Reunions

Taking in a bit of fresh air, Luke started his walk home. Having no car in the dead of night was a true pain he had suffered many times, but he couldn't let the Awakened be treated so horribly.

"Officer Vow? Another late not at the precinct?"

Luke looked towards the voice, his eyes falling on a kind older lady he had seen on numerous nights. She was lively, her eyes bright with curiosity as if she were still a young lady.

"Yes ma'am. The commissioner hassled me for standing up to him... again."

She only rolled her eyes as she began to walk beside Luke, his steps slowing to meet her own.

"Heading back home now?"

"Oh yes. Was keeping an eye out for some of those hooligans. Little brats have been out late, spray painting or breaking property."

Luke would worry for the old lady's safety, had he not known of her Awakened status. She was even stronger than Daniel, though she wasn't at an age to continue exploring the portals.

"I can't believe kids would still do something this stupid, especially with the portals appearing."

Luke scratched his neck as she nodded towards him. She had taken it upon herself to become the neighborhood watch, something the commissioner has no idea about.

"Take care dear. I know of your compassion for the people, but you are still a regular human... kind of anyways. You military foke have always had me curious."

"Alright, and thank you, Miss Miribelle. Stay safe yourself."

With a kindly smile, she slipped away from Luke with frightening speed.

"I saw nothing..."

He laughed softly as she used her ability illegally, something the recently made Bureau outlawed to keep the majority safe. Only free range time is against monsters that escape a portal, though monitoring them is the better choice if your ability isn't combat based.

Luke continued his walk, his speed suddenly slowing down. He had only made it about halfway home when his body suddenly siezed, his knees slamming into the pavement. His hands clutched his chest as he felt cold air circle around his body. Every aspect around him began to slow, even himself. His head moved in slow motion, almost, as he looked up in front of him. Dread racked his body as a light flickered, growing into a portal the size of a rather large adult male. The portal itself was nearly an every day occurrence, however the bloody red hue was the true terror. Of the five colors, red was the worst. Something rarely seen, never concurred, and then... it was gone.

Luke could feel everything around him begin to move properly, though he didn't get back to his feet. His eyes were opened wide in disbelief as the gleaming brick formed in front of him.

"Welcome Awakener. You have been chosen to ---"

The brick faded, Luke unable to finish reading it's text. The words quickly became swapped out with a new set.

'-Luke Vow, age: 25, Lvl: 1 (max. ??)

-Class: Curse Caster

-Curses: Curse of Speed Down'

"What the-"

His words were cut off as he saw his new curses description appear.

'Curse of Speed Down; Immediate reduction of attack and movement speed of those deemed an enemy by the Awakener. Reduction is 5%'

Luke had a stunned look on his face as he reached towards the floating words, his fingers slipping through it. It almost seemed to warp around his fingers.

"This is... I need to go to the Bureau."

His sense of urgency ignited, his law abiding ways as an officer spurring him into action. All Awakeners needed to go to the Bureau upon Awakening. Failure to follow through could have dire consequences, something made more terrifying by the head of the Bureau. A man with power far out matching many and more, though it hadn't been seen in many a month.

Taking a deep breath, Luke began to smile softly.

"I'm gonna be like them..."

With those words, he began his walk over to the Bureau. An uneventful, yet exciting, walk for Luke. His mind raced with ideas of exploits and monsters he could and would fight, especially alongside the men and women he would team up with. His thoughts had him distracted up until he heard a lady clearing her throat.

"Ahem. Excuse me, Officer, but is there and issue?"

Luke shook his head, quickly looking up from his stupor. Behind the lady was a large set of letters, showing that he had arrived at the Bureau.

"Oh, uh, sorry about that. I wanted to see if I could get any information for the newly Awakened. I just had my Awakening, unless I got drugged."

He chuckled a little, the lady not even smirking.

"Please fill this out. You are in luck, one of our guided dungeon runs is leaving in a few hours."

Luke could only tilt his head slightly.

'A dungeon run this early? Awakeners don't slack off.'

Luke took the paper, a basic questionnaire sat in his hands. He glimpsed it over, quickly filling in all the details. As he went to hand it back, the receptionist glanced down and gave a soft smile for the first time.

"I see you served our country before the widespread gate appearances. Thank you for your service, and I hope you can serve us faithfully once more."

Luke felt awkward due to her change in personality, though he quickly brushed it off as she motioned for him to sit for now.

"We will have someone come to talk to you soon. We need information on your Awakening before we send you into a dungeon suddenly."

Giving only a small nod, Luke sat back in a chair set off against the wall. His eyes began to flicker as he listened to the office's nighttime noises.

"A police officer?"

Luke opened his eyes, they fell onto the speaker. She was a beauty, her business attire unable to mask her curves and movements. She had a gleam in her foresty eyes as they locked onto Luke's.

"Yes ma'am. He should be ready to tell you about his Awakening."

Taking the hint, Luke got to his feet and walked towards the lady. She turned away quickly, her hand over her shoulder beckoning Luke to follow. He was confused, but followed with a small smile on his face.

"Close the door behind you."

Her voice was flung behind her as she stepped through an open doorway. Following quickly, Luke closed the door and turned back to stare into the office he had been led into.

"You couldn't be bothered to call? After all these years, you're still scared you won't be accepted?"

Luke became bashful, scratching his neck and looking away.

"Heh. I tried, Lilly. You all have different numbers, different lives. I couldn't even get ahold of any of you."

Lilly, or Lillian Rosen, stood tall and walked toward Luke. She stood with her eyes at his nose, her heels helping a lot, then she wrapped her arms around him.

"It's been too long you oaf."

"Since before my military days."

The embrace lasted only a few seconds before Lilly went back to her professional tone.

"We can catch up later. For now, we talk about your Awakening."

Just as Luke was about to speak, Lilly smiled slyly and snapped her fingers.

"Dazzle."

A strange electrical hum began to radiate from the corner of the room. Looking up, a surveillance camera had soft sparks bursting from it.

"You...?"

Luke looked back to a more serious look on Lilly's face.

"Gotta keep this quick. Probably five minutes, max. Yes I'm Awakened, yes I did that. I need the true details and then I'll let out some of them."

Luke was stunned, his mouth agape.

"I've been here ever since this Bureau was created. I dont trust a lot of people here. Now spill! I need to see how much protection you need from us."

At the word 'us', Luke tilted his head. With a heavy sigh, he began to recount his red gate as well as the message that he had missed. The details were enough for Lilly to put her head in her hands.

"Shit. You just had to be... ugh. Luke, this is between us and us alone. No one, and I mean that, can learn of your Awakening. Now the minor details..."

With a tiny smile, the buxxibg if electricity faded.

"Now, what class are you?"

The interview went more normally from there, basic questions and basic answers. Just like that, an hour passed.

"That's the important bits, though I knew most of it myself. Is there anything else, or are you about ready to meet the team for the practice dungeon? You'll be glad to see the instructors, at least."

Luke got to his feet, a soft smile spreading across his lips.

"I've used up a lot of your time, but it'll be nice to catch up soon."

Lilly was quick on her feet, dragging Luke into a hug. She squeezed and whispered softly in his ear.

"Don't forget."

As she backed away, her voice stabilized.

"I'll make time, so give me your number!"

After a quick exchange, Luke was led out of the room and towards a mic bigger room, akin to a bunker. As he entered, his eyes lit up. Not only did he see Vyker, the leader from his early days on the force, but two other familiar faces came into view. The three were standing together, looking over a stack of papers. Opposite them, were a small group of five. A couple were pretty confident, the others absolutely terrified.

"Ahem."

Lilly called the room to attention, the three obvious veterans taking in Luke's worth. One in a robe, a small statured man, elbowed Vyker.

"Heh. Whatcha do now big guy? Got us a little cop now, huh?"

His childish voice and jokes were hushed by a stern stare from the third member of their group. She was reserved, but had a glint in her eyes.

"You think?"

With a sad glance, Luke stared down at Lilly.

"They forgot, for now. I'll beat them if they dont rememb-"

She was cut off as the female of the group stomped forward. The confident newbies in the back smirked, but were terrified.

"You!"

Her eyes were locked onto Luke with a strange ferocity. As she stood before him, her heels allowed their eyes to meet.

"Hey, Vera."

Veray Lincoln, another childhood friend, as well as Luke's secret admirer. A fiery personality, mixed with a wild charm and alluring frame, she was sought by many as she grew in fame. Something that Luke didn't know she had.

"You great bastard!"

Vera threw out her hand, only to have Lilly snap as she thrust forward. Her eyes fell shut, causing her to stumble and slam her body into Like's. She was slim, but strong, knocking Luke onto his back. He was winded, staring at the ceiling.

"The hell just happened?"

The same childish voice got closer, until his soft face appeared over Luke. His large eyes grew round as he dropped his jaw.

"Hey Seb. You look good, buddy."

Sebastian Grace, the studious member of the childhood grouping. Always small and shy, now a fun loving joker.

"Hi there, Luke. Damn... it's been ages."

Luke got Vera into a sitting position, her soft breathing a quick thing of relief for him. She slept against his shoulder, allowing the group to crowd him.

"Sorry Luke. I was hoping to stop her..."

Vyker seemed confused, but gave Luke a respectful nod. His eyes told Luke that he remembered, but didn't wish to interrupt.

"Lilly, you should head back. We got this here. Heading out in about ten."

Seb took charge, becoming more serious as he motioned for the rookies to get in the nearby vehicles.

"You four; Chelsea, Ryan, Skylar and Leon. Left car. Vyker, you drive. I'll drive with these two, as well as Solus and Nessa. Move out in ten!"

Luke smiled at Seb.

"You've grown."

"I had to. Get her in the backseat. We can talk then."