“Do you believe these girls?” he exclaimed in frustration. Michael stood up and stretched his legs and arms. He picked up the Sphyrn that rested beside the chair and cleared his mind from what just happened. Orion saw that the Sphyrn glowed a cyan color and grew, morphing in size and shape into what looked like a pointer that people use for presentations. Except on the end was a dagger like blade instead of a harmless point. Michael moved over to the map of the four cities that hung on the wall. He lifted the Sphyrn and pointed to Avarae. “This is where Marletti is, correct?” he asked Orion. Orion dragged his feet over to where Michael stood and nodded. “Look man, there’s so much information I didn’t get to tell you guys. There’s so much more at work, and I have enough evidence to start an investigation. In fact, the evidence is so overwhelming that I need a team to help me sort through it all,” he explained. “I thought you of all people would understand why I have to do this.” Michael studied Orion’s green eyes which almost looked as if they had welled up in tears. “Look,” he started “I know what happened that night on the battlefield during the attack. I know why you had to find me and not wait in the Safe House like the others.” Orion looked down at the ground in an almost ashamed way. “I don’t blame you for doing what you did out there,” he continued. “I just need to know that you are okay and will do this with me and focus directly on what needs to be done for the city and not for personal reasons.” “So you’re willing to do this with me?” he asked. “Yes,” replied Michael. “Marletti took many things from me that night just like he did to you. Something isn’t going right with the Gemmed, and what they are doing could endanger the whole Inner Realm. All four cities can perish without a trace left by what they are doing now. This is my home just like it is yours. We need to save what we can and get to the bottom of what’s going on here.” “That’s what I’ve been trying to say!” said Orion. Finally he was feeling relief from the tension he had felt during the argument. He thought no one understood what he was talking about. But how could he doubt Michael? They’ve known each other for far too long to know that he would have his back. “I know,” replied Michael. “And I also know exactly where we need to start with this investigation.” He moved over to the couch and sat down, fumbling through the mountains of papers that were now strewn across the table. “This,” he said picking up a document. “Who is this?” he asked. Orion walked over to where Michael sat and took the paper from his hand. He scanned it and then handed it back to him. “This is someone I was looking up way before Marletti. I must have accidentally put it in the files with the rest of Marletti’s information.” “Well, it says here this girl is wanted by all cities, except for Avarae. There is no picture of her and only a first name. Who is Serenity?” asked Michael. “There are legends about a girl named Serenity. She’s supposedly the highest skilled assassin out there. If anyone was to match her abilities to someone else, I’d say
103