Chapter Fifteen: Sinclair

Yesh Academy

Luna Gaea Solar system

Milky Way Galaxy, Charlie Quadrant

Neutral free Zone

January 16th 2019 

Sam sat in the office, a grandeur room with a calming yet sophisticated aesthetic. The walls were painted in a soothing blend of green and blue, complemented by an array of well-tended plant pots that brought life to the space. She sipped a warm cup of chamomile tea, its floral aroma grounding her. Though Sam wasn't fond of tea, this one had an allure she couldn't ignore when Adonis had offered it. Across from her sat the most beautiful woman Sam had ever seen.

Phoebe Yesh radiated an otherworldly presence, her red, fiery hair and burning crimson eyes paired with flawless, delicate features that seemed almost unreal. Her skin seemed to glow faintly, a light she clearly restrained—perhaps to avoid overwhelming her surroundings. She wore a tailored silver suit adorned with red jewelry: a ruby necklace that rested elegantly on her collarbone and matching earrings that shimmered subtly in the light. Her desk, a grand piece of polished mahogany, was tidy except for a sleek flat-panel display. Phoebe was no ordinary person—she was the billionaire owner of the Yesh Research Institute, the organization responsible for countless breakthroughs in science and medicine. She also happened to be the chancellor of Sam's University.

Sam found herself overwhelmed, not just by Phoebe's presence but also by the enigmatic figure of Adonis, who browsed through a bookshelf near the back of the room. His energy was strange—unreadable in a way that unnerved her. Her instincts told her to tread carefully around both of them.

But she wasn't alone.

Standing just behind her chair, Leon Haravok's presence served as an anchor. Dressed in his usual dark yet sharp attire, he carried an air of quiet strength that steadied Sam's otherwise turbulent mind. His emerald-green eyes carried a sense of familiarity and reassurance, a silent reminder that she wasn't alone in facing the unknown.

"So, Sam," Phoebe began, her voice smooth yet commanding. "I must confess, I didn't think I would be seeing you so soon."

Adonis stepped forward, placing a leather-bound book on Phoebe's desk before addressing Sam. "Forgive us, but after the incident last year…" He trailed off, his words implying a knowledge of her past struggles.

Sam stiffened, gripping the warm teacup a little tighter. So they knew about her suicide attempt.

"We kept an eye on you," Phoebe continued. "Students who go through such experiences often have Internal Sense—or it awakens through near-death experiences. In your case, you displayed none of the usual signs, yet we felt it imperative to monitor you."

"And why is that?" Leon interjected, his calm tone cutting through the tension in the room.

Phoebe's gaze flickered to Leon, a brief flash of intrigue crossing her face before she answered. "Her past intrigued us. There was so little information in her school records, and yet… there was potential."

Adonis nodded. "Your file mentioned the tragedy that claimed your father's life and the trauma it likely caused."

Sam's eyes narrowed, a wave of unease washing over her. "You know about my father?"

"James Sinclair of the House of Taurus," Adonis said without hesitation.

The name hit Sam like a bolt of lightning. "Sinclair? No… that's not right. My family name is McCoy."

"Your mother's family name," Adonis clarified. "Your father took her name when he came to Earth."

Leon shifted slightly, placing a steadying hand on the back of Sam's chair. His presence gave her the courage to continue. "What does that mean? My father… he wasn't from Earth?"

Phoebe leaned forward, her gaze piercing.

"Golden Dawn possesses extensive records of Offworlders who've taken refuge on Terra," She said calmly. "Your father was one of them... Your father was an Offworlder. He hailed from the Divine Federation—just like Leon."

Sam's head swam with questions. Why had her father left his home? Why had he come to Earth? And why had no one, not even Aunt Stella, told her any of this? She clenched her fists tightly, trying to process the flood of revelations.

Leon's voice cut through her spiraling thoughts. "Take a deep breath, Sam," he said gently. "One thing at a time."

His words grounded her, and she exhaled shakily.

"Why didn't my aunt Stella tell me any of this?" Sam asked, her voice barely above a whisper. She thought of the herbal pills Stella had given her, pills that seemed designed to suppress something within her.

Adonis exchanged a glance with Phoebe. "I do not know the reason why Stella chose not to tell you the truth about your heritage... but I do know it wasn't a coincidence that your aunt chose this school for you," he admitted.

Sam exhaled sharply, frustration bubbling to the surface. "So you've known about me since I came here. And you've been watching me. Why?"

Phoebe leaned forward, her piercing gaze locking onto Sam. "Because of who you are, Sam. Your talent is undeniable."

"Talent?" Sam echoed, her voice laced with skepticism.

Phoebe nodded. "Even with your abilities sealed, your Internal Senses have been active—a sign of incredible potential. You're capable of much more than you realize."

"What are Internal Senses?" Sam asked, glancing at Leon, who gave her a small nod as if encouraging her to keep going.

"An extension of your Odic Force," Leon explained. "It's the first ability both Regular and Ascendant Mystics develop. It connects you to the Odyllic."

"And what is the Odyllic?"

Phoebe's expression softened as if she were explaining something sacred. "The will of the universe itself. A living energy field that connects all things—living and non-living. Without it, there would be no life, no stars, no planets. Everything exists because of the Odyllic."

Sam processed Phoebe's words, the sheer magnitude of it all making her head spin. Leon's hand squeezed her shoulder gently, grounding her once more. She turned to him, meeting his calm gaze. For the first time since stepping into this room, she felt like she could breathe again.

"As an Ascendant, you're on a path that has diverged from most mortals on this planet," Adonis said. "To survive, you must grow stronger—strong enough to face the challenges ahead, especially with the Celestial Realignment."

"Celestial Realignment?" Sam echoed, the term foreign to her.

"The mystical event plaguing the planet currently," Adonis said. Sam thought of the pillar of light that had transported her and so many people to the Echo field. The event of that day was still fresh in Sam's mind that she didn't want to think about it.

"You said my father was from this... Divine Federation. Does that mean I have more family out there?" Sam asked, her voice tinged with hesitant curiosity. She couldn't help but wonder about her father—who he was and the history of the family she had never known.

"James Sinclair," Adonis said, his tone calm yet weighted. Sinclair. There it was again—that name. For some reason, it stirred a faint, inexplicable nostalgia deep within Sam.

"The Sinclair family is one of the most influential within the Federation," Adonis continued. "Your father, James, was a powerful warrior in his own right. The Federation believes him to be dead."

Dead? Sam's mind swirled with questions. Why had her father left his home? Why had he come to Earth? And if he was so powerful, how had he died? The answers seemed just out of reach, leaving her thoughts tangled in uncertainty.

Phoebe, noticing the turmoil flickering across Sam's face, raised a gentle hand to interrupt. "You've been through a lot," she said in a soothing tone. "Perhaps it's best to give you some time and space to process everything. After you've had a chance to rest, we can talk more about what lies ahead for you."

Sam opened her mouth to respond, but before she could, a loud stomping noise reverberated from outside, cutting through the room like a warning.

Adonis's face darkened, his calm demeanor giving way to a sharp frown as the sound drew closer. Even Phoebe's composed expression shifted slightly, her eyes narrowing.

"Here we go," Leon said, his calm voice cutting through the tense atmosphere. He moved closer to Sam, his presence steadying her, grounding her amidst the whirlwind of emotions she could barely keep track of. Somehow, having him near made all the chaos feel just a little more bearable.

Before Adonis could step out from behind Phoebe, the door slammed open with a thunderous crash. A girl with fiery red hair stormed in, exuding raw energy and wild ferocity. Her crimson armor gleamed with streaks of sweat and what looked suspiciously like blood. The metallic tang hit Sam's nose even before the girl spoke.

Sam's eyes darted between her and Phoebe. The resemblance was undeniable—this girl shared Phoebe's sharp features and striking presence—but her silver eyes, identical to Adonis's, stood out starkly. Yet it wasn't just her appearance that struck Sam. It was a deep, inexplicable sense of familiarity that sent shivers down her spine.

The girl froze the moment she saw Sam. Her silver eyes widened with something unspoken, a mix of awe and disbelief that Sam didn't understand. Sam pushed herself up from her seat, unable to shake the strange pull she felt.

"It's you," the girl said, her voice trembling with emotion. "You're here... You're really here… in the flesh!"

Before Sam could react, the girl darted forward, wrapping her in an unrelenting hug.

"What the—" Sam began, only to recoil at the overpowering stench of blood and sweat that clung to the girl.

"Emanu, that's enough," Adonis barked, stepping forward and pulling the girl off Sam with firm hands. Sam staggered back slightly, looking down at her shirt now streaked with fresh blood.

"But, Father—"

"It's not her. Remember that," Adonis said in a low, controlled voice. He clearly meant it only for Emanu, but Sam's heightened senses caught every word.

Not her? Sam's thoughts spun. Who did they think she was? Emanu's expression faltered for a split second, something vulnerable flashing across her face before it vanished entirely. When she looked back at Sam, the familiarity in her eyes was gone, replaced by a mischievous grin.

"Emanu! What did I say about cleaning up after a mission?" Phoebe said sharply, standing from her seat with effortless grace.

"Sorry, Mother," Emanu replied with a casual shrug. "I just wanted to meet our guest."

Phoebe sighed, her expression softening as she turned to Sam. "Let's do this: Samantha here needs rest, and you're already a mess, Emanu. Why don't you escort her to the dorms? And Leon, why don't you go with them? I'm sure Samantha could use a steady presence right now."

Leon, who had been quietly watching, nodded without hesitation. "Of course. I'll make sure she gets settled." His calm assurance sent a wave of relief through Sam.

"If Samantha doesn't mind, that is," Emanu said, her silver eyes glinting with a playful edge.

"No... No, of course not," Sam said quickly, glancing at Leon. Somehow, just knowing he'd be there made the idea less intimidating.

"Good," Phoebe said, stepping closer to Sam. Her hand rested lightly on Sam's back as she guided her toward the door. "We'll speak more later about what lies ahead. For now, focus on resting. You'll need your strength for what's to come."

"Okay," Sam said softly, glancing back at Adonis. His silver eyes were fixed on her, intense and unreadable. There was something ancient in them, something that unsettled her, though she couldn't quite explain why.

"You coming, Samantha?" Emanu called from the hallway, her impatience already showing.

Sam hesitated for a moment, but then Leon stepped forward, his calm demeanor easing her nerves. He offered her a small, reassuring smile.

"Don't worry," Leon said gently. "I've got your back."

That simple statement was enough to push away her unease. "I'm coming," she said, following Leon and Emanu into the hallway. As the door closed behind them, Sam felt a strange mix of trepidation and comfort. For some reason with Leon by her side, she didn't feel so alone.

****

"You should take it easy on Emanu," Phoebe said, her tone calm but carrying a hint of concern. Her sharp eyes flicked between the files displayed on the monitor. The data scattered across the screen detailed her daughter's investigation into Dr. Dingles' mysterious death. So many things didn't add up—the irregularities in the autopsy, the odd energy traces around the incident, and now, the looming chaos of the Celestial Realignment. Combined with Sam's awakening and the increasing reports of Infernals, it felt like everything was accelerating toward disaster.

"She knows better than to project her hopes onto a stranger," Adonis said. His voice was steady, yet his posture—rigid as he stared out beyond the pale blue sky—betrayed his unease.

"Is Sam really a stranger?" Phoebe countered. She leaned back in her chair, fingers steepled thoughtfully. "Or are you just too afraid to acknowledge the part of her that isn't?"

"She is this time," Adonis said. His silver eyes glinted as he turned toward her. "At least, this version of her is. And we can't let nostalgia cloud our judgment, Phoebe."

"You're worried," Phoebe said, her tone softening as she tilted her head. "You think she's weak—mentally fragile."

"She is fragile," Adonis said, his voice growing quieter. His mind flashed back to the alert he'd received last year, the one reporting Samantha's suicide attempt. He hadn't gone to see her. Terra was Phoebe's domain—her responsibility. But that distance hadn't stopped him from keeping tabs. He'd seen the aftermath in the reports, had watched the footage of a girl shattered by guilt and loss, surviving when her father, James Sinclair, had not. "She hasn't recovered, Phoebe. She's carrying too much—and what's coming will only break her further."

"And yet you bent the threads of probability to intervene for her," Phoebe said with a knowing smile. "You've already invested so much in her survival, Adonis. Perhaps it's time to trust her strength."

Adonis's gaze hardened. "Do you honestly believe she can handle what's to come? That this time will be any different from the last?"

Phoebe stood, her movements fluid as she stepped around the desk to face him. "I believe we owe her the chance. You're so focused on what she was, on who she's not, that you can't see who she's becoming. Maybe this version will surprise you."

He said nothing, but his silence was loud.

"Besides," she added, her voice lowering as she glanced toward the now-dark monitor. "The other sides believe she can. Even Vysileaf has begun making her moves."

Adonis tensed at the name. "That lunatic..." His hand instinctively moved toward his coat, pulling it from the rack with sharp, deliberate motions. "She'll burn the entire universe to ash if it furthers her goal. Her belief means nothing."

"Or perhaps it means everything," Phoebe said. "You and I both know she only plays when the stakes are high."

Adonis sighed, slipping his arms into the coat. From one of its pockets, he pulled out a silver pocket watch, its face faintly glowing with energy.

"You're leaving?" Phoebe asked, arching a brow.

"I can't keep the Admiral waiting," Adonis replied, snapping the watch closed. His movements were precise, methodical—yet there was an edge to them, as though the act of leaving weighed heavier than he cared to admit.

"I take it things are bad in Lamentias," Phoebe said, folding her arms.

"Bad doesn't begin to cover it," Adonis said grimly. "Intervention won't save Lamentias. It's too far gone. The best we can do is save what's left—minimize the losses." His silver eyes flicked toward her. "We can't let Terra share its fate."

Phoebe held his gaze, her usual serene confidence giving way to a flicker of worry. "And Sam? Do you believe she can't survive what's coming?"

Adonis hesitated, his hand tightening around the pocket watch. "Her mind is more fragile than you realize," he said finally. "It wouldn't take much to push her over the edge."

Phoebe stepped closer, her voice soft but firm. "Then we help her find her footing. She's stronger than you think, Adonis. And if she's not, we'll make her stronger."

Adonis said nothing. The only sound was the faint ticking of his watch as he turned toward the door.

"Adonis," Phoebe called, stopping him just before he left. "If you truly believed she was hopeless, you wouldn't be trying so hard to protect her."

He paused, his back still to her, and for a moment, she thought he might say something. But he only gave a slight nod before walking out, the sound of his footsteps fading into the corridor.

Phoebe sighed, sinking back into her chair. The monitor flickered back to life as she touched the screen, and a detailed map of Terra appeared—fractured ley lines and energy rifts spreading like cracks in glass. The Celestial Realignment was accelerating, and they were running out of time.

She glanced toward the door, her thoughts drifting to Samantha. "You'll have to find your strength, Sam," she murmured to herself. "Because what's coming won't wait for anyone."