Downgrade

Meeting in Distress

Committee Hall; 9:30 A.M.

Trench Dickman is a nineteen-year-old Elite and the current right hand, the youngest among the firsts, of Mr. Zyrender Everdeen. Despite of his not so fine personality, the man kept him and trained him. Trench was raised in the Care Orphanage not until Mr. Zyrender met him during his visit. He was enticed by the boy’s splendid attraction and his good manners.

“U-Uhm, Mr. Everdeen? Are we going there right away?” Trench asked as he had problems bringing the papers with him.

“Yes, dear. Let’s face those lions.” The man replied and softly chortled.

Mr. Zyrender knew that he’ll be interrogated again about Carmilla. His daughter was a member of the secret organization from the Orphanage. She was a product of it – had trained hard, developed and furnished her powers, and then became a member of the special force.

The two of them headed to the Committee Hall. It was located at the back of the Everdeen’s Residence, where a wooden bridge and a circular, enchanting pond filled with lilies and tubby toads croaking were in between. A concealed, enormously high, russet fence was built around the place to guard it. Mr. Zyrender and Trench passed the bridge. A yellow-green dragonfly recklessly flew towards them and delicately stood its rest on Mr. Zyrender’s shoulder, enough to get away with those slimy, springy tongues on the pond. The man greeted the tiny creature and flapped its wings in response.

“Hi there, little fella.”

Trench looked around, hoping to see who Mr. Zyrender is talking with. He lifted his gaze to him, his face was painted with inexplicable reaction.

“D-Did you call me little fella, Mr. Zyrender?”

The man stopped and pointed directly his finger to the dragonfly. “Oh, I’m sorry. I was talking with it.”

“Oh. D-Do…y-you really understand them?”

“Kind of. But I don’t tend to talk with them most of the time.” He leaned and whispered something. “Because I’ll look like a crackhead to others if they see me doing it.” He laughed.

“I think it’s cool.” He complimented.

“Thank you.”

Right after their short conversation, the two stood still in front of an attention chaser, a far-fetched building. Its thickly bricked walls were ornamentally designed. Two guards stood still as they held their weapons, being curious about the surrounding. Their sharp eyes moved in a diverse direction. The officers recognized their presence and opened the crimson red door with carved floral designs. They braced themselves and entered the narrow-wide pathway. Its walls were white as snow that anything that will taint it can be seen. Abstract paintings on wool were hanged vehemently together with a boar’s head at the very end, above the door to the conference room. From their left, a blue wooden door is for the kitchen where the cook is, and from their right, it has a central opening where someone can awe the Elite level. They have arrived at the door in front of them.

The men calmed themselves, tugging their clothes properly. Mr. Zyrender shifted his hair to his left and smirked. With a responsive gulp, Trench slowly knocked on the door twice. A squeaking sound escaped the room as the door opened itself. Dreadful eyes were intimidatingly giving them cold stares. The obsolete, rectangle table displayed how much authority resides around the place. There were currently three persons sitting around it; two women and a man.

Mr. Zyrender walked with his head high. He doesn’t want to show any distress from them. Trench bowed to them and went to the side, settling himself on a low, dark blue couch. The man cleared himself and went to his seat, smiling at them.

“We thought you won’t appear here, Mr. Everdeen.” A fortyish woman with her crimped, hazel brown hair said as her cheeks wrinkled. The woman was slouching from her seat, clasping her hands on the table. She was Mariella Nique Jin, a Royal. She’s known for being sumptuous. She’s splendid with her works, yet she is one of the right hands of Penelope, who’s patiently looking over the man.

“Well, I’m currently here.” Mr. Zyrender sneeringly replied. Penelope forced a smile as soon as their eyes collided.

“So, how’s your vacation went?” She asked.

It wasn’t a vacation, but he did enjoy being away from the Committee for a week.

“I had a great time inside my house.”

A thirty-four-year-old man snapped. He was wearing a white woven coat. His eyes were round together with his glasses. His long ash hair was tied into a ponytail. His eyebrows met each other as he looked at Mr. Zyrender, which is a bit browbeating.

“How is Neatherock Street? Did your daughter really get rid of the corpses?” Mr. Leovander Hunts, an Elite asked. Mr. Zyrender and him are not buddies. More like, they just don’t seem to click well. In fact, they would rather avoid each other. But, they’re not enemies.

Mr. Zyrender narrowed his stare. His face stiffened. Crossing his arms, he said, “Yes. They were able to flourish the plan.”

“Then what did we hear about having Era in the site that time too?” Now, Mariella asked a question.

He needs to act straight and not be dubious. Breathing air, he pondered, “I didn’t know that Era was also there. I think you’re having a miscommunication here. Wait, are you telling me that my daughter is responsible for such an act? Who told you that disingenuous information?

The table had turned and he can see his victory slowly coming to his embrace. Penelope didn’t budge. She was keeping herself clean in the eyes of them. The Embreal Committee was a group of people with the bloodline of the Three Founders. Two were from the Elites and the other two were Royals. There was none from the Lowies after the death of their former leader, Bervely Tin who was killed before.

“We’re not accusing your child, Zyrender. We just want to make sure…to make sure that no one will interfere with the plans.” Penelope said. Her words demand authority.

“I understand.”

“How are the kids doing?” Leovander pondered.

“Their progress is getting good. We need to recruit more. I heard there are new who just got a week ago. They have potentials.” Mariella replied, taking a sip of her water.

“How about the boy? Is he fine?” Zyrender suddenly blunted.

Penelope crossed her legs. “He’s fine. He’ll soon join us. He’s currently in the function hall, talking to the newsman. That kid is surely a clever one.”

“How about his sister?”

A sigh escaped the room. “Still on the process. But eventually, she’ll join the training. I just can’t see her worth for now.” Penelope laughed.

“She’s still going to be useful.” Leovander commented.

“We just have to boost her then.” Mariella added.

“I’ll be the one to handle her.” Mr. Zyrender announced.

Penelope smiled. “Sure. Just hand the girl to us when she’s ready.”

__________________________

Carmilla was in deep thoughts about what she saw the other day. It was her first time. Having someone like herself in such a horrific scene, where she could almost get killed is horrendous. It has been fifteen minutes when she started to talk with the statues. She sat on the callous, glistening floor, almost in seconds of having a deep sigh. She was anxious. She looked at the long pavement where Trench and her Dad walked to the Committee Hall.

"They are taking longer this time. I wonder what's happening there." She asked herself as her hand supported her head. She yawned. She looked again and awed the woman.

"I hope you can see me grow."

She heard an avenging sound from a distance, like a lion's roar. It wasn't the first time she had encountered it, but it was most of the time. A madman just appeared in her peripheral view. It was her father. Mr. Zyrender was walking straight as his thick well-trimmed eyebrows met. Trench was panicking as he followed the leader. He recognized Carmilla from a distance with a questionable look. He shook his head and bit his lip, telling the girl that it didn't go well.

Her father faced him, but as soon as the man recognized his daughter, all his grievances vanished. She was his peace, his precious jewel. The man hugged Carmilla tight as if he had been worrying since then. What happened? She thought.

"Are you okay, Dad?"

"Did they follow you here?" His eyes were ravaging.

"Who?"

"The Era."

Trench was catching up his breath. Holding both his knees.

"No. Of course not, and why will they?"

"Thank goodness. Penelope is having a concentration on you, so you better act as nothing happened back there, okay?" He flinched.

Carmila nodded as her father dragged her to the side, where no one can see them. He was looking everywhere, examining each corner of their residence. It was only the three of them. Trench was standing in silence, patiently listening to every detail. He's the only person they can trust and the young man's loyalty is theirs.

"Listen, they're using the kid right now as a defense. Penelope doesn't waver nor shows mercy. I'll be taking you on another mission. But this time, this is not for the Committee or for Penelope. This is for us."

Carmilla nodded in silence.

Mr. Zyrender turned to look Trench.

"Come here, lad." He signaled the boy to come over.

Looking with curiosity, Trench went and stood beside Carmilla, who was a bit uncomfortable. He shrugged.

Mr. Zyrender tapped his shoulder and locked his eyes upon his. It wasn't the friend he used to know, but the man is acting as his boss, the Elite's Leader.

"Listen, Trench. This is so important that it can cause your life. The two of you," He looked to Carmilla. "We'll be going to the first level and get things done. Please make sure that you'll return in whole and...not in pieces."

"But, Dad. Why him?" She pointed at Trench. "I could ask Anton to come with me."

"We can't trust those who were with you in Neatherock St. Penelope and the Committee were suspicious of having Era that time. Someone is eyeing for them. We can't trust anyone other than ourselves." Mr. Zyrender replied.

"Trench, please take good care of my daughter while you're both far. It won't take that long when you come back before they initiate to take down Era with themselves and exile them...or worse get rid of them...in just a week." He added.

"Nothing is far worse than having that grey-haired woman around." Trench commented.

A smirk was plastered in a sudden on Carmilla's face. "I bet, Penelope is squirming on her bed as she hoped that everything will be according to her plan. She just showed us how squeaky and frightened she is if Era can give her much damage." She said between her sneer.

"She's probably continuing to enhance her strength, by doing that experiments again."

"You mean, a power-up, Dad?"

The man nodded, rubbing his chin as he took some steps back and forth. He was thinking deeply.

"Penelope let me handle a girl in the Orphanage. You need to get that child for me. She's related to the weapon. "

Carmilla sighed as she remembered the training ground. It was harrowing and dire. She fought hard to survive. She once hated that place, but Mr. Zyrender showed her a different side of the training. It was sure as hell as her wounds and bruises, but her Dad taught her that it won't last long and she'll gain a lot from it. Now, she was thankful for the man.

She hugged Mr. Zyrender tight. They didn't even get a chance to have fun as a father and a daughter, but seeing each other was more to that - knowing that both of them are alright.

"Now, go pack your things and I'll request a gate pass for both of you." He said, kissing her on the forehead. "I love you, my jewel."

"I love you too, Dad."

The man turned himself and went to the gatekeeper to ask for a pass. The two were left. Trench blinked twice as he stared at Carmilla.

"Dude, don't drool. God, why it has to be you?" She walked out, rubbing her temple.

"Y-Your father chose me to." He yelled.

"Yeah. Whatever. Do as you please." She waved her hand and snapped, heading to her room.

Everdeen's Residence Gate

"Here's your pass." Mr. Zyrender offered them their gate pass.

Trench was looking at it intently, flipping it on both sides. It was his first time to see one.

"Okay. Enough with that amusement. You might lose this."

Carmilla suddenly snatched it and immediately scooped it inside her pouch. Mr. Zyrender elbowed Trench on his side slightly and whispered, "You'll get in touch with her soon." He gave him a pat on his back. "Just tale your time." He added, giving him a thumbs up.

He wasn't sure if it was a piece of advice or a threat, but both of them should blend with each other. They just made a team, a bond. And, whether they like it or not, they need to get in ties.

"Oh! Before I forgot." Mr. Zyrender grabbed something on his shoulder and handed it over to Carmilla. The tiny insect greeted her with its flapping wings on her hand. It was the dragonfly.

"Is this a part of the plan?" She exhaustingly said.

Her father clasped his hands, and uttered, "Of course! I called him by his new name, Fifi! That sounds cool right?!"

"Yeah!" Trench responded, making the man laughed in tears. Now, Carmilla is thinking that a bunch of Elites are purely idiots. Her father cleared his throat. "Okay. So, Fifi!...is going to be your...uh...eye there. If you fulfill your goals in the first level, please do let me know so I can prepare here."

"He just talked to Fifi a while ago." Trench snooped in, whispering to Carmilla.

She turned her face and Trench surely did regret his action. He gulped several times.

"Did I ask you?" She coldly stared at him, focusing with her patience for the man.

'N-No."

Fifi rested on Carmilla's shoulder. Mr. Zyrender went between them, tugging both. "Okay. You don't have to be like a dog and a cat. How I wish I'll see you become best friends." He chuckled. "Now," He gently pushed both of them. "You should go. I'll be seeing you again. Take care of yourselves and be sure to come back handy." He winked.