Chapter 5

"All because of a destructive king who had wanted to extend his power and his kingdom. In the final moments he realized he was losing the battle, he created hybrids, half dove, half human in his secret underground laboratories. They could fly, which was a great advantage in war.

"But before they could leave the laboratories, a careless worker was the cause of a malfunction, and all test subjects caught symptoms. Their cold blue blood numbed nerves in the body, and many developed special elements that gave them power. Once they were released onto the battlefield, that power created fear in the ranks of people that felt they were too powerful. Only one thing could stop them, and that was depriving them of their power. The so called 'dark weapons—'"

The next few pages after had ripped. Frustrated, Emilie turned to the next full page. Leahe felt a twist in her stomach.

The dark weapons what? She thought. I didn't know that we could be destroyed or stopped, either.

Emilie looked up at her worriedly, but kept reading.

"The Demonic War got its name from the people. Monsters. Hybrids. One of the most common was demon, hence the name.

"Those who supported the hybrids called them the Valkyries, a name derived from ancient Norse mythology. The Valkyries from the myth had wings much similar to the 'dove wings' of the hybrids. Popular belief also suggests that Valkyries were known to conduct the slain warriors from the battlefield to an afterlife in a place called Valhalla. In the myth, Valkyries have also been known to have enhanced abilities, stronger than the average human. Super-strength, agility, speed, being able to withstand higher levels of pain and damage, and invulnerability to diseases are some of what the myths suggest. The hybrids also have these abilities, in addition to a few more of their own, which has led people to be fearful. New abilities included healing—"

Again, the page had been ripped out of the book.

Emilie sighed in frustration, and read the last bit of the chapter that was left.

"The Demonic War finally ended in a last bloody war, the hybrids outnumbering them in power and in numbers. Most still believe it was not a fair battle, but it was over. After the war, the hybrids mysteriously disappeared completely from the surface of the planet. Some do claim that they may have seen a small bird shaped figure prowling the dark alleys, but otherwise no one has seen a clear image of one. To our information, the hybrids have not appeared since the war, and many hope they stay that way. Dark weapons have been known to be the only—"

Emilie closed the book. "All these pages about dark weapons have been ripped out,"

"Yeah, I wonder why? Did someone want them?"

"Either way, this is some bad news we're gonna have to share." Emilie sighed once more. "We've been through all the other books already and they all say about the same thing. This book was the one that told us basically how we could get destroyed. Through enough force, somehow we have to be stripped of our powers before we get killed. I wonder what kind of super powerful weapon could do that."

Leahe propped her hand on her chin, thinking. "Roy said there was a fourth book. But I think he lost it or something, because he said he didn't have it."

Emilie looked up, excited. "Great! We can ask him where he last saw it and look for it! That book should have some answers. Plus, what else are we gonna do now? Confront the Puzzle Master with the knowledge that we know pretty much nothing? I suggest we go on a little expedition,"

Leahe stood up, pondering it over.

She was right. What other choice did they have? This is important, she thought, thinking of how Celeste had reacted today.

"Then we're going to need to go to the library first,"

The two girls arrived at the library, rushing inside to greet Roy.

"Back already? I know I shouldn't ask, but can you—"

"Roy. We need your help. It's important," Emilie interrupted.

"Okay, what is it?"

"We need the fourth book on the Demonic War,"

"Sorry, can't help you there. It's gone." His face fell.

"Okay well, tell us what happened right before you noticed it was gone." Leahe said.

"O-okay. There was a guy who came into the library one day...and he looked really suspicious. Wasn't a Valkyrie," Leahe and Emilie stared at him.

"No wings? No power?" Emilie asked.

"Nope. I was pretty sure he was one of those agents for the Puzzle Master who didn't have the mutation, so I didn't ask any questions. He came in and asked for a book on the Demonic War, and that he was sent by the Puzzle Master. Obviously I let him take all four books, but he didn't return one of them. So I thought, 'How annoying.' And when I found the remaining books in front of the door one day, I noticed a couple pages had been ripped out."

"Yes, we know." Leahe said impatiently.

"Well I didn't see him again, and I'm pretty sure if you're looking for the last book, he's your guy. Although there is a chance you guys won't find him."

"Why?"

"Because this was in our old base, before our first attack," he looked disheartened.

Emilie stared at Leahe. "We gotta find him."

"That's impossible. Who knows where he could be?" Leahe replied.

They started to leave, but he interrupted them.

"W-wait! Please tell me what you're doing, at least. Maybe I could be of some help. I recognize what he looked like, after all. Plus I'm good with knowledge, which you need on this mission." he called.

Emilie shrugged. Why not, I guess. We came here to tell you, actually."

The two girls explained what had happened in the Puzzle Master's office, and what had happened during the girl's kidnapping.

"... and that is why we need your help."

His expression hardened. "This is a serious Dark weapon we're talking about, the most dangerous kind of weapon made by man. It's specifically designed to target hybrids like us. I'm sorry, but—"

Emilie pressed her lips together in worry. "That's why, Leahe. That's why it's so dangerous. It can strip us of our powers and destroy us for good."

"Okay, well let's not panic just yet. How about we get going tonight, when it's dark? We can be able to stop any future problems from occurring by destroying her weapon and all will be well. Roy, how do you destroy a dark weapon?" Leahe looked at him.

"You can't." He looked terrified.

"Really? Then how come all the dark weapons got destroyed at the end of the war?" She knitted her eyebrows together.

"They didn't."

Silence fell, an unspoken worry hovering in the atmosphere.

Roy spoke again, almost afraid to break the silence. "They were merely buried deep in the ground, and most people made up that lie to make sure the war didn't happen again. And very few believed against it. They're hidden somewhere, where no one can find it."

"And how do you know this?" Emilie asked.

Leahe felt sick to her stomach, anticipating the worst.

"I'm a librarian. I know stuff,"

"Everyone meet here at twilight," Leahe said. "And we'll figure everything out from there,"

Sage couldn't fall asleep. Her brain kept drifting back to the conversation she had had earlier.

Celeste, or the Puzzle Master had given her a new spacious room complete with a bathroom, which she had visited right after they led her here. For the first time in a long time, she was clean, and fitted into comfortable, clean clothes. But even with the soft, wide mattress underneath her, she just couldn't shut her brain off.

She did admit she was pretty tired after yesterday's adventure, but couldn't go to bed. Not with all this new information swimming in her brain.

She recalled the conversation in her head again, just to make sure she knew every detail.

"Well, you have unwillingly stumbled upon the world of the Valkyries, a group of people with genetically mutated bodies, allowing them to withhold a lot more power than the average human being. Some include flying, blue blood that also happens to numb nerves, extra abilities, and superhuman strength." Celeste had ticked them off her fingers. "They are shielded from any human contact as much as possible, to protect them from any power-thirsty humans that will create destruction."

"Valkyries? Like the ones from the Demonic War who went missing ten years ago?" she had asked in disbelief.

"Correct. They have not yet been sighted for ten years, and we wish to keep it that way. We disappeared for peace, and now we fight to keep it."

"Why am I here then? What do I have to do with this?"

"Well, Sage, this matter concerns your friend. I believe he has sheltered you and cared for you on the streets? Or is he a relative?"

"Travis? No, he's just a friend. What does he have to do with it?"

She leaned forward in her chair, resting her elbows on her knees. "He's related to a very dangerous man. Someone who will destroy the peace of the Valkyries. Someone hungry for power."

"Travis? No, he's an orphan and has never had any parents."

"Sage, there's a lot you don't know about that boy."

"What? But—"

"Then tell me. What about your other friend? What do you know about her?"

"I don't have any other friends,"

Her expression hardened. "But you do and should know her. She was with you during the attack, protecting you. The Valkyries specified that you had a girl by your side."

Sage gulped down her fear. "That was a stranger. I've seen her around the block, and she looked suspicious. She also had a weapon I've never seen before."

"Yes. I am aware of that. Sage, would you mind telling me why she was there with you?"

She vaguely remembered the flash of black that hit the helicopter back in the alley. "I don't know why she was there, but she looked like she was aiming for the heli."

"So she wasn't helping you?"

"Maybe, but I don't know,"

She nodded. "Well, thank you Sage, and I hope we will speak again. For now, you may have these back, and Suri will escort you to your new room. You'll be staying here for a while, so get comfortable."

She had given Sage back her daggers, and now she lay in her bedroom, staring at the glint of silver in the moonlight. Their conversation had been so short, and almost none of her questions were answered.

What did she mean by Travis being related to someone dangerous? I didn't know he had any family, she thought.