Note: When the characters are speaking in English, it will be represented in blue like this.

---

 

The moment they saw each other, they ran up and huddled into a big group hug. 

 

'Let's get out of here.' Jihyo said and they all agreed. Nayeon opened a portal straight to the main hall of their mansion.

 

'C'mon!' She prodded when the members stared at the steady clear portal. 'I think we have a lot to talk about after being apart for just a couple of hours.'

 

'I agree.'

 

 

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

 

 

'Where should we start?' Jeongyeon asked and looked around. They had been sitting in silence for the past five minutes and were just looking around at each other.

 

'Let's go clockwise round the table from the leader.' Sana suggested. 

 

Jihyo nodded and immediately began to recount her meeting with Xander, repeating everything that she told her before passing it on to Nayeon. As they each recounted the events, Jihyo had written down the key points on the huge whiteboard that was mounted at the front of the room. The only two people who left out the parts of their own fears were Mina and Sana, contributing only information about the Orion's Order as well as the prophecy.

 

'He who turns the sun dark will bring forth a new era of chaos and destruction?' Jihyo repeated. 'That's bad. Really bad.' She muttered and scribbled it down, circling it with a red marker. 

 

'Let's put the prophecy aside for now. We need to focus on the bigger problem at hand. Everything tallies up to what we found out.' Jihyo used the marker and tapped on the board before placing small ticks beside each known points. 'The only knew information is that they have dungeons and a base of operation where they keep all their plans and information, which is in Vienna.' The telekinetic circled the capital name and drew an arrow to link it with the other two points.

 

'We have to make a trip to Vienna. It's out only hope to foiling their plans.' Mina said urgently.

 

'But how would we get in and out without raising the alarm?' Nayeon asked.

 

'Skyler said that I should ask my mastermind friend, but who's that? Jihyo?' Momo looked at the leader who stared at her with wide eyes and blinked. 

 

'I think its Sana.' Mina started and the said girl turned to look at her friend.

 

'Eh? Me?' Sana pointed to herself.

 

'I trust you will have a plan.' Mina winked. 

 

Sana raised an eyebrow but didn't protest; instead she began racking her brain for ideas. It was such a high security building with checkpoints at every ring. If that building worked the same as her dad's headquarters.. 

 

'We'll need some staff passes and a few volunteers.' Sana said and stood up from her seat. 

 

'What do you have planned?'

 

'We'll make the fake passes and get through the first security check to enter the building. Then, we'll make out way in with that drawn out path till we reach the centre. We'll grab whatever evidence and plans we need and they have, free the prisoners and get out.'

 

‘Wait; there are a few holes in that plan. One, how would our fake passes be registered in the database? And two, how do we get back out with the prisoners?' Jeongyeon raised a hand at Sana as a gesture to pause. 

 

'With a little hacking, the information can be added into their database and as for a way out.. We'll cause some destruction. Since we were told to destroy all their plans, when we take what we need, we won’t need the rest. We can cause panic and confusion by setting the building on fire and the sprinklers would go crazy and we'll manoeuvre our way out of the mess.' 

 

'Hmm that seems like our only option. Any other suggestions?' Jihyo looked around and everyone seemed to agree that Sana's plan was the best. 

 

'We'll stick to that then. Who's going? Some of us will have to stay to watch over the local areas and look out for Joohyun's package.' Dahyun looked at her members. 

 

'Sana will have to go. Nayeon for their getaway, Mina for the distraction and Jihyo. A master telekinetic should be of great help should anything accidentally not go according to plan.' Momo offered. 

 

'Then it's finalized. The four of us will go and return with the captives while the five of you hold the fort here.' Jihyo capped the marker and placed it down on the holder. 'We'll leave as soon as we get our stuff ready.' 

 

The meeting was adjourned and they streamed out of the room. 

 

'I can't believe we were only in there for a couple hours. It felt like such a long time.' Mina heard Momo talking to Jeongyeon. Since they reunited, she hadn't had any contact with Sana yet, much less exchanging glances. She wondered if the other girl was avoiding her but she could wait, she had to pack up. 

 

They can settle this in Vienna. 

 

---

 

'Are we ready?' Nayeon asked and looked at the three other girls. There was a distinct shift in attitudes and vibes from everyone, she could feel it. There was less playfulness that hung around them and it was replaced by seriousness, just like how Pyralis had told Mina. 

 

The four had dressed up in the most formal clothing they owned. They were all in monochrome clothing, making them look like real personnel of the building they were about to infiltrate. 

 

'Spare change of clothes? Some necessities? In case we get stranded.’ Jihyo asked.

 

'Yes mom.' Mina sniggered and her same-aged friend glared at her. 'You really are a mom friend.'

 

'Alright then, let's go.' Jihyo ignored Mina and nodded at her girlfriend. 

 

A portal opened to reveal a narrow alley. It was currently 4 pm but the sun had already set since it was winter and the chilly 2°C air hit them once they stepped through. They could hear the city life from both sides of the alley openings. 

 

'Which way do we go?' 

 

'Give me a moment.' Sana said and pulled her phone out of her coat pocket. She signalled for them not to move as she raised her phone to her ear. Sana was about to walk to the closer entrance when she turned back to give Mina a nod, a signal for the latter to follow. Mina looked and Nayeon and Jihyo who were looking in the opposite direction before following her partner. 

 

'Hello? Yes, I'm in Vienna now, where are you?' Mina heard Sana speak into the receiver as she closed the distance between them and fell into step with the girl. 

 

'What street I'm on? Hold on.' Sana looked around for a street sign. 

 

'Over there.' Mina tapped Sana's shoulder and pointed at a sign down the road at the intersection that wasn't too far away. 

 

'Wallnerstra.. How do you pronounce that? Ah you get my point. Five minutes? Okay. Thank you so much.' Sana hung up. 

 

'Who was that?' Mina asked. 

 

'A staff member in one of the local offices here. I got them to hack into the database as soon as we finished the meeting and got the passes ready so now he's going to deliver them.' Sana explained as she pocketed her phone. 

 

'Sana? Was your fear.. Concerning me?' Mina asked slowly despite having a strong feeling that she was right. She just had to hear the girl say it for herself.

 

'Yes. Your guardian told you huh?' Sana gave a small smile and averted her gaze. Knowing that Mina is aware of her fondness towards the girl was nerve wrecking. She couldn't help but feel a little anxious about what the girl thinks. Thankfully the dim lightings hid the blush on her face.

 

'I just had a feeling it would be. I hope it won't make things awkward.. Since I know and stuff..' Mina trailed off and Sana felt a little uncomfortable. Awkward? Why would they be awkward? Unless Mina doesn't reciprocate her feelings?

 

'You don't feel that way huh..' Sana said softly.

 

'No, I just-' 

 

'Miss Minatozaki.' A man's voice called out in a thick Austrian accent, cutting Mina off. They turned towards the new voice and saw a man closing the car door to a black Mercedes CLA 200. 

 

'Your package.' He held out a white plastic envelope which she took with a smile. 

 

'Thank you David. How is my dad?' Sana asked in slightly awkward English.

 

'He's okay but he's worried about you.' 

 

'Tell him not worry and I'll call him soon.' 

 

'Yes. I will take my leave now, farewell and be safe.' He bowed before returning to the car and driving off. 

 

'It's "not to worry".' Mina corrected Sana in a perfect English accent. 

 

'Since when do you speak English?' Sana's eyes widened at the new discovery.

 

'I was born in the States, of course I speak English.' Mina flipped her hair in a playful manner and she earned herself a light punch on the shoulder. 

 

'C'mon.' Sana nodded towards the two girls who were still standing around and watching them with curious eyes. 

 

'What's that? That dude looked really.. really.. business-y.' Nayeon said.

 

'He came to pass us this.' Sana opened the envelope and pulled out four passes stringed on a black lanyard. 

 

'Now I feel business-y.' Nayeon laughed as she looped it around her neck. 

 

'Chic businesswomen.' Jihyo commented as they donned their passes. 

 

'Let's go. No time to waste.' Mina said. She looked around and saw a small space between two crates. 'Let's leave our stuff here. Bag checks would give us more trouble.'

 

They stuffed their bags into the small space and walked out of the alley, straightening their clothes to make sure they look professional enough.

 

They walked through the automatic glass doors and their footsteps echoed around the warm lobby. Avoiding eye contact with the receptionist who didn't seem to find them suspicious at all, they tapped their cards on the electronic gates and they beeped, doors opening for them to pass. 

 

'What was it again? A left turn down this corridor then a right?' Mina asked, looking at the signs that were all in German. 

 

'Follow me.' Jihyo whispered and led the way. They arrived at their first security check right after they rounded the corner. 

 

'Guten Abend, meine Damen. Sie müssen durch diesen Metalldetektor gehen. Bitte nehmen Sie alle elektronischen Geräte oder Gegenstände aus Ihren Taschen heraus. (Good evening, ladies. You need to walk through this metal detector. Please take out any electronic device or objects from your pockets.)' The guard smiled. 

 

'Sicher. (Sure.)' Jihyo replied and the girls tried not to look surprised. 

 

'We need to walk through the metal detector. Just take out everything from your pockets.' Jihyo told them mentally and they began emptying their coat pockets.

 

They walked through the scanners one by one and cleared it in a breeze. 

 

'Danke. (Thank you.)' Jihyo nodded to the guard who tipped his hat and walked back to his station. 

 

'Now we make a right and another right before going straight all the way.' Jihyo said and gestured for them to hurry. 

 

They reached the second checkpoint but this time, things didn't go as smoothly. Just as Mina stepped through the sensors, it began to beep and an alarm sounded. The pyrokinetic began to panic internally, trying to remember if she had anything in her pockets that she had forgotten to remove. She made eye contact with Sana who looked very worried.

 

'Bitte treten Sie heraus und stehen Sie hier, um unten zu klopfen. (Please step out and stand here to be pat down.)' A female guard said and pointed to a sticker on the white marble floor that had two footprint marks on it. The guard looked at the screen and Mina glanced at it from her peripherals, there was a yellow box over her head. 

 

'Haben Sie eine Halskette an? (Do you have a necklace on?)' 

 

Mina shook her head. 

 

'Sie hat eine Zahnfüllung. (She has a tooth filling.)' Jihyo quickly interjected at the guard nodded in understanding.

 

'Tut mir leid, dass diese Detektoren sehr empfindlich sind. Sie können gehen. (Sorry about that, these detectors are very sensitive. You may go.)' The guard extended an open palm towards the area where Jihyo was waiting.

 

'How the hell did that happen?' Mina asked, looking back at the detectors with a freakish gaze.

 

'I'm guessing the closer you get to their high security information and secret dungeon, the tighter their security gets.' Jihyo said and patted Mina's back. 

 

'Are you okay?' Sana asked, looking at Mina. 

 

'Yeah, still a little jumpy but I'll be alright.' Mina assured the girl and brushed their hands together, making the latter quickly look away. 

 

'Jihyo? Since when did you learn German?' Mina asked, genuinely curious.

 

'I didn't, somehow it gets translates into Korean after I hear it in my head. Weird but true.' 

 

'Probably some master level sorcery going on in there.' Mina chuckled. 

 

'That must be it.' Sana pointed at a vault door at the end of the corridor. There were no guards but there were several security cameras positioned around, probably to capture every angle of the vault. 

 

'How do we get past those? We're probably not even cleared to access that.'

 

'Give me a second.' Jihyo closed her eyes. She could feel every consciousness that was in the building. Rather than seeing darkness, she had a clear image of the entire area, like those 3D software used to design architecture for buildings. She was not looking from where her physical body was; instead she seemed to be above the building and looking down at it. She searched through the building and found the security room. It was like traveling in a high speed tunnel. She could see the man sitting on the swivel chair, looking at the monitors and recording something on his notebook. 

 

Jihyo's consciousness stood behind him but he wouldn't have felt a thing. She manipulated his thoughts and controlled his bodily movements. The guard stood up from his chair and walked to the control panel as if in a daze. He lifted the transparent plastic cover and pressed the button, switching off all the security cameras within the building. Next, she made him unlock the vault door but there didn't seem to be one to unlock the cell gates. Jihyo walked him back to his seat before sending him to sleep.

 

'Cameras are off and the door is unlocked. Let's move.' The telekinetic said and began running for the door.

 

Mina twisted the wheel and Jihyo pushed the heavy cast iron door open. The inside resembled the storage room of an old office. Boxes were stacked up and the drawers of metal cabinets were bursting with folders. In the middle was a metal door which was probably the entrance to their underground prisons.

 

'How do they even amass so many evil plans?' Mina looked around at the stacks and stacks of documents. 

 

'You and Sana should go get the captives, me and Nayeon will search for the documents we need. The gates won't open so you will have to break them open, I don't think there are any guards with keys but still be careful.' Jihyo said and the pair nodded. Mina unlatched the door and Sana descended before the former followed behind, leaving the door open. 

 

Sana almost tripped and fell down the stairs which was in total darkness if it wasn't for Mina who caught her arm just in time. The latter lit a small flame in her arm and shone it down the steps. It was a steep decent but it was a short flight.

 

'Thanks.' Sana said, heart thumping from almost rolling down and Mina’s touch.

 

'Jihyo just told us to be careful.' Mina chuckled. Sana had expected the girl to let go of her arm but instead, Mina's hand slid down to her hand and gripped it tightly. 

 

'Just in case.' Mina smiled and walked down, pulling Sana along behind her. At the end of the steps was another door with a small glass pane where some light seeped through. 

 

Mina tried the handle but it was locked. Stepping back, she aimed a kick at the spot right beside the handle and the door went flying. 

 

There were two rows of cells that stretched down the corridor. 

 

'Who are you?' Someone asked from one of the cells. 'Here to take us to experiment?'

 

'No. We're here to break you out. Just step away from the door when we get to you. And stay as quiet as you can!' Mina said, voice echoing down the quiet corridor.

 

'You take that side.' Mina let go of Sana's hand which immediately began to feel cold. 

 

They started breaking the locks; Sana freezing and shattering them while Mina heated them till they melted. 

 

One by one, the cell doors swung open and mutants in white clothes stepped out, helping Mina and Sana to free the others who were still incarcerated. 

 

'Is this all of you?' Sana asked as she punched through the last cell. 

 

'No, there are a few more solitary confinement cells where the stronger ones are held.' A lady said.

 

'Where are these cells?' 

 

'In the east wing of the building. Guards armed with Tasers and guns are patrolling the area, you'll never get past them.' Another shook his head. 

 

Mina exchanged glances with Sana. 

 

'You follow Jihyo and Nayeon. Take them all out of here, I'll get the rest.'

 

'What? It's too dangerous! Let me go with you!' Sana shouted in protest. 

 

'I'm supposed to create a diversion anyway. I'll draw the attention to me so you guys can make a getaway. I'll pick them up and blow this place up.' Mina gripped Sana's wrist and gave a assuring nod. The girl seemed to hesitate but gave in. 

 

'Please be safe.' 

 

'Go.' Mina motioned for the ex-prisoners to get out. 

 

''Tis all?' Nayeon asked. 

 

'No. I'll go get those in solitary confinement from the east wing, you guys take them and get out. I'll meet with you guys at the alley.' Mina patted Jihyo's shoulder before running off. 

 

'Let's get out of here.' Jihyo said as she picked up a box of documents. 

 

 

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

 

 

Mina raced back down the corridor where they had come from. Thank god she chose to wear black boots instead of some chic killer heels which would have probably killed her. 

 

She slowed down and walked past the second checkpoint before breaking into another run. She saw the same friendly man from before and decided to ask for directions. Maybe she should have waited for Jihyo to tell her how to get there before racing off like a maniac. 

 

'Hallo nochmal. In Eile? (Hello again. In a rush?)' The guard smiled and walked up to Mina. 

 

'Can you speak English?' Mina asked, slightly short of breath. 

 

'Yes, how can I help?' 

 

'I need to get to the east wing.'

 

'Go straight, make a right back to the lobby and there will be a corridor with the big letter E above the doorway. Those are the solitary confinement cells, a little dangerous. Should I go with you?' He said in a thick accent. 

 

'It's okay. Thank you so much.' Mina nodded and quickly walked off before he could ask any more questions. 

 

Following his directions, she ran all the way to the cells and caught sight of the first guards the prisoner had warned her about.

 

'Oi! Sie benötigen Dokumente, um hier zu sein! (Oi! You need documents to be here!)' A guard spread his arms to block her from passing. She jumped to the side and did a wall spin, bringing a fist down to his head and knocked him out cold. A few more guards drew their Tasers but she deflected them with an arc of fire. 

 

Mina heard two distinct shots and time seemed to slow down. One was from a Taser and one was from a gun. She could see the bullet passing through the flames and she rolled out of the way and grabbed the wire of the Taser at the same time. The bullet grazed her arm but it wasn't serious. A jolt of electricity shot through her body but she redirected it back down the metal wire and the guard who fired it was instantly electrocuted. 

 

One of the guards must have reported the situation because the alarms began to blare and red light flashed along the corridor. Deciding not to waste any more time, she discharged a wave of electricity and the guards were down. Grabbing the keys which had dropped out from someone's pocket and onto the floor, she raced into the confinement area. 

 

The door was blown off its hinges and she flew through. There were only five cells with metal walls and a small peephole on each door. 

 

'I'm busting you out! Don't kill me when I knock your door down!' Mina called out and began unlocking the cell doors, granting the mutants freedom. 

 

'Thanks. Who are you? How did you get through such high security?' One guy with a goatee asked.

 

'Save your questions, we have to go.' Mina led them back out and looked around. She saw a smoke detector on the ceiling and shot a blast of fire at it. The piercing sound of the fire alarm began to sound and the sprinklers deployed, dousing them all in water. 

 

'Do any of you happen to be a geokinetic?' Mina asked and looked around at the five mutants. 

 

'I am.' The goatee guy said.

 

'Can you expose the gas pipes beneath?' Mina asked hastily. 

 

'You're gonna get us all killed!' A girl shouted.

 

'I'm a aerokinetic, I could shield us from the explosion.' A lanky boy raised his hand. 

 

'Hurry.' Mina instructed and pointed at the ground. The men created a square shaped crack and lifted the piece of concrete and earth straight up to reveal several pipes. There was a few yellow pipes but Mina didn't have the time to check. 

 

'Cover cover!' Mina shouted as she faced her palm downwards into the ground. She didn't blast it with flames, instead she was charging up for a bigger blast. Mina pressurized the flames into a ball before letting it shoot down into the hole. As the ball travelled down, she brought up a second shield of fire to overlap the air bubble. 

 

Everything was engulfed in flames and there was the ear bursting sound of gas being ignited and exploding under the building. 

 

Sana turned around from down the street just in time to see the building that she was in just minutes ago erupt into a gigantic ball of flame. 

 

'Mina!' She gasped, eyes widening at the orange flames that were at the walls. The trees nearby had also caught fire and everything in the vicinity was washed with an orange glow from the intensity of the flames. 

 

Sana could only pray that her partner was okay.