What are the Candidates?

Before Aiden arrived at the mansion Francois is seen in his office, pacing behind his desk as Cindy stands beside him with concern.

"They have gotten to Kert, they have made their next move and this time it is more open and bigger than their previous attempt," Francois says as kept pacing around with his fingers under his chin.

"Sir if I may, we must take action immediately. We may not have the Candidates perfectly shaped and trained, but we can at least fortify and strengthen our safety and prepare even more countermeasures such as having council members be monitored more by The Company, we have more resources to ensure this plan, sir." Cindy says as she adjusts her glasses.

Francois then stops and looks at her with a satisfied look. "Of course, why couldn't I just think about that? I was just too focused on the time and the training for the Candidates, I just couldn't think straight." Francois says with a sigh of relief but was soon washed away as he remembers about the Candidates.

"We may simply bunker down, but we also need to have a decent amount of manpower to truly have a fighting chance," Francois says he then looks towards the young girl sitting down on a chair in front of him.

The young girl noticing Francois's gaze just answers without looking at him. " This 'man' you talk about, you truly believe that we can defeat him?"

"At the moment no, but I know you will. Why do you think we selected you and the others." The girl then starts to shuffle a bit before asking another question. "Then why am I here sir? Why am I so important?."

Francois didn't answer but simply gave her a look and started to talk with Cindy in low voices. "Sir?" The young woman said with annoyance as to being ignored. Yet with her visible annoyance, Francois and Cindy didn't pay any attention to her.

"Sir, is she really the one?" Cindy asked with doubt but was assured by Francois. "Of course she is Cindy, I know she is, just trust me."

The door of the office was then opened getting all of their attention. And in walked in with Aiden who looked at Francois but was then entranced by the young woman sitting on the couch.

"Aiden" Francois says with sincerity. He feels happy and relaxed seeing his son is now healthy and safe, the one he loves is now okay.

Aiden still fixated on the young lady sat in front of him. Francois then walked towards his son and he gave a loving hug. "I'm glad you are finally okay."

Aiden was surprised for a moment but then melted into the hug, after a few seconds Francois then moved away from the hug and gave his son a smile and a pat on the shoulder.

"Well Aiden, I believe you have noticed our lovely guest in this room," Francois says as he gestures towards the young lady. "This lovely lady is Zarrah Carrigan." Francois then looks at Zarrah. " Mrs. Zarrah, this is my son Aiden Whitlock Agrest."

Zarrah simply gave Aiden a quick look and gave a look of being unimpressed. Aiden just gave a look of confusion as to what he has done wrong. "You both must get along now since you will be working side by side from this moment on."

"What?" Both Aiden and Zarrah said together as Francois explains further.

" You both and a handful of others are selected by us to be trained and improved to be given the identities of being called the Candidates. Those who are to always protect, and willing to do what is right to let others live another day. And those who will stand and face the opposition head-on while others have fallen. And these could be both of you." Zarrah and Aiden just looked at Francois with confusion and disbelief at what he said. Francois seeing their faces just sighed as he then sat down on his desk.

"The Candidates have been protecting Paris for decades and some left to seek out new Candidates to train and replace them. But a generation ago, there was one man who changed everything. This man went to the codename of Hawk. He was once a guardian, but instead of protecting others, he sought to seize control to personally reign Paris to truly eliminate all crime. He broke the code, and we had to stop him. But he was stronger than any one of us. Many joined his cause, thus there was a civil war amongst The Guardians. It was a bloody battle, many have fallen while some lost a part of them. But in the end after such battles, we managed to end Hawk. Or so we thought."

Francois then looked at Aiden and Zarrah who were invested in his story. "Hawk was different from us, he is what we classified as an Ace. Aces unlike the other Candidates are proteges who are at another level than normal Candidates. They are faster, smarter, and are even deadlier. And now he has returned, stronger than before. He has gathered so many pawns within his side with his own set of Candidates. We now have our own Candidates, you. He has now made his moves and now it is time for us to retaliate. You are both important, I hope you bother to see it now." Francois says as Aiden and Zarrah processed the story.

"Aiden." Aiden was snapped out of his thoughts. " Please follow Cindy, she will guide you to the other Candidates." Francois gestures to Cindy who is now walking towards the doors. She stops after opening one to wait for Aiden who then quickly followed her. And when they left it was only Zarrah and Francois in the office.

"You didn't answer my question," Zarrah said as she looked at Francois who stared back with a nonchalant look. "Yes you are selected by us to be a Candidate, but you are much more important. Aiden my son, he is a good lad and I just want you to maybe know him, that all."

"What do you mean by that huh? That barely answered anything!" Zarrah said irritated. Francois then chuckled a little.

"He has lost someone he cared, and he and I had drifted away before. Even when we are united, I still feel like a stranger to him. Mrs. Carringan, I see something good in you and I am sure he will appreciate having you by his side. Give him a chance, that's all." Francois said. Zarrah somehow satisfied with her answer just gave a tired sigh as she then got up from her seat. "Sure thing Sir." She then exited the office leaving Francois to himself. Francois now left alone, then leaned back onto his chair just thinking to himself. 'Will this really be enough.' He then shook the thought away as he took a bottle from his table and poured himself a glass as he assured himself.

'It will...It will'