Land of the Free

-January 13th

"Did you know? This country doesn't have any history of magic. You'd think that there'd at least be a couple of notable families that come from a land like this, but nope, you'd be wrong. 

In terms of military strength, the United States stands tall as one of the mightiest nations in the common world. But when it comes to the 'other world', the United States is powerless. Not that they knew that fact. For hundreds of years, magic has been a secret so closely guarded that not even the world's most powerful governments know of it.

That fact would almost change in December of 1968. That New Year's Eve the United States government would conduct a nuclear arms test under the codename 'Tactica'. The test occurred in an unusual location, a stretch of ocean near the U.S. territory of Guam in Southeast Asia.

Initially, everything went as planned. But when the bomb detonated, the yield was far greater than expected. A mushroom cloud didn't form; instead, a pillar of light shot from sea to sky, topped by a cross.

The next part of the story is less reliable. Everyone who saw the light was permanently blinded. Yet, a few claimed to have seen a figure in the sky. They couldn't describe it well, but they insisted it had wings."

"Uh huh.. That's real fascinating and everything, but why should I care. Also, did we have to meet up in a dump like this?" 

On that chilly afternoon, the sun's rays cascaded through a worn-down window into the unkempt, messy church building.

"Because," Farra replied, her voice echoing in the vast, empty space, "This place totally has 'secret meeting place' written all over it!"

The abandoned church in Miami Shores had an eerie, sacred aura about it. Dust danced in the sunbeams that filtered through the cracked stained glass windows. The rows of pews, some broken and splintered, led up to the altar where Farra stood, her hands gripping the wooden podium that had once seen sermons, now covered in graffiti and neglect. The air was thick with the scent of mildew and old wood.

Glaring down from above, I wonder what God thought about the desecration of his place of worship. Did he feel anger? Betrayal? Spite? Or was it something so trivial that he couldn't be bothered to feel anything at all?

Seated in the church's front row of seats, Meiying seemed uninterested in it all—her facial expressions melting in the heat of her boredom. 

"Can I leave?"

"Hey, I'm not even done with my story yet!" 

"Tell it to someone who gives a damn. I'm not even sure if I believe your story in the first place. A mushroom cloud was never formed? Pretty sure that defies physics in some major ways. Magic that powerful isn't something you stumble on by accident. Oh, and you're about to talk about how the American government has knowledge of magic but that's impossible. It'd never be allowed. How come I've never heard of this story anyway? That codename sounds stupid. And-!"

Meiying's rant was stopped in its tracks as she looked up at Farra's face. Tears glistened in her eyes and she was on the verge of breaking out into a sob. Clicking her tongue, Meiying swallowed her pride.

"Sorry. I get that you're just doing your job or whatever... My points are totally still valid though."

Wiping her face, Farra had to contain her devilish smile. After being partners for so long, she knew exactly how to make Meiying shut up and listen. 

"Alright! Now, based on everything I just said what do you think the United States found that day?" 

Begrudging Meiying answered, "An angel..."

"Bingo! That's exactly what the government thought as well! In no time at all they had a whole team working the case. And just as you guessed, there was no chance that we would ever allow common folk to learn about magic. So, they were dealt with and the whole thing was swept under the rug." 

"I see... If that's the case then what the hell was the point of that story?"

"Doesn't it sound kind of similar to the case we're working on right now? Some unknowing person awaking some sealed creature?" 

"So you think an angel was sealed in that coffin? There weren't any sightings of a pillar of light or reports of a mass blinding." 

"They don't have to be one-to-one! And I never said it was an angel, I'm just saying that the two cases are similar!" 

"You know, this is looking more and more like a complete waste of my time. At least tell me what happened to the team investigating the angel." 

"Um... Even I can't know everything." 

"Hurry up and retire you worthless waste of space." 

"You don't have to be so mean!" 

Getting up from where she was seated, Meiying began walking toward the podium. 

"Is that all the progress that you've made toward this case? Looking into some random story?" 

"It's not random! Trust my gut, this'll be important later!" 

"Your gut feelings never turn out to be right. Tell me something more interesting, and hopeful something that's happened in this city." 

"Still working on it!" 

"Oh come on! Don't you get our arrangement? You do the background work and I do the field work! This doesn't work unless you do your job." 

"I'm trying my best here, but my connections in this city aren't the best." 

"Alright... if that's how it is then I understand. Since you clearly are incapable of doing your side of the job, you'll just have to join me out in the field." 

Wide-eyed, Farra began to panic. "N-no! Please anything but that!" 

"Then hurry up and tell me something!", crossing her arms, Meiying put up a front of impatience.

"Um... Um! Currently, there are a few mages in this city! We could look into them if you want! But I doubt they'll know anything..." 

"See, you can be useful when you try. Let's head out." 

"Sure, but there really aren't that many." 

"Gimme a number." 

"On record, five." 

"Sounds like this won't take long then. Your car is parked outside yeah? Let's go." 

"Wait, I still have to do fieldwork?!" 

Ignoring her pleas, Meiying began walking toward the church's entrance. Despite what she'd said previously, the story of the angel's awakening weighed on her mind. 

As they stepped out into the crisp afternoon, the sun hung low in the sky, casting long shadows across the cracked pavement. Farra trailed behind, muttering under her breath.

"You know, dragging me out into the field isn't going to make my intel any better," Farra grumbled.

"Can't know unless we try. Either way, I feel better when you're around me." 

Upon hearing her words, Farra's lips extended into a large grin. "Really? I didn't know you liked me so much!"

"I don't. It was a lie."