The Arcane Guardians Chapter 40: Chapter 36: Separate Ways

Read chapter 40 of The Arcane Guardians by Mercynarie on NovelPedia.

Fun Fact: Wands were the first type of ranged weapons to be constructed, long before technomagick was born. Initially meant as an offensive weapon, the Magis quickly found out that this simple combination of materials was capable of much more than mindless violence. Wands hold Arcani within themselves and can be primed to perform fixed magical actions, ranging from detecting denatured Arcani to firing rather painful bolts of energy. ~ ~ ~ Dawn broke as buses trundled through the now-open gates that once guarded the Guardian Council Headquarters. Felix watched from a distance as people stepped off the vehicle with all the enthusiasm of convicts being dragged to the gallows. Their eyes were bleary, their bodies heavy, and their limbs filled with tiredness that went beyond the mere physical. Some were crying while others stared blankly into space, and children were held close to their loved ones with all the strength the adults still had left. He turned back groggily, walking past the crowded entrance filled with refugees receiving everyday supplies from the public servants. Felix stole a glance at the supply crates. It had barely been a day into this crisis, and less than half their supplies remained. Though there were more well on their way here, he knew that the Guardian Council’s resources were far from infinite. They had to solve this crisis, and do it fast. Light footsteps trudged towards him. “Hey, Aglaia. You alright? What’re you doing here?” Felix turned to the girl. “It’s been a long night. Go get some rest with your family.” “My parents have already settled in,” she said, determination burning in her eyes. “I want to help.” “Good thing the Guardians tracked me down when they did.” Felix smiled. “It would have been several times more dangerous for me to transport your family here by myself.” A sharp finger snap butted in rudely. He turned his attention to his Council leader, who was motioning impatiently for him to enter the Guardian Council building. Felix frowned slightly, his eyes flitting to the girl beside him. Aglaia locked eyes with Cybele for a moment before nodding meekly and running off back into the tents. Felix resisted the urge to roll his eyes, not even wanting to imagine the contents of their telepathic conversation. He followed his leader into the building. The headquarters building was built during good times, in times of peace. That much could be told from the generously sized doors and windows. It was nestled into the side of a mountain, its deep slate-blue exterior contrasting perfectly with the grey rocky walls. On its top hung a sign that read: Guardian Council: Home of the Protectors. Felix followed his leaders through a series of circular corridors before turning into a meeting room. “Guardians, thank you for being present,” a familiar voice said just as he walked into the room. Felix looked around. Less than half of the Guardian Council was present. A part of him wanted to simply think that not all the Guardians were invited to this meeting, but the logical part of him knew that it was most likely because they didn’t make it here safely. A familiar sight caught his attention as he heaved a sigh of relief. At least Gaius and Kleopatra were present as well. He continued looking, and his gaze fell onto Mage Palladius Severan. The man was still clutching a bloodstained soft toy in his hand tightly. A toy that belonged to his daughter. A keepsake that she brought along even to the Council’s family beach outing. The slight scowl on Felix’s face quickly gave way to pity. As foul as that Magi may have been, he did not deserve this. No one did. Felix muttered a silent prayer of condolences for his fallen colleagues before turning his attention back to Sirius City’s President, who was standing in front of the group. “Full glad am I to see you returned here despite these dire conditions,” Warlock Alcaeus Vulcan said. “As of twenty-two hours last night, an unknown phenomenon has occurred. Preliminary invest