Chapter 13

Three days had passed since the "training" between Logan and Vela. Vela had spent these days in the infirmary recovering, receiving occasional visits from other students, especially Jean and Kitty.

"Then Scott said, 'Bobby, cover the right flank,' and Bobby froze everything on his right, but he was behind Scott, so the only thing he froze was Spyke. You should have seen his face when they thawed him out."

Kitty was telling Vela about their last mission.

"And to think I missed it because I was here," Vela complained.

"Don't worry, Dr. Hank said you'll be able to leave today. Besides, fighting the Brotherhood isn't very fun… or new. We fight them like once a week, so you'll have plenty of chances to see Bobby mess things up," Jean consoled her.

"Yeah..."

At that moment, the door opened, and the aforementioned doctor entered.

"Good news, girls, the professor is waiting for us in the meeting room, and this time Vela's coming along."

"Yes!"

…

"There are reports of a blue demon in Germany that appears and disappears with a cloud of smoke. We believe he might be a mutant, so Logan and Ororo will go to find him."

The professor paused, looking around at everyone in the room, before looking at Velariel with a smile and saying:

"Also, today will be young Vela's first mission."

This lifted the spirits in the room.

"Have you picked a code name, kid?" Logan asked.

"Yes."

Seeing that she didn't elaborate, Bobby said, "Well? What is it? Don't keep us in suspense."

"Echidna."

…

"This town is the last known location of the mutant, so here's the plan: we'll split into teams of three, act like tourists, and gather information around town, WITHOUT drawing attention. Any questions?" Ororo nodded as she saw no one had questions.

The X-Men split up after walking a bit, as they had to park the X-Jet some distance from the town. Vela ended up teaming up with Logan and Kitty.

The group advanced through the cobblestone streets of the small German village. The houses, with their pointed roofs and flower-filled facades, gave the town a picturesque look. Vela, bundled in a thick jacket and scarf that barely hid her excitement, cast glances at everything around her, trying not to attract too much attention.

Kitty walked beside her, relaxed, hands in her pockets and a calm expression. Logan, on the other hand, led the way with his usual serious attitude, his eyes scanning anyone who crossed their path, remaining alert yet discreet.

"So… are we just going to ask around and see if anyone knows anything?" Vela murmured, a bit nervously, looking at Logan.

"Exactly. Don't go drawing attention," Logan replied in a low voice without turning. Then he gave Vela a significant look. "And you, curious one, try to hold back that excitement. You look like a tourist on her first trip."

Kitty let out a soft laugh and gave Vela a gentle nudge, as if to say not to take it so seriously.

"Relax, Vela. The important thing is not to make it look like we're searching for someone specific. Just act like we're taking a casual stroll," Kitty said with a smile.

Vela nodded, trying to calm herself and mimic Kitty's relaxed posture. But the excitement of being on her first mission was evident in her eyes. As they walked, she took every opportunity to look into shop windows and listen to the locals' conversations, even if she didn't understand much German.

As they passed a small tavern, Logan stopped abruptly. Without a word, he gestured toward the entrance.

"Let's go in here. It's the kind of place where people tend to talk a bit too much," he said, with a look that made it clear he expected the girls to know what to do.

Vela swallowed and followed Kitty into the tavern, where the warm atmosphere was filled with patrons at various tables. They sat at a table in the corner, and as Logan went to the bar to order something, Kitty began talking naturally, pretending to be a young tourist.

"Look, Vela, isn't this place nice? I love local taverns," Kitty said loudly so those around could hear, as she looked at the drink menu.

"Yeah, sure..." Vela replied, mimicking Kitty's casual tone, though her eyes continued scanning the room for any sign or clue of the "blue demon."

A few minutes later, Logan returned with a drink in hand and sat with the girls, muttering in a low voice:

"I heard something about a strange guy who showed up at the church last night. The townspeople are intrigued… and scared."

Vela's eyes widened with excitement.

"Does that mean…?"

"Calm down, kid. Don't jump to conclusions," Logan interrupted, locking eyes with her so she'd understand the importance of discretion.

Kitty put a reassuring hand on Vela's shoulder and smiled.

"See? There's always something interesting in every mission. Now we just have to investigate a bit more without raising any suspicion. How about we take a walk to the church?"

"Sounds like a plan to me," Logan said, downing his drink in one gulp and standing up. The two girls followed his lead.

…

To avoid attracting attention, the group strolled through the town first, but they were still heading in a specific direction, eventually reaching the church, which was more of a monastery.

"And how do we get in?" Kitty asked.

"First… we knock on the door."

"And second?"

"We ask permission to enter."

"…"

"…"

"What? Were you expecting me to break down the door? This is a church, not a military base."

Logan stepped forward to the monastery door and knocked firmly. After a few moments of silence, a figure appeared on the other side. A tired-looking monk with a gray beard and brown habit opened the door slowly, eyeing the group with curiosity.

"Good afternoon," Logan greeted, with a surprisingly polite tone. "My friends and I are tourists, and we'd like to learn more about the history of this place. Would it be possible to come in and take a look?"

The monk observed them, noting Vela and Kitty's curious glances, before turning his attention back to Logan.

"We don't usually receive visitors at this hour, but…" The monk hesitated for a moment, then nodded softly and added, "You may enter, but please respect the silence and peace of this place."

Logan nodded seriously, while Kitty and Vela exchanged a look of contained excitement.

Once inside, the monk began guiding them through the monastery's ancient, high-ceilinged corridors. Candles placed along the path cast dancing shadows on the stone walls, giving the place a mystical and somewhat intimidating atmosphere. Vela, amazed, took in every corner, from the stained glass windows to the symbols carved into the stone.

"This monastery has been home to stories and mysteries for centuries," the monk said in a low voice as they walked. "Lately, some of our brothers claim to have seen… strange things. Figures that appear and disappear in a cloud of smoke."

Kitty discreetly nudged Vela upon hearing the description. This was exactly what they'd hoped to hear. Logan, feigning casual interest, asked:

"And do you think there's an explanation for that? Any recent visitors?"

The monk stopped and looked at them with some concern.

"We don't know. Perhaps it's just an effect of the lights or imagination. But some see it as an omen… or the appearance of a spirit."

Logan nodded, maintaining his serious and understanding expression.

"Would it be possible for us to stay the night? We'd like to observe and maybe… understand a bit more about what's happening."

The monk looked at them, assessing their faces, then slowly nodded.

"You may stay. But remember, you must keep quiet and respect our rest. I'll show you a place where you can spend the night."

With a final bow, the monk led them to a small, austere room equipped only with a couple of benches and an altar at the back.

"You can wait here. If you truly seek answers, perhaps this place will show you something tonight," the monk said before bidding them farewell and closing the door.

Once alone, Logan crossed his arms and looked at Vela and Kitty with a warning expression.

"Remember, we're here just to observe. No reckless moves, got it?"

"Got it, Logan," they both replied in unison, though Vela couldn't hide her excitement. It was her first mission, and the thought of seeing that "blue demon" made her heart pound with anticipation.