Noelle and Evantra stared at each other before they twisted back towards Uriel and Jack.

  “WHAT?”

  Noelle's shout rang out in Uriel's apartment.

  “Yes, we’re magical girls—”

  “Magical girl and guardian,” Jack corrected. “Former magical girl and guardian.”

  Evantra and Noelle stared blankly at each other. From the look on Ben’s face, it seemed like the development wasn’t entirely surprising for him.

  “Before we continue… Ben?”

  The monk beamed at Evantra and Noelle as they stared at him in confusion.

  “Benjamin here assisted one of our other colleagues, who was a former magical guardian. He’s a trusted ally. Would you prefer if we asked him to leave?”

  “No! Ben can stay,” Noelle said, smiling at Benjamin as Evantra sighed into her hands.

  “Perhaps it’s best that we start at the beginning. Jack and I were just novices when the Forces Against Darkness fell. Both in the same cohort, just starting out on our magical adventures,” Uriel said with a wry smile.

  Jack chuckled, but Evantra noticed his face fall as Uriel continued.

  “We lost our powers and our companions in 2200 like the rest of the girls and guardians. Fifty years ago, at the very end of the century of hope.”

  Noelle and Evantra exchanged another long look. Evantra could feel her skin prickle at their revelations. For a moment, they sat in silence, Evantra attempting to organise her thoughts to pose one of the millions of questions that had been orbiting in her mind to the ghostslayers.

  Her ‘seniors’.

  “What tipped you off?” Evantra said, carefully watching the pair of Ghostslayers.

  Not that there was much she would be able to do in the event it came to blows.

  “I found it strange that your wounds were healed after rescuing you from the laboratory. But you could have always chanced upon a stim – military and government facilities are usually well stocked, a tip to remember for further ventures out into the lost territories.”

  Uriel turned to Evantra, pausing in her pacing.

  “I also noticed the artefact in your pocket and assumed you planned to sell it off to kickstart your ghostslaying career. I wanted to respect your decision if you chose not to reach out,” Uriel said.

  So… she was being sincere about the offer.

  “But I found the remains of the ritual in the laboratory, which I had to cover up before the PIU's arrival. Then, I began to dig into Project Darwin. When you arrived in Bastion, I also watched you at Ha Eun’s classes.”

  Evantra froze, her eyes darting to Noelle whose eyes were similarly wide.

  “How you seemed to get tired out from tai chi. People do underestimate just how difficult it is to get into, but you looked like you had covered your entire body in weights with the amount of effort you were expending. Then, there was the curious case of your arrival in Bastion – I found the crash site of your escape pod – it seemed like you had some association with Caliburn Mining Industries, yes?”

  Evantra swallowed as Uriel’s glowing golden eyes drilled into hers.

  “Not to worry. Santa Muerte wasn’t able to retrieve much after the crash of the Spirit of Nimue, they were far more interested in the ritual. I cleaned up your tracks as best I could. But my suspicions were confirmed when I saw you appear out of nowhere before my very own eyes in Megabuilding Z5,” Uriel said, walking towards her.

  Evantra’s hair was standing on end, as Uriel tilted her head.

  “No one escapes my optics.”

  “Stop being such a drama queen, mate. Doz,” Jack said with a grin, reversing a chair and taking a seat on it, while draping his arms over its back.

  “You’re with friends here. I’m sure you have questions.”

  Evantra slowly nodded.

  “Magical girls and guardians lost their powers in 2200. It’s been fifty years since then. How are you..?” Evantra said in a haze of confusion, staring at their appearances.

  It could be that they had entirely replaced flesh and bone with cybernetic enhancement, but the risks that came from pervasive modifications was a risk that even top Ghostslayers didn’t entirely ignore. Flesh sculpting was the more likely possibility, and she knew that the pair of them could likely afford it.

  Alternatively… Elysium’s Immortality treatment was meant to be a hit with those that could finance it – the highest echelons of society comprised of top ghostslayers and corpos.

  “We’ll get to that,” Uriel said.

  “Do you know how the girls and guardians lost their powers?” Noelle blurted out, leaving propriety by the wayside as her curiosity took over.

  Uriel and Jack exchanged a glance and shook their heads.

  “The Forces Against Darkness was like any other institution. The novices weren’t told about what exactly underpinned our powers. We were initiated, then sent on missions tackling Veilcreature incursions, or when you were a high enough level, ghosts as well. It was all very structured and siloed. We’ve been trying looking for clues since, but it’s been challenging,” Uriel said, leaning forwards and interlinking her fingers.

  “I thought the girls and guardians were all dead,” Evantra said.

  “That would be a bit hard now, wouldn’t it? Looks like we’ll just have to come out and say it,” Jack said with a smile.

  She frowned in confusion, puzzling over Jack’s words—

  Oh.

  Evantra took in their respective appearances.

  Jack didn’t look like he was a day past forty, and Uriel looked like she was in her late twenties. The end of the century of hope had been around fifty years ago.

  “You get immortality?”

  Noelle exclaimed, rushing to her feet.

  Her eyes were wide, and it took a moment before she seemed to remember herself, sitting down.

  “Not immortality. As you know, the girls and guardians can certainly be killed. What we do get is longevity. From what the FAD told us, our ageing slows dramatically. We retained our soul gems after our powers disappeared, but lost access to the other features of the system, such as wishes and the marketplace,” Jack said, nodding his head.

  Evantra frowned.

  Wishes and a marketplace?

  Evantra kept a level expression as Uriel’s gaze passed over her.

  The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.

  She doesn't know that I’m not familiar with them.

  We should be careful with what cards we disclose, at least for now.

  “Wishes and a marketplace? You don’t have that, do you?” Noelle asked.

  Dammit Noelle.

  “Interesting.”

  Noelle blushed, wincing as she cast an apologetic glance at Evantra.

  “Wishes were like quests in a game, which gave us experience and points to spend on resources. The marketplace was where we spent those points. That was what allowed Magical Girls to dive into the lost territories or Veilsurges without worrying about logistics. Our powers aside, that was arguably one of the most useful functions of the system.” Uriel frowned, and Evantra got the distinct impression that she had since grieved the loss of the utility.

  “The system’s disappearance aside… where are all the other girls and guardians?” Evantra said quietly.

  “In hiding. Some of them became Ghostslayers while others retired.”

  In hiding?

  I suppose if they were studied before they lost their powers, plenty of megacorps would still be interested in hunting them down.

  “When our powers disappeared, we earned enough to get our hands on implants sufficient to give us a leg up on the Ghostslayer grind. But what we did notice was that those who were more outspoken about their nature as girls or guardians began disappearing.”

  Evantra sat rigid, as Uriel’s expression twisted for a split second into one of rage, her golden eyes brightening, before it faded away just as quickly as it arrived.

  “Who do you think is responsible?”

  Uriel and Jack exchanged a glance.

  “If ghosts enter our world through rituals, have you wondered just why there are so many ghosts around when the information around rituals and artefacts is so tightly controlled?”

  Evantra nodded and Uriel continued.

  “There are those who seek to proliferate ritualistic practices to summon more ghosts into our world. I suspect those very same people saw the girls and guardians as threats, and began wiping us out once we were left without our powers,” Uriel said, before her lips curved into a hint of a smile.

  “There are perks to working for Seraphim, and one of those perks is informational control. Not just the information itself, but the nature of the requests you receive can open a world of possibilities.”

  Uriel grimaced as she shifted in her seat.

  “But... as closely as I work with Seraphim, I’m still a contractor and there are limits to what I’m able to search and query. Still, when someone from the PIU began expressing an interest in your identity, it put me on notice that my suspicions were correct. Not to worry, I believe I’ve successfully headed them off.”

  Uriel continued, her gaze hardening.

  “But what it did confirm was that the laboratory that you fell into was of interest to someone in the PIU, potentially someone very high up. Then, imagine my surprise when I found that you were capable of avoiding a poltergeist’s attention, and more importantly,” Uriel’s eyes flashed, “my optics. Not to mention your antics during training, you should really be more careful about where and when you train your abilities. Don’t underestimate the old girl.”

  Uriel knows Ha-Eun?

  That explains a lot.

  “So, it all eventually comes back to you, Evantra.”

  The silence that ensued was suffocating. It persisted, seconds turning into minutes, until Uriel eventually relented and nodded.

  “I understand if you’re reluctant to trust us. Here,” she extended a familiar, double-embossed black business card, which Evantra accepted.

  “Just in case you misplaced the previous one that I gave you,” Uriel said with a wink. Evantra heard Noelle clear her throat.

  Point to you, Uriel.

  “What we will tell you is our objective.”

  Jack and Uriel exchanged a long glance before Uriel rose.

  “The Veil is weakening.”

  Evantra straightened at the Ghostslayer’s words. Noelle looked terrified, and Benjamin watched on with an unreadable expression. Even Jack, who had been relatively cheerful throughout Uriel’s explanation, grew a touch more subdued.

  “One of the reasons why I didn’t get in touch with you sooner, was because I was on assignment with Seraphim.”

  Uriel paused, turning to Jack.

  “In Eden. The domain of angels.”

  The name of the mythic realm from which angels had emerged sent a shiver down their spines.

  Eden was the realm where the most deadly of veilcreatures dwelt. The angels that poured through to the Vatican had burned all life from the city. A dead zone and quarantine had been established around the perimeter of the city to ensure that no one went in, and that nothing got out.

  “What I saw and learned was enough to have even the megacorp alarmed,” Uriel said. Evantra could swear that she glimpsed the barest trace of fear in the ghostslayer’s eyes. It disquieted her, coming from the very ghostslayer that had wiped out a teethling swarm capable of tearing her to shreds with a glance.

  “Angels twisted by spectres. That was what awaited us.”

  The visual sent a visceral chill down Evantra’s spine.

  She recalled the sight of the spectre whose presence she had felt when in the lost territories. One that had twisted a bloodspawn. Even with her limited knowledge of the creatures, it was hard to believe that there were any that rose to the threat of an angel.

  The thought of the Veilcreature that stood at the very top of the chain, being twisted and evolving into something far worse through possession by a spectre, was the fuel for nightmares.

  “It isn’t only Eden; there have been reports of ghosts entering our world without an originating ritual. Or ghosts being summoned without the need for as many souls to fuel the rituals. The Veil thins.”

  Noelle looked like she was about to faint, and Benjamin clenched his fist on his cybernetic arm tightly.

  “Megacorporations may have been able to keep us afloat, for all of the ghoulshit that they put us through, but if we are to weather the coming storm, we are going to need something more,” Uriel said, her eyes burning with resolve.

  “That brings us to our goal,” Jack interceded. “Reuniting the magical girls and finding a means of reactivating the system, if it still exists. That’s why we’re interested in your abilities, Doz.”

  Jack and Uriel are former members of the Forces Against Darkness.

  The Veil is thinning, and ghosts are reaching our reality at a faster rate than ever before.

  Someone is hunting the magical girls and guardians… who aren’t dead, some of whom are still alive. Only that they’re without their powers, companions and happen to live very long lives.

  Evantra rose, her fingers digging into Noelle’s forearm as she dragged her to her feet.

  She gave the Ghostslayers a serene smile.

  “We’ll get back to you on this.”

  Uriel’s POV

  “You have to feel for her,” Uriel said.

  The ghostslayer let out a sigh, turning to regard her colleague and friend. Jack nodded; his expression, usually full of cheer, was noticeably subdued. Shortly after Noel had left, Benjamin had followed them out. The pair of them were so shocked by the revalations that they had barely noticed the presence of the monk beside them.

  “I observed her when she was training with Kim. Whatever power she gained doesn’t give her a straightforward path. I remember being so envious of the magical girls who I thought possessed better skills and an easier class to manage.”

  Jack returned a gruff smile.

  “Dozza is a machine, just like yourself. I’m more concerned for enemies than her.”

  Uriel shook her head with a laugh.

  “I wouldn’t expect you to understand. You always managed the helplessness in a way that I envied. First, she almost loses someone that’s like a little brother to her in a Veilsurge. Then, her town burns down because of Caliburn’s ambitions. Then the Veilsurge at Rosewood and the poltergeist. Not to mention her parents.”

  “That’s why she’s got you and Ha Eun as mentors.”

  “She turned Ha Eun down.”

  Jack laughed as he made his way towards the exit of the apartment

  “Didn’t you as well? When she returns, let me know.”

  Uriel raised an eyebrow.

  “How can you be so sure that she’ll be back?”

  Jack grinned, and Uriel knew that she had fallen straight into his trap.

  “You never let your trust issues get in the way of fucking up the Veilcunts. Can’t see any reason why old mate Doz wouldn’t be able to either.”

  Jack waved over his shoulder as he exited the door.

  “She’ll be back.”

  ***

  “[Seraphim] and [spirit] ranked ghostslayers, claiming to be a magical girl and guardian.”

  Noelle paced back and forth in the room with wild eyes as she ran her fingers through her hair.

  “The veil thinning, whatever the fuck that means. Magical girls and guardians are being hunted by whoever they think is responsible for the proliferation of rituals. Living forever—”

  “Noelle.”

  Noelle eventually calmed down, letting out a deep breath as she steadied herself.

  “No, you’re right. Uriel could have killed you at any opportunity if she wanted to. Way back in the first Veilsurge, when she knew that something was off. Then again, when she found you at the top of the megabuilding.”

  Noelle crossed her arms, deep in thought.

  “Now we need to determine just how much to reveal to them about your system. There’s always the potential that they’re trying to gain our trust, to elicit information while they're in our good graces.”

  Evantra couldn’t help but pause to stare at Noelle with a hint of pride. She unzipped a backpack, looking at the blade of Galahad inside. Her mind wandered to Nimue’s rose.

  “There's too much we don't know. But if we refuse to cooperate, there's nothing much we could do against those two Ghostslayers, as strong as they are.”

  Noelle let out a loud sigh of frustration.

  Then she grinned.

  “But there’s no reason why you can’t play it to your advantage either. Your goal is to become an [eldritch] ranked, is it not? That’s best achieved under the wings of experienced slayers. You have something that they want, and you should use that fact to the fullest potential.”

  There’s the corpo I know.

  “What do you suggest?”

  “Supervision is the obvious one. Weapons, equipment, knowledge. Sponsorship and recommendations to admit you into the Academy—”

  “I thought we only needed the Academy if we didn’t have Ghostslayers to guide us?”

  Noelle glared at her, poking her in the shoulder.

  “Weren’t you listening to what I told Lucas and Tai? Connections. We’ll need them if we’re to succeed. We shouldn’t be entirely reliant on Uriel and Jack’s favour, even if they do turn out to be generous. If you enter the Academy trained by two top slayers, you’ll definitely be able to forge some useful alliances. Most of all, if they find any artefacts on their forays into the lost territories or mythic Veilsurges, you could arrange for them to give them to you! Easy peasy.”

  “I distinctly remember you telling Tai and Lucas that they should work on forging genuine relationships. But I take your points. I’m surprised that you’re so eager to render your own services obsolete.”

  Noelle blanched.

  “I—”

  “Kidding, Twig. Let’s go out-leverage some legends.”

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