Veiled Allegiances

Time—it never waits. And just like that, it flew by again, too fast to hold.

Xavier stood at the familiar stone wall, the same one Adam had once guided them to—the threshold to the Lantern Society's hidden world. This time, there was no mask. No White Fang. Just Xavier—barefaced, steady-eyed—accompanied by Alcmena, who sat casually on his shoulder, and Anastasia, silent beside him.

Her eyes stayed on his back for a moment before she finally spoke, her voice low, hesitant.

"Are you sure about this, Young Master? There's still time to reconsider."

But before he could respond, Alcmena scoffed, cutting in dryly, "Don't bother. You know how he is—once Xavier decides something, not even the gods could change his mind."

Xavier didn't speak right away. He just exhaled softly, letting the words hang in the air. Then he turned his head halfway, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips.

"You know me too well, Master."

"Of course I do," Alcmena replied with a teasing smirk. "You are my student, after all."

As the moment settled, Xavier placed his hand on the rough wall. Anastasia tilted her head, puzzled.

"How exactly are we getting in? We don't even know the code."

"You don't have to worry about that," Xavier said calmly. "I memorized the hand gestures Adam used... well, vaguely. My eyes helped with that."

"What?!" Anastasia blinked, surprised. "You can do that?"

Xavier scratched his head, letting out a nervous laugh. "Honestly, I surprise myself sometimes with these eyes."

He placed his other hand on the stone, face shifting into quiet focus. Closing his eyes, he inhaled slowly, then opened them again with sharp clarity. His hands began to move across the bricks—quick, deliberate, mimicking the sequence Adam once performed. It wasn't perfect, not by a long shot, but it was enough.

The wall responded.

Stone grated against stone as the hidden path began to open, faint tremors pulsing through the ground beneath their feet. Darkness yawned before them—a passage into shadows.

Without hesitation, Xavier stepped forward. Anastasia followed beside him, and Alcmena stayed perched on his shoulder, unshaken.

Far away, in a candlelit chamber hidden deep in the Society's core, two familiar voices clashed in hushed urgency.

Victoria pointed a sharp finger at Adam's chest, her tone controlled but fierce. "Adam. I don't know what's been going on with you these past few months, but something's changed. You're not the same."

He raised his hands in mock surrender, that trademark grin plastered on his face. "Viky, I have no idea what you're on about."

"You do." Her voice tightened. "Don't act like you don't. You know damn well what I'm talking about."

The grin faltered just slightly. Adam's eyes flicked to the side, gauging her.

"Alright," he said at last, tone dropping just a bit. "You've got my attention. What is it you think I've done?"

Victoria fixed her glasses, pulling a thin file from her coat. "I did some other digging on that boy. Xavier."

She paused, letting the name settle.

"And?" Adam asked quietly.

"Turns out his deceased adoptive father, Jonathan Ashford, was the twin brother of none other than Percival."

Adam's smile vanished.

"Jonathan," she repeated, voice heavy, "was murdered by Percival. But the records? They just say 'house fire.' No mention of his brother. No foul play. Just swept away."

Silence filled the space.

"Tell me, Adam," Victoria said, her voice barely above a whisper now, "why would you bring his nephew here? What are you planning?"

"You're risking everything we've built—years of work, just to..." she trailed off. "Why?"

Adam didn't answer. He only smiled faintly, eyes distant. "You don't need to worry."

"Yes, I do!" she snapped. "Because if Xavier's his nephew, then that means he's also—"

A knock on the door stopped her cold.

She opened it briskly. A young Lantern member stood there, a bit breathless. "Uh, Miss Victoria... there's a kid here asking for you."

"A kid?" she echoed, brows furrowed. "Who?"

Minutes later, she stepped into the lounge and froze.

Xavier stood there, his presence calm but firm, Alcmena on his shoulder, and Anastasia beside him.

"Xavier?" she said, taken aback. "What brings you here so suddenly? Are you alright?"

He nodded once. "I'm fine. Sorry for the sudden drop-in… and for how I left things before."

"It's alright," she said with a soft laugh. "We all have our moments. Don't worry about it."

He smiled faintly in return, then let the moment pass. "I came to talk. Just a word."

"Oh? About what?"

A pause.

Xavier took a breath and finally said, "You mentioned Percival the last time we spoke."

Victoria nodded slowly.

"Well... that man—he's my uncle."

Gasps rang out from a few in the room. But Victoria? She just listened.

"I figured that part might surprise you. But it's not why I came."

He looked her directly in the eyes now.

"I want to join the Lantern Society."

"What?"

The room fell deathly still. Alcmena showed no surprise—he already knew. He and Xavier shared the same mind, after all.

But for the others, that moment hung in the air like a thunderclap before a storm.

"Young Master, what is the meaning of this?!" Anastasia's voice trembled slightly, her brows furrowed in a mix of shock and anxious concern. "Why would you want to join a secret espionage group?"

Xavier stood tall, yet there was a weight behind his calmness. "Just let me explain my reasoning, Miss Anastasia."

Positioning himself so he faced both Victoria and Anastasia, he took a breath, letting his voice carry the heaviness of his thoughts.

"Just as I mentioned before... that man, Percival—he's my uncle. And what most people don't know is that he's the one who murdered my father. He ripped his heart out with his own hands."

His voice cracked slightly, the memory clawing at his throat. "My family... we were shattered. I still don't understand why he did it. Neither does my grandfather. It doesn't make sense."

He clenched his fist against his chest. "But what I do know... is that there are other children, other families, suffering because of that same man. And I can't—I won't—just stand by. I can't eat or sleep knowing he's still out there, still hurting people."

His eyes locked onto Victoria's, then Anastasia's—eyes burning with unwavering fire. "I want to stop him. I have to stop him. But I don't know how... I'm not strong enough alone. That's why I'm turning to the Lantern Society. You are my only hope to bring justice to the ones he's destroyed."

Silence fell over the room—but it wasn't cold. It was warm. Alive. The kind of silence that only exists after raw, genuine words are spoken. Words that come from the soul.

Victoria and Anastasia stared at him. Not at his face, but into him. Into the swirling galaxies of pain, conviction, and purpose that danced behind his cosmic blue eyes. They saw it: the unwavering resolve. And they both knew—there was no changing his mind.

Almost in sync, they let out quiet, resigned sighs.

Victoria knelt in front of him, her face softer now, touched by empathy and worry. She rested a firm hand on his shoulder. "Xavier... I hear you. And I believe you. But I need you to understand something. This path—this mission—it isn't a storybook adventure."

Her voice dropped lower, heavier. "This is a world where people disappear. Where good intentions can get you killed. Once you step in... there's no easy way out. Are you really ready for that?"

Xavier didn't flinch. His eyes held steady. "Yes."

Victoria turned toward Anastasia, silently asking for support. But Anastasia only lowered her gaze.

She stepped forward, bowed respectfully, and spoke with a new calmness. "Whatever my master desires... I, as his maid, will do all in my power to help him achieve it."

Realizing she was now alone in this, Victoria stood with a long exhale. Her tone shifted to something more formal, more resolute.

"Xavier," she said. "The Lantern Society is a secret organization, working from the shadows to uncover the buried sins of the powerful... including your uncle."

She paused, letting her words settle. "And like you, we want justice—for every soul forgotten or broken by corruption. So, after hearing your conviction... I've made my decision."

With a graceful motion, she raised her hand and mimicked the knighting of a warrior, her fingers gliding just above his shoulder.

"As of this moment... you are now a part of the Lantern Society."

Xavier's eyes widened, light bursting in them like a supernova. For a second, it was like he was glowing from within, powered by something beyond joy—purpose.

Victoria chuckled softly, her demeanor lightening. "Well, not officially just yet. There's still paperwork, and I'll need to do some convincing with my superiors... but for now, consider yourself one of us. Welcome to the family, Xavier."

"That's great to hear!" he beamed, energy buzzing in his voice.

And in that moment, even though the future was uncertain and danger loomed just around the corner—something powerful stirred within Xavier. A new chapter had begun. And he wasn't facing it alone.

------

The scenery shifted abruptly.

Now, it followed a girl struggling to balance a tower of heavy boxes stacked so high they completely blocked her view. Navigating the bustling hallways of the Lantern Society, she swayed with each step, somehow avoiding collisions as voices echoed around her.

"Hey, did you hear? Another mission's been scheduled," said a woman, her fingers curled around a warm coffee cup.

"Oh? What's the target this time?" her colleague replied curiously.

"Apparently, one of the government's hidden blacksites was located. And guess who they say it also belongs to? Percival."

"Wait—Percival? As in Percival Ashford? That infamous engineer and scientist? Hah... if that's true, we might finally gather enough evidence to expose him. The public's blind to his dual nature... Only we down here in the underworld really know the truth."

The girl's pace slowed.

Percival...?

That name—it rang familiar. But more than that, the word that stuck with her was mission.

A longing filled her chest.

I want to be part of a mission too... she murmured inwardly, envy flickering in her heart.

She continued on, rounding the final corridor toward the lounging room. And that's when she heard it—a voice. A familiar, warm voice.

Her steps stopped mid-stride.

"Wait... was that Auntie's voice?" she whispered, tilting her head.

Then, another voice.

This one softer, steady, and unmistakably kind.

Her breath caught in her throat.

Xavier?

Eyes widening, she dropped the boxes without hesitation—thud-thud-thud—and darted toward the sound.

Back inside the lounging room, Xavier was mid-discussion with Victoria when—

"XAVIER!"

He barely had time to turn before something hit him like a train. A small, fast-moving human-shaped blur tackled him straight to the floor.

He hit the ground with a surprised grunt.

Everyone looked over in shock.

Perched on top of him, breathing hard, cheeks flushed with excitement, was a girl with striking crimson eyes.

"Xavier! It's me—Teslaine! I missed you so much!"

Still dazed, Xavier blinked. "Who...?"

The words shattered her excitement. She froze.

Then, without warning, she smacked his forehead with both palms.

"You dummy! It's me, Teslaine! How could you forget your own friend?!"

Her cheeks puffed up in frustration, eyes watering.

"You're so mean, Xavier..."

Xavier, still reeling but beginning to piece things together, stared into those glittering ruby eyes.

Recognition dawned.

"Ohh! Right—Teslaine! Now I remember you!"

She pouted, playfully offended. "Took you long enough."

Xavier laughed sheepishly, rubbing the back of his head. "Sorry! You sort of... jumped me out of nowhere. I wasn't fully conscious yet."

"Mm-hmm," she muttered. Then, teasingly, "You still owe me, though. For emotional damage."

He chuckled. "Deal. Just glad you're not mad anymore."

Victoria, who had been silent this whole time, finally broke her stunned silence.

"Teslaine...? What are you doing here?!"

Teslaine turned, beaming. "Auntie! I was helping someone move boxes when I heard your voice and ran over."

"Is that so...?" Victoria blinked. "I didn't know you two were acquainted."

Teslaine tilted her head. "Wait, you know Xavier too, Auntie?"

"Yes," Victoria nodded. "Let me introduce everyone formally."

She cleared her throat as the group's energy settled.

"Everyone, this is my niece, Teslaine Nikola."

"Teslaine, this is Xavier, our newest member here at the Lantern Society. And this is his personal maid, Miss Anastasia."

Anastasia gave a gentle nod. "Nikola is such a beautiful, rare name."

Victoria chuckled. "That's not her family name. It's her middle name."

"Really?" Anastasia blinked.

"Yep," Victoria confirmed with a proud smile.

Before Anastasia could continue, Teslaine stepped toward her, eyes wide with wonder.

"Wow... Miss, you're really beautiful."

Anastasia froze. Her hand touched her cheek involuntarily as it flushed pink.

"T-Thank you," she stammered.

"I hope I can grow up to be as pretty as you and Auntie," Teslaine said sincerely.

Victoria nearly dropped her glasses. She busied herself cleaning them, trying to mask the light blush on her cheeks.

"Well... as long as you take care of your skin, keep your hair clean and wear clothes that let your natural beauty shine—there's no doubt you'll become a stunning woman. Right, Anastasia?"

"Of course," Anastasia agreed, flustered but smiling.

Teslaine's gaze shifted.

She spotted the tiny figure who now was resting on Anastasia's shoulder.

"Ohh! Who's that cute little cat?!"

"That's Ark," Xavier replied. "My pet cat."

Teslaine clasped her hands. "Can I pet him, please? I love cats!"

But Ark—no, Alcmena—barely gave her a glance. He turned his head, dismissing her with royal disinterest.

He was not a cat.

He was the King of Dragons. A being of supreme grace, pride, and unmeasurable power. Not some fluffy mascot to be toyed with.

Teslaine looked at Anastasia with pleading eyes. Anastasia, suppressing a laugh, leaned down and whispered to the dragon in disguise.

"Please, Lord Alcmena. She means no harm. I'll make it up to you later, I promise."

Alcmena gave a small, reluctant sigh. With exaggerated grace, he leapt into Teslaine's arms.

Only because my beautiful wife asked me to... he thought, eyes half-lidded with mild indignation.

Teslaine squealed in delight as she buried her fingers into the warm, silky fur.

A single thought passed through her heart as she held him close:

I want to be in a mission too...

And for the first time in a long while, the yearning felt even stronger. Not just to go, but to prove something.

To be more than a girl who carried boxes.

To be seen.

To fight for something that mattered.