got used to the feeling as it gave him weird sensations whenever they stepped into the portal. The first time he teleported, he had just joined the Golden Elite. He remembered puking when he found himself in one of the rooms of the Golden Elite headquarters. He has never done so since then, but there was always a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach every time he teleported.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuyFiTPV28n
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The fact that he and the other Golden Elite members had to shift their workstations annoyed him. It meant setting up the tents and workstations inside all over again. However, since the movement happened so suddenly, only those working with Peter in the IT department had to set up a tent for themselves. They had a special kind of tent that didn't need much fixing. Rondon always thought every department out in the field needed it. There were only a few granted such privileges. There’s nothing Rondon could do about it. Even if he was in charge of the combat units, most of the important decisions weren’t his to make, but his superiors.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0cuA53C16g
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Rondon looked around. They had teleported a few kilometers away from the devil’s territory around the beach. They found themselves close to the palm trees on the remote side of the beach, far away from other civilians. Lucifer owned the whole beach ahead of them, while one side of it is meant for civilians. Rondon and his team so happened to be in between Lucifer’s beach house and the main beach. Rondon still felt that they should have chosen a much better location, but Brian thought it would be better to be along the beach to prevent them from going any further.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFObOGopXc8
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡlcWAPJThEV
Rondon looked over the sandy beach and wondered when he last came to one. He looked as the waves of the sea washed up over the shore, and the water drew back. There was something calming about the sound of waves and the salty smell of the sea filling his nostrils. It’s been such a long time since he last felt this feeling. He’s been so busy for the past five years that he never took days off. Even during his sniper days, he would take time off, go to another country, and sip a martini at a nice bar. Now, the only time off he had was him resting in the quarters of the Golden Elite’s hideout.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD213ImUVoz
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Running footsteps disturbed his thoughts, and he didn’t realize that he had had his eyes closed. He opened them to see one of the recruits come towards him. Rondon sighed. It was back to the life he chose. The life of fighting the supernatural forces of the world. He only wished he could have this silent moment a little longer.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPyGjKnDjSl
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“Has everyone set base?” Rondon asked.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡatnyK0uSAF
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“Yes, we’re just waiting for you, sir,” said the recruit.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLIQfHVTf7B
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“Lead the way,” Rondon ordered, and the recruit quickly turned around and walked back the way he came.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBFzNGEfkmN
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaGAJegskRF
Rondon followed the recruit away from the beach and into the small forest of trees. There were a few combat recruits outside keeping watch, and they stood at attention as Rondon passed them. They soon reached a clearing where he found those in charge of reading any heat signatures on the map, seated in a circle. Those in charge of certain duties huddled up in circles in an orderly fashion. They might not have their desks, but their equipment was all they needed to work. Most of them didn’t need electricity to power up their laptops as they were supercomputers with long battery life. The only change was the use of the satellite, which Rondon felt the IT team had under control.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn7xJ3iYv2w
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“Any update on Diana?” Rondon asked.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZT7srPwq9v
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“She’s in Lucifer’s house, along with Mutale, Lucius, and the other supernatural from earlier,” came an answer from the blonde female recruit. “Someone else is in there, aside from Lucifer, of course.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfpEOPsEiNE
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRUncqsLcA
Rondon rolled his eyes. “Lucifer just had to be around,” he muttered. “Any idea who this newcomer could be?”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0ewoyRAzlj
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDTwJsvmXki
“Not sure. But by the color of his aura, he’s from hell.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtA79a4oWbY
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Rondon rubbed his chin. All five powerful supernatural beings under one roof spelled trouble. Lucifer was probably the worst one of them all, and everyone here was well aware of how he loved to kill and torture Golden Elite soldiers for fun. He needed to come up with something fast.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtjrnSLueMg
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“And what of Mutale?” Rondon asked. “Is he still alive?”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBbXFBeTcQl
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRXoaf0Tx64
“He’s still alive, sir,” the blonde recruit answered.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9PUeJ3DpDq
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“Strange,” came Brian, as he approached the circle. “I thought Lucifer liked torturing Golden Elite recruits.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ14gMAzj77H
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXuYb9vcD1H
“I’m as surprised as you are,” said Rondon, turning to look at Brian. “It doesn’t make any sense. What could be going on in there?”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡf248HhEEsB
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn0xvRtVhKX
“Well, we can’t go in without a plan. There are five supernaturals, and we can’t take out all of them. I’m scared of Lucifer the most, though.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡu3JBNfOUWN
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“I already thought of that. Once we enter Lucifer’s territory, we’re done for sure.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2yZIV7Uq9C
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“The best thing we can do is split them, but that will be difficult to do.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRMLQFYR4p9
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“It’s not a bad idea. The only problem is that we know what Lucifer, Lucius, and Diana are capable of. Though Lucifer is the most dangerous of them all, we don’t know how strong the other two are.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2iLEobJhkD
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“It seems you’ve trouble on your hands, Rondon,” came the woman in a white mask and attire. Rondon and Brian turned their eyes on her. “I suggest we get more reinforcements here and devise a proper plan. Separating them will be hard, not with Lucifer around. If we try to attack at different ends to split them, I’m afraid Lucifer will sit until he feels the need to strike. Let’s not forget that he loves to have the last laugh.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdSILYllDKF
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQoqZjkXilA
“Sending reinforcements seems like a good plan right now,” said Rondon. “Will you kindly request more troops from the Golden Elite?”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡB9wmAhW39R
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“Of course. You and Brian come up with a strategy. As far as time is concerned, we don’t have much of it.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwmDYfT24B3
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQYonnDRzcY
The woman turned around and started to make her way to the tent where the IT department was to set up to make a private call with Headquarters. Brian and Rondon watched her go, and they turned to look at each other.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTc2rjvvM1N
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“Do you still feel that all this feels pretty strange?” Brian asked.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡisRCOuDrMH
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“Starting with the shadow monster, yes,” said Rondon. “I don’t know what’s going on, but I have a bad feeling about this.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFMQmpkpnq
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡh96L7OB7Du
Rondon noticed one of the recruits around the circle looking at him. When he fixed his eyes on them, the recruit went back to reading the aura signatures on his laptop. From now on, he had to be careful with who and where he shared his thoughts. Who knows, there might be a spy right under his nose. With the way things are going, there just might be.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxQCeK4Fb8I
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***188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPp25Kd2JLR
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Diana’s P.O.V.:188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsIGyh1ZOyM
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I looked down at the map of the beach laid out on the table of Lucifer’s study. Stella stood beside me. We thought of all possible places the Golden Elite would try to attack. With their top-notch technology, they already knew how many supernatural beings were in the house. They knew they couldn’t take us all at once. Therefore, they might try to attack from different directions to keep us separated. We could only take on a few skilled recruits, but if they plan to send in more reinforcements, it might be a problem.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡuTN8DPd3to
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“Do you think they would want to attack us at different points?” Stella asked as her eyes looked up from the map to me.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡEDp9z8De0U
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“Yeah, I’m pretty sure,” I answered. “That’s if they have some super-duper plan to catch us off guard. It’s best to prepare for anything.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡho0YyUF91P
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The door to the study flew open, and Lucius came in with two glasses of water on a tray. He placed it on the other end of the table.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbGZB2iFaKd
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“Have you figured out a plan yet?” he asked.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡynsfgOff4n
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“No. Just thinking of how and where the Golden Elite will attack from,” I answered.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL7u4pQpPzY
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He handed me a glass of water. “That’s good, but we should be making a plan of our own, don’t you think?”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJD6OEQ6I4Y
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“If we do that, I don’t think Lucero and his father would want to be in on it. Those two like to do things their way. I’m not surprised that they were cut from the same cloth.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKaZUZFf8SP
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“You’re right. But this is serious. We might be going to war, and we’re going to need all the help we can get.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡonVRwbniMz
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“No offense, but I don’t really think relying on your father is a good idea,” said Stella. “Lucero might not be that bad, but your father is something else.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡo1XFgMRoFf
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“None taken,” said Lucius. “I get what you mean. I’m guessing that’s why he isn’t here to help.” He looked behind us at the empty chair where Lucifer had sat a few minutes ago.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9ldp9jTdHa
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“He’ll join us when he feels like it,” I said. “Stella is right. If he wanted to, Lucifer would’ve taken out the army in a flash, depending on where they are and their plan to attack. I have a funny feeling that he wants to watch all this go down and will join in at the last minute.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUM8MOBJmQ7
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The door to the study flew open again, and this time, Lucero came in with Mutale wrapped in a black tentacle protruding from Lucero’s back.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡnh946ZTScm
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“May you please not let me be on toilet duty?” said Lucero as his tentacle placed the injured Mutale back on the couch he had been sitting on. “Just like my father, I hate the Golden Elite. When I took him to the bathroom, I felt like I was going to strangle him.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAP4ylP0QRu
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“Well, I’m glad you didn’t,” I said, looking at Lucero. “We need him alive.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNZjelyNlv9
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“He should’ve killed me when he had the chance,” said Mutale. “That way, the Golden Elite will come charging in to avenge my death.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡaWQSmhAPN0
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“Please, even Marvel’s Avengers are no match for us,” said Lucero with a smirk. I look at him, telling him to shut up.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6QB71vMXIS
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“If you knew how wrong you were about supernatural beings, then you would understand that we are no different from you,” said Lucius.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYa8DQ2sqkJ
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“There’s nothing you can do that can convince me otherwise,” said Mutale. “You must be stopped no matter what.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvIgVIn7sjV
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“If you do that, you might as well ruin the balance of things altogether,” I said. “Enough of that now. Trying to convince Mutale who the good and the bad guys are is a waste of time.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHSiC52bf0e
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“Even after finding out that the main leader might be the one sending shadow monsters after you, I didn’t shake him,” said Lucero as he looked at Mutale. “You must be a big devotee, huh?”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡVU41Sqy2xx
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“Devotee or not, I fight for what I believe in,” said Mutale.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5yYRg4a2Qz
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“Let’s get back to the topic at hand, everyone,” I said.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAONrOTnxzP
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“I heard you talking about my father not joining in the fray,” said Lucero. “You don’t trust him?”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXotz6KKd1m
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“No. He might help in a way. And I think he has already done enough by letting me stay here.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡcftWJ7KnIG
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“He just loves drama. Don’t take it as an act of charity.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjWhVze7HoO
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My lips form a thin line. “Already knew that.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDagFk7EMMe
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“I suggest we try to bring in more backup as well,” said Stella.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ161Flubllk
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“You think all four of us can’t take them on?” Lucius asked.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡPYEWfaqoGx
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“Don’t get me wrong,” said Stella, looking at Lucius. “We can. But they know they’re dealing with high-level supernaturals, so they are likely to get more reinforcements. And those that consist of their best fighters. They’re the dirtiest fighters you can ever think of. Just because we have supernatural powers doesn’t mean we’re powerful enough to defeat them. They are well known for their wit and grit, so it won’t be a surprise if we can’t take them all.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4e4330kjGW
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“I agree with Stella,” I said. “If they are planning to get more reinforcements, we should too. But where are we going to get more? Lucifer isn’t going to grant any of his men to me.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡAIMmPdbCq0
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“I have a special battle unit under my wing back home,” said Lucius. “I can order them to act as our reinforcements.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmAPQ1Vr23r
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“Don’t you mean my unit?” Lucero asked, raising an eyebrow at his brother.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡX6wfLeIxxL
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“Since you left, Dad ordered that they should be under my command. With my unit, it has now become larger.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZlxJaaccc8
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Stella and I looked at each other. Each brother has his battle unit. How lucky can they be?188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdagqkuo16p
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“I think it’s time we also asked those from Butterfly Island to help,” said Stella.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2mqv7mBOCg
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I raise an eyebrow at her. “You want to involve the Butterfly Sect?” I asked.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyZyFY2S3IE
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“I’m already here, aren't I?” Stella smiled at me. “It will be good to see the rest of the High Order, don’t you think? They would be happy to see how far you’ve come. We all heard stories about your endeavors, and most of us are proud.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡetDWpBMo1h
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I roll my eyes. “Endeavors that happened clearly by accident. It’s not easy when you sort of have a bounty on your head.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡM4KRsmQfPo
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“Well, they will all be happy to see you anyway.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡva5eeIiuXJ
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“I agree with Stella,” said Lucius. “If the Golden Elite can step up their game, we should too.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBr1F1MnxHH
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“No matter what you throw at us, we will still be victorious,” said Mutale.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXNFhldVJSx
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“Can I put duct tape on this guy’s lips?” Lucero asked. “He’s starting to annoy me.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8YicZR3KFy
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“Once we start to strategize, you can do so,” I said.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡD2g8sZcy0h
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Lucero smiled sinisterly at Mutale. Mutale’s breath was haggard for a moment. Even though he tried to look unshaken, there was no hiding that he was scared of Lucero.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRtWmaFXxgi
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A knock came at the door, and Lucero told whoever was there to come in. A man in a black leather jacket and black clothes walked in. By his step and the tattoo on the outside of his left palm, he was one of Lucifer’s men.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbpCpkllhfv
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“I just came to inform you that the Golden Elite are here,” said the man. “They are on the west side of the territory.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQFs1cGqlMc
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“Does my father know about this?” Lucius asked.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQjCz3mWOgV
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“Yes, he’s already been informed and told me to relay the message to you.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJQVUwZN7Ag
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“Thank you. You may go.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡBmq40EQ64K
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After the man left, I turned to look at Lucius.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡyGxp2zVfah
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“I’ll go call my unit right now,” he said, as he read my eyes. He started to make his way out of the room.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ4xzXSHZV3Y
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“Well, they got here quicker than expected,” said Stella.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCe2B2DtPTI
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“Teleporting has never been sweeter,” I said. “They use our equipment for such things yet condemn us for being who we are.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJwQS0rS7ji
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“It’s because we plan to put a stop to you, and we will do any means necessary,” said Mutale.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRV6UWvgx47
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“Gosh, can I put duct tape on him now?” Lucero asked.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡgvLyLpQLdj
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I look at Lucero, still telling him with my eyes not to. I fixed my eyes on Mutale and walked around the table, slowly approaching him. Mutale, for a moment, didn’t look intimidated. When I got close, I stopped and put my hands on my hips.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ64UomsAjZm
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“Maybe I should’ve gotten rid of you when you first appeared in the forest and attacked me,” I said. “But believe it or not, I’m not a fan of killing. You fail to see that you and I are alike in more ways than one. We might have supernatural powers, but you forget that you and other normal humans out there are also dangerous with your twisted minds and the greed to gain more. You factor those things into the latest technology to use at your disposal. And it’s sad to see that you don’t see it yourself.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSK2rplAgh
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmvkpTaF5Tr
“Nothing you say is going to change my mind,” said Mutale.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwJzuQjIM70
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“I know.” I turn to look at Lucero. “I don’t want him in here. You can lock him up in the dungeon downstairs.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡayWciDmAX1
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiMENSyvOAJ
Lucero came to stand beside me, smiling. “I’ll gladly do it,” he said. “He’s better off where the hounds are, though.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNulXWTGQzR
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“No, I still need him alive. Which is why…” I reach out my hand towards Lucero. “I need your small pocket knife.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxGYfn4vAMp
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡdJw83bXCCk
Stella quickly came towards me. “Wait, Diana,” she said. “I thought you needed him alive.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡectKzibbMT
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIYfaCwez7U
“I do. The knife is for something else,” I said, looking at Stella. I turn back to Lucero. “Knife, please.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZYdfzT5293
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡipE4zBe6Qo
Lucero smiled at me as he put his hand into his jacket. “I don’t know what you’re up to, Diana,” he said, “but you’re giving me goose bumps.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡp4GzLyZolT
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmSrDbvAMC8
I scoffed. Lucero was always one to joke around, and no doubt I knew what he meant with that dirty mind of his. He took out a small, sharp hand knife with a black handle and placed it on my open palm. I took the knife with my other hand and looked at how sharp it was. It will do. I turn to look at Mutale, who now looks terrified.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡIGxGUu3U2D
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7tFGkU43CC
“What are you planning to do to me?” he asked. If he had the strength in him to lift himself up from the couch, he would. However, his broken leg wouldn’t allow him.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFjF7ItTQxK
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"Let's see for ourselves, shall we?" I asked as I slowly approached him. "Hold him down, Lucero."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡRJCR0l6tsF
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL1PYhoHztP
Lucero quickly went behind Mutale’s chair, and four black tentacles sprouted from his back and took hold of Mutale. One wrapped around his chest, two more around the arms on either side of the chair, and the last one around his legs. No matter how much Mutale tried to move, he was caught in a tight grip. There was no escape.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡsT4jl1pr9s
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiuQV29sAGw
"What do you want to do to me?" Mutale asked as he continued to struggle in his chair. "Just now, you said you don't like killing people. Why are you going back on your word?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpUIDIi30lF
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"Knives aren't only made for killing, you know," I said. I held up the sharp blade of the knife and slowly approached him. "You're about to find out what I have in mind."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1qIekTBRjD
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***188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡa62Dr73t1w
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡQH8fUChhbe
Rondon and Brian were looking at the map of the beach. A few selected combatant leaders who are to lead their groups surrounded them. A few minutes later, the woman in white appeared before them, and everyone drew their attention to her.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ0lewsazOsv
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"Reinforcements will be here shortly," she said. "I hope you've thought of a strategy."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡb8oaXuPoH4
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZd4MDQRdq0
"We have," Rondo answered. He straightened himself as he had bent over the table. "But we should leave room for the unexpected."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡKsuTVzxMtM
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡj1VIqG6xuK
"The Elite don't want the unexpected. They want results. We have to capture Diana as soon as possible. Time is of the essence."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡn9qKdMvHb9
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡk7CXfWlhm3
"Don't worry. We'll capture Diana and rescue Mutale."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡLBMaUtPncf
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfYzOdbBW6h
Underneath her mask, the look in the woman's eyes changed, and Rondon was quick to notice. "Mutale isn't our priority at the moment. When push comes to shove, he will be considered a liability."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ8CrZpjMAoz
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡmIVt2v39XB
"Don't tell me we're going to let Mutale die there," said Brian, surprised at her words.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL8NQQrbEG7
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ7GOUoibXjv
"Like I said, when push comes to shove. This might turn out to be a war for all we know. We all know when it comes to war, everyone becomes a liability. If we won't be able to free Mutale, you'll know what that means."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXw9CGRiUqs
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkqtM2hmt3B
Brian briefly gave Rondon a look, and then he went back to looking at the woman in white. "Understood," he said.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡDIjHI868dz
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1jJOtZPszd
"Good. We should be ready to receive the others. And a heads-up, Gladiator and her crew are coming."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡpgGDkhkHBl
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡxxxk13yBmx
Everyone surrounding the table paused. A cold atmosphere came down upon everyone nearby who heard the news coming from the superior in white.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡqlkP9v5NgD
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9mqKGzSiGK
Rondon remained stoic as he continued to look at the woman. This was bad. For the Elite to have sent Gladiator, it meant they wanted things done as soon as possible.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbEX7OWksUr
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXnBnF6tYbm
"It's a little too early to have her around, don't you think?" Rondon asked.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡhJC9nZrS2o
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"The order came from the higher-ups themselves. I also thought it too early to have her around, but orders are orders."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡbdK2Ov727Q
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡV8hHy1z4DM
"Okay, then. We'll be expecting her."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡGFegLHkxGo
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Rondon watched the woman in white walk away, and he soon told the combatants leaders to take their leave. After hearing the news, they would tell everyone else of Gladiator's arrival with her crew.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡFghzlCIEfs
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡJFPVCL413J
"This is not what I was expecting," said Brian as he spoke in a low tone.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡYkqOUXkjnm
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"Neither did I," said Rondon. "Gladiator is effective, but she's only called upon when dealing with a high-ranking supernatural or when things get out of control. This mission hasn't gone wayward yet. So why call on her now?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡwcsTfLbikd
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ2YQ4kuF0TS
"The higher-ups must be impatient. They want this thing done quickly no matter what."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkQ3ZFcTxCp
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfyOh1FNSLs
Rondon couldn't help but agree with Brian. First the shadow monster back in Zambia, now the sudden need to call Gladiator when all hope on his end wasn't lost. Were the Elite slowly starting to lose their faith in him, or was there more to what meets the eye?188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfiUGLUwD8z
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ9TRIAp85Lk
"There's nothing we can do but to play along," said Rondon. "We might just be overthinking things, and maybe Gladiator will be of some use."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡNVlQjk95MI
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Brian scoffed. "You of all people know very well her outrageous behavior. She's only going to cause chaos for us if we don't tell her to behave. And she barely listens to anyone."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1u7nk1hZXT
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡllBtpuYRXa
"Then what do you want me to do? I simply can't disobey the Elite’s orders."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡObQ5JIud7D
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTJQ8h1Vc77
"Well, if I were you, I would tell them to put Gladiator on hold for the time being. If things go wrong, that's when she can come in."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUbYfEdZEyr
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡoLm276JOTm
"You know I can't do that. They've already made up their minds."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡkE27HMnd0c
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡeJ8kYJkifP
"If that's the case, then you should be the one to stand your ground when she gets here. Make her know who’s the boss, or else she might take the reins from you and ruin this whole mission."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡfmA2JmNzUM
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZElD1aA9ET
Brian took his leave away from Rondon. Clearly, he wasn't too happy with all of this. And so should Rondon. However, showing his emotions now could put him at a disadvantage, and that would ruin the team's morale. He didn't want to look like he wasn't in charge, or else they might get a little rebellious.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ1Xv9afYWOo
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Rondon decided to check if there was any progress with the team monitoring Lucifer’s house. As he approached, he could already feel the atmosphere grow tense. News really spread fast in the Golden Elite. It didn't surprise him that everyone now knew of Gladiator's arrival to the group.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡZZ5NbfutuH
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOTnmFMOgG3
"Any changes?" Rondon asked as he approached the small circle of the surveillance team.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡrfFH1Wzfpk
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"Nothing," said the girl with the blonde hair. "The number of supernaturals in the building still remains the same."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡMrpQrWgAbi
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡImxnQOBGFP
"Okay. Report to me of any changes."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡjNYBIyaFhB
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡTyDZhFM7ZS
"Rondon, sir," the brunette spoke up, looking up from her laptop. "Is it true about Gladiator? That she's coming here?"188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡABjwIP64qh
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡXio1JxjgYa
Everyone in the circle remained silent, looking up at Rondon for a response. Everyone else around them also couldn't help but eavesdrop. There was a sense of wanting clarity from Rondon. There was no point in hiding what's to come. They just had to be ready for it.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡN6ocsLsi9N
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6mqsRgLYYH
"Yes," he answered. "She is." He turned to address everyone around him. "She was assigned here by the higher-ups, recommending her services to be vital. This mission is becoming trickier by the minute, so we would need all the help we can get. Let's not forget who and what we're dealing with here. Your cooperation is vital for all this to work. Carry on."188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡiPTsLlYXKB
188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡii8XZTLoax
Everyone did as they were told. But for a few seconds, when everyone was distracted, listening to Rondon speak, those under surveillance didn't notice a particular mishap on their laptops. One of the dots on the map disappeared and very quickly reappeared. When they looked back at their screens after the speech, everything was as it was before.188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡtqm0mTYwoj
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***188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ6wNUFeVWkD
Lucius and Lucifer entered the study room, and they looked at me with surprised looks on their faces. I leaned against the wooden table, wiping away the blood on Lucero’s knife with a red cloth. Stella was cleaning off the mess I made on the chair Mutale had been sitting on using a water bubble that sucked up the drops of blood as it passed on the chair. The bubble was almost acting like a vacuum cleaner.
“What happened in here?” Lucius asked as he approached me. “And where are Lucero and Mutale?”
“They are down in the dungeon,” I said. “Don’t worry about Mutale. It’s all part of the plan.”
Lucifer had a smirk smile on his face as he looked at the chair Stella was cleaning. “This is interesting,” he said. He turned to look at me. “I see you had to take some drastic measures.”
“Well, no doubt the Golden Elite are going to do the same,” I said. “How is that army of troops coming?” I turn to look at Lucius.
“They are gathering themselves and will be here in a few minutes,” Lucius answered.
“Hold them off for a second,” I said. “There’s something I want to do first. If there’s a chance we can avoid a fight, I want to take that option first.”
“I don’t think they would want to listen to a thing you say,” said Stella. “They are set on capturing you, and the number of soldiers on the other side of the island is proof of that.”
“I’m better off doing that anyway. Since no one wants to tell me anything,” I look at Lucifer briefly. “I don’t have enough time. In a few hours, it will be dark, and that shadow monster is still out there, waiting.”
“This isn’t some petty human war that you would want to negotiate first and then fire at each other later, Diana,” said Lucifer. “It’s not going to work. Besides, presenting yourself to them will make it easier for them to catch you. Moreover, don’t expect them to tell why they need you so bad. You already know the answer to that.”
“I’ve been on their most wanted list as soon as a supernatural like me appeared on the scene. Why is it that today of all days they’re sending an army after me? Something’s going on, and I want answers.”
Lucius sighed. “I know you want answers, Diana,” he said. “But your safety is of utmost importance. You can have all the answers you want. Right now, let’s ward these guys off first.”
I hated to admit that everyone was right. The Golden Elite might want their soldier back, but they knew what was at stake and wouldn’t even think of trying to negotiate. Whatever answer she wanted would have to wait. Right now, she had to take care of the Golden Elite, and find out who sent that Shadow Monster after her.
“Now that that is out of the way,” said Stella, as she finished cleaning off the blood on the chair, “I better make a call to Butterfly Island.”
“Are you seriously going to ask them for help?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at her. “I mean, we don’t need so many soldiers to fight.”
“This is your life at stake. And don’t forget, we are your patron, and we have an obligation to take care of our own.”
“Yeah, but let’s not forget what happened the last time I was there.”
Stella came towards her and put a hand on my shoulder. “Whatever happened was not your fault,” she said. “Your decision to leave was hurtful on our part, but in a way, it made you grow on your own. It’s the least we can do after all you did.”
I found myself drawing my lips in in embarrassment. The feelings of the past swelled my heart a little, and the last thing I needed was to cry. That can come later. I wish there was time to withdraw from all this and find a place to be alone, but time was of the essence.
“Okay, I’ll go and summon the High Order and tell them the situation,” said Stella.
“You’re free to teleport in and out of these premises,” said Lucifer. That was all the permission Stella needed.
“Thanks,” said Stella. “I’ll be back, Diana. You don’t have to fight this battle alone.”
“I know,” I said. “You go on ahead.”
Stella smiled at me and made her way out of the room. It was just Lucifer, Lucius, and me. I went over to one of the chairs and sat.
“I really want to know what happened to you back at Butterfly Island,” said Lucius as he looked at me.
“You’ve never heard of the story?” Lucifer asked as he went to his big chair behind his desk. “Anyway, back then, you weren’t so interested in whatever happened in the supernatural world that you wanted to focus on your human life, which didn’t last long.” Lucius threw his father a look. Lucifer surrendered. “What I’m trying to say is it was a huge talk in the supernatural world. That’s when Diana was finally known to the world. A myth that became true.”
I look at Lucifer, and he was looking right back at me. I never liked reminiscing over what had happened back then, and I thought never going back to Butterfly Island would shut out the memories. But since it became a huge talk in the supernatural community, it was hard to run away from it. And it’s one of the reasons why I never returned to Butterfly Island.
“I did promise you we’d talk about it when all of this is over,” I said. “Just know that it’s something that is pretty hard to come to terms with. But it happened.”
I was surprised that Lucius didn’t probe me any further. This is one of the reasons why I preferred being with Lucius than with Lucero. Lucius is caring, and unlike his brother and father, he was more thoughtful. For him to give me the space I need not to talk about the past spoke volumes. He might be a supernatural and a pain sometimes, but the instilled nature in him made him very much human.
The door to the study flew open, and Lucero walked in. His eyes flew to me first, and he threw me a wink. I only gave him a side-eye. His eyes wandered around the room.
“Where’s the lovely lady in blue?” he asked.
“Oh, she left to attend to some affairs on Butterfly Island,” I answered.
“I guess she’s gone to ask for help, then. While we wait, what should we do now?”
“Good question,” I said as I stood up. “Now would’ve been a good time to attack the Golden Elite, but I want to sit and let them initiate their attack first.”
“Maybe now would be a good time to call the troops in?” Lucius asked.
“I’ll hold them off for a bit if I were you,” I said. “Let them think we’re the only supernaturals here. Don’t forget, if they see a whole army of supernaturals, they might respond in kind.”
Lucero snapped his fingers. “I have an idea. The Golden Elite don’t have to know the army is here.”188Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡWRRXGLGI2e
I looked at Lucero and smiled. I knew exactly what he was talking about. And judging by the look on Lucifer’s face, he knew.
***
Katy barely had herself out of bed when she felt the phone vibrate right next to her. She turned on her side, trying to get her phone. Her younger cousins were fast asleep on the other side of the bed. It won’t be long until Katy woke them up to start doing chores around the house. When Katy grabbed her phone, she rubbed her sleepy eyes to check who was calling her. She was up with a start as she saw who it was.
She quickly got out of bed, and since she was in a white see-through nightdress, she took her chitenge wrapper, wrapped it around herself, and walked out of the room to take the call. It was still too early in the morning, and she didn’t want to wake her cousins up.
She walked down the dark corridor and found herself in the living room. She answered the call, clearing her throat.
“Morning, Auntie Namatama,” said Katy, trying her best to sound sleepy.
“Morning, Katy,” came Namatama’s voice on the phone. “I was trying to call Diana’s phone, but she isn’t answering. Is she awake?”
“Uh, yes, she’s still fast asleep. Diana’s phone must be on silent.”
“Tell me the truth, Katy.” This time Namatama sounded serious, as if she didn’t want to be messed around with. “I know Diana is not with you. Where is she?”
“No, I’m telling you that she’s sleeping right now,” said Katy, doing her best not to sound nervous.
“Katy, I don’t want to repeat myself. Diana is in some kind of trouble, and I know she wouldn’t want anyone to know where she went. Tell me where she is.”
Katy thought long and hard about this. How could her aunt have known that Diana wasn’t here? If she lies, Aunt Namatama will eventually call her mother, who will have no recollection of Diana staying at her house for the holidays. That would only make things worse. If she tells the truth, who was she going to explain that Diana teleported to the other side of the world with her supernatural friends and some soldier who was their enemy? Either way, she was in trouble.
Katy sighed. “She’s not here,” she said.
“And where is she?”
“I don’t know. It’s hard to explain.”
“Katy, listen to me. I need to get a hold of Diana immediately. I know about her involvement with weird people that do magic and whatever. I need your help to tell her to come home right now. It’s urgent.”
Katy didn’t know how to take this. “I’ll try,” she said. “But I don’t think Diana would want to come back home with what’s going on right now.”
“Do it, I’m begging you, Katy.” Namatama now started to sound desperate. “Tell her that I know she’s a…” Namatama hesitated over the line, trying to come up with the right word. “Just tell her to come home, please.”
Katy heard the line cut, and she stared at the phone in shock. For as long as she has known about Diana’s secret, she knew that her Aunt Namatama never knew. She was told recently, Katy concluded, maybe a few hours or minutes ago? Or else, why would she call sounding so frantic over the phone? She was a mother, concerned about her child. Even I would want to talk to my child if I heard she was a supernatural being, Katy said to herself.
Without wasting any more time, Katy ran back to the bedroom. She went straight to the old, wooden wardrobe facing the door, opened it, and went for her clothes. She removed a small pendant that Stella had given her before following Diana to Miami. She had no way of communicating with Diana, so she could try and call Stella. Whatever the case, Diana just had to come back home.
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