Siana: Follow me, time for you to see the real Xodur's Hold.

Akida: Wait, wait, wait, you want me to go outside in this?!

Akida pointed at herself, emphasizing her pink pajamas. 

Seigan: Does it matter? You don't know anyone here.

Akida: My family prides itself on looking presentable anywhere we go, so yes it actually does matter.

Seigan: [Typical…]

Siana: Well you guys still don't have clothes, but I washed your uniforms, so you could wear those.

Akida: That works, give me three minutes.

Siana: All of you might as well go and change, I'll wait here.

After a quick moment, the group reassembled at the door. The sun sat high in the sky as they walked the streets of Xodur's Hold. The island buzzed with life. Bustling streets, tall buildings, and the distant hum of helicopters coming and going.

Siana led the group down many different streets and around numerous corners, her hands in her jacket pockets, moving at a steady but unhurried pace. Behind her, Seigan, Takuro, Akida, Sakiko, Tamiko, and Inezo followed, each of them taking in their new surroundings with a mix of amazement and uncertainty.

Akida: This place is even bigger than it looked. 

She glanced at the passing buildings. Some were sleek and modern while others had an old-world style charm, as if they'd been around for centuries.

Siana: Our destination is just ahead.

Sakiko: What exactly is our destination?

Siana: Xodur's Citadel, it's the center of everything on the island. Our leadership, our planning, everything runs through there.

Inezo walked slightly behind the rest of the group, he turned his eye to the people passing by. A variety of different faces and clothing styles. Some of them were even wearing armor, but every one of them walked with a sense of purpose.

Inezo: What should we expect when we get there?

Siana let out a sigh, rubbing the back of her neck while she turned to face him.

Siana: Even if I tell you, you'll still be surprised. *wink*

They turned one last corner and the citadel came into full view. A massive tower of white stone and Golden metal. Engravings ran across the building, and two powerful statues stood at the front watching over the courtyard.

Siana stepped aside and gestured towards the entrance.

Siana: Here it is!

Takuro faced the group, silent agreement crackled in the air.

Takuro: Let's go.

Siana smirked.

Siana: Awesome!

With that, she pushed open the doors of the towering building, and the group stepped into the heart of Xodur's Hold. 

The inside of the tower was a sight to behold. Intricate engravings were scattered along the walls just like the outside of the building. The group took in all the sights.

Siana: Before we head upstairs we gotta make a quick stop, come with me.

Siana led them to a desk in the middle of the floor. A secretary looked up from her computer smiling. She had straightened brown hair that dropped to her neck, and brown eyes, both complemented by her red lipstick; dressed in a dark blue suit jacket, a skirt, and heels. 

The secretary had a warm smile as she addressed Siana…in French. Asking her what she could help with.

Siana responded smoothly, asking for a favor. 

Akida: Oh yeah, this is super helpful.

Seigan: Anyone want to turn on subtitles for me?

Siana ignored them as she answered the secretary.

Sakiko: Be patient you guys.

Siana bowed to the secretary and turned back to the group.

Siana: Next stop, the elevator c'mon.

The elevator didn't appear any different from a normal one, until Siana pressed the button for the fifth floor and a hand reader deployed.

She pressed her hand onto the scanner and waited, after a moment an AI's voice chimed in.

Elevator: Welcome, Siana Kanefusa. 

Inezo: Cool! 

Sakiko: So your family name is Kanefusa? Is your family from Japan?

Siana: Nope! I'm Swiss! 

Tamiko: Are you mixed?

Siana: 100% Swiss. Kanefusa isn't my true family name.

Seigan: So what is it?

Siana: Wouldn't you like to know? *wink*

All: [I hate when she does that.]

Akida: What were you and that secretary at the desk talking about?

Siana: Oh after we're done here she's gonna make IDs for you.

Seigan: IDs for the dead?

Siana: You're only dead outside of the island, you still need an ID to do lots of stuff around here. 

The elevator came to a stop on the fifth floor. The doors opened to reveal a T-shaped hallway. Siana beckoned the group out.

Siana: We're going left.

They bent the corner and came face to face with two massive double doors. The six of them all held their breath as Siana pushed them open.

The doors creaked open with a faint, almost ceremonial sound. A heavy air of authority hung in the air, the weight of silent power pressing down on them as they stepped into the room. Siana motioned them to stop a few feet inside.

Siana: Everyone, this is the council room, all major decisions on the island pass through here.

In the center of the room was a lengthy table shaped like an hourglass, surrounded by tall, almost regal chairs. Sitting at the head of the table was an elegant woman with a commanding yet calm presence.

Her face was covered by a white mask with silver and gold accents, but no eye slits. Her hair was dust-gray, her attire was a mix of traditional and modern aesthetics. She wore a long black coat with bits of dark red scattered about, resembling a kimono.

Siana: The woman you see there is Madam Haruta; she holds the role of "Celestial", the leader of Xodur's Hold. 

Haruta waved a hand, her voice was soft but confident.

Haruta: Come a bit closer, don't be shy. I'm sure you've seen far stranger things than me by now.

Haruta's calm demeanor felt out of place compared to those around her. 

Siana cleared her throat, moving to stand beside Haruta.

Siana: Madam Haruta, I'd like to formally introduce you. From left to right are Akida, Inezo, Sakiko, Takuro, Tamiko, and Seigan.

Haruta: So formal Siana, I told you not to be so tense around me.

Despite her relaxed tone, her words carried a sense of authority.

Haruta: Seems they're still on edge. Don't worry I don't bite, have a seat.

Haruta snapped her fingers and chairs rose from the floor. The group hesitantly sat down. Their chairs quickly slid up to the table.

Haruta: Now, before we get into the deep and dark topics let me introduce my Divinities, the strongest people in Xodur's Hold…or at least half of them.

Haruta gestured to the woman sitting to her left.

Haruta: This first one here is Dr. Vera Kanefusa, she's the head of the Medical Division on the island. Don't look her in the eyes or she'll drug you.

Vera had a professional air about her. Her hair was smoke-white, barely reaching down to her ears. Her yellow eyes scanned the group of kids slowly, analytically. She wore a stainless white lab coat with gold trim over a tactical suit. All her pockets were filled with vials of all sorts of colors. 

Vera: Zachem ty eto skazala? Oni zhe tebe skoro poveryat.

Tamiko: [Russian?]

Akida: [Does anyone here speak the same language?]

Inezo: [Why are we the only confused ones here…]

Sakiko's hand shot up.

Haruta: Oh, a question? Go ahead.

Sakiko: Umm, we have no clue what she's saying. 

Haruta seemed taken aback for a moment.

Haruta: Siana…you didn't give them earpieces?

Siana: Madam Haruta, they were never delivered to my house.

Haruta reached into her pocket.

Haruta: Haha, well I happen to have some extras on me anyway.

Siana: [She forgot to send them…]

Siana took the earpieces from Haruta and walked to the other end of the table. She handed one to each of the kids, instructing them to place them in whichever ear feels the most comfortable; then double-tap to turn it on.

Vera turned to the group. 

Vera: Can you understand me now?

Sakiko: WHOA, yeah I can! 

Vera: For the record, I'm not going to drug you for making eye contact.

The man sitting to the left of Vera chimed in.

Man: Those are the disposable versions, if you have any issues let me know so I can make sure your personal ones are perfect for ya. 

The man had a heavy Australian accent, even with the earpiece some of the words weren't clear. 

Haruta: Go ahead and introduce yourself while you're at it.

Elijah: Right then. The name's Elijah. I'm in charge of the R&D Division here on Xodur's Hold, anything tech-based that you might want? I'm your guy.

Elijah wore a sleeveless utility jacket over a plain shirt, paired with cargo pants covered in pockets for tools and gadgets. Both his arms were metal from his shoulder to the ends of his fingertips, blonde hair that was short and messy, smudged with what looked like grease or dust, and his dark brown eyes gleamed with curiosity.

Takuro raised his hand slowly, not sure if that's actually the proper method or if Sakiko just got lucky.

Siana: What's your question Takuro? 

Takuro: I noticed you and Ms. Vera have the same family name…

Vera: Ahh yes, that's a condition of becoming a divinity, you unofficially take on Madam Haruta's family name. 

Seigan: Siana's a divinity?!

Vera: …She didn't tell you?

All of them switched their focus to Siana, whose grin couldn't be hidden.

Siana: I told you I was important!

Sakiko: Not that important!

Tamiko: You said this was only half of the divinities right? Where are the rest of them?

Haruta: Each of them has a lot to do, either their duties here on the island or a mission somewhere across the world. Vera's only here because the hospital is calm right now.

Vera: I wouldn't use the word calm, but I can attest to there being fewer life-threatening injuries at the moment.

Haruta: Well then, we've finished all the introductions! Now it's time to get down to the serious matters. 

The air in the room shifted, the initial weight returned.

Haruta: I will now tell you six. The truth about our world.