The Silent Guardians (Lukas)

[VeraC]

Alkahest HQ
Somewhere in England
2100 Hours
-----

A group of robed individuals walked down the Hallway of the underground facility. While robes covered their bodies, the distinct sound of metal and chain rustled under the cloth, giving note to the armor plating they wore. It was a rather late visit, but the cloaked figures worked around the clock to ensure their duty is fulfilled. It was rare they ever made in-person appearances, usually deferring to proxies and their informants to handle the footwork, though extreme conditions call for extreme measures. And the person they were visiting today probably wasn’t the most ignorant to their existence.

These Silent Guardians, defenders of Earth, were given a very specific task in seeking to prevent the destruction of said planet; though they remain hidden and work behind the scenes to ensure this. Through an extensive network of operatives and informants, there isn’t a single cell on the planet that can’t be observed by them. Should a potential world-ending event be in the works, you can be assured that they’ll be there to stop it. Though while an old man may not be the most apocalyptic event to be heard of, sometimes precautionary measures are in order.

They were currently making their way to the central command room where Xander himself should be located, and upon seeing him, would make their presence known.

“Xander Digby, we need to talk.”

 

[Lukas]

"...keep medical and security on standby, just in case. Thank you." Xander put the phone down as the 'Guardians' entered, clasping his hands together on his desk.

The room resembled a library more than a command centre at first glance - Bookcases and monitors lined the walls, their screens currently showing a direct feed to the outside of his office. Battered journals and papers littered the desk, most of them laminated to ensure their readability in the modern age. It was clear that he had been reading one when his evening was so rudely interrupted.

Apparently the price of teleportation was a mysterious loss of courtesy, alongside the ability to make appointments and call ahead. He put on his best corporate smile, looking between each figure before speaking.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. What flavour of Armageddon is on the agenda for tonight, and why should it concern me?"

 

[VeraC]

The Robed figures pulled back their faces. While relatively human in appearance, several features distinguished them from normal people. One had long, pointed ears and fair skin, while another had horns that extended from where their ears would be and patches of scaled skin, discolored from the rest of their face. People written of in fictional stories of ages past, Elves and Dragonkin appeared before Xander. Not all written in fiction is made up.

The feminine elf in the middle of the group stepped forward and looked sternly at Xander.

“In short we keep a watchlist of people who may potentially pose a threat to this world. You’re a smart man, should probably be able to figure out the rest.” She disliked his ignorance to the severity of the situation. “...But, we’ll make ourselves clear: Your proliferation of Crescentian Technology is rather careless, and we’d prefer if you would be a bit more careful in the future.” While her words made it seemed like a request, her tone and expression gave a much more serious meaning to her words. It was a demand more than anything else.

 

[Lukas]

Xander's smile would vanish almost immediately. He didn't like their tone, nor their threats. But if they were threatening him, there had to be a reason. He unclasped his hands, moving them to his lap. The revelation that they were inhuman did not faze him - it was simply another confirmed myth, like all the others. Elementals were seen as myths once, too. But in the modern age they were a battlefield fixture, and nobody batted an eye.

"I... see. Did some fool attempt to end the world using one of my products, or are you simply afraid that my technology will fall into the wrong hands? We have departments that can handle rogue elements with notable efficiency, but I'm afraid without more concrete information my hands are tied. There will be no cessation of production without a proper explanation from you - I hope you can understand that."

Any lightheartedness in his voice was long gone, and a hint of jealousy could be detected beneath the irritation. What right did these creatures have to dictate terms to him with no recompense? Did they consider themselves above mere mortals like himself?

 

[VeraC]

“I’m sure you’ve heard stories from your Ancestors of what this technology is capable of.” While Xander himself wasn’t alive at the time of the war, his ancestors played a key role in putting an end to it. Surely he was aware of the potency of elementals when they reach their prime.

“We’re both aware of what kind of damage they can do… and if they were to fall into the wrong hands.” The elf bit her lip. “...We would have another Lao Xi Feng on our hands.”

Information was key to any war. They had read reports of Granzon’s activation. It was made with Crescentian technology, and was a prime example of the dangers that it posed. For what it was worth, they have been following Lao’s movements for ages by this point. They probably knew more about the Cult of Volkruss more than anyone else on Earth. In a sense it was because of them that Volkruss came into existence. Despite all of that however, Lao was an unreachable target. Being both a leader of a Doomsday cult and a Chairman of the Directory gave him too much public presence for them to approach him.

“Look,” The Dragonkin stepped forward and placed a hand on the Elf’s shoulder, “We’re grateful and respect what your ancestors did, but the rate at which your production is occurring, there’s too many blindspots where something could go wrong.” His tone was a bit more friendly than the Elf’s.

 

[Lukas]

"Perhaps you're right. Perhaps not. Do you mean to say that the machines caused the Chairman to become the man he is today? Because I have as much trouble believing that as the average man would believe me if I told them I was having a meeting with an elf."

Xander rolled his eyes. Both visitors were beginning to try his patience, but simply removing them would be more trouble than it was worth. Concessions would be necessary for now. Limiting the production of Crescentian technology did not require limiting its research, and the current state of directory gave him enough room to return to his original (and somewhat forbidden) passion - EOT.

Just because it wasn't the original source of Elementals did not stop it from being the possible 'key' to unlocking their true power.

"Perhaps a compromise is in order. I am willing to cease upscaling production of my recreations of Celestrian technology - assuming that is what you fear, of course. But in return, I will require a certain amount of compensation. I'm sure you understand."

 

[VeraC]

“I’m sure we can provide something of value to you in exchange.” The Dragonian gave a satisfied smile and held out his hand to shake.

“Don’t be too cocky.” The elf spoke coldly.

“We’ll set up arrangements for what you need, but depending on what you request, it might take some time.” The dragonian turned around and was talking to the third member of the group, gave him a command, then the third member walked out of the room before almost ‘disappearing’ out of sight, exiting the same way they came in.

“Just know, should you break this deal, we will intervene.” The elf walked closer to Xander, now across the desk from him. “Using whatever means we deem necessary.” She then turned around and returned to the group. “So long as you know that, we’ll be on good terms.”

After receiving an acknowledgement from Xander, the Dragonian would speak again..

“So what could the Alchemist possibly want from us?”

 

[Lukas]

"I am aware of the risks of starting a war with the guardians - and have no intention of doing so." Yet. Xander clasped his hands together, matching the Elf's gaze with an unblinking stare.

"What I want... many things. Eternal youth, infinite wealth, the power my ancestors once wielded... but one does not ask the Guardians for power. You ask them for knowledge. And there is one thing I require..." He took a deep breath. There was a fire in his eyes - hinting at the true character of the man behind them. No more false smiles, no more dancing around the truth.

"I wish to visit the sealed land."

An insane request, from a presumably sane man. But there was a cold logic in his voice - this was not some idle flight of fancy. It was an aspect of some greater plan, cooked up within his head and so far hidden from the outside world.

 

[VeraC]

The Guardians were caught off guard by his request. While they were certain that Xander had curiosity of his ancestor’s origins, to request to be taken to Crescentia was… unexpected.

“Insolent F-” the elf was cut off by the Dragonian stepping between her and Xander. He turned to face Xander and looked at him dead in the eyes. One could discern much about a person’s character through their eyes. He stared at him for what seemed like several minutes.

“...This can be done. It will take time, but it’s a possibility. This isn’t something we have authority on, so we will need to contact our superiors.” His voice was calm, though an air of caution hung above him.

“We’ll be in contact within the next few days.” The Dragonian gave a kind, but fake smile, and turned to the group and motioned them to leave. As with the member who previous left, once they had exited the room, their presence once again vanished

“Why do you entertain that highlander?” The elf spoke agitatedly to the Dragonian.

“There is more to that man than you can see, young one.” He kept looking forward, thinking about something. “He’s a complex character, and the child of the Alchemist. We might be able to get some use out of him.”

“He doesn’t seem like the kind that can be controlled.”

“There is no man that cannot be controlled. The fact that Giants held us on a leash for thousands of years proves that.”

“...” The Elf remained quiet.

 

[Lukas]

Xander would match the dragonborn's gaze without blinking, glaring back after yet another insult from the elf. She was full of herself, but the most dangerous to him of the three. If she saw this request as a transgression... what came next would cause a far worse reaction.

"Please call ahead next time - I suspect my chief of security is currently having a conniption at your appearance in my office, and the poor man probably wouldn't be able to take another breach like that." He finally allowed himself to relax as the intruders removed themselves from his office, taking a hand off the panic button under his desk and reaching for the phone.

"...No, I'm fine. What wasn't fine was a breach of this magnitude. Double the practicioner budget, and prepare recruitment staff - if we can identify how they broke in, we can develop a countermeasure. If you aren't able to track their presence the next time a breach occurs, I will replace you with someone who can. I'm not going to let some... elf waltz into my study and try to order me around."

These 'Guardians' were a possible obstacle, but at the same time held great potential for use. He would play their game for as long as necessary, if only because they held an advantage over him. But that would not last forever. Shadows fare poorly when exposed to the light, and what greater shadow than one covering the planet?