Chapter 7

It was the sound of bird chirping that woke Isabell the next morning. Making her crack her eyes open and groan as she turned over to try to go back to sleep but still those pesky birds chirped. With a frustrated groan she comes out of her dreams and sits up, feeling slightly unbalanced. The clothes she had worn the night before were scattered around her room on the floor. If there was another person in her bed it would seem that the events from the previous night leaned towards the taboo side. She scrubbed the sleep form her eyes and stretched out her spine, groaning at a satisfying pop. Slouching forward she looked over to find her cloak draped across her chair instead of hidden in one of her drawers or in the back of her closet like usual. Panic pounded at her as the idea of her parents seeing it entered her mind but relaxed as she realized that at a quick glance it looked like one of her band hoodies. Even if her parents had come in here and seen it they would have dismissed it almost immediately and then probably scold her for not keeping her room clean. With her panic easing away she continued stretching out her body until something else hit her like a brick wall.

Today was the day, today she was going to take the trials to gain her protector. A flurry of emotions flew through her as she sprang out of bed and tripped over the clothes she had left out. Tumbling to the floor and smacking against her nightstand. She let out a small grumble as she rubbed her head and stood back up. Ignoring the pain and the oncoming headache, she scrambled back to her feet and made a dash for her dresser. Pulling out a plain black tank top with matching sweatpants. Having no idea what was going to happen today so she wanted to ensure that she remained as free to move as possible. As she pulled on her cloak she walked out onto her balcony to see if her parents were still around and make her have to make a sneaky exit.

As she expected both cars were missing from the driveway. A sure sign that her parents had already left for work. As they were every morning before she woke up. It was just as likely thought that they had parked their cars in the garage. Sneaking down stairs she peeked into the kitchen to see if her parents were there but the room was empty. She checked the garage next but again no one was there, the cars not inside either. Leaving Isabell completely alone in the house. Satisfied with her search she went back into the kitchen and made herself a quick breakfast of a bagel and cream cheese to quickly scarf down before she made her way to the backyard. Finding that she wanted to fly rather than take her bike. Doing another check around the backyard she deemed it safe before she crouched down and raised her arms. Feeling as they shrank and shifted and feathers grew from her skin as the rest of her body followed suit. Taking on the form of a inconspicuous pigeon and taking to the air.

Over the course of her training she came to find that she enjoyed flying the most. It was so freeing to soar among the clouds and be far away from the city and people below her. There were no stares, no loud sounds of angry drivers driving past her, no one to be worried about as she walked down the streets. Just her, the soft clouds and the never ending sky around her. Today, the sky was a clear bright baby blue and dotted with soft puffy white clouds. The same questions and fears that came to mind the night before tried to rear their heads in her mind and she beat them back down. Now was not the time for any sort of negative thoughts in her mind for what she had to face. Rising higher into the air so that she was among the clouds. Tucking her wings in she allowed herself to freefall through the clouds before spreading her wings again and shooting back into them. Weaving her way in and out of them as the air rustled along her feathers and sent soft shivers down her spin. Allowing the air to take away her fears and worries as she soared over the same unmarked grey building she had been visiting for the last two weeks.

Landing softly on the ground she shifted back to her usual self before buzzing herself in. They asked the usual questions to ensure her identity before the doors would swing wide open to allow her entry. She enters having expected Jason to be there waiting for her in the giant foyer as he always was. To her surprise though, Jason was no where to be found. No one was there, the only things in the room being a small table with a note propped on its surface. Warning bells instantly went off in Isabelle's head as she took a slow step inside and approached the table.

Unbeknownst to her, people were watching her. High up, against the wall towards the ceiling, one would be able to witness a set of windows. Each one a part of various meeting rooms. Inside of these rooms all the captains except for Jason had gathered to witness her testing. The whole Agency had been buzzing since Isabelle's arrival and it was no different among the captains. Each one of them having been keeping track of her training and achievement's and all of them were impressed by how fast she was developing her abilities. Not only in her transformations but also with her combat training both armed and unarmed. During that time, Jason had been bringing in other members from other squads for her to spar with. Each one she had defeated and even came close to defeating Jason himself. All the captains were curious in which squad she would be placed and who and what her protector would be. Many of them having even gone as far as placing bets on who would have such a capable recruit to add to their ranks.

"From what I understand this girl is quiet powerful," Nellie Stavroulakis started.

Nellie was the captain of squad one, fire based. Her protector was extremely rare even amongst captains. A fire demon, particularly a salamander who goes by the name Urodela. Having a salamander as a fire demon was rare and very powerful. Hers, oddly enough, even more so. Very few crossed them for fear of not just their power but their temperament. Both were quick to their anger but were able to utilize one another's fury for power. Making them a deadly combination. Nellie herself was a pretty thing. With long auburn red hair and fair skin, paired with fiery red eyes. Her protector giving her the ability to bed fire to her will as long as she had a source of flames to draw from.

"Did you not feel the power that came from her the first day she arrived here. It was flying everywhere," Clarissa Marco looked to Nellie.

Clarissa was the captain of squad eight, the abilities found in light. Her protector took the form of an angel but not just any angel, an archangel. Another rare protector amongst the captains. Her name was Gabrielle but went by Gabby for short. There were many questions and rumors surrounding Clarrisa's protector. One of which being that Gabrielle was the manifestation of the archangel herself. Just as there are rumors of Nellie's Urodela being the manifestation of an actual demon but there was no real way to tell. Clarissa was almost like an angel herself in both looks and temperament. She was kind and caring to all of those around her. Her hair was a beautiful shinning blond that burned like fire when it was hit by the suns light. Going down to her waist as if it had never been cut. Her eyes were a clear sky blue and her skin was unmarred by scars. No matter how cut up she got in battle.

"I was meditating when I was hit with that power. It nearly knocked me on my ass and drown me," Harlene Ru pipped up from her spot, suspended above the floor with her legs crossed as she meditated.

Harlene was a monk that had been found high up in the mountains of eastern Asia. She was quiet and very patient towards those around her and held no grudge no matter who or what trespassed against her. It was guessed that she was of Latin ethnics but she never revealed where she came from so it was anyone's guess. She had pitch black hair that was cut into a pixie cut and always maintained the same length at all times. Her protector, Marlene, was a seal made completely out of water. Seeing as she was captain of squad three, a squad that pull their power from water, it made sense. The two spent most of their time alone, meditating under water for hours on end. It was miracle that Harlene hasn't drowned yet but many speculated that it was because of her protector. Giving her the ability to breath underwater.

"It's a miracle that you haven't drowned period. Honestly, I don't understand how you can stand to be so wet for so damn long," Sapphira Hargravel growled out as she tossed a single rock into the air.

Sapphira was a very harsh person. She was of African American decent and came from a small tribe that traveled the lands across South Africa. Her long black hair braided back into cornrows and decorated with colorful beads from her home. Though she was thin she was very well built, with defined muscles that bulged from her clothes. As captain of squad five, earth based, her protector was a Golem who went by the name of Quake. An odd name amongst protectors but fitting. It was based from his signature attack to cause powerful earthquakes. Often times so powerful that they caused the earth to crack open and swallow his enemies whole The two were hard to get through to and often stubborn. The unintentional display of power from Isabelle had caught their interest and were very eager to have her join their squad.

"Please don't start arguing again you two," Erik Strong groaned rubbing his temples.

Erik was a handsome man with a kind and caring heart. He was everything a woman wanted but still found himself unable to settle down. His eyes radiated with the care that he felt for the well being of others but also shared in the pain that others experienced. Even with his intimidating build he was the most gentle person that anyone could meet. His hair as black as a ravens that highlighted with streaks of blue in the light. Strong muscles filled his frame that radiated power even with his kindness. His protector was an odd pair, a set of twins by the name of Mex and Henry. The two were quiet the jokers but were just as kind and caring as Erik. They looked so much like Erik they were mistaken as his children often. A factor that came in handy with special missions that required a child's touch. The two were extremely shy so they didn't leave the infirmary often. Their eyes remained covered at all times but both proved that they are capable of still seeing. Their jet black hair wound into tight braids that draped down their backs and often times were caught intertwining with each other as if they had minds of their own. The two were very rarely separated and when they were it was only when bad things were to come. They were just as compassionate as Erik was though and it made them the perfect team to lead squad seven, the healers.

"Not now you three, it looks like she is about to begin," Jaynee Rodrigues said quietly as she watched out the window.

The captain of squad eight was a quiet woman but her appearance made her stand out. Her skin was kissed by the sun and her hair the color of the clouds that Isabelle had flown through to get here. A soft white with streaks of blond that when hit by the sunlight looked like the clouds late in the afternoon. Changing different colors through out the day as the run rose and fell over the horizon. Her voice gentle as the wind that she wields by her hand. Able to carry secret messages for those she cared for in a soft breeze. Her protector was a beautiful gold and brown griffin whose name was, ironically, Griffin. Many thought this was because he was a being so vast and unknown that even his name was a shared secret between him and his warrior. No one else knew if this was for sure or not but respected the pair enough to not try to find out. The two were always together, even when they were not in battle. At this very moment Griffin laid at her feet with his eyes peering closely out the window. Keeping a constant watch out for danger to protect his warrior. Even with his protector being so protective he was not the most protective of them all. That title being held y the protector of squad ten. One who had gone on many rampages because his warrior had been harmed in some way.

The remaining three captains stayed off to the side and remained silent. All three of the men strong and mostly kept to themselves. The first of these men, was Captain Silick of squad nine, the beast squad. No one knew what he looked like for he always remained silent and covered. The only thing that anyone had heard from him was his name and a strange hiss. His protector just as big of a mystery since no one has seen it and lived to tell the tale. The only known fact about Silick was that his protector had to be some sort of animal. Otherwise he would not be head of the beast squad. He kept his distance from the other two men, particularly the large man.

The captain of squad six, Captain Myer, was another man who kept his identity hidden. Not by a hood but rather a helmet that covered him all the way down to his neck. He was large, burly man and towered over most of the other captains. Not many were as big as him or nearly as strong. The strength that was witnessed only being described as monstrous. His protector was that of a fox but it was no ordinary fox. What made him the captain of the squad deemed by darkness for his protector was made entirely out of shadows. With eyes that glowed a brilliant golden light. It's speculated the light is the color of Captain Myer's soul. Myer was feared by many people who came across him but he was a gentle man. Only using his powers when he had to against enemies that refused to surrender. His soft side showing only with the boy that stood icily beside him.

The last and most stony of the captains, was the captain of squad ten, ice. captain Kaden Shanco was raised by the captains that surrounded him now. Due to a dark past that no one spoke of and if questions rose about it were immediately squashed down. He rarely said a word to anyone and was as cold as the ice that he held in his soul. Many of his own squad members believing the ice in his soul had spread to his heart. Leaving him to be cold and merciless against the outside world. His protector was that of a dragon made of ice. So protective of his warriors that often times he was caught rampaging whenever Kaden had been injured in battle. He was the youngest of the captains but no one questioned his right to the claim. The rest of the captains fell silent as they watched Isabell approach the table. Watching with anticipation the events that would unfold before them.