Every single person in the room saluted me. I returned the gesture, widening my arms at the end to incorporate the entire room. I caught Gabriella’s eye and she gave a quick smile.
The two agents returned to the side of the room. Faru gave a nod and then another agent disappeared through a door in the middle of the room. He returned a few seconds later, carrying a long, blood red box with a silver trim. There were low murmurs as people noticed what was in his arms. Gabriella’s expression became one of shocked confusion. Dakin had a scowl so deep etched on his face that it looked like a permanent carving.
Faru raised his hands and the voices fell into a charged silence. The Sage took the box from the agent, who then slipped quietly back to his original position.
What on Earth is inside that can have this much effect on so many people? I wondered as Faru turned to face me.
“It is customary,” Faru began, “for the Sage of any base to offer a new Guardian a customary gift at this point.” The murmurs began again, like a rising wave. “Alexander, my gift to you is the gift that I myself received when I joined the Warren many centuries ago.” The voices grew even louder, people exchanged looks of disbelief. Faru clicked the gilded, silver latches. “I present to you the Crimson Twins.”
He flipped open the lid at the same time that the room erupted into a storm of noise. Some Guardians gasped, shouted and even cheered. Others stood up to try and get a better look at the contents of the box. The whole of Orion had a universal expression of utter shock on their faces. Faru turned a head towards the room and everyone fell silent once more.
I drew in a sharp breath as I stared at the savage beauty contained within the box.
The Crimson Twins were a pair of identical samurai swords. A meticulously carved black dragon crouched on the base of each one. Both dragons had two tails — made from a rich material — which snaked their way around the entire length of the hilt. Each guard was a circular wall of black flame that seemed to shimmer in the dim light. The blades themselves were the colour of fresh blood. A complicated pattern of etchings had been made along the length of each one. They were utterly stunning.
Faru seemed to know what I wanted to do. He gave a single nod of his head.
I realised my palms were soaking with sweat. I had wipe them dry on my trouser legs before I stepped forward and gingerly picked one of the swords out of the box. It felt perfect. Not too light that it felt flimsy and not too heavy that I would struggle to wield it properly. The material of the hilt felt smooth against my palms, but simultaneously had enough grip so that I felt confident it wouldn’t fall out of my hands. The blade edge looked capable of cutting you in two if you stared for too long.
“The Crimson Twins were forged from the fangs of Ryujin, the long dead Dragon God of Pandemonia. It is believed that they alone have the power to destroy any living creature on both sides of the Veil. Trust them with your life, for one day they may save it.”
He gestured the box towards me. I lay the sword gently back in the box. Faru flipped the lid closed and the agent ran forward to collect it.
“I shall have them delivered to your quarters immediately.”
“I–I don’t know what to say,” I stammered.
Faru gave a warm smile. “I believe the normal reply is thank you.” The weak joke had the effect of dissolving the tense atmosphere in the room. Several Guardians laughed and I could feel myself starting to relax again.
“Thank you Faru.”
The Seelian nodded and gestured a frail hand towards the seat. I stood behind the chair, now looking just like everyone else, except for the fact that I was at the head of the table. Faru made his way back over to the other end of the Hall. At the same time, the people who had been stood at the sides started to file out of the doors behind me. Iralia caught my eye and gave me a subtle wink as she passed.
When they had all gone Faru took his place at the opposite head of the table and raised his arms.
“Now that business has concluded, I believe that it is time we began the feast. I don’t know about the rest of you, but I am famished!”
I devoured the last mouthful of my main course — a slice of succulent meat from an animal called a Jackalope. It had a peppery taste that left a tingling sensation on the tongue. I washed it down with a sparkling glass of blue liquid that tasted even better than the Quinberry juice had. Wiping my mouth, I settled back into my chair and sighed.
“I think I might actually burst if I eat anything else.”
Faru hadn’t been lying when he had said it would be a feast. Every time I finished one of the flamboyant meals in front of me, the plate was whisked away and something else set down in its place. Everyone got food which appeared to have been specifically created for their particular species. Vampires received some kind of circular reddish meat which looked like black pudding, and a regular supply of blood in crystal glasses. Luminar had bizarre looking dishes, including what I guessed was a mixed salad consisting of pink leaves that moved and numerous bright vegetables, including little orange orbs with knobbles. Skinshifters and Oni received hulking slabs of raw meat, which they tore into using their bare hands and teeth. Shortly after the first courses had been served, the chandeliers had been dimmed and the band had started playing again. The whole table had descended into a comfortable buzz of conversation.
“I still can’t get over the fact that Faru gave you the Crimson Twins,” said Delagio, pushing his empty plate as far away from him as he could. “Yeah, why does new kid get special treatment?” added Midnight. “You know, I do have a name steroid boy,” I barked. Midnights lips drew together into a tight line. Rachel rolled her eyes. “Will you two stop the alpha male dance please; you’re putting me off my food.”
“She’s right, this is a celebration,” agreed Gabriella. “Besides, I don’t think it was special treatment at all. It was common sense. The Crimson Twins have been sat in Faru’s quarters for years just gathering dust. Why not pass them on to someone who can put them to use? It also means Alex only needs to carry those, a few Apotropes and a gun if he wants one. It makes sense.” The rest of the team nodded, sans Midnight. “Well I still think that Faru should have given them to someone with more experience,” he grunted, folding his arms. “Jealousy don’t suit you big guy,” smiled Delagio, patting Midnight’s shoulder.
A tinkling sound came from the far end of the table. The conversation slowed to a halt and the musicians stopped playing. Faru was standing once more, tapping the end of a spoon against his glass. He cleared his throat and spoke.
“Tonight it gives me great pleasure to welcome all the Sages to the Warren. They have come from the four corners of Earth to share in a truly momentous occasion. The Awakening of a new Chosen is a beacon of hope in an otherwise dark time.” There were shouts of ‘hear hear’ and glasses were raised.
“We want to show every Guardian that we are united in this fight. I know that the Alliance is suffering and that our allies in Pandemonia suffer even further, but we must have faith. The arrival of Alexander Eden is testament to the fact that all is not lost. We will continue to battle against the threat of the Soldiers of Sorrow and we will win!” His words rolled through the hall. There was a raucous response from the table. I couldn’t help but join in; Faru definitely knew his way around a speech. He raised his glass up. “So let us toast to the HASEA, and new beginnings.” Sages and Guardians echoed his final words and drank. “Now if you would all like to proceed into the library where deserts and further drinks will be served. I shall join you shortly.”
Everyone got up and began to filter through a large set of double doors halfway down the side of the hall. I tapped Gabriella’s arm as we stood. “Err…are there any bathrooms down here? Bit too much champagne.”
She stifled a laugh. “Sure, just head out the way we came in, past the stairs on the right, turn left and follow the corridor all the way to the end. Be quick though, I’m sure people are going to want to chat to you.”
I pushed through the main doors, which groaned their way open. The entrance hall was deathly quiet. My footsteps echoed as I walked across the marble.
After spending several bladder straining minutes navigating identical corridors and opening doors into sitting rooms and storage cupboards, I finally admitted to myself that I had no clue where the bathrooms were. So I threaded my way back and used the toilet in my apartment.
As I came back out onto the balcony I heard someone say Faru’s name. Instinctively I hunkered down and peered through the railings.
Faru was descending a set of glass steps that came right out of an opening in the heart of the giant
