As the images flashed on the screen, Tee's mind was flooded with memories of books and documentaries she had encountered, recounting the harrowing events of the Reign of Severin. The descriptions painted vivid and chilling scenes in her imagination, evoking a sense of awe and terror at the sheer magnitude of the ancient menace.

  The frightening colossal wings stretched across the sky, eclipsing the stars and casting an ominous shadow over the land. The nine tails, each possessing unfathomable power, capable of obliterating mountains in a single sweep.

  A deafening roar that silenced every living creature on the planet. And those haunting red eyes, etched deeply into her consciousness, burning like embers long after her eyes were shut. The darkness that accompanied that reign of terror was not simply the absence of light, but a tangible force that permeated every corner of existence.

  The images on the screen became all too familiar. They represented the second most dangerous era in history after the first Apocalypse, the Reign of Severin. Until that point, those accounts had been distant tales of a bygone era, detached from Tee's own reality.

  But in that dimly lit room, faced with the holographic representations of the Xenosapians and the mention of the Alpha Seal, a shift occurred within her. The stories became more than just stories; they became a part of her present, a potential threat looming over their lives.

  "...The dawning of a new era arrived with the emergence of Eon, a shining beacon of hope amidst the encroaching darkness. He was bestowed with the divine power of Metasyne, the purest manifestation of Shinra's radiant energy.

  “With this ethereal might, Eon valiantly confronted and vanquished the malevolent force embodied by Severin, reducing his physical form to naught but dust and shadows. In the aftermath, the Alpha Seal shattered into fragments, while the Imperial stone slipped into the abyss of oblivion, forever lost to the annals of reality."

  The Elder furrowed as he began to speak his next words.

  "Yet, behold, Severin, though his mortal vessel lay in ruins, his essence endured, trapped within the confines of a parallel dimension. We believe that he communeth with those who venture upon his dark path, bidding them to do that which he himself cannot accomplish.”

  Tee's mind spun with confusion as the Elder's words challenged the established beliefs and historical accounts that had been ingrained in her consciousness for as long as she could remember. Nineteen years of existence and never once had she encountered a version of their past that deviated so drastically from the accepted narrative.

  Frozen eyes finally blinked and she felt a jerk from the floor after someone's chair legs rubbed back against it.

  Did that old man mean to tell her Severin was still alive in some weird realm? And who was that Eon person? She thought Severin and his minions left the planet for the mysteries of space in search of more power.

  “From the Verge came revelation, and with it the names of five Sentinels—just as it once revealed Eon. And so we know: great peril gathers upon us.

  “It is our belief that the Alpha Wardens, who for centuries hunted and guarded the fragments of the Alpha Seal, have long since strayed. Pride and darkness consumed them. They were cast from their charge, stripped of their station, and others—Vergants—were appointed in their place. Yet the Wardens did not depart quietly. They slaughtered their successors, and from that day forth, they bore a new name: the Harbingers.

  “Then came a darker sign—the stirring of the Omega Stone. Vergant and Harbinger clashed in dreadful battle, but the stone was lost once more, torn from this plane by sorcery steeped in shadow. Many fell that day, their lives extinguished in vain. Still, the stone is not gone forever. We believe it shall return, and when it does, the Sentinels must be there to guard it, to keep it from unworthy hands. The Harbingers must be silenced—utterly.

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  Behold.”

  New visions flared upon the hologram as he spoke.

  “Legion—the hooded one—is no mere man, but a vessel wrought of error. A chant, twisted by dark sorcery, drew millions of tormented souls into him. He is a legion indeed, cursed to carry them within.

  Silva, shrouded in bandages, is another sort of victim—his form touched by the Xenogene. He is not whole, and never shall be.

  Riven, the carrion-bird, bears the lingering scars of corruption.

  Sade, an old soul, once walked as a Vergant in the age of Jorah, but lost his way, wandering into shadow.

  And Lilith… Lilith is not born of flesh, but of dark mana itself. Her will bound to the Dark Lord, her power great enough that she has risen as their leader.”

  At that, Tee gasped. Her eyes locked on the image of a man with jaw-length silver hair and garments black as night. Him. The figure who haunted her in secret moments, appearing only when she was alone. The stalker she had never confessed to anyone. Her chest tightened. Was he truly real—or only the cruel trick of her own mind?

  The old man’s voice grew grave once more.

  “The Harbingers do not seek destruction of the Alpha Seal as once they vowed. No—they would forge it anew, to summon a second Reign of Severin, and drench this world in shadow.”

  The hologram flickered out, and automatically, the vents at the windows rose, revealing the bright daylight outside. Tee noted the strange absence of grilles, a subtle oddity that made her pause.

  White lights snapped on, sending a burning sting behind her eyes. She blinked hard, thinking perhaps the meeting was over—but when the Elder lifted his gaze from his clasped hands and began to speak, all hope drained from her.

  “Verily, it hath been proclaimed that though Eon hath departed from our midst, his noble heritage—an eternal bond with the life force of our planet—hath been bequeathed unto successive generations, perpetuating an unending cycle.

  “In truth, his essence, akin to a sacred torch, hath been kindled within new vessels, passing from one to another through the ages, an unbroken chain that connecteth mortals to the very soul of our world. Thus, the flame of Eon's legacy continueth to burn bright, weaving its threads through the tapestry of time, ensuring that his spirit and purpose endure beyond mortal flesh.”

  His voice swelled, and his worn eyes gleamed with sudden vitality.

  “Lo, a wondrous revelation hath unfolded from the mystical realm of the Verge! A new generation of the sacred Ultramites hath been unveiled, their destined hosts birthed in the selfsame month, nigh unto nineteen years ago. And now, on this auspicious day, they standeth in mine presence, bearing witness to the unfolding of our noble cause…”

  Tee’s eyes widened, and she leaned forward, unable to tear her gaze from the Elder’s mouth as he continued:

  “Behold, let the names of these chosen ones be proclaimed unto all who gathereth here! Kie Reuben, Saeda Marzuka, Tee Char, Zod Nakaski, and Miko Tenant—you are the appointed bearers of destiny, selected by forces beyond mortal comprehension…”

  Tee’s jaw dropped at the sound of her name. But the Elder pressed on.

  “From this moment forth, thy sacred duty commenceth. As the new Sentinels of our beloved planet, it is upon thy shoulders to safeguard the delicate balance and thwart the looming threat of a Third Apocalypse.

  “Thou art chosen for this noble quest, and with unwavering resolve, thou shalt fulfill thy calling with valor and righteousness. May the divine light guide thy path, and may the strength of thy united spirits prevail against the forces of darkness. Embrace thy destinies, courageous Sentinels, and let the echoes of thy names resonate throughout the annals of time.”

  For a long, awkward moment, the five teens exchanged glances of disbelief.

  “I think… he said we’re the guardians of the planet or something,” Zack finally muttered—then ripped his mouth open in laughter.

  Saeda, perched at the edge of her chair, let out a loud laugh that carried to the ceiling before collapsing back into her seat.

  Zod leaned forward, hammering the table with his fists as laughter overtook him entirely.

  Kie pressed a hand over his face, trying to hide his amusement, but the rising and falling of his shoulders betrayed him.

  Miko’s laughter brought tears streaming down her cheeks; she fanned herself desperately with both hands, trying to regain composure.

  Tee’s own face ached from muscles long unused to joy, laughter spilling from her lips in helpless bursts. One thought echoed clearly in her mind: that must be a prank—or perhaps some bizarre experiment. She gasped, torn between disbelief and the absurdity of it all.