“So what is this like a cult?” Tatsuo asked.

“What do you mean?” The girl in the pink skirt asked. She, along with the other two people that High-Mother referred to as her “students,” were leading them through the stone passages and gardened areas of “Sanctuary.”

Whatever the hell that means. Tatsuo thought. Out loud, he said “The only reason all of you would really believe all of this ‘we’re an ancient race, that was seeking refuge from space’ crap, is if this was some kind of cult. That lady that you kept calling High-Mother is in charge of it right? What, did she slip you something and now you believe her spiel?”

“There are many High-Guardians. In America there is one for each state. However, that’s beside the point.” The girl said. “What makes you so sure we’re either deluded or lying?”

“Well I hate to have to agree with Dai over here,” Tatsuo said, inclining his head towards Daichi. “But he has a point. If everything that woman said were true we would have heard about it. No way anyone can keep that big of a secret.”

The girl sighed. “Does the phrase ‘magic powers’ have any meaning to you?”

The girl in the tank top standing behind her snickered. Ignoring her, Tatsuo said “So you’re saying that everyone here- you, them, that lady back there, that other person Alkaid, and everyone we’ve seen lurking around here- has magic powers?”

“Yes.”

“Prove it.”

“What?”

“Prove it.” Tatsuo reaffirmed. “Show me some magic.”

“Didn’t High-Mother already demonstrate proof of her abilities to all of you?” The girl asked.

“Yeah, but making something go into a cup, that’s pretty easy to fake. Show me something that you can’t fake.” Tatsuo said.

For a moment, there was silence as Tatsuo and the girl in the pink skirt stared each other down, and the others acted as bystanders, waiting to see what would happen. Then, without a word, the girl raised her hand and a pink glow began to emanate from it, her pupils grew wider, until all that you could see was a thin, bright pink iris; then a pink sphere encased Tatsuo. Him and his brothers yelled in shock as the sphere lifted Tatsuo high into the air, and then lowered down until he was about a foot off the ground, before disappearing. Tatsuo unceremoniously fell onto the ground with a thump, and was left scrambling as the girl turned and began continuing her journey down the hall, the other two following behind her.

The group made the journey out of Sanctuary and to the dojo in silence, the only words being spoken by the boys to give directions to their escorts. Once they were on their doorstep, the girl asked “Any other questions before we leave?” Her eyes were on Tatsuo.

Refusing to meet her gaze, he mumbled “I’m good.”

“Alright then. By the way,” She said, her gaze turning to Hwan. “I’m glad to see that your stomach has gotten better.” With that, the group turned and left.

The boys turned to look at Hwan, whose eyes had gone wide. “Dude. I just remembered. I recognize her!” He said. “She was the girl on the rooftop that night who patched me up!”

“So you two have already met before.” Daichi said, his brows furrowing in worry. “Do you think they might’ve been… watching us?”

“No way man. They must be cool. She helped me out!”

“We don’t know that Hwan.” Tatsuo said.

“Tch, you just don’t like them because that one girl put you on your ass, man!”

Just as Tatsuo was opening his mouth to retort, Eric spoke up. “Uh, guys.” He said. “I think we’ve got bigger problems.”

Their dad was standing at the front window.

He did not look happy.