Chapter 17 - Secrets Revealed & Contemplation

The night had been a tumultuous one, fraught with danger and betrayal. But as the dawn began to break, the team found themselves in a state of relative calm. Jack, relieved to see Connor and Yukie return safely, felt a weight lifted off his shoulders. He had been tinged with guilt and worried about their safety, considering the triads had played them all for fools tonight.

Ethan, always the one to get to the heart of the matter, began to explain the situation to the returning members. Connor and Yukie listened with a mix of shock and resignation. The gravity of the situation was not lost on them, as they realized the danger they had been in. The authorities' presence was overwhelming, and it was clear that the triads were willing to do whatever it takes to attain complete control over Xinjiang.

Yukie clicked her tongue in blatant disgust, not even hiding her clear dislike for the triads. She has plenty of experience dealing with the Yakuza back in Japan, and despite their promise to uphold honor - they are ultimately criminals who work within the confines of the underworld.

Lady Enki broke the silence, her voice carrying a sense of pride and relief. "Well done, everyone. Despite all the sh*t that went down, we're all here in one piece." Jack couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration towards her. Despite the danger they had faced, Lady Enki remained composed and focused, always the reliable leader.

But then, she dropped a bombshell on the team. "I have discovered something interesting the past two days while I was out gathering information. HADES operatives are also in Xinjiang."

The team's collective gasp was audible. It seemed as though their enemies were always one step ahead of them. Lady Enki's tone was somber as she revealed that their mission was not over yet. There was still more to be done, and the team needed to split up to complete their tasks.

Takamura, always the one to cut to the chase, asked the question on everyone's mind. "Are we still heading to Hong Kong?"

Lady Enki's answer was cryptic. "Yes and no. We need to follow this lead and find out what HADES is up to. Once we have that information, we can decide our next course of action. But most importantly, we need to keep Professor Shiva safe…"

Professor Shiva shot the team an awkward smile, feeling a slight pang of guilt for being a factor that needs to be considered for the team's decisions. She voiced out, "It is vital to locate Professor Adrian and make sure he is unharmed…" It looked like she had more to say, but she held back after exchanging a look with Lady Enki.

The idea of splitting up didn't sit well with everyone, but Lady Enki assured them that it was the best course of action. "We can cover more ground this way," she explained, "and we'll have a better chance of finding Professor Adrian before."

"Also…before we call it a night, let us talk about the reason why Professor Adrian was abducted."

Ethan's eyes sparked full of interest upon this topic, as he was the only person in all of Heaven's Watch that followed Professor Adrian's research closely. He knew about the research Professor Shiva, Professor Adrian and Professor Ritter were involved in, despite there being many other researchers disputing the legitimacy of it.

"What we will proceed to share here will be considered top secret. Under the authority granted to me to share and discuss this information, I will use a Parchment of Binding Oath to secure the lips of every person in this room," Lady Enki said with a grave tone as she pulled out what looked like a dusty looking piece of ancient parchment. "Everyone…please leave a blood marking on this."

Connor raised an eyebrow at this and raised his hand in order to question, "Hang on, if you had access to this and were suspicious of all of us before arriving at Xinjiang - why didn't you just use it then?"

Ethan rubbed his chin, deep in thought and considered for a moment before answering on behalf of Lady Enki. "Perhaps this relic has a limitation, or maybe Lady Enki had just acquired this upon arriving in Xinjiang?"

Lady Enki scoffed and smiled. "Hah! Look at you kids, learning to question your superior? But fair enough…Ethan's second guess was correct. I spent the last couple of days acquiring this while investigating Professor Adrian's situation. Does the answer satisfy you, Connor?"

Connor nodded and backed down, eyeing the parchment sitting on the table from the corner of his eye.

The Parchment of Binding Oath was a relic that is said to be a series of parchments that were also used to craft the Book of Thoth, an ancient Egyptian relic of legend belonging to Thoth, the Egyptian God of writing and knowledge. The parchment was circulated amongst modern day lawyers and folks who require a type of binding magical contract. Lady Enki also placed a small dagger beside the parchment. Everyone except Lady Enki and Professor Shiva nicked their fingertips and marked the parchment with a blood print.

Lady Enki clapped her hands together and said, "Now that this is out of the way, I'd like to remind everyone that breaking the oath will have serious repercussions. Revealing any of the information you hear tonight will not only cause you to perish via combustion, but also potentially cause harm to anyone who has knowledge of it."

"Thank you," Professor Shiva nodded with gratitude towards Lady Enki. "I will take it from here now. As you all may already know from the rumors…"

"Regalias," Professor Shiva began, her voice resonating with authority, "are relics that defy classification. They possess a power that surpasses even the highest-ranking relics of today, the Mythical and Legend relics."

Takamura, Connor, Ethan, Jack, and Yukie sat in rapt attention, their eyes wide with curiosity. They had heard rumors about Regalias, but this was the first time they were hearing about them from renowned experts.

"They are unclassified relics," Professor Shiva continued, "which means their potential is beyond imagination. They hold immense power, but their nature remains elusive, even to scholars like myself."

Connor raised his hand, unable to contain his curiosity. "So, what happened to them? Why is there no information about them?"

Lady Enki leaned forward, her eyes gleaming with mystery. "During the Relic Wars," she said, her voice low and captivating, "there were whispers and legends about a specific Regalia, said to be held by the Vatican. Many lives were lost in the pursuit of these relics, and yet, no one had ever seen one."

Takamura, the skeptical skeptic, raised an eyebrow. "So, it's all just hearsay and speculation?"

Professor Shiva interjected, her enthusiasm contagious. "Not entirely, my young friend!!!"

Lady Enki exchanged a meaningful glance with Professor Shiva before speaking. "It is an undeniable fact that there has been new and legitimate information on the Regalias," she said. "Information that is valuable enough to warrant such drastic measures. The secrecy surrounding the Regalias has been shattered, and the world is once again on the brink of a dangerous pursuit."

And so, as Lady Enki and Professor Shiva continued to share their knowledge about the enigmatic Regalias, the group listened intently, their minds swirling with questions and possibilities. The allure of the unknown, the tantalizing promise of untapped power, and the looming danger of a world-changing discovery hung heavy in the air, creating an air of intrigue and mystery that would propel them on a thrilling adventure into the unknown.

—----

Connor and Ethan sat on their beds back in their room, their tired bodies sinking into the comfort of their mattresses. The moonlight streamed through the window, casting shadows on the walls and lending an air of mystique to their conversation.

Ethan couldn't contain his excitement, his eyes sparkling with an adventurous glint. "Connor, can you believe it? The possibility of finding a Regalia! Imagine the relics we could uncover, the power we could wield. It's incredible!"

Connor leaned back against his pillow, his expression pensive. "It is, Ethan," he acknowledged, his voice soft but resolute. "But have you ever wondered if the world would truly be any better with relics?"

Ethan frowned, his enthusiasm momentarily dampened. "What do you mean, Connor?" he asked, genuinely curious.

Connor looked out of the window, lost in thought. "Sometimes I dream of a world where the asteroids never crashed into Earth, where relics never existed. A world where humanity progressed peacefully, without the need for such powerful artifacts. A world where power struggles and conflicts didn't revolve around relics."

Ethan nodded, understanding the weight of Connor's words. "But relics have also brought about great advancements, knowledge, and discovery," he countered. "They have shaped the course of history and transformed our world."

Connor sighed, his eyes filled with a mix of wonder and doubt. "Yes, they have," he conceded. "But they have also been the cause of wars, destruction, and chaos. The allure of power can be intoxicating, and it's important to consider the consequences of seeking it."

Ethan looked conflicted, torn between his excitement for the possibility of finding a Regalia and Connor's thought-provoking insights. "I understand what you're saying, Connor," he said slowly. "But for someone like me, who has always been unable to utilize relics, finding a Regalia could be a chance to finally have that power, that opportunity to make a difference."

Connor reached out, placing a hand on Ethan's shoulder. "I understand, Ethan," he said softly. "And I don't blame you for feeling that way. But remember, power can be both a blessing and a curse. It's important to approach this with caution and responsibility."

Ethan nodded, his emotions swirling. "You're right, Connor," he said, his voice a mixture of determination and uncertainty. "The journey and the choices we make along the way are just as important as the destination."

Connor smiled, relieved that Ethan was considering his words. "Exactly," he said. "Let's tread carefully and be mindful of the impact our actions may have on the world."

With a sense of shared determination, Connor and Ethan drifted off to sleep, their minds buzzing with questions, beliefs, and the boundless possibilities that the world of relics held. Little did they know that their journey had only just begun, and that the mysteries they sought would lead them on a path filled with surprises, dangers, and revelations.