Heroes of Veridia: Evelyn's Journey

As Evelyn and Caleb sprinted toward the finish line, Jacob threw a concerned glance at Sierra. "Shouldn't we go after them?"

Sierra shook her head. "No. Emily told us to stop him from hurting anyone. Evelyn's already done that, so we meet her at the finish line."

Lucas shrugged. "Whatever you say, sis."

They joined the chase, heading in the same direction.

Evelyn and Caleb reached the finish line moments later, where Number Three awaited them with Collins, tied up. Emily and Alex stood just before the line, knowing that crossing it would teleport them back to the school gym.

"Evelyn?!" Emily's eyes widened.

Alex glared at Caleb. "Caleb!"

Ignoring them both, Evelyn led Caleb across the line. They reappeared in the gym, fully healed, with their energy restored. Evelyn calmly placed a finger in her mouth, pulling out a small seed and throwing it to the ground. Elena emerged, her form solidifying from the seed.

Evelyn smiled. "Welcome back."

Vivian, now awake and healed, rushed to Evelyn and hugged her tightly. "I was worried about you." Her eyes shifted to Caleb, and she broke away, storming over to him. She swung a fist, landing a hard punch to his face, drawing blood. "What are you doing with her?"

Evelyn's smile widened. "I was hoping someone would do that."

Vivian turned back to her, frowning. "What is he doing with you?" She finally noticed how different Evelyn looked. "What happened to you?"

Evelyn blinked, avoiding her gaze. "Elena?"

Understanding, Elena pulled Vivian aside to explain.

Evelyn turned to her soldiers, Number Two and Number Three, now standing in full health. "Come with me. Bring the sleeping one." She gestured to Collins, then addressed Caleb. "You're also coming with me."

Though still reeling from Vivian's punch, Caleb remained frozen under Evelyn's control, unable to react.

As they moved through the gym, Evelyn felt her influence wavering slightly, the emotional static from other students affecting her hold on Caleb. A sudden surge of fear from one of them pulsed through her, causing a sharp twinge of pain in her head. She took a steadying breath, releasing it as they exited the gym and moved into the empty hallway. Assessing the quietness, Evelyn deduced that Caleb's people must be gathered in the Manager's office.

Right on cue, the Manager's voice echoed through the building, ordering Caleb and Collins to report to his office.

Evelyn grinned. "Time to play the hero."

They continued down the hall, halfway to the office when Evelyn signalled for Number Two to wake Collins. With a swift slap, Number Two did so, causing Evelyn to chuckle. "I like that."

Collins blinked, groggy and disoriented. "Where are you taking me? Caleb, help me."

Evelyn leaned closer; her smile unwavering. "Calm down. We're not going to kill you." She caught his gaze, her own eyes holding an otherworldly light as she spoke. "You just have to do something small for me."

Collins' confusion melted away as his mind blanked, his emotions shifting under Evelyn's influence until he saw her as his master.

Evelyn's smile deepened. "Go to your people," she said softly to both Collins and Caleb, nodding toward Number Two and Number Three. "These two helped you complete your mission. Go with them."

Caleb and Collins, controlled yet walking naturally, started down the hall toward the Manager's office, Number Two and Number Three at their sides. Evelyn watched them go.

Caleb and Collins stepped into the Manager's office alongside two masked individuals who opened the door cautiously, verifying their identities before granting entry. Inside, the Manager sat bound and held at gunpoint, his power suppressed by the ominous Diminara crystal placed strategically on the table before him. Three armed figures flanked him, weapons trained on their target. Oddly enough, no instructors were anywhere in sight despite the school's heightened security.

One of the armed intruders turned to Caleb and Collins with a piercing gaze. "Did you complete your mission? Were there any witnesses?" he demanded.

Collins nodded. "We did as we were told. No one saw a thing."

The intruder's eyes narrowed, flicking over to the two newcomers, accompanying Caleb and Collins. "And who are these two? Your father won't be pleased if you've brought strangers into the operation."

Caleb shot him a steady look, his voice calm. "They're allies we made here at the academy. They helped us eliminate Victor's daughter."

Collins glanced around, a hint of unease crossing his face. "We need to leave before he manages to call any of the instructors."

The intruder snorted, a malicious glint in his eyes. "Those instructors were illusions—conjured up by him." He jabbed a finger at the Manager, then gestured to the 'Diminara' crystal with a smirk. "But thanks to this, he's powerless. Your father's orders were to kill him, so we're not leaving until the job's done. Even if we weren't under orders, he's already seen us and knows what we're planning."

Collins took a step closer, his tone urgent. "If we kill him, word will get out, and we'll have every clan hunting us down."

"Your father's thought this through," the intruder retorted sharply, signaling the other armed men to ready their weapons. "Loose ends only cause more trouble." With a nod, he gave the fatal order, his gaze fixed coldly on the Manager, who sat defenseless as the guns turned toward him.

The door to the office creaked open, drawing everyone's attention. Instantly, the four men raised their rifles, aiming. The Armed Intruder's voice cut through the silence, tense and sharp. "Who's there?"

Evelyn stepped in a calm smile on her face. "An innocent soul," she answered, her tone casual.

The intruder turned to Caleb and Collins, suspicion creeping into his voice. "What's going on here?"

With a hint of amusement, Evelyn's eyes met the Manager's. "I'd hate for you to kill a friend of mine." Her gaze lingered, and the Manager's eyes took on an intense glow. Instantly, he sprang to life, seizing a rifle from one of the men closest to him. In a blur of movement, he disarmed and struck him down. Meanwhile, Evelyn's soldiers, Number Two and Number Three, lunged at two more of the intruders, swiftly neutralizing them and leaving their weapons on the ground. Now armed, Evelyn's soldiers and the Manager trained their sights on the last intruder standing beside Caleb and Collins.

Evelyn moved as if to enter fully, but the power-suppressing Diminara crystal on the table halted her. She felt its effect immediately, forcing her to retreat to the doorway and release her control over the Manager.

The Manager glanced down at the rifle in his hands, momentarily stunned before realization dawned. He knew what she'd done and kept his weapon aimed at the remaining intruder. "Put the gun down."

The intruder noticed that Caleb and Collins were completely passive, their blank expressions making him tense. "What did you do to them?"

"Put. The gun. Down." The Manager's voice held steady, unyielding authority.

The intruder hesitated, eyes flicking to the Diminara crystal. Seeing his gaze, the Manager caught on and pressed his leg against the table, sliding it forcefully toward the intruder, knocking him off balance. The man reached desperately for the crystal, but the Manager pinned the table in place, blocking him.

Evelyn's voice cut through the tension. "Caleb, would you kindly relieve him of his weapon? And remove the crystal." She cast a sidelong smile at the Armed Intruder, who struggled to free himself.

"Snap out of it!" the intruder hissed at Caleb, but the words seemed to pass through Caleb's ears unnoticed. Compliant under Evelyn's control, Caleb disarmed the intruder without resistance and picked up the crystal, slipping it into his pocket. Only once he was out of Evelyn's hold would the crystal's effects take hold of him. He turned back, ready to hand over the rifle.

"Good boy!" Evelyn praised, nodding approvingly. "But stay right there, Caleb. Give the gun to him." She indicated Number Two, avoiding the crystal's proximity.

The intruder's masked eyes turned to Evelyn, baffled. "How... how are you doing this?"

Evelyn ignored him, casually taking the rifle Number Two handed her. She examined it, remarking, "Honey Badger? Excellent taste in weaponry." She then looked to the Manager. "So, what do you suggest we do with them?"

The Manager fixed his gaze on the intruder. "How did you get here?"

The man hesitated, defiance evident, then barked out, "An assassin will come for you. There's nothing you can do about it."

Evelyn's smile turned mischievous. "Curious how I control your boss's children?" Her eyes held his, and he went rigid, as though his will was unravelling. "Now," she continued, "answer his questions truthfully."

Struggling, the intruder slowly began, "A spatial gift. It allows one to teleport themselves or others anywhere, familiar or not."

The Manager's face darkened. "Who's going to attack me, and how do I stop her?"

"A shadow—" The words died as a thin line appeared across the intruder's throat, blood pouring as his body collapsed to reveal a shadowy figure looming behind him. The assassin turned, lunging toward the Manager, fading into complete invisibility the moment the Diminara crystal in Caleb's pocket was far enough to lose its effect.

The room erupted into chaos. The invisible assailant struck, disarming the Manager with lethal precision. Despite the assault, the Manager defended himself skilfully, countering blow after invisible blow—a testament to the opponent's legendary status.

Evelyn chuckled, calling out, "Come on, Mr. Nobody, let's see your face if we're doing this!" She looked to Caleb, nodding. "The crystal, please."

"Wait," the Manager intervened, dodging another attack. He tossed a powder into the air, which burst and settled, revealing the attacker in a sudden outline of dust.

Startled, the assassin backed away but not before muttering, "We'll meet again."

As the figure began to disappear, Evelyn felt her control over Caleb, Collins, and the others slipping as they vanished from the room, along with the unconscious soldiers.

The assassin turned once more, a chilling threat on his lips. "Next time, I won't fail."

Before he could finish, a shot rang out. The bullet struck his head, splattering the wall behind him. The Manager turned to see Evelyn, rifle raised, smiling calmly, however, it was one of her soldiers who shot the assassin.

"Well, I couldn't have an assassin following me everywhere," she quipped, her words dripping with humor.