The sensation of being watched finally struck Tee, cutting through the laughter that still lingered in the room. Her rose-tinted, watery eyes locked onto the figures seated before them, and the others slowly fell silent, sensing the gravity of the moment.

  “It is evident,” Elder Caledor said, his voice calm and measured, “that thou shalt require time to fully internalize the revelations bestowed upon thee.”

  Elder Earvangar inclined his head. “Please, you may take your leave.”

  “All save thee, Tee Edna Char. We would speak with thee alone,” added Elder Menrith, his tone both firm and deliberate.

  Her heart leapt into her throat. The other four teens exchanged puzzled glances, then rose, one by one, leaving her alone in the dim, silent room.

  “Child, dost thou knowest wherefore thou art hither?" it inquired, demanding her attention.

  Their words seeped into her consciousness, gradually translating within her mind. The question became clear to her. Determined to maintain her composure, Tee averted her gaze, fixating on the ground below, refusing to meet the piercing gazes of the elders seated on her level.

  "Yes," she finally replied, her voice laced with conviction.

  Yet, to ensure there was no misunderstanding, the lady, with a newfound understanding, continued to speak. Her accent softened, resonating with empathy, yet her words carried an undeniable authority that pierced through the silence, resounding with clarity. The chamber, once hushed, now echoed with the resolute sound of her voice.

  "You are a victim of the Xenogne, a host to the deadliest curse that continues to plague humanity," declared the lady, her words resounding with an air of gravity. The weight of their meaning hung heavy in the air, the very essence of doom.

  “The modern world had mandated the wearing of crests, public symbols that marked individuals afflicted by this curse. However, the recent discovery of your plight stemmed from your omission of wearing such crests.”

  "How did you find out?" Tee questioned, her words so abrupt, seemed to pick up from the lady’s last words.

  Tee’s inquiry triggered an immediate reaction from the elders. Heads turned, their attention now fully focused on her.

  Elder Caledor, with a voice that carried the weight of knowledge, reiterated what he had previously disclosed to her, yet now with additional information.

  "The chemicals present in the cleansing pods, used to treat your wounds, cleared the substance that concealed your curse mark on your neck, thus revealing your affliction."

  Tee's eyes widened in disbelief as she locked her gaze onto Elder Caledor's dull blue eyes.

  "...We applied a similar substance to mask the mark, concealing it from your teammates when you regained consciousness in the infirmary," Elder Caledor continued, his voice laced with a blend of authority and justification. "It was crucial to gather all of you in the same room, to focus on the vital information concerning the Harbingers, while withholding the truth of your blatant deception."

  The gravity of those words struck Tee, solidifying her resolve. She vowed to adopt a triple coating, an additional layer of concealment to guard against further scrutiny. However, the realization that it would only deplete her concealer at a faster pace sent a pang of panic coursing through her veins.

  With her current predicament looming, she knew it was imperative to refocus her attention on the present situation, to navigate the treacherous path that lay ahead, and to face the consequences of her actions head-on.

  The weight of uncertainty hung in the air, consuming Tee's every thought. Would she face punishment? Had the elders reached the critical point of their discussion, where the veiled threats of blackmail would be unveiled? Or did they have to reveal just how much they knew about her before then?

  "You have found yourself in a most unique and dire situation," declared Elder Seriphal, his round face etched with concern. "Being both a host of the curse and an Ultramite has complicated matters significantly."

  Tee's gaze shifted to the Elder Menrith, the fierce lady whose demeanor softened as she began to speak. A gentle tone replaced the previous fierceness, coaxing Tee into a state of curiosity and anticipation.

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  "Child, have you never wondered about your hair and eyes?" Elder Menrith inquired, her voice a soothing melody in the midst of uncertainty.

  "I’m just an anomaly," Tee blurted out before she could form a complete sentence, her words tumbling forth in a rush of recognition.

  "That is partially correct," interjected Elder Earvangar, his dark red eyes reminiscent of Kie. At that moment, the last person she needed on her mind was him.

  "It is a sign that both light and dark forces of immense power dwell within you, making you a hybrid," Elder Earvangar explained. "The more you resist the gene, the stronger it becomes. Such is its nature."

  "With your Ultramana battling the virus for nineteen years, the strain of the gene within you will no longer transform you into a mere Xenosapian" Elder Menrith continued, her words laden with gravity. "Instead, you are destined to become a MegaSapian—a being capable of unleashing great devastation."

  Tee blinked, her mind struggling to process the weight of those words. Memories of Jack's taunts echoed in her mind—his accusations of her being a monster. What would he think of her if he knew the truth they were now revealing?

  "We believe we have found a solution to your predicament," Elder Caledor interjected, capturing Tee's attention. Her head turned toward him, her eyes locking onto his. "In the modern world, the threat of Xenosapians persists, as sorcery has been banned for thousands of years, believed to be extinct."

  "With your consent, we propose bonding you with the same Seal bestowed upon all cursed Vergants. It will serve as your instant termination should you mutate," Elder Caledor explained, his words resolute and filled with the weight of history. "The Balance Seal, a practice spanning centuries, ensures the safety of our world and explains our non-existent Xenosapian problem."

  “Know this, though the path of the Seal is righteous, it is not without peril,” added Elder Earvangar. “To awaken its power may well summon thy end. The chance is equal—fifty to fifty. Yet, mark my words, the purpose is noble, and the cause worthy of such risk.”

  The weight of the elders' proposal bore down on Tee, the notion of instant termination reverberating through her very being. It all made sense now—the absence of Xenosapian-proof doors at Primus. The realization twisted her features with a mixture of disgust and anger, causing her lips to twitch involuntarily.

  "That's not a cure," she declared, her voice laced with defiance. "I'll still meet the same unexpected end, except this time it prevents another monster from killing innocent people. It's not fair—everyone else wins while I get nothing."

  As her rage swelled, years of pent-up frustration erupted from within her. Her voice grew louder, carrying her words through the room with an intensity that could not be ignored.

  "As usual, no one cares about what the victim wants. No one cares about my desires, and I know damn well that you don't give a damn whether I live or die."

  The elders, like Tee, were well aware that becoming a Xenogene victim was beyond one's control. They understood that, even with the passage of thousands of years and advancements in sorcery, no true cure had been found.

  Elder Earvangar's voice, sharp and unyielding, cut through the charged atmosphere. "Yes, it is unfair," he admitted. “The process may trigger the gene, leading to your demise and potentially endangering any other Vergant involved in creating the bond. However, we are presenting you with a choice, an opportunity to make the right decision—"

  "No," Tee interrupted, her voice resolute and echoing throughout the room, bouncing off the walls. Her defiance hung heavy in the air, a declaration of her refusal to bow to their plans without a fight.

  The elders' eyes widened in astonishment, taken aback by Tee's audacity in interrupting them. Elder Earvangar slowly closed his mouth, unsure how to respond to such brazen defiance. They studied Tee's stoic and emotionless face, their brows furrowing in perplexity. It became evident that she was not the righteous and selfless Sentinel they had hoped for.

  "Very well," Elder Earvangar finally conceded, his tone tinged with resignation. "Remember, the option will always be available to you if you change—"

  "That's never happening," Tee interjected, shutting him down once more.

  She met Elder Earvangar's gaze with half-opened eyes and a closed mouth, exuding an unwavering determination. The prolonged silence hung heavy in the air as the elders continued to scrutinize her, attempting to fathom the depths of her resolve.

  "It is your decision," the Elder Caledor interjected, breaking the tension at last.

  Elder Menrith sighed, her tone tinged with exasperation. "The least you could do is inform your teammates about your situation. From this day forward, they are the only ones who remain unaware."

  "What?" Tee leaned forward, her hands pressing into the hard ground on either side of her. Her composed demeanor shattered as she desperately searched their expressions for any hint of deception.

  "Did you think we were going to keep it a secret?" Elder Earvangar retorted, his words carrying a subtle threat. Tee's gaze snapped to his face, searching for any sign of falsehood. "Fortunately for them, they are not like ordinary humans. We advise you to act swiftly before things become more complicated than necessary."

  Tee's heart raced, the weight of the elders' veiled warning pressing down on her like a boulder, threatening to crush her spirit. She had faced threats from her classmates, strangers on the train, and even countless MG offs, but never in her wildest dreams did she imagine being threatened by a bunch of wrinkled folks. It was like a plot twist in the weirdest comedy movie she could imagine.

  As the elders stood and departed the room, leaving Tee alone in their wake, the silence seemed to amplify her anxiety. Minutes ticked by, each one adding to her growing unease. Finally, she mustered the courage to rise, determined to find her so-called comrades, the only ones still oblivious to the impending danger.