Hey, guys. First, I'd like to thank you for giving this a read, even if it's by accident.

It's my first fic so do bear with me. I'm not really all that mad about fics but since I had an idea in my head, I thought I might as well share it with you, guys, so you can let me know what you think. I know this is going to be very lacking so feel free to leave comments and suggestions. Second, I don't have that much of an imagination so...let's just see how this one's going to turn out. () My thoughts are a bit of the type that tends to wander off so this may suddenly turn into something really peculiar. -kekeThird, I don't really have a clear concept of chapters so it may seem at times like things just cut off abruptly. Plus, I thought you might get bored if I make them too long. My apologies. ('`)v And if you're looking for some, er, more or less smutty stuff, then this would be the wrong place to be. It's going to be a clean ride -- a bit novel-ish, even. Sorry. :3 Oh. Were you looking for, like, an introduction of some sort? A blurb or something? I'm sorry. I'm not the type who does spoilers. Just read the first part of the story and see if you'd continue or not. Enjoy. ^^ I. Meeting. "Have you read your 244?" "From cover to cover." "Your directive is to protect the --" "The Subjects, yes. And acquire the Jewel." "Good. The remainder of your 244, I left on your desk, just in case you need them. A car is waiting for you at the basement. It'll take you to Sector 7." *** Sector 7, as designated by the Seoul Special Police, is the final stopping place for every SSP agent before going out on a mission. Or a fancy name for a dressing room, Taeyeon thought as she read the remainder of her 244 -- the Subjects' profiles. Sector 7 is, indeed, a "dressing room" equipping outgoing agents with the proper cover for their mission as well as final reminders from their superiors. As Taeyeon was already a senior agent, the "final reminders" were usually taken out. Taeyeon wore a smirk as she closed the folder and replaced the red ribbon which designated the file as a "Top Secret: Eyes Only" file. They seem like an interesting bunch. Her thoughts had no time to wander off as the all too familiar building began to loom over the car. "We're here." But Taeyeon's shoes were already clicking over the paved cement even before the driver could finish his sentence. *** Five phones. Five different places. One message.

"You'll be having a guest. Please come home as soon as possible." *** Taeyeon now faced the five girls whose profiles she had been reading just a few hours ago. But contrary to the prim and proper image their photos exuded, the girls standing in front of her now were a bit more...playful and rebellious than she had imagined them to be. The family butler in his crisp black tailcoat was busy preparing tea and cakes while the Subjects talked their girly talk. Carefully, she studied each Subject and made mental notes in her head. Kwon Yul. From the looks of it, she's the sporty type. Serious when the situation calls for it. Easy enough to manage. Seo Joo-hyun. The file says she's the youngest but she seems to be the eldest by the way she acts. I don't think I'd have problems with her. Jung Soo-yeon. As accurate as her file photo. I may have some difficulties with her if she keeps on spacing out like that. Hwang Miyoung. Well, well. She's good at keeping the other Subjects in check. She might be able to make my life easier. Cheerful and looks like she's careful enough. Lee Soonkyu. The most playful of the bunch. Better be careful;it's easy to lose sight of her. Her mental note-taking was interrupted by the butler's voice. "Girls, this is Miss Kim Taeyeon. Since your previous Guardian went away, Miss Kim here will now be in charge of your security as well as some other things you might need. Please do treat her well", he said, looking sternly at the girls in front of her. Taeyeon took a step forward and bowed. "Hello. I am Kim Taeyeon. It's nice to meet you." And thus, they meet. II. Foreshadowing. A glorious breakfast was laid out at the table by the time the five girls woke up; Taeyeon was up even before the sun began casting its own rays. For the kind of job she does, it is important to be knowledgable of one's surroundings. One misstep can lead the whole mission to jeopardy -- especially if it's an Aegis assignment such as this one. And so, Taeyeon did just that. She took a walk around the huge house, took note of all its entrances and exits, looked for secret passages and possible danger points, putting all the pieces together and making a mental map in her head. She headed out for the garden, which was absolutely huge and well-maintained. Nice to look at but spells bad news for me, she thought as she surveyed the area. A wide, foliaged semi-enclosure meant a dangerous hide-and-seek if anyone was to infiltrate the mansion. I should ask the SSP to install cameras in this place. It's gonna be the death of me. Taeyeon took one last look around, deemed everything in order and went back inside the mansion. ***

The sun was already high up when the Subjects woke up. Again, Taeyeon took a mental note of their waking habits. "Unnie! Unnie! Did you cook all this for us?", Soonkyu, or Sunny as she preferred to be called, asked while stuffing her mouth with eggs. "It's delicious!" "Yes, unnie. Thank you for making us such a healthy breakfast", Joohyun said quietly. "It's not a problem at all", Taeyeon answered as she took out a selection of drinks for everyone: coffee, tea, milk and juice. "Please choose whichever you like. I don't know what your preferences are yet so... Miss Hwang, you haven't touched a thing.", Taeyeon said as her eyes caught Miyoung. "Tiffany. Please call me Tiffany.", she answered, her eyes meeting Taeyeon's. "Yeah. Fany-ah kind of hates her Korean name. I'm Yuri and you can call this girl here beside me Jessica -- she prefers it that way.", Yuri said as she ate her salad with a smile. Taeyeon nodded and returned her gaze to Tiffany. "As you wish, Miss Tiffany. Now please eat something. Don't worry. It doesn't taste so bad. It might be better than you expect.", she said as she exited the dining room. *** Sooyoung was busy eating a cup of noodles whilst reading her files when her phone began to ring. She read the name on the screen and took the call -- happily as it gave her a break from all the reading. "Taeyeonah... Are you having difficulties?" "You should've made the 244 Profiles more accurate, Chief. These girls are messing up my system.", Taeyeon said while watching the girls eat. "I'm being treated like a maid or something." "Ha. Get used to it, Taeyeon-ah. Aegis assignments are a lot different from Sanctions. I know I usually give you Sanctions but this Aegis assignment would be difficult for normal agents so... Just bear with it until it's over. Who knows? It may turn out to be something good." Sooyoung wore a smile on her face as she ended the call. III. Beginning. It's been two weeks since Taeyeon was inserted into the mansion for an Aegis assignment. And for these two weeks, her life has been pretty much the same. She cooked for them and went out with them as their bodyguard/shopping bag carrier and kept the house as clean as possible. Since nothing much has really ever happened since, it became a form of working vacation for her. But still, all the housework and keeping the girls in check is still quite a handful. Seriously, they should be paying me more for this job, Taeyeon thought as she breathed deeply, filling her lungs and letting the air flow to every cell in her body.

It's been her routine to practice her martial arts every morning. And so she made it a habit to wake up a few hours before the girls so she wouldn't be disturbed while she practiced. Unlike other agents who are armed with guns or other weapons, Taeyeon usually carries nothing unless absolutely necessary or is forced by Sooyoung. Her training emphasized resourcefulness and as such, one has to be physically and mentally prepared to use anything within reach as a weapon: paper cups, credit cards, magazines, etc. but most importantly, your body. This being the case, she doesn't usually need weapons. However, to assuage her chief's worries, she usually carries bladed brass knuckles which she rarely even gets to use. She maximized the expansive space of a room she found in the mansion which, it seemed to her, was supposed to be some form of practice room with its large mirrors and bars. Taeyeon closed her eyes and imagined opponents coming at her. She practiced her shuto strikes and form sequences, moving around the room while repeating each sequence a number of times to perfection. With only her sense to guide her, she ran to the nearest bar and using it as leverage, executed a flying axe kick. She was about to perform another set of forms when a sound -- a voice made her eyes fly open. "Yaaaah! UNNIE! THAT'S AMAZING~!" It was Sunny. She had the other Subjects behind her and they were, apparently, all watching her in awe. Even Jessica was reacting eagerly. "What are you guys doing here?", Taeyeon asked as she steadied her breathing, hands on her waist. She was covered in sweat and she now regret not bringing a towel. "Well, we were planning to help you make breakfast since you always made all that stuff for us. But then we couldn't find you in the kitchen.", Yuri answered. "So we searched all over the house and --" "I found you here!", Sunny cut Jessica off. Too enthusiastically, Taeyeon thought and chuckled. "I got it. Scoot off now. I'll go fix myself and follow you to the kitchen." Taeyeon was about to head out for a towel when she noticed Tiffany wasn't moving a muscle. She just stood there, staring at her. For what seemed like an eternity, Taeyeon broke the silence. "Miss Tiffany, you can go follow the others now. I know my way around the house fairly well already.", she said with a small smile. Tiffany began to take a step forward towards her without saying a word. She stopped just inches from Taeyeon and spoke. "The moment you were introduced to us, I somehow knew you're a great person.", she said, looking steadily, deeply into Taeyeon's eyes. She reached out her hand and handed over a towel. "Here." "Thank you, Miss Tiffany.", the latter answered as she started to wipe herself dry. Before she can even finish, Tiffany grabbed her right hand and looked at her palm. Taeyeon failed to suppress a flinch. Amongst

the girls, Tiffany was the one she communicated to the least. The girl always seemed like she's somewhere far-off and thinking that she couldn't make herself disturb her. And now, with her standing so close and touching her like this, it seemed too surreal and ephemeral that Taeyeon was caught off guard. "This mark on your palm. It's beautiful. Very intricate.", Tiffany said quietly as she looked at the circle on the other girl's palm and traced it with a finger. Taeyeon gathered her wits and forced an answer. "You noticed it." The other girl smiled and answered. "Of course. I notice everything about you, Taeyeon-ah." She let go of Taeyeon's hand and walked away as quietly as she had come to her. Looking at the departing girl's back, Sooyoung's words began to echo in her head. Who knows? It may turn out to be something good. IV. Recognition. "Fany-ah, you're not going out today? No engagements?", Taeyeon asked without raising her head. She was concentrating too much on seasoning the chicken in front of her. "No, Tae-Tae. Not today. I'll be answered at the other end of the hand. She took a careful sip and eyes. Taeyeon felt her stare but Fany-ah?" staying here with you.", Tiffany counter, a mug of hot chocolate on stared at the other girl with amused still minded the chicken. "What is it,

But instead of answering, Tiffany put down her mug and stood beside Taeyeon. "Let me help you with these." She took Taeyeon's knife from her hand, brushing her fingers ever so slightly, and attacked the onions. Very slowly, though, as she was not that much of a cook. After the incident at the practice room, a door seemed to have opened for the two girls. Taeyeon became more comfortable calling Tiffany by her nickname while Tiffany became more open towards Taeyeon. Rather than a Guardian, Tiffany began to see the other as a very close friend. They were well into making a feast when Taeyeon's phone rang. "Excuse me". She picked up her phone a gave Tiffany an embarrassed smile while she walked out of the kitchen. *** Taeyeon's heart was beating so fast she thought it was going to burst out of her chest. Outside intelligence has been sent to the SSP HQ that the Jailbirds are mobilizing for the acquisition of the the Jewel. Although the information is yet to be confirmed as reliable, it didn't stop Taeyeon from worrying. "Kim Taeyeon. Are you listening to me? From this point on, I want you to be extra careful, do you hear me?" "Tae-Tae! The water's boiling~!". It was Tiffany's voice.

"...I know how much this means to you now." Sooyoung's voice was authoritative but the concern for her best agent was apparent. "Taeyeon-ah." "Yes, Chief.", the girl answered weakly. She went back to the kitchen. *** A million thoughts were swirling in her head. She knew that this was an Aegis assignment but after all the time she spent with the girls, she doesn't really consider what she's doing a mission anymore. Hearing this news from the higher-ups at such a time of comfort and tranquility made Taeyeon fear for their lives, for Tiffany's. This is not good, she thought. Emotional involvement in a mission was a the biggest mistake an agent could do -- she knew this very well as someone who specialized in Sanctions. However, being around Tiffany made her easily drop her guard. She felt so frustrated with herself for letting herself like -Wait. I like Tiffany? A whimper. Taeyeon raised her head and found Tiffany's finger starting to draw blood. She dropped her knife on the counter and, instinctively, grabbed Tiffany's finger and placed it in her mouth. She drew blood as much as she could to take the contaminated part out. "T-Taeyeon-ah..." Tiffany's voice snapped her out of her reverie. Taeyeon looked at her and she could see that Tiffany was breathing nervously, heavily. Her eyes, looking deeply into Taeyeon's, were tinged with something Taeyeon could not wholly understand. She let go of Tiffany's finger, noticing it tremble slightly. "I-I'll just go and get the first aid kit." IV.2. Revelation. A heavy silence word as Taeyeon considering how moment, even an drew over them like a blanket. Neither of them spoke a cleaned Tiffany's wound. It wasn't all that deep but Taeyeon is nothing but a bundle of nerves at the insect bite could've caused her to go ballistic.

"Taeyeon-ah..." Tiffany's voice almost sounded like it was pleading. "I know, Fany-ah. I'm sorry. I acted out of reflex back there. That was very thoughtless of me, Fany-ah. That was a serious breach of Guardian protoc--" [THE DATE FORMAT. o_o] The rest of Taeyeon's words were drowned by Tiffany's soft lips. Tiffany knew it was abrupt, unexpected, but nevertheless she filled it with all the affection she felt for this girl. She caressed her Guardian's cheek as she poured her soul into that one kiss. The rest of her words were drowned by Tiffany's soft lips. Taeyeon felt

the urgency, the need, but nevertheless she felt the tenderness of Tiffany's affection for her. She held her Subject's nape as she poured all her unsaid words into that one kiss. Seemingly, a lifetime passed, their lips left each other, out of mind, out of breath. Tiffany's eyes found Taeyeon's, automatically, magnetically, lovingly. It was as if she was trying to say so many things through those eyes. Quietly, she leaned close to her Guardian and whispered, "It's not that Tae-Tae. I think... I think I'm in love with you." The Guardian felt for her Subject's hand and placed it over her heart. Softly, gently, she let her forehead touch Tiffany's. "Do you hear how my heart calls out your name without me even being aware of it, Fanyah? I love you. I'll definitely protect you, even if it costs me my life." But she knew she could not let herself die. Not now, not ever, when she had something so precious to protect. *** She wasn't called The Genie for no reason; she was a wizard with computers, after all. She can hack into anything -- computers, organizational or governmental databases, vaults, card-accessed rooms. Heck, she can even hack into the Seoul Special Police if she wanted to. But of course, she knew better than to do that -- they're the reason she has a decent place and life after all. Never bite the hand that feeds you, as they say. She was swirling her swivel chair around when a window popped up in one of her screens: INCOMING CALL: KIM TAEYEON. She sat, chin on her knees, on her swivel chair and pressed the Enter key. "HUNNYIIIIIE~!" "Yah! Im Yoona! That's irritating. Stop it. I have an assignment for you." Yoona pouted. "Yah, unnie~ So cold. What is it? Is it something interesting?" "I want you to keep tabs on the Subjects 24/7. Always keep them under the SSP satellite where ever they go, at whatever time, understand? Status report every two hours after...three-point-zero hours. Condition, location, disturbances, everything. Also, is the Orison Sanctuary in working condition?" The Orison Sanctuary? Unnie has never used that before. This must be some serious business. She adjusted her goggles and began setting up the SSP Seeker to find the Subject's whereabouts. "Of course. But, the Orison Sanctuary? Why? Is there something wrong, Unnie?" "The Jailbirds are mobilizing. And this time... This time I can't afford to lose." *** The stranger was the kind of man whom no one will suspect. Unassuming

and quiet, he easily blends in with the crowd. He arranged his hat and stood up from the sidewalk bench he was sitting on. A woman was walking her dog. With a tip of his hat, he greeted her. As she passed him by, he took out his phone and placed a call. "JB-063 to Nest. Target has been sighted." "Good. Pull out. The time is not yet ripe." Replacing the phone into her pocket, she leaned table. She stared at the photo on the screen; a make out the face. Hm. Pretty. Too bad, though. you, we'd have to snuff you out, she thought as chocolate. V. Oasis. The sudden turn of events is taking such a toll on Taeyeon that even the girls are taking notice of it. If you guys only knew what a headache this is giving me. I had no idea Aegis assignments can be such a pain, Taeyeon couldn't help thinking while rubbing the sides of her temple. It was still early so Taeyeon lay on the sofa and closed her eyes. She reviewed the current situation in her head. She hasn't heard from Sooyoung for quite a while now about the Jailbirds but still, she didn't want to let her guard down. The Genie has been very efficient so far that she gave that particular day to her as a day-off. God. I need to get some rest. Calm my nerves a bit. A few minutes later, the girls were already flocking around her with nothing to do; it was a Sunday, and all of the Subjects weren't out. "Unnie. Jinjja, you look horrible already. Are we that much of a handful?", Sunny said as she plopped her head onto Yuri's lap, peeping through the magazine she was reading. Joo-hyun was at the other end of the sofa, busy pouring her attention into a book. "Yeah. Why not go take a vacation, Unnie? Or better yet, let's all go on a vacation together! Hmm... What to do... I know, let's go to the beach!", Yuri suggested with a face that looked like it wouldn't take no for an answer. Jessica, whose head was resting on Yuri's shoulder, was suddenly brought back to the world. "Aish~ But it's hot, Yuri-ah. You know I don't like it when it's hot.", she said, puffing up her cheeks. "Yah, Jessica.", Yuri snapped back, facing the other girl and looking straight into her eyes. "Won't you like to see me swim?" She knew that this way, Jessica can't possibly lie. The other girl seemed surprised at Yuri's question that she lowered her gaze and muttered, "I'd... like that." Satisfied, Yuri announced her decree. "Alright! Today, we're going to the beach!" She stood up, toppling the two girls who were enjoying using her as a pillow. She ran into her room, probably to get her things ready. Taeyeon kept silent as she listened to all this with her eyes closed. onto her large chrome bit grainy but one can Now that we've located she broke a piece of

Given the current situation, she can't afford to take the girls in such an open area -- it's far too dangerous. She began to protest. "Hey. This is just impossible. I can't guard you in a place as wide as a beach." "Please, Tae-Tae. We're worried about you. I'm worried about you." It was Tiffany. Taeyeon had been thinking so deeply she didn't even notice Tiffany as the girl sat above her head. She looked deeply into Taeyeon's eyes and, very slowly, "Take a rest, Tae. For me." *** And that's how Taeyeon found herself in the beach right smack in the middle of a mission. Bah. I guess I should just make the most out of this day. It's really nice and... Fany-ah's with me after all, she thought as she watched the other girls playing around in their resort room. Jessica was trying to doze off while Sunny kept on jumping around the bed. The other three, on the other hand, were changing. Taeyeon was scrutinizing the room, which was just enough for all of them, and took note of its details. Oh, right. Seems like I have to call off somebody else' holiday. "Don't come out of this room 'til I come back, okay?", she commanded the two girls. She went out and found the name she was looking for: Im Yoona. The other end of the line had to ring a few more times than usual before she finally picked up. "UNNIE~! Thanks for the day-off.", Yoona answered happily. "Yeah. About that. I'm taking it back.", Taeyeon answered, scratching her nape. "EEEH??! But... But why?! Come on, Unnie! You're gonna make me cry. And it's such a beautiful day here at the beach!" So much for being the revered genius... Wait. "What did you say? You're at the beach?" "Yes. Wait... Don't tell me..." Taeyeon let out a sigh. "Yes. I'm here, too. Come on over, you'll be handling stuff with me." *** It didn't take that much for Im Yoona to get along with the other girls. Unlike the usual, stereotypical image of a genius, Yoona's fairly sociable, so she gets along with others really well. And since she's very pretty and likable, even Taeyeon likes to have her around, despite the harsh treatment. Her eyes followed Yoona as she played some volleyball with Seohyun (as Joo-hyun later requested to be called) and Sunny. Yuri and Jessica, on the other hand, were soaking themselves wet in the water. Heh. Who would've thought she'd get along with the most prim and proper one?, she couldn't help but smile.

She closed her eyes and let the warmth of the sun bathe her. It was soothing, although she didn't let it dampen her senses. She felt the Presence of the six girls moving about, save one... One Presence which was very, awfully close. Taeyeon's eyes flew open to meet Tiffany's amused pair. She was leaning in so close Taeyeon could've kissed her right then and there. "Fany-ah, if you don't back off within three seconds, I may not be able to control myself.", Taeyeon said quietly, her eyes wandering to the other girl's lips then back to her eyes. Tiffany did not move. "Three...", she inched a bit closer, close enough to feel her breath. Still, Tiffany did not move. "Two...", a bit more, close enough to hear her heartbeat. "One...", she leaned a bit more so that their noses were already touching, close enough for her to steal Tiffany away forever. "Zero...", Taeyeon leaned in for the kiss. But as her lips were about to touch Tiffany's, the other girl moved back. Taeyeon puffed out a breath. "Yah. If you're just going to tease me then--" To her surprise, Tiffany gave her a quick peck on the lips. "We're at the beach, silly.", she said, ruffling Taeyeon's hair with a laugh. How can I possibly get mad at you, you beautiful creature? "She's a friend of yours?", Tiffany asked, nodding towards Yoona's direction, as she sat down beside Taeyeon, underneath a really pink parasol. "You can say that.", she turned just in time to see Tiffany reposition the glasses on her head. Taeyeon gulped. "You look amazing." Tiffany smiled. "Thank you. You didn't know you had it in you." seductive eyes Taeyeon couldn't her mind, Tiffany bit her lower look pretty...hot yourself, Tae-Tae. I Tiffany was looking at her with such help but palpitate. Then, as if reading lip.

That was too much for Taeyeon. If not for Yoona's stray ball that hit her squarely in the head, she never would've imagined what she could've done to Tiffany. *** "Okay, guys. Chop, chop. We need to go now.", Taeyeon shouted as she clapped her hands. She carried their things to the car and let the girls in. "Yah. Stop bickering already." They drove off. The car was well off into the highway and nearing the bridge when Taeyeon's ear piece beeped. It was Yoona. "What is it?", Taeyeon answered, still focusing her attention on the road.

"Unnie, you've got company." VI. Disturbance. Tiffany did not miss the change in Taeyeon's face. She could not miss it even if she wanted to; she was right beside the driver's seat. She watched, with a worried expression on her face, as Taeyeon took a pair of black leather gloves from the dashboard and wore them. Her grip on the steering wheel tightened. "Everyone, fasten your seat belts, please. You too, Fany-ah. And please, keep quiet.", she ordered, looking at the rearview mirror. The Subjects felt uneasy and squirmed in their seats. She returned her attention to Yoona who was still on the line. "Number and location?" "Two. A Bentley and a Veloster, both black. Incoming from either side of the intersection after the bridge. ETA to your location in approximately five minutes. I'm still on the road, Unnie. I'll go and back you up." "Copy that. Thanks." Taeyeon made a quick, sideways glance to Tiffany who was sat closes to her. "And take Sanitation with you." Taeyeon fished out a pocket pistol from her bag. Good thing I requested for one of these the day before. Perfect for outdoor...engagements. Gun, you know I hate you, but I have to use you. They were already halfway across the bridge. She spotted her target. "Fany-ah, Yuri-ah, Jessicassi, Sunny-ssi, Seohyun-ah, listen carefully. I want you all to duck when I tell you to. Is that clear?" The girls at the back seat were scared but they nodded. Fany held onto Taeyeon's arm and gave it a slight squeeze. "Taeyeon-ah..." "I'm going to protect all of you, Fany-ah. I'll protect you. I'll make sure that we're all going home safe." Tiffany nodded and braced herself. *** The car was nearing the bridge's end. Taeyeon drove as normally as possible until they got close enough to the intersection. If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the results of a hundred battles went the old adage. Taeyeon unlocked the door on her side. She tried to pick up the Presence in the two cars while examining the road. It was a Sunday. Three? No, two men in the Bentley and... Two in the Veloster. More cars from the incoming lane than the sides. Considering my position... Precision and speed. She pressed down on the gas and took a left turn to where the Bentley was. The tires screeched at the sudden acceleration. "Fany-ah, mind the wheel for a while. Sustain the speed and keep yourself as low as possible." As the car neared the Bentley, Taeyeon

repositioned herself in the driver's seat. She held the gun in her right hand and the door in her left, ready to open it at the right moment. The Bentley began inching closer onto the car, almost eliminating the space for Taeyeon's plan to work. A single miscalculation will cost us our lives. The Bentley was within range. Before it leveled with their car, Taeyeon yelled, "Duck!". In one swift, calculated motion she opened the car door just enough for half her body to slip through. Keeping herself as close to the ground as possible, she aimed. One. The front wheels made a loud boom as Taeyeon's bullet connected. The Bentley gave a slight jolt, causing a slight and sudden panic. The moment's hesitation was all the time space that Taeyeon needed. Two. She shot the back wheel just in time before the Bentley passed them, sending the car swerving uncontrollably into the sidewalk. Taeyeon saw a leg come out of the car. Jailbirds. Three. The leg gave way, causing the man to stumble. His companion was already going around the Bentley. Four. It is done. As swiftly and as quietly as she went out and took care of their tailers, Taeyeon closed the door, put down the pistol and grabbed the wheel. She pressed a button in her ear piece. "Yoona, the Veloster. Where is it." "Still tailing. Although all that wreckage you did slowed it down somewhat. We'll be coming in east of where you are now, Unnie. Take a right and we'll cover for you." "Copy." She made a quick glance at the rearview mirror. "Is everyone okay? Fany-ah..." "I'm okay." "We're fine, Unnie." "No worries." "We trust you." "Beat 'em to a pulp!" I'm definitely taking you all home safe and sound, Taeyeon thought as she took a right. *** The chase seemed endless to Taeyeon. She wouldn't know what to do if they didn't make it out of the Bentley alive. Checking the rearview mirror from time to time, she made sure that the Veloster was not behind them, or is, at least, at a safe distance. She was drawing a mental map of the city when her ear piece beeped. "Unnie! We got intercepted! A band of Jailbirds -- YAH! -- A band of Jailbirds caught wind of our arrival and -- Ah, jinjja -- tracked us down. I don't think I'd be able to -- ugh -- cover for you." Taeyeon angrily removed the ear piece and slammed it onto the dashboard. This is not happening. She turned the car to a corner when

out of nowhere, she saw the Veloster flying from an alley at the other side of the road. At the rate it was going, Taeyeon was sure that it would crash into their car. No. *** Tiffany could've sworn she saw a flash of light from Taeyeon's hand as it grabbed the hand break. She watched as the other girl expertly maneuvered the steering wheel and then, as if time slowed down after that flash, Taeyeon drifted the car out of the Veloster's way. Flooring the gas but not letting go of the break, Taeyeon made a cloud of exhaust to cover their escape. Her eyes never left the road before her; it was as if she was seeing nothing else. It was as if... She's not the same Taeyeon that I know. I've... I've never seen Taeyeon-ah this serious before. Again another flash -- very faint, very small, like the glint of a coin hit by the sun. And then, just for a split second, Tiffany saw a large aqua blue circle appear in front of the car, floating in the middle of the road. She looked at the rearview mirror to see if the other girls saw the circle but they were all hugging each other for comfort. She looked behind to see the Veloster recovering from the skid it took from flying. Taeyeon charged forward. We should've passed where the circle was before by now, Tiffany thought as she returned her gaze to the Veloster. The car was still following them but the moment it passed through the circle's point... With a defeaning sound, the Veloster exploded, sending pieces of metal flying into the air. The other Subjects at the back of the car flinched as the scrap clattered behind them. Tiffany turned just in time to see Taeyeon's eyes clear up, her expression softening. She stopped the car and breathed a deep, heavy sigh. "We're going home." VII. Chimera. Taeyeon found herself sitting on a solitary chair in the dark. She tried to look around but she could make out nothing. She knew her eyes were open but it was as if all the darkness in the world were collected and compressed into that single space, transforming it into an endless nothingness. She stood up and took a careful step. A silent ripple formed beneth her foot, spreading outward until everything was once again still. "Water?" Her whisper echoed in the vast darkness. She took another step forward -- or at least what she deemed as forward. Suddenly, a point of light appeared in front of her. It grew brighter and brighter still until Taeyeon had to shield her eyes before being swallowed by it. She opened her eyes and found herself in the middle of a meadow. A gust of wind whipped her hair to her cheeks. She ventured out. Below the meadow was the view of a small town, its small houses dotting the scenery like the back of a ladybug. The villagers were exhanging conversations as they passed each other on the road while the children played and ran about. Another gust of wind blew and Taeyeon was

transported right smack in the middle of the village. It was burning. Everything was burning down to the ground. Taeyeon felt the heat on her face as she turned around, bewildered, afraid. Screams shot through the air as ash and debris streaked the scenery. She saw as the villagers ran while their bodies burned, howling one last scream of agony before falling down and dying. She began to run. "Taeyeon-ah..." A voice. A familiar voice. "Taeyeon-ah..." "Fany-ah!" *** Tiffany has been sitting beside Taeyeon after all this time. She refused to leave, even if the other girls volunteered in watching over their Guardian. She knew that all of them were worried and that they somehow felt responsible for what happened to her, but she felt like it was the least she could do after Taeyeon saved them. That, and she wanted to be there when Taeyeon opens her eyes. This time, it was Seohyun who accompanied her in the room. She was busy talking with someone on the phone when they heard a groan coming from Taeyeon. It was the first sign of movement -- or sound -- that Taeyeon made after she fell unconscious. Tiffany hurriedly went to her and whispered her name. "Taeyeon-ah..." Still, Taeyeon groaned almost like she was in pain. Her head turned a bit to the side as if she was looking at something. Without her even being aware of it, tears began to stream down Tiffany's face. "Taeyeonah..." "Fany-ah!" Taeyeon's eyes flew open. Before she could even react, Tiffany had already wrapped her arms around Taeyeon and was crying her heart out. "W-What happened?" "I--I was so worried you wouldn't w-wake up anymore, Tae-Tae! I thought... I thought I was never going to see you again.", Tiffany choked in between sobs. She was crying so hard her shoulders were shaking, soaking Taeyeon's shirt with her tears. Taeyeon untangled herself from the other girl's embrace. She searched for Tiffany's face and held it in front of her. Very gently, she wiped the wet streaks with her thumb and combed the other girl's disheveled hair. She placed her hands on Tiffany's cheeks and looked at her straight in the eyes. Tiffany was still crying, albeit a little less violently than before. "Fany-ah. I told you I'd protect you, didn't I. I told you I'd protect all of you. I promised that to myself.", she said as she wiped the tears that continued to flow. "How can I continue protecting you, all

of you, if I let myself die just like that?", she said reassuringly. Tiffany gave her another tight hug which she received with longing and happiness she could muster. Taeyeon patted her as she whispered, "Save your tears, Fany-ah. Somebody once a woman's tears are her jewel. Besides, it pains me to see *** The Subjects were all surrounding the bed by now, happy that their Guardian has awakened. After a grueling round of being crushed by the girls' hugs, Taeyeon finally found some time to sit up quietly without the fear of being pelted again with actions of affection. "Unnie, you've been asleep for three days, you know. We were all so worried.", Seohyun told her before going out to answer the door. "Three days?", she gave Tiffany a confused look; she nodded. "But... I don't... What happened?" It was Tiffany who answered. "Remember the day when we were followed by two cars? The moment you set our bags down when we arrived here at the house, you collapsed. That was three days ago." "And you've been asleep ever since. I had to carry you up here you know. That was no easy feat.", Yuri chimed in as she peeled an apple for Taeyeon. Jessica nodded while she and Sunny kept on stealing the slices that Yuri peeled. Just then, Seohyun came back. "Unnie, someone's here to see you." Im Yoona's grinning face appeared from behind her. *** Yoona set down a basket of fruits on Taeyeon's bedside table. It was just the two of them now as she requested the Subjects to leave the room for a while. The Genie got a chair and made herself comfortable beside the agent. "Those are from Sooyoung-unnie, by the way.", she said, gesturing towards the fruits. "She was with us during the operation three days ago. She sends her apologies for our...inefficiency." Yoona handed Taeyeon some blueberries. "It's fine. I can't blame you for that. We were ambushed.", she said as she popped a blueberry in her mouth. "What does HQ say about all this?" "Nothing much. Sooyoung-unnie's taking the brunt of the higher ups' blame. She says you're her responsibility and all that. Oh yeah, and I made this report of what happened three days ago, just in case you want it.", she handed over a brown envelope. Taeyeon chuckled. "I didn't expect you to make a report without me telling you to." "YAH! Unnie. I can be professional at times to, ya know." She leaned in all the back gently told me that you cry."

close so that Taeyeon could hear. "Unnie, they don't know you're part of the SSP, do they?" "No, they don't. They only know that I'm a Guardian so my skills won't appear as suspicious. But they have no idea I am SSP.", Taeyeon answered while her eyes scanned the report. Her gaze landed on the account about the Veloster's explosion. "Yoona, are you sure this report is accurate?" Yoona raised her head. "Of course, Unnie. You dare doubt the Genie's accuracy?", she said wide-eyed. Taeyeon couldn't help but ask that question. Written on the report before her was something she couldn't understand. She thought of a possibility but, apparently, she was mistaken. "Veloster explosion: Cause unknown." VIII. Provocation. Geez. I can't wait to get out of this bed already, Taeyeon mused as she looked out her window. It was still early -- if Tiffany permitted her to move about, she'd be in the practice room, training. Her fingers played with the shaft of light that sifted through the billowing curtains, making patterns on her face. She remembered doing it a lot as a kid. She would lie down underneath a tree and let the sun waft her skin. Her hand was still outstretched when Tiffany entered, carrying a tray of food in her hands. "Rise and shine. I made breakfast for you.", she said as she set the food on the small table beside the window. Tiffany started arranging portion of the food on a plate but Taeyeon interrupted her. "It's okay, Fany-ah. I can just get up and eat there.", she said, smiling at the beautiful angel that have always greeted her every morning. Of course, the other girl protested. "But you have to rest, Taeyeon-ah.", Tiffany answered with her back turned against her patient. "Trust me. I'm all patched up now, my sweet Fany-ah." Tiffany heard a loud swooshing noise as Taeyeon threw her blanket in the air. She spun around only to find Taeyeon jump out of the bed in one swift movement. In a flash, Taeyeon's right arm was already wrapped around her waist and her right wrist was trapped in Taeyeon's firm grasp. Taeyeon gave her a small tug, eliminating the distance between their faces. She felt Taeyeon's breath fanning her lips. "See?", Taeyeon said, her voice raspy. She didn't give Tiffany a chance to answer. Taeyeon kissed her with so much passion that the other girl couldn't do anything but cling to her, to that kiss, as if her life depended on it. Tiffany felt her knees grow weak. She wrapped her arms around Taeyeon's neck and kissed her deeper. It didn't take long before a low moan escaped from Tiffany's throat. "Tae-Tae... The others might see us." Tiffany said in a low voice as

she broke off. Her breathing was ragged. Taeyeon rested her forehead on Tiffany's. Just like the other girl, she had trouble catching her breath. "You can drive anyone to destruction, Fany-ah." She gave Tiffany a kiss on the forehead and went on to the table. "That was payback for suddenly kissing me before, by the way.", she said with a mischievous smile. *** "Unnie, Sica and I'll be going out, okay?", Yuri said as she shouldered her bag. She took Jessica's hand and waved a small goodbye. The two girls who were eating breakfast waved back. Im Yoona, you better do your work well, Taeyeon thought as she saw the girls leave. "Those two are always together. Inseparable, even. Not to mention that they're always out.", Taeyeon said as she served herself some rice. "Ah. Yuri and Jessica have been together ever since childhood. They came from the same orphanage so... And that's where they usually go. If Jessica doesn't drag Yuri to go off shopping, they're usually at the orphanage helping the nuns.", Tiffany explained patiently as she spread some jam on her toast. "And Seohyun's at her university, in case you're wondering." "Oh? I got the impression that, you know, you guys were siblings.", Taeyeon feigned innocence. Of course, her statement was a lie. The 244 given to her by Sooyoung before the mission had every little detail about the Subjects. In reality, Tiffany's only sibling was Seohyun. Taeyeon's employer, their father, was a business mogul who owns a chain of companies and runs the biggest biomedical research facility in the country. With his powerful grasp at the Korean economy, he had various connections and exerted influence on a variety of fields, including politics. Although it is not a lie that Tiffany's father was in need of a Guardian, Taeyeon's "application" was merely a cover for her true mission. "Oh, no.", Tiffany said as she took a bite on her toast. "Seohyun's my only true sibling among the girls. But still, I love them like they're my true sisters. Sunny was adopted by father when I was 12. She's a bit all over the place but she's a really good kid.", she continued as she finished her toast. As they were cleaning up the dishes, they saw Sunny running past their open door. "YAH! Sunny-ah! Where are you going?", Taeyeon called after her. "I'm off to see Sooyoung-ah~!", her voice trailed off as she went out the door and out of sight. Wait. "Sooyoung-ah"? Chief Sooyoung? Of the SSP? Taeyeon was utterly bewildered. Sooyoung is meeting Sunny? What on earth is Chief thinking? Maybe I should give her a call later. Taeyeon's questions were interrupted by Tiffany's voice. "Taeyeon-ah, can I ask you something?", the husky voice said, a bit

shyly, as she set down the plates on the sink. "Of course." "Uhm. Remember when you saved us from those bad people? The Veloster...exploded, right? Do you have any idea why?" Taeyeon paused to think, crossing her arms across her chest. "Well, I figured the impact it had when it landed damaged it somewhere. It may have caused a spark that's why it exploded. Yoona told me otherwise, though. She said the police couldn't pinpoint the cause of the explosion." Tiffany took a step towards Taeyeon and took the other girls right hand. She held it out so that the mark was facing the agent's face. "I saw this back then, Taeyeon-ah. Just for a split second but I'm sure it was this mark. The Veloster passed through it and it exploded." As if licked by fire, Taeyeon retracted her hand from Tiffany's grasp. "But... That's impossible.", Taeyeon said with a confused and fearful look in her eyes. "Taeyeon-ah... What is this mark on your hand? What does it mean? I want to know, Taeyeon-ah. I want to know everything." IX. Reminiscences. A resounding thunderclap drowned the screams of Mrs. Kim as her labor pains began to set in. The sound of festivities drifted from outside as the villagers danced and feasted around a large campfire. Mrs. Kim, however, was inside their house, about to give birth. Her scream pierced the night and mixed in with all the noise. "Almost there." She huffed and gave one last push. The shrill cry of a newborn baby went resonating inside the room like a million echoes. "I's a girl, Mrs. Kim. What a beautiful baby." But no sign of happiness can be seen in Mrs. Kim's face. She looked at the baby with a blank stare. "How can she be beautiful? She was born in the Night of the Walpurgis." *** Two years after she was born, Taeyeon was sent to by her mother to an uncle from her father's side in a small provincial village in Korea. Since her father went away after getting her mother pregnant, Taeyeon's mother felt that it was the patriarchal side's duty to take care of the child. Even if she didn't admit it, her course of action was done partly for revenge -- he ruined her life, and now she was going to ruin his. And so, her uncle took care of her and named her Taeyeon. Her uncle lavished her with all the love and care that a parent could give. He was a bachelor; his work offered him no opportunity to find romance until, without him noticing, time has passed him by. Thus, all the pent up love that he failed to give to anyone was transferred to Taeyeon and Taeyeon alone. One can only imagine the grief he felt when one day, a six-year old Taeyeon went home to him crying. "What's wrong, Taeyeon-ah?", he asked, wiping her tears dry with a

finger, the opal ring he always wore on it gave slight glint. "The other kids... They told me... They told me I was a monster! Because... Because I was born during... the Night of the... the Walpurgis.", Taeyeon choked in between sobs. A certain kind of sadness loomed over her uncle's eyes. The arrival of Taeyeon in his home roused a lot of talk amonst the townspeople. Since it was a small village, rumors started to spread like wildfire; among this was the fact that she was born during the Walpurgisnacht. If there was anything that hurt her uncle the most, it was the instances that Taeyeon went home crying to him as the villagers taunted her with these rumors. Her uncle held her under the armpits as he usually does and sat her on his lap. "Taeyeon-ah. Don't listen to what others say about you. You're you, Taeyeon-ah. And uncle loves you for that.", her uncle said as he wiped her tears. "Stop crying now, okay? A woman's tears are her jewel. Save it for the most important person you'll meet. ...Ah, I know. I'll take you to a friend of mine. He's a really nice ahjussi -- you'll like him a lot.", her uncle said with a smile. *** As her uncle had predicted before their first encounter, Taeyeon liked the old man. He was of Japanese descent but circumstances forced him to move out of the country until he finally settled in that small Korean village. He was calm and quiet, and Taeyeon loved watching him meditate. There was something in the old man's serene face that calms her inside. The old man taught her a lot of things, including the special fighting skills she now possess. Taeyeon sat and assumed the lotus position beside the old man, facing the garden. She closed her eyes and felt Nature sifting in and out of her pores. "Taeyeon-ssi...", it was the old man's voice. "Yes, Sensei?", Taeyeon used the Japanese honorific for the old man. "How old are you now?", he asked without turning to her or opening his eyes. "Fifteen, Sensei." "Ah. It's been nine years, eh?", the old man chuckled. "Taeyeon-ssi. Would you allow me the privilege of telling you a story?" "Of course, Sensei.", she answered. Although Taeyeoen loved the old man's stories, it was a rare occurrence for him to tell her one. And when he does, there's usually a profound significance behind it. "Very well.", the old man began. "There was once a peasant who, upon working in his small farm, dug up a small stone -- a perfectly circular, bluish orb which emanated a soft glow. He did not know what to do with it so he went to the king and asked, 'Your Majesty, I found this stone in my farm but I don't know what to do with it and what it is.' The king took the stone, gave it to his council and asked the peasant to leave, saying that he will be informed once they have

figured out what the stone was. And so, the man left. "The council took the stone to the palace alchemist who, in great awe, took the stone and locked himself up inside his laboratory to discover what it was. After three days, he went out of his room and went to the king. 'This stone... is fated to be used by a chosen individual. Unless we find that person, this stone will be of no use to us.', he said. And so, the king had the peasant recalled and returned the stone. 'Find the man who can use this stone's powers.' were His Majesty's orders. The peasant was bewildered, unsure of how to carry out the king's decree." "Months later, a war broke out between His Majesty's kingdom and the neighboring territory. Since it was a fairly small kingdom, it was easily invaded by the enemies. The enemy soldiers ransacked and destroyed every single property that was left standing, burning them to the ground, dismantling them and killing the livestock. The village was in utter chaos. A band of enemy infantry went to the peasant's small shack, intending to burn it down. The peasant couldn't do anything but cower in a corner in fear, touching the small blue stone that never left his pocket." "Suddenly, a blinding blue light emanated from the peasant. It shot up into the sky in a single, steady stream, parting the clouds with its force. Streams of blue light came raining down from the sky, like a meteor shower. The lights went inside every single enemy infantry in the small kingdom, rendering them unconscious. The peasant stood up and crouched beside a fallen soldier. 'He's still alive.', he thought as he felt for the soldier's pulse. Just then a single flash of light radiated from the parted clouds, engulfing the whole town in its warm glow. And as if through some miracle, the town was once again in order -- there were no wreckages, all the structures and houses were back to its original state." "As for the enemy men, they woke up with no memory of having destroyed the town. They were eventually absorbed by the townspeople and the peasant, on the other hand, was called forth by the king. He was given a mansion and land as a reward for his saving the town. As far as the story went, no war ever happened in that land again." The story has ended. Taeyeon listened. Everything was quiet. *** "Taeyeon-ssi was...born in the Night of the Walpurgis, correct?", the old man posed the question, addressing the uncle while Taeyeon was in the adjoining room. Just a little before sunset, after the old man's story, Taeyeon's uncle arrived to have a little chat. Her uncle raised an inquisitive brow. "Yes." After all these nine years, the old man had never confronted him with Taeyeon's past. "There is nothing to worry about, my old friend. I intend her no harm. I have grown fond of her and you know that. However, you do know what this...entails, I assume?", he answered with a serious look in his eyes. "Of course."

*** Taeyeon walked into a small room covered in tatami mats. It only had a table in the middle of the room and a framed calligraphic writing hanging on the wall. Her uncle instructed her to go to the room before he left. "The old man wants to talk to you.", he said. And so she went. The old man was sitting by the half open door at the other side of the room. The smell of incense was wafting from a small altar in a corner. The old man gestured for her to sit beside him. "Taeyeon-ssi. I have...something for you.", the old man said quietly. "Give me your hand." She did. The old man took her outstretched hand and placed it in between his palms. Taeyeon sat quietly while the old man closed his eyes, breathing slowly. Suddenly, the girl felt a searing heat on her palm. Still, she did not make a sound. The old man opened his eyes and slid his hands slowly off of Taeyeon's. The girl took a look at her palm. "It's a small...parting gift." She looked at the old man and then to her palm. It was an intricate mark. But Taeyeon would never know what it meant -- The Circle of the Walpurgis. *** Taeyeon was still looking at the mark on her palm as she walked her way home. Parting gift? What on earth does he mean by that?, she thought as she kicked a pebble off the grass. A shrill scream pierced through her thoughts. The village! The girl ran as fast her legs could carry her back to the village, only to be mortified by what she saw. Her hometown was burning to the ground. She made a dash to where their home was, hoping to see his uncle there. She ran amidst the crumbling houses and the falling trees. She ran as bodies fell as they were set ablaze. She ran as ash began clouding over the town. She ran oblivious of the thick smoke that almost choked her. She ran to save the last precious thing left in her life. But his uncle was not there. Instead, he found an arm beneath the rubble. And on its finger was a shining opal ring. *** The small, bewildered girl found herself running back to the old man's house. Tears and grime streamed down her face as blades of grass cut her legs. Uncle... He's...gone. "Sensei!", Taeyeon called out. She was greeted by silence. She ran all over the house and opened every door. Nothing. The old man was gone. Suddenly, she heard footsteps coming from outside. Bandits. Taeyeon stood still in the darkness and closed her eyes. She felt for the Presence about her. Two people? One was drawing close.

In one fast movement, Taeyeon hit him with a shuto strike on the carotid artery, strong enough to make him unconscious but not to kill him. There was a thud as the body fell and the other assailant fired a shot blindly. She crept as closely to the ground as possible, following his Presence. She clenched her hand into a half-fist, gathered her ki, and delivered one damaging strike to the man's solar plexus. The man fell and she ran out of the house. Just as she thought she was safe, a group of bandits jumped out from the bushes. Taeyeon tried to fight them off but they were too many. She was exhausted and all the smoke she inhaled from earlier were taking a toll on her. Her vision began to blur. One of the men took the opportunity and hit her with his rifle. Taeyeon's knees gave way as her consciousness began to slip. No. I can't...die here. Through her failing vision, she saw a girl about her age emerge from the thicket. She broke a piece of chocolate and offered it to her. "Want some?" But Taeyeon's mind had slipped away. The last vision she saw was the piece of chocolate and the sounds of gunshots. X. Deception. And that's when the Seoul Special Police took me in, Taeyeon added in her head. It's been so long since she ever recalled her childhood memories. Thinking about it now, she wondered how she survived when she had lost so much at such an early time. She raised her head and looked at Tiffany. The other girl, who had been listening intently, was crying. Taeyeon stood up from her seat and crouched in front of the other girl. "Yah, Fany-ah. I told you, no crying, didn't I.", she said as she wiped the other girl's tears dry. Tiffany wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand. "I'm sorry, Tae. It must've been so-- so hard for you. I'm sorry for bringing up such painful memories.", she said, looking at Taeyeon with tears in her eyes. The other girl caressed Tiffany's cheeks with her thumb and kissed her eyes softly. "It's okay, Fany-ah. That's all in the past. And they're what made me who I am now, don't you think so?" It took a while before Tiffany stopped crying. "I know. Why don't we go somewhere. Like, take a walk or something." Tiffany gave her a small smile. "Are you asking me out, Tae-Tae?" The other girl laughed. "If you see it as something like that." She said with a wink. *** Taeyeon was changing into her Guardian uniform when her phone rang. "UNNIE!" It was Yoona. "Incoming man-launched missile, north side! Contact in 50 seconds!" Her eyes widened with the rush of adrenaline. North side...Tiffany! She

bolted from her room and ran towards Tiffany's. She opened the door and, without a word, took the girl by the hand and ran. Barely making it out of the room, the missile made contact with a loud explosion, leaving a gaping hole to where Tiffany's room was supposed to be. Taeyeon covered Tiffany with her body as they crashed to the floor. "Are you okay?" The other girl nodded. They quickly ran into Taeyeon's room. The agent got a pair of sneakers and handed it to Tiffany. "Wear these. We're definitely going out now.", she said. *** The pair walked amidst the crowded streets of Seoul with Taeyeon leading Tiffany by the hand. The other girl followed her tail quietly. Those Jailbirds will be thinking twice in making such a mess in a crowded area. Quickly, she replaced her ear piece and dialled the Genie's number. The answer was immediate. "Were you slacking off, Im Yoona?" There was an edge in Taeyeon's voice. I need to calm down. Immediately, she switched to prana breathing, allowing air to enter every single cell in her body. "No, Unnie! The shooter didn't register in the SSP Seeker at all! I was keeping watch at the monitor when the missile appeared out of nowhere! That's why I called you right away.", Yoona defended herself, her fingers flying over the keyboard. Stealth suits. How did they even get access to that? "Alright. Report." "I'm on it, Unnie." A pause. The pair turned a corner and headed for the stairs leading to the subway. For a moment, Taeyeon faced Tiffany. "Fany-ah. I'm sorry for dragging you around like this. I didn't imagine our first date to be...as unromantic as this one.", she said with an embarrassed smile as they descended the stairs. The platform was crowded with people coming and going, as if they had no particular destination in mind. Tiffany laughed. "It's okay, Taeyeon-ah. This is as good enough as any date for me." Taeyeon smiled. Her ear piece cackled with Yoona's voice. "Unnie, I've tracked down the Subjects' whereabouts. Yuri and Jessica just left St. Clare's. Seohyun-ah's still at the university and Sunnyssi's...meandering about in the city. I've alerted Sooyoung-unnie but I don't know how long it'll take for them to mobilize." Taeyeon took a look around the station, taking note of any suspicious looking individual that might attack them in the train. She tried sensing for any sinister Presence but she felt none. The pair stepped into the train car. "Which location are you closest to right now?", throwing the question at the other end of the line. "Seohyun-ah's.", the other girl answered. "Alright. I want you to get to her as soon as possible. I want someone

I can trust. Keep me posted." "Of course, Unnie." The call ended. Taeyeon let out a long breath and sat next to Tiffany who had been watching her all this time. After a while, the other girl spoke. "Taeyeon-ah, what's happening?" The agent looked at her face. Tiffany had began to sweat from all the walking; her hair was plastered to her forehead, breathing a bit heavily. Taeyeon chose her words carefully before answering. "Some people are after you and your sisters." Tiffany gave her a baffled look. "But why?" The other girl inhaled deeply. I guess she deserves to know. "Your father owns the biggest biomedical research lab in the country, right? For the longest time, they've been experimenting on one of the most taboo fields in science. If you think about it, it's not biomedical research anymore. And it's not even science, per se -- he's crossed the border. We're talking about something akin to alchemy already.", Taeyeon glanced outside the window, taking note of their location. "Your father wants to re-create things that have already been destroyed using a specific energy source he discovered years ago. He hopes that if he successfully uses it to re-create inanimate objects, he can use it to resurrect humans. However, for some reason, he's unable to utilize this source. And so...", she began to hesitate. "That's why he...gathered all of you." Tiffany's face stiffened. "What... What do you mean...'gathered'?" The other girl continued. "Your father thought that he could awaken the energy source somehow if he used the proper triggers. I don't know the exact details and what he did to you and your sisters exactly but, all I know is that once all of the triggers are gathered together with this energy source, it was supposed to activate." Taeyeon stood up as the train slowed down. The other girl did not speak. "So if... the bad people take us away, Father wouldn't be able to use the energy source at all." "Exactly." The train halted to a stop. And they could use you and your sisters for their own means. There was silence. "Taeyeon-ah. How... How do you know all these?" She lowered her gaze. "You'll find out soon enough.", she took Tiffany's hand, gave it a gentle squeeze, and walked out onto the platform. XI. Chaos. Tiffany didn't have the energy to protest. The sudden influx of information was more than she could bear. Her mind was filled with so much thoughts she can actually feel them swimming inside her head, wanting to be let out, looking for even the smallest form of expression. Yet she could not. She could only look at Taeyeon's back as

the other girl led her around another part of the city, parting through the crowd as if they were Moses and the Red Sea. She wanted to throw so many questions at her but she knew now was not the time. She had to wait. It didn't take long for the anxious pair to reach their destination. The monstrous building, with its glass and metal facade, cast its shadow over its puny surroundings, engulfing them in darkness as Taeyeon led both of them to a side passage. Tiffany took a look around and her attention was caught by the three large letters by the entrance. "Taeyeon-ah. You're...a member of the SSP?" The other girl did not say a word. Instead, she gave one, quiet nod. The movement was so small it was almost imperceptible. Tiffany held back her tears as the building swallowed them whole. *** Fany-ah, I'm sorry I never told you, Taeyeon apologized in her head. She felt so bad it was as if a lump formed in her heart and started moving around. She had kept so many things secret from Tiffany but here she was still having the nerve to fall in love with her. She suddenly felt like she didn't deserve someone as perfect as Tiffany. But she also knew that if there was one thing she was most sure about in the world, it was her feelings for the girl whose hand she was holding right at that moment. Taeyeon felt the strong desire to protect the girl bubbling from within her, even if there was the possibility that Tiffany would hate her forever. The agent held on to her last thought and gave Tiffany's hand a gentle squeeze. The pair entered a dark mahogany door which led to a long, dimly-lit hallway. Their steps were muffled by the carpet as they made their way quickly and furtively to the other end. The beep of Taeyeon's ear piece seemed a thousand times louder in the quiet passage. "Unnie, I'm taking Seohyun-ah to the SSP HQ right now. Sooyoung-unnie's on Sunny-ssi's rescue. I think those stealth suits are doing their job very well -- I can't get any register on enemy activity.", Yoona's voice reverberated against the walls, enabling Tiffany to hear everything. "Copy. Take her to one of our Confinements, it's safer there. What about Yuri and Jessica?", Taeyeon asked as they neared the solitary door at the other end of the hallway. "Well, St. Clare's a real good distance from here so it'll take longer for --" Yoona stopped mid-sentence. Taeyeon heard the footsteps from the other end of the line had halted as well. "What's wrong?" "There's... I'm detecting a strong disturbance in Yuri-ah and Jessicassi's location, Unnie. It's making the gauge go bonkers! I don't know what might happen if it continues at this rate." A small hiss escaped from Taeyeon's lips. One of them awakened. "...I

see. I want you to get Seohyun to safety as soon as possible then proceed to St. Clare's, do you read me?" "Loud and clear, Unnie." She was gone. Taeyeon and Tiffany had reached the end of the hallway. They stood before a door so inconspicuous, Tiffany wouldn't have noticed it if not for the slight glint coming off the knob. Taeyeon felt multiple Presences coming from afar, trying to discern their target's location. The agent took a deep breath and turned around to face Tiffany. She held the other girl's face between her hands and looked deep into her eyes. "Fany-ah. Are you angry?", she asked with worry in her eyes. "I'm sorry... For not telling you." Tiffany held the hands that carressed her cheeks. "I love you, Tae-Tae. I may be upset now but I can't feel bad forever." Taeyeon gave a small smile. "That's good enough for me." She held Tiffany's hand and, together, they opened the door to the other side. *** The room held nothingness. What lay before them was a darkness so dense it was as if the Universe itself lay behind the door. The blackness seemed to stretch forever, making them think twice as to whether to enter it or not. "The Orison Sanctuary will do your bidding, Taeyeon-ah." A voice. Taeyeon's eyes widened. "Uncle.", she muttered, loud enough for Tiffany to hear. "Do not hesitate. Protect what you must, Taeyeon-ah. Use the Circle. I know you can control it." Taeyeon looked at her palm. Use the circle, she echoed in her head. She stared at the mark, feeling a slight stir within her. After the old man vanished, she had never really known nor understood his 'parting gift'. It never manifested any sort of presence and it never caused any disturbance until that day they tried to outrun the Veloster. Since then, it bothered her. What if it had something to do with her past? What if it was connected to the fact that she was... "Born in the Night of the Walpurgis." Her eyes widened at the realization. Uncle, am I right? Is it because of I was born during Walpurgisnacht? "Go, Taeyeon-ah. There is no time to waste. The child of the Walpurgis is meant to fulfill her destiny. Don't be afraid, Uncle is here with you." Taeyeon took one deep breath. She clenched her right hand into a fist, scrunching the mark on her palm into an indecipherable graffiti. She

felt the Presences coming nearer. She took Tiffany's hand, took a step inside the room and were engulfed by its darkness. *** Ripples formed on the surface of that nothingness as the pair made distance between themselves and the entrance. Tiffany tried touching the floor but she felt nothing; it was as if they were walking on some invisible ether. The blackness erased whatever concept they had of space as it seemed to stretch forever. At some point, Taeyeon stopped. She let go of Tiffany's hand, faced her and flung a question with a determined look in her eyes. "Do you trust me, Fany-ah." The other girl held the agent's hand and nodded. Taeyeon turned around to face the door, waiting for their predators. Slowly, she inched her feet apart, alerted her senses and drew in her ki. She felt the Jailbirds coming close. "Fany-ah, stand back." Taeyeon raised her hands close to her chest, clasping them together, as if in prayer. She uttered a command, quietly, softly, but with such force it made Tiffany shudder. "Deploy." In a flash, a large aqua blue circle similar to Taeyeon's insignia appeared beneath Tiffany's feet. It glowed brightly as more circles started to appear between the two of them. They cropped up one by one, spinning as they formed a protective cube around the Subject. Tiffany tried touching the barrier -- it was warm, solid and, she felt, definitely a lot stronger than the one she saw during the incident with the Veloster. Taeyeon took one quick glance over her shoulder. For a split second, their eyes met. Now, they wait. XII. Fray. The Jailbirds came in a horde. Taeyeon took her position in front of the barrier when she heard the first bang. She breathed and gathered all her ki, careful not to let even a drop go to waste. The Jailbirds were breaking down the door which separated them from their prey. Finally, the mahogany caved in, spraying splinters of wood which were then swallowed by the darkness. Taeyeon was ready. Keeping herself low, she closed the distance between herself and the enemy. Despite the barrier that she summoned, she would not take the chance of having to fight in such close proximity to her Subject. Taeyeon continued to get close, knowing she had the upper hand as the Orison Sanctuary was practically unknown territory to the enemy. Though it is true that it was her first time that she ever set foot in it, her insignia seems to be doing that part of the work for her. She used her senses to guide herself in the semi-darkness, using the enemy's

Presence as a cue to where she would go. She closed in on a Jailbird who saw her too late. She blocked the arm that was going to hit her and trapped it into an arm lock. She applied pressure until she heard the sound she wanted to hear: a bone breaking. Keeping her fingers close to her palm, she used the heel of her right hand to hit the assailant's nose with an upward strike, breaking the cartilage straight into the brain. The other Jailbirds started closing in. Taeyeon reached for the special holster behind her back which contained not a gun but her bladed brass knuckles. She braced herself for the incoming assault. A pair decided for a double-sided assault. Drawing their weapons, they came for the agent on both sides while another one was set for a frontal attack. "The Orison Sanctuary will do your bidding, Taeyeonah." It was his uncle's voice. Not yet, Uncle, she thought as she gauged the proper distance between her and her assailants. She jumped. Amidst a mid-air backflip, she caught one of the enemy Jailbird's head and, in one swift motion, twisted it like a dry twig. She heard it snap. She landed on a crouch and, using her hands and arms to hold her weight, spun around, hitting the two assaulters with her leg. She buried the blades of her knuckles onto their shins and made a huge gash, rendering them immobile. There's too many of them, Taeyeon thought as she felt for their Presence. She closed her eyes and stood her ground. She crouched low and waited for the enemies themselves to eliminate the distance. The Jailbirds started coming in from all sides giving Taeyeon no chance for escape. Soon enough, they were within range. "Double Accel.", she whispered. In an instant, the Jailbirds movements slowed down. She touched the floor with the tips of her fingers and then slipped through the gaps between the decelerated bodies, leaving a glowing aqua blue circle on her wake. Long, thin arm-shaped streams of light came out of the circle, and made their way up their legs and torso. Taeyeon walked away as the group of Jailbirds continued to struggle. Tsk. There's still a few more. Hiding in the darkness, Taeyeon counted the Presences in her head. She was starting to get tired. Using the Circle of the Walpurgis along with her normal hand-to-hand was exhausting too much of her stamina. She switched to prana breathing and tried to replenish as much energy as possible while she waited for an attack. Tiffany's voice pierced the silence. "TAEYEON-AH!" The remaining Jailbirds were attacking the barrier, hacking at it with their weapons, attempting to destroy it and take the girl inside. Taeyeon's senses took over. Without even thinking, Taeyeon clasped her hands. "Square Accel." The Jailbirds didn't even had a chance to react. All they saw was the blur of two flaming aqua blue eyes as Taeyeon reached the other end of the room at the speed of light. She made a single side step to evade the attempted attack. With her right foot, she spun around, slicing a vital artery in the neck. One down. Pivoting for another counter-clockwise spin, she followed the Presence to implant a

circle within. She felt her fingers touch skin and summoned. Two. Three. She rolled out of the way before the seals within the Jailbirds activated. The circle grew out from within each enemy, slicing them in half. Taeyeon closed her eyes and took a deep breath. When she opened them, the blue glow was gone. Blood streaked and heaving, she faced Tiffany from the other side of the barrier. But instead of coming closer, the other girl took a step back. She saw the fear in her Subject's eyes -cold, hard and blatant. Taeyeon raised her hand to rest it on one of the barrier's circles when her eyes were caught by the blood dripping from the tip of the blade, caking her hand with its strong, metallic smell. Of course. She would not want to be with a killing machine like me. "As expected of the Child of the Walpurgis." The female voice made Taeyeon turn around abruptly. The woman was walking slowly with no trace of fear nor surprise on her face. Her steps were slow and testing, ripples forming on the darkness underneath. She noticed the group of Jailbirds trapped within Taeyeon's circle. "Seriously. What a useless bunch of goons you are." The woman raised her left hand and muttered. "Annihilate." A large green circle appeared above the Jailbirds' heads. It was similar to the mark she had but she felt the difference in power between them. In one motion, the stranger swung her hand down. The green circle came down and disappeared to the floor of dark ether, taking both Taeyeon's circle and Jailbirds with it. The agent's eyes widened in shock. How... How is this possible. She heard the other woman laugh. "You looked surprised, Taeyeon-ah. Did you actually think you're the only one?" She reached for something in the inner pockets of her coat. Taeyeon sensed the movement and held her hands at the ready. "Relax, Taeyeon-ah." The agent heard the sound of foil, followed by something hard being bitten. Her nose caught the whif of cocoa. Chocolate. "Want some?" XIII. Encounter. Amidst the semi-darkness of the Orison Sanctuary and the glaring light of the aqua blue circles that formed her cage, Tiffany couldn't see what was happening very clearly. She knew that the battle was over but she did not know what had happened to the Jailbirds. Unconsciously, a part of her didn't really want to know. She felt a sudden stillness envelope the room. She heard Taeyeon's slow footsteps coming closer until, suddenly, it stopped. The agent stood in front of her, on the other side, her hand resting on the barrier's wall. Tiffany was about to come near when she saw the blood dripping from the other girl's hand. Without thinking, she took a step back, burying herself deeper into the barrier. She did not know what expression she wore as she backed away but the pain that flashed through the agent's face was enough to make her stop.

Taeyeon-ah. My Tae-Tae. She wanted to get out of that barrier. She wanted to hug her and kiss her, tell her everything's going to be all right and that she will always be with her. She wanted everything over so they can just go back to the way they once were, to the life they once had. She was about to take a step forward when a female voice reverberated across the room. "As expected of the Child of the Walpurgis." That voice. I... I know that voice. Tiffany couldn't clearly make out the silhouette in the darkness but she heard the footsteps inch closer. She saw a circle of green light which then disappeared after a moment into that dark oblivion. Just as Taeyeon did, she heard the sound of rustling foil and caught the smell of chocolate. Like a bolt of lightning, it hit her. In a small voice, Tiffany called out. "Hyoyeon-ssi? Is that... Is that you?" *** Tiffany's voice caught the Children of the Walpurgis off guard. "You know her?", Taeyeon asked, the disbelief in her voice impossible to miss. "Yeah. How d'ya know me?", Hyoyeon echoed, taking a bite at her chocolate. The Subject chose to address her Guardian. "Well, I've only seen her once in Father's office. She works there. She's a researcher in one of the departments. I remember her because...well, because she gave me chocolate.", Tiffany explained almost embarrassingly. The woman named Hyoyeon laughed. Her voice echoed within the room, making it sound ten times louder. "Oh, so you were that girl, eh? Hmyeah. Now that I think about it... Hm." Another bite. "What is the meaning of this, Hyoyeon-ssi? Why are you... Why are you going against Father's company?", Tiffany asked, her voice trembling slightly. *** Taeyeon felt the fluctuation in Tiffany's Presence as her voice trembled. The message was clear: move in amidst the distraction. Taeyeon contracted her ki, doing her best to keep it hidden, as she stealthily followed Hyoyeon's presence. Again, Tiffany's voice rang inside the room. "Why are you out to get us? Didn't you work for Father before? Why are you leading those bad people?" Hyoyeon took a bite on her chocolate slab, never leaving her position. "Your wonderful Father, little miss, was out to dispose me off, ya know. 'You're a failed trigger, Hyoyeon-ah!'", she said, mimicking the

voice of Tiffany's father. "He put me through so much hardship after those experiments and now he's just gonna throw me away? Ha. As if I'd let him." "You're a trigger too?", the girl inside the barrier asked. "Ha! 'Too'? What do you mean 'too'? Didn't your Father tell you? You're not a trigger, little miss. You're the legendary energy source itself. You're the Jewel." Taeyeon moved in. Coming in from behind, she aimed for a strike on Hyoyeon's neck. Without moving an inch, Hyoyeon blocked the blade from Taeyeon's knuckles with her chocolate, making it crumble in half. "It seems like even our little SSP agent here was misinformed." She bent down to pick up the other half that fell on the floor. "Tsk. Now look what you've done." The agent took a step back. "What do you mean Fany's the Jewel?! And how... How did you know I'm SSP?", she asked without letting down her guard. "'Fany', I see. Well, just as I said, your beloved Fany-ah is the energy source that her Father has been wanting all his life to exploit. Mr. Hwang had always been enchanted by this old folklore ever since he was a kid, which was why he made himself filthy rich enough to establish his own lab. It's your lab so you're free to do anything in it, right? And considering your Father's influence, little miss, no one ever bothered looking into his lab's operations -- both real and secret. Unfortunately, though, he wasn't making any progress in his research. Until the day you were born, that is." "Then what about the other triggers? Aren't they supposed to activate the Jewel?", Taeyeon asked. "Hm. So the SSP knows as much. Yep, that's correct. In reality, I'm the Primordial Trigger, Taeyeon-ah. I was the first reactor her Father sought as I was born during the Walpurgisnacht, the same as you. However, since miss Fany here and I didn't really click, her Father decided implanting my genes to other samples in the hopes that the bonding would produce the perfect Trigger. The bonding process were all successful considering how advanced the lab was but still, he failed. So he decided to search for other Children. He had his eyes on you but the SSP was faster. And to answer your other question...", she paused, taking a bite from her chocolate. "How can you forget me, Taeyeon-ah. I burned your village years ago, remember? And now, excuse me while I take that little caged bird there with me.", Hyoyeon said as she took a step forward. It only took a split second for Taeyeon to move. "Triple Accel." In a flash, the agent closed the distance between herself and Hyoeyeon. She proceeded on a frontal attack, gathering her ki on both fists while, at the same time, concentrating the Walpurgis energy on them. An aqua blue circle encircled her wrists as she pelted Hyoyeon with her attacks. She felt Tiffany's presence behind her inching closer. No. I can't let her get close to Tiffany at whatever cost. Hyoyeon deftly blocked every attack that she threw as she took her slow steps

towards the Jewel. Without taking her eyes off her target, Taeyeon clasped her hands and slammed her palms onto the ether. Walls of swirling blackness rose from the floor, making its way towards Hyoyeon. "Tsk. How annoying." The other girl raised her hands, letting them meet the two walls about to crush her. Like fingers poking on a cake, her hands melted the semi-invisible walls. "You really won't let me take her peacefully, will you, Taeyeon-ah?", Hyoyeon said, stopping in her tracks. "Alright. I guess I'd have to play with you around for a bit. I've got plenty of time." Hyoyeon crouched down, placing her hand on the floor. Numerous green circles appeared on the dark below and from them emerged what seemed like Hyoyeon holograms to Taeyeon. "Hm. It's been a while since I used Primal Copies. Let's begin.", Hyoyeon muttered as she broke out into a run towards the agent. *** Tiffany had never felt so helpless all her life. She stood inside the glowing blue barrier, unable to do anything but watch as Taeyeon risked life and limb to protect her. The fear inside her was palpable. A woman's tears are her jewel, she thought as she fought back the wetness forming in her eyes. From the pale light the barrier was casting inside the Sanctuary, she saw multiple Hyoyeons emerge from green circles on the floor. Taeyeon conjured multiple circles in retaliation, summoning what seemed to Tiffany like hordes of butterflies from them. Their soundless flight engulfed the room and in an instant, the Hyoyeon copies vanished. Sparks of blue and green flew as the Children of the Walpurgis fought, one to attain the Jewel and the other to protect it. Suddenly, a pair of smoky, luminiscent green eyes appeared from the darkness. A large green circle, almost taking up the whole blackness below, appeared directly below Tiffany's feet, making Taeyeon's barrier flicker for a split-second. *** Caked with sweat and blood, Taeyeon felt herself slowly reaching her limit. No. I cannot let this end like this. Uncle, what am I supposed to do?, she thought as she tried to sense her opponent's next move. Even her proximity sense was almost failing her now. She took a quick step forward but was halted by a pair of long, thin, green arms emerging from below. "I'll be taking your precious Jewel now, Taeyeon-ah", Hyoyeon said with a sneer as her eyes glowed a menacing green. Now unencumbered, she buried her hands deep into the black ether. Taeyeon's eyes widened as she saw an enormous Summoning circle appear from beneath Tiffany's feet. Her senses tingled as she felt the massive power coming from it. Hyoyeon's voice came out in a whisper. "Come forth." A cloud of smoke appeared beneath Tiffany's feet as a clawed appendage sprang forth from it. The large hand clasped the screaming girl tight enough to not let her get away but not to get her killed. Slowly, the whole arm came out, followed by a shoulder and a head of what seemed to

be long, black hair. Taeyeon watched in terror as the figure emerged from the circle, its glowing red eyes staring threateningly at her. The agent struggled from her spot but was unable to move. Taking her slow steps, Hyoyeon made her way towards the dark, towering demon who held the terrified Jewel. She traced a finger along Tiffany's jaw and rested her finger on the other girl's chin. "I finally have you, my precious Jewel." She turned towards the struggling agent. "I'll be going now, Taeyeon-ah. Send my regards to the SSP." She extended her hand and a circle appeared. From its center, a pinpoint hole appeared which grew to a size enough for them to fit in. Hyoyeon took a step forward when a horde of blue butterflies appeared from within the circle, deactivating it. "DID YOU THINK I'D JUST LET YOU GET AWAY THAT EASILY?!" Taeyeon's voice reverberated inside the room which seemed to amplify it a hundredfold. What...What is this?!, Hyoyeon thought as she struggled to cover her ears. She saw the tiny circles strewn across the Sanctuary which acted like amplifiers. Her summon, which still held Tiffany, flickered slightly before letting out a flaming red ball towards the agent. "LET TIFFANY GO!" Taeyeon concentrated Walpurgis energy onto her legs and feet, cutting the bonds that Hyoyeon summoned to keep her still. She transferred the same energy to her brass knucles, giving them a slight blue glow. Taeyeon breathed in and, upon opening her eyes, the aqua blue blaze was back. In a single breath, she muttered, "Hex Accel." In a flash, she was out of the spot even before the demon's projectile reached her. Using her voice as a distraction, she attacked. In one bound, she was already between Hyoyeon and the demon. Using the other girl as leverage, she leaped into the air, swung her arm and cut the demon's arm with one, clean swing. The creature's shrill wail, amplified by Taeyeon's circles, echoed within the room. The agent deftly caught Tiffany before she hit the ground and placed some distance between her and her captors, summoning a small barrier for her. She was about to turn back when she heard the other girl whisper. "Taeyeon-ah, please...Please don't let the power...take over you." The agent gave a small nod and faced the Summon who was making its way towards her. She held out her hand and her butterflies, which were fluttering quietly about, gathered before her palm. The wavering blue lights congealed together into a long, thin katana, almost twice the length of Taeyeon's arm. The agent took a swing, sizing it up, before breaking into a run. Let's end this quickly, she thought as she took the situation at hand. Her stamina was almost hitting zero -- she cannot hold out much longer. Besides, prolonging the battle will endanger Tiffany more. She took a deep breath, catching Hyoyeon attempting another Summon from the corner of her eye. "Deca Accel." She was but a blur. In one swing, the demon was sliced cleanly in half. It gave one final shriek before dissolving into hissing, black vapor. Without effort, she went through the demon towards Hyoyeon, stopping the blade just inches from her neck. It was Tiffany's voice inside her head that stopped her. Taeyeon-ah, please...Please don't let the power...take over you. She stood up, buried the blade into the ether in front of her opponent while casting an Immobilization Circle at the

same time. A point of blinding white light seemed to pour forth from where the katana was. From a small point of light it spread out into the whole Orison Sanctuary until what was once a dense black room became an ethereal, blinding white. Taeyeon took a step back and 8 blue Walpurgis Circles appeared around Hyoyeon, who could simply watch in terror. She knew what was going to come. The agent clasped her hands and gathered all the white light into each of the circles. Slowly, tall, hooded figures of pure white began to emerge from the circles, their pale shadows looming over the trapped Jailbird within. In a whisper, Taeyeon commanded. "Purge." The figures began to spin slowly around Hyoyeon, their soft drone being echoed by the Amplification Circles that were still inside the room. As the figures went around her, Hyoyeon felt hypnotized as the black and the white seemed to merge before her eyes. Her pupils dilated as she felt some strong force being pulled out of her. "TAEYEON-AH! You...You can't do this to me!", she screamed in desperation. The agent remained silent for a while until she said. "Be thankful I did not take your life. I could've killed you then and there a while ago." The Purging Circle had begun to take effect. As the hooded figures accelerated around Hyoyeon, smoking green light began to ooze out from her. It rose above her head and gathered into a tight ball. After a few minutes and the smoke could ooze out no more, Hyoyeon fell into a heap on the floor. The hooded figures took the floating green orb and disappeared into the Walpurigis Circles from whence they came from. *** All has been settled. Tiffany was safe and Hyoyeon, at least for the time being, will remain unconscious for a couple of days. It's over, Taeyeon thought as she turned around and took a step towards her beloved Jewel. *** Tiffany saw everything from where she was. She watched as Taeyeon sliced through the demon. She watched as the hooded figures purged the Walpurigis Energy from Hyoyeon. She watched as the girl slumped unto the ether, unconscious and unmoving. She watched Taeyeon as she turned around and took a step towards where she was. She watched, with a gasp, as she saw Taeyeon's legs gave way and the agent, who had always been so alert and adept, now fell face down, slowly and without resistance, like a leaf falling from its branch. Without a sound, she watched as her Guardian lay unmoving on the floor. Taeyeon's blue barrier, which separated her from everything all this time, gave a soft flicker and was gone. *** Slowly, Tiffany stood up, her eyes locked onto that one person she

cared for the most in the world. "Tae-Tae..." Her voice came out in a whisper but there was no response. "T-Taeyeon-ah, don't...don't play around like that." But still, there was nothing. She started to feel a stinging sensation behind her eyes. She took a step closer towards the unmoving agent. The Sanctuary had returned to its original blackness as if they hadn't been there in the first place. No Jailbirds, no luminous green Circles, no berserking demon, no fluttering butterflies and aqua blue Circles. It was just herself and the two bodies in the middle of the shifting darkness. Tiffany called out as she walked closer. "Taeyeon-ah. Is this...Is this payback for what I did...a while ago? I was afraid, yes, but that... that was just for a second." She was answered by silence. "Taeyeon-ah! G-Get up already! It...It's not...It's not funny anymore!" Tiffany was fighting back tears. She knew, at this point, that she was just fooling herself, consoling herself. "TAEYEON-AH!" She can't possibly believe that this is happening. She can't possibly just accept... Finally, she stopped, the soles of her rubber shoes, which never made a sound in that place, a few inches above Taeyeon's head. Her eyes were blurred with tears as she crouched down and turned her Guardian over. She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and finally saw Taeyeon clearly: battle-stricken, her clothes torn in places, wounded, bruised, blood caking her hands which were soft but cold as ice. All this...for me. Tiffany forced herself to speak, hoping that her voice could rouse the agent. "Taeyeon-ah... Let's go home now. O-open your eyes." Tiffany took the agent's head on her lap as tears started pouring down from her eyes without reserve. She hugged the other girl tightly as waves of grief shook her to the core. No. I can't lose you, Taeyeon-ah. This can't be happening. The tears nor the pain did not stop as she hugged the girl tightly, rocking softly to the rhythm of her sobs. "TAEYEON-AAAAAH!" She let out a scream. But it was only the silent, shifting darkness that heard her. XIV. Aegis. What is this? Incense? Taeyeon thought as she opened her eyes. The first thing she saw was the plain, low ceiling and the soft glow of sunlight illuminating the room. This...This room. She sat up and saw a table and a solitary frame on the wall. She turned to look for where the light was coming from and was not surprised by what -- or who -she saw. "It's been a while, Taeyeon-ssi.", said a familiar voice. Taeyeon smiled. "Yes. It's been a while...Sensei. *** "Am I dead, Sensei? I remember being in the Orison Sanctuary and Tiffany calling me...", she paused. "Fany-ah..." They were sitting by the garden, eyes closed, feeling the shifts in the Presence around them like they used to.

"You may be. You may be not. You can never be sure, Taeyeon-ssi. For all you know, this might be the reality and the times you spent with the Jewel were just a dream." The old man chuckled. "But enough of this philosphical chatter. Isn't there anything you'd like to know, my child. About the Walpurgis Circle, perhaps?" Taeyeon felt her right hand flinch involuntarily. The old man began even before she asked her question. "The Walpurgis Circle, Taeyeon-ssi, serves as a seal to control the Walpurgis Energy that lies dormant within each Child. Although not all Children of the Walpurgis are capable of using their abilities to the fullest extent, some do awaken, like you and Hyoyeon-ssi did. You see, the power endowed by the Walpurgis is very dark and destructive, which is why they are to be kept under control." "Is that why it only manifests fully in the Orison Sanctuary?" "Yes. Exactly." "Then what about the Jewel and the Triggers, Sensei? Is it possible to actually transfer the Energy like what Fany-ah's father did?" "Theoretically, it is sound. Although the chances of them awakening is almost zero. There are conditions for the Walpurgis Energy to actually manifest. Yours, for example, were brought about by your harsh childhood, especially when the village was burned down. My teaching you a lot of things was in preparation for your future, Taeyeon-ssi. I did not want you to stray from the right path, like Hyoyeon-ssi did. You see, it was the strong feelings of vengeance and anger that awakened her powers to the fullest. However, what the Triggers have within them are still, essentially, Walpurgis Energy. This being the case, there is still a chance for them to awaken if something strong enough to stir them emotionally happens.", the old man explained patiently. "Then why didn't the Trigger Experiment work?" The old man gave a nod of satisfaction. "That's a good question, Taeyeon-ssi. Although it is true that the Jewel will only work with a Child of the Walpurgis, it will only manifest its power if the Child has been purified. That is to say, if the Energy within a Child has been cleansed by a pure heart. Walpurgis Energy was, for all intents and purposes, born out of darkness, Taeyeon-ssi. However, as all energies are, they may be changed according to their bearer. The Jewel will only respond to the Energy that has been balanced. And once it has found its pair, it is the duty of the Child to protect the Jewel as long as they live. That is the Agreement of the Aegis." Silence passed between the master and his student. Slowly, the old man opened his eyes and stood up. Taeyeon looked up and saw her teacher beckoning her. Although a bit confused, she followed his lead. The old man placed his hands on her shoulders. "You've grown a lot, Taeyeon-ssi. I am really happy to see you again. However, it's time to go."

Taeyeon gave him a puzzled look. "Where are you going, Sensei?" He shook his head with small movements. "It's you who's going, Taeyeonssi." He turned his head towards the direction of the room. A small, solitary ball of white light popped out of thin air and began zigzagging inside the room, as if it was looking for something. "It seems like...somebody still wants to see you, my child. Go." He gave her a small push. Taeyeon managed to mouth a 'Thank you' and saw the old man waving serenely before the small ball of light found her and swallowed her into its warm brightness. *** Tiffany held Taeyeon's right hand tightly as the tears flowed abundantly from her eyes. "Don't leave me, Tae. I...I still want to touch you more and kiss you more. And-And we still haven't gone out on a proper date, remember? Taeyeon-ah. Don't die on me, please." She rested her cheek on Taeyeon's right palm, where the mark that branded her a Child was. "I want to see you, Tae-Tae. I love you." She said as her tears flowed onto Taeyeon's hand. Suddenly, a flash of white light emanated from Taeyeon's hand as her tears made contact with the Circle. Tiffany removed the hand from her cheek and saw the mark glowing and pulsing as Taeyeon's hand started to get warm. A stream of white light shot off the Circle and was absorbed by the black walls of the Orison Sanctuary. Like a lighthouse in the murky darkness of the sea, the light from Taeyeon's hand illuminated the whole room. Tiffany watched as the light spread from one point until, just like before, the room became wholly white. A large aqua blue Circle appeared beneath the two girls and slowly, Taeyeon's limp body started to hover a few inches above the ground. As suddenly as it had began, all the light from within the room gathered beneath the Circle, swirling around like milk in a glass. From the center of the Circle, the light began to enter Taeyeon's body. As the last drop of white vanished, the agent landed gently into the arms of the waiting Subject. "T-Tae-Tae...", trembling slightly, Tiffany whispered. Slowly, Taeyeon opened her eyes. Tiffany felt happiness and relief, gratefulness and just utter joy. There were so many emotions she felt at the same time that she could not suppress the tears bursting from her eyes. Taeyeon slowly raised her arm and wiped the other girl's tears with a caring finger. "Fany-ah... I told you...a woman's--" "Tears are her jewel. Yes, Tae-Tae. I never forgot. I'm just...I'm just so happy.", she said as she hugged the girl as tightly as she could, as if letting her go would make the agent lie limp again in her arms. She couldn't stop crying. "I'm...I'm so happy. I thought...I thought I was going to lose you again. I love you, Tae. I love you so much.", she looked at her with tearful but loving eyes.

Taeyeon couldn't help but smile. "I know. I'm sorry for all the worry, Fany-ah. I love you, too. I'll always protect you no matter what." Tiffany held her hand. "Let's go home now, Taeyeon-ah. Everyone's waiting." She gave the hand that held her a gentle squeeze and smiled. "Yes." XV. Epilogue. "YAH. This hospital's going to get rich because of us." Im Yoona's voice rang inside the hospital room as she ate the apple Seohyun handed her. She turned towards the quiet girl and gave her a sweet smile. "Thanks.", she said and took a bite. Seohyun blushed. Because of Tiffany's persistence, Taeyeon found herself in a hospital room along with Yuri and Sooyoung. Her boss was nursing a shoulder injury while Yuri lay unconscious on her bed. Taeyeon turned her attention on her boss. "Hey, Chief. You've got lots of explaining to do. And where did you get that injury?" Sooyoung wore an expression of mock surprise. "Explaining? You want to get fired? How dare you talk to me like that!" She laughed. "But, seriously. I got this while saving some shorty's butt here." "WHO YOU CALLING 'SHORTY'?!" It was Sunny. She was sitting beside the Chief and began punching her uninjured arm in retaliation. "It wasn't my fault that I got kidnapped!" Sooyoung turned to look at her. "Of course it's your fault! What on earth were you doing loitering around the city like that?!" "But you told me to go there!", the small girl snapped back. "What? I did no such--" "Okay, stop that now.", Tiffany calmed the quarreling pair. She turned towards Jessica, who was watching over Yuri on the bed next to Sooyoung's. "Sica, how's Yuri?" "The doctor said she's stable. There wasn't any major injury so she should be waking up after a few days.", Jessica answered, her weariness evident on her face. Seohyun interjected. "Oh. It's just like what happened to Taeyeon-unnie before." "Yeah.", Taeyeon nodded in agreement. "Why is she unconscious anyway?" Yoona swallowed the apple mush in her mouth before speaking. "Honestly, I don't know. When I arrived, Yuri-ah was already out cold with Sicassi here beside her. The reinforcements arrived a few minutes later." The Energy, Taeyeon thought but decided to worry about it at a later time. She turned towards Tiffany. "Also, why is Hyoyeon-ah here? What

are you planning to do with her?", she said, motioning towards the Child lying unconscious on another bed. The girl pointed towards Sooyoung who immediately explained. "Oh, we just placed her here so I can keep an eye on her. She's under SSP custody. She'll be undergoing questioning once she recovers." Taeyeon nodded. After a while, she asked, "So. What are we going to do once we get out of here?" "The... Well, Tiffany-unnie's room needs repairing.", Seohyun suggested. "Oh. Don't worry. That'll be easy. The SSP'll take care of that.", Sooyoung answered her. "OH! OH! Then we can just go and arrange a date for Fany- and Taeyeonunnie!", Sunny shouted with a dreamy, mischievous look on her face. Taeyeon laughed. "That's nic-- Wait, WHAT?! You... You guys knew?!" Jessica couldn't help but join the commotion. "We're not blind, you know. It's so obvious even if you don't tell us." Taeyeon looked at Tiffany who blushed. Sooyoung chimed in with the teasing. "I told you it might turn out to be something good, didn't I?" "Yah, Unnie! Just because we know about you two, doesn't mean you're just going to protect her, okay? You're still our Guardian after all.", Sunny reinforced. The Guardian chuckled. "Of course. I'm not forgetting that at the slightest." Taeyeon could only smile and take Tiffany's hand within hers as the happy jeers and teasing of their companions echoed within the room. -ENDAfterword Thus ends my first fanfic, Aegis. I do hoped you enjoyed reading it. As I've said in my foreword, I'm not all that rad when it comes to fanfics -- I rarely read them. So it was a challenge for me to actually write one and actually finish it. Considering that I have the attention span of a goldfish when it comes to writing longer stories, I consider this a feat. I do apologize, though, to all those who were looking for all the really sweet stuff that I think are common in fanfics. I'm not exactly romantic and sweet so I'm not sure I can pull it off well. I may try to in the future when I get an idea for another story. And for those who were expecting steamy scenes, I cannot write smut to save my life. Although if someone demands that I write one, I may try -- even if its just a one-shot. As you may have noticed, I've left the Yuri and Sooyoung parts out. That's because I'm planning to make separate arcs for them. This being

the case, which one would you like to get first? A. The Yuri + Jessica arc. B. The Sooyoung + Sunny arc. C. The Seohyun + Yoona arc. [Although I haven't really thought this one out that much yet.] Comment with your thoughts, votes and/or love letters below. -ke- Now, if only someone would make Aegis into a manga. The Aegis-tionary Since this is a sci-fi/action fic, I figured I should provide some sort of explanation for the terms used in the story. As such, I have prepared this Aegis-tionary which you can peruse for your own enlightenment. 224. [Appears in Episode I.] Code for SSP Directives. Contains information about the mission and the people involved in it. Accel. [Appears in Episode XII.] An acceleration spell. Has varying levels, the highest of which (for this story, at least) would be Deca Accel. Also, Double, Triple, Square & Hex appears in the story. Aegis Assignment. [Appears in Episode II.] An SSP Mission Class. Specializes in the protection of a specific target. In other words, a bodyguard assignment. Agreement of the Aegis.[Appears in Episode XIV.] The silent pact that happens between the Jewel and its partner Child. Once the Jewel finds the Child that is able to activate its power, it is the duty of the Child to protect the Jewel as long as they live. Children of the Walpurgis. [Appears in Episode XI.] As the name suggests, children born during Walpurgisnacht or the Night of the Walpurgis. Jailbirds. [Appears in Episode IV.] The bad guys. Founded by Hyoyeon to gather the Triggers and, of course, the Jewel. Orison Sanctuary. [Appears in Episode IV.] The only place where the Children of the Walpurgis' powers can fully manifest. It's concentrated darkness provides the suitable location for the dark origins of the Energy to come forth, thus enabling its bearer to wield the Walpurgis Energy. Sanctions. [Appears in Episode II.] Another SSP Mission Class. Specializes in exterminating a specific target. In other words, an assassination. Sector 7. [Appears in Episode I.] As explained in Episode I, it is the final stop for every SSP Agent before going into their assignments. a.k.a, final briefing. SSP (Seoul Special Police). [Appears in Episode I.] A special division of the Seoul Police Department that specializes in more dangerous and/or abnormal cases. Houses a select number of specially-talented

agents. Purely fictional. Primal Copies. [Appears in Episode XIII.] A special ability of Hyoyeon's Circle. Enables her to make copies of herself -- very much like shadow clones minus the smoke and the funny sound when they go kaput. Walpurgis Circle. [-] The mark worn by every Child of the Walpurgis. Is meant to control the latent Walpurgis Energy that lies dormant within each Child. Also serves as an awesome tattoo. Walpurgis Energy. [Appears in Episode XIII.] The special power that lies within each Child of the Walpurgis. Is born from darkness and may be purified depending on their bearer.