CALAMITY CARMEN

CHAPTER TWO

A faint yet wary sigh of resignation filled the otherwise tense atmosphere of the Prime Representative’s office as a faint glimmer of dawn began to break through smothering and unrelenting wispy grey clouds that had been plaguing the= temporal shies of what was once known as Northern Europe for the past few months.

First Officer, Supreme Commander Abrams dejectedly stared out of his wall sized window with a set frown upon his once handsome weathered and scared face. He had just finished read a long disturbing report that was slipping through his brain without leaving the slightest trace of meaning behind.

Standing stiffly to his right stood his subordinate, whom judging from the slight shine of sweat and dark circles under his eyes, hadn’t had a decent amount of rest for the past few days. They were waiting for long a much anticipated meeting to address an imperative matter that had just come to their attention, while trying to suppress unpleasant memories of what had been a very long, tiring, and difficult week, there was not much space in his head for anything else.

“Supreme General your visitors have arrived”, spoke his secretary to his left, raising a small dainty hand to adjust the horn rimmed glasses perched on her nose, her owl like eye’s trained on the grand iron door on the opposite end of the hall like office.

“Let them in.”

As if responding to his permission, three intricately crafted disc like handles twisted and turned on their own volition with the audible sounds of an invisible automotive at work as they opened to reveal two distinctively female and male figures purposefully walk in.

“Welcome,” she said assiduously as she gently gestured her hand towards the large intimidating man sitting on the opposite end of the room with such practiced grace she looked more fit to be in the palace than in a place of intended for military, political and strategic affairs.

“Supreme Commander, I represent to you” she began, gesturing to the young slender man to her right, who looked every part of what a previous memo stated about him. Tall, disciplined and cold, “Lieutenant Colonel Eriksson of the Department of Inquisition, the twenty fifth Champion of Saint Eskil and the heir apparent to the Kingdom of breiðr-"

Dark almost blue eyes flicked to the silent blonde haired young man in front of him, as he greeted his superior with a text book perfect salute, which on an average day he would have approved if not for the cold indifference reflected in his stormy grey eyes.

"-Lieutenant Dubois, from the Department of Advanced Technology and sciences and the twenty third Champion of Saint Louise, from the noble House of Clermont." Supreme General Abrams watched as young woman with mousey brown hair and roses cheeks saluted with practiced ease, her brown eyes curious and ready to prove herself.

"And Lieutenant di Medici, from the department of Special Affairs, and the twentieth Champion of Saint Felipe, from the noble House of Asturias." An older man with shoulder length hair gave his due respect, one didn't have to look twice to notice that he was a laid-back and flamboyant man, evident by his sloppy and general lucky go easy attitude, the man always had a causal smile on his face.

Abrams acknowledged the man with a nod of his head, he respected the man and one would be fool not to, for more reasons than one. With one look at his assistant and secretary, they both silently vacated the room like they were never there.

"There is a grim mood over Greystone," he began as he gestured for them to take a seat. "There’ve been countless reports of famine in the north, numerous sightings of abnormal entities ranging from category five to ten, and with them a new plague of disease that we’re yet  to figure out.  The Council of ten are growing restless, and as representatives of your respective domains you are perfectly aware of this?”

The three champions silently individually tilted their heads in acknowledgement.

Supreme Commander Abrams clutched his jaw in frustration, feeling another headache coming, “I had an audience with the Cardinals of Aðill, it is as we feared….the ancient wards and runes placed on the great wall by your ancestors are weakening a lot faster than anticipated, but for them to be reinforced…….” He trailed off as he turned his attention to the sole woman among the three, “there are only three of you.”

“The Champion of Saint Alec is still yet to be chosen.” Lieutenant Dubois replied reluctantly. She was perfectly aware that most Supreme Generals have prior knowledge of how the Pantheon of Champions worked, from the facts to the lore, any high level official or priest had some level of knowledge pertaining to the history of the Champions. But even books and tales passed on from generation to generation were not known for their accuracy, even the Champions were limited.

“The cycle is not supposed to take this long-”

“- We also have our limitations of the inner workings of the Mystics Supreme General,” interrupted Lieutenant di Medici with a tight smile on his face. “Unfortunately….it is as you said, the Caelestium ostensione can only be performed by the Four Champions of the Saints of Aðill-.”

“-DAMN IT!!!!” Abrams snapped, slamming a large hand on his desk, causing it to slightly tremor. He didn’t know what was worse, the fact that the one thing that could save mankind was beyond reach or the fact that he couldn’t do anything about! And just when he was about to dismiss them, the three Champions all seemed simultaneously startled by something not seen, before looking at each other.

“What is the matter?”

“We are being called by the Oracle and must make haste Supreme Commander.”

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