Lumian stretched as he opened the door of his house. He wore a white linen shirt, and his usually slicked back hair now fell freely over his forehead. It was the only way to deal with the heat brought about by the crimson sun.
He stepped outside, stretching his arms, he shouted. "Good morning, world!"
But the only reply he got was the sound of birds squeaking as if answering him.
The streets were already alive with movement of young men and women in coats, going about their day. By the time he reached the area where the monster was destroyed, the place was already being cleaned up.
"Damn,the government's still doing thier job pretty well." Lumian muttered to himself.
Just then, two girls passed by him, covering their mouths as they whispered to each other;
"He's so handsome."
"F**k,I want him to crack me right now."
They giggled as they went inside a building that read "dityl nightclub".
Lumain let out a small grunt, having heard every word. He turned towards a cafè mirror, checking his reflection.
"Am I really that handsome?" He asked himself, rubbing his chin.
Suddenly, someone shouted his name from behind.
"LUMIAN!"
Which made Lumian jump back in fear. Normally this wasn't typical of the calm Lumian ward.
The person in particular calling him,was a man in red and black coat. His slightly long black hair and striking features, made him look almost majestic.
Crossing the street with a grin, he shouted again. "Lumian, you were walking and you didn't even notice your best friend!"
"So because your my best friend, that's why you think it's okay to scare me—Vincent?"
Vincent patted him on the back.
"Ah bro don't say that, you know how excited I get when I see you." He said between laughs.
Why does Vincent sounds so gay this morning? His jokes are really starting to scare me... wait-is he actually gay?
"Tchew! Earth to Lumian! Come on bro!"
Vincent said while waving a hand at his face.
Lumian snapped out of it, and they continued walking together. Moments later, they arrived at a large building, besides it stood a massive sculpture of a woman with black wings seating calmly on a pedestal.
---
Lumian and Vincent entered the building. Inside, Hargreaves was chatting with a few of the other members, keeping his hands in his pocket, trying to look casual.
They both approached and said cheerfully in unison. "Good morning, captain!"
Hargreaves gaze immediately fell on Lumian casual clothes, and with a chuckle he said.
"Lumian, what the hell are you wearing?"
Lumian tugged at his shirt and started fanning himself with his hand. "Captain, your not feeling this unbearable heat?"
Vincent stepped forward, the corners of his lips raised high. "Well there's nothing we can do about it."
Then, turning to Hargreaves he asked, "Captain, what about our mission today?"
Hargreaves gave him a puzzled look.
"Vincent, what.... mission?"
Lumian raised his brows up slightly, looking confused, until a familiar voice called his name from behind. He immediately became tensed and tried to escape.
"Oh dear!—Captain, Vincent—my stomach feels like it's about to explode! I better get going quickly!"
Both men exchanged a confused look. It was rare—almost impossible—to see the ever calm lumain, panic.
Just as Lumian reached the door, a girl came running at him with full speed and wrapped her arms around him. She had green eyes, silver hair and a face so perfect she looked like royalty. Raising her gaze up, she smiled at Lumian, who was still caught in her embrace.
"Baby, you came to work today and didn't even bother to visit me!"
Lumain scratched his cheek awkwardly." Ah... Alice I didn't know you'd be coming to headquarters today."
She pouted. "Baby, you know I always come to see you."
Hargreaves and Vincent exchanged that same confused look again. Lumian didn't respond; he kept scratching his head until he finally realized something. "Wait—why are you calling me 'baby'? When did we become lovers!?"
Alice pulled away and folded her arms pretending to be angry.
Hargreaves stepped in, with a smiling face. "Why can't you be lovers with my sister? Are you trying to say she's not beautiful?"
Lumain face immediately turned pale as sweat trickled down his forehead. "Captain—no! I never said that." He quickly grabbed Alice's hand and kissed it, making her blush bright red. "See? Lady Alice is the most beautiful lady I've ever met. Her beauty truly knows no bounds."
Vincent, already tired of this whole exchange, sat quietly in the chair near the receptionist area. The headquarters looked more like a fancy living room, than a office, occupied with —TV's, couches and tables. It looked as though it was designed to fit the taste of visitors, rather than to encourage formality.
As the blabbering continued, Vincent sighed. "These are the creatures one should really be afraid of."
Moments later, the chaos had not still stop. Vincent was already getting sick of it, more than the person in the 'situation', he finally snapped. "Captain! It's literally 10:00 and you still haven't given us our mission."
Hargreaves wore that same puzzled expression again. "Vincent... you keep talking about this 'mission.' What the hell are you talking about?"
Alice giggled and leaned close to Lumian, whispering behind her hand, "Hargreaves has a little predicament... basically the side effect of his order 'Night Crosser.' "
Lumian gave an awkward smile. "Is that so?"
Hargreaves rubbed his chin thoughtfully, his fingers also scratching along his short beard. And as if a lightbulb went on, he snapped his fingers. "Oh right! The mission."
Vincent slapped his forehead and sighed, walking closer to Lumian.
"Well." Hargreaves continued. "Since you two are the only one without a task, you and Lumian will head to Number 22, Blackhead street.
Looking at Lumian he paused again and continued scratching his beard. "Oh, and Lumian—go to the lower chamber and meet Lury, she told me she had something to give you."
Lighting a cigarette, he inhaled and exhaled, and muttered to himself while walking away, "I really need some sleep."
---
Soon enough, Lumian was descending the stairs to the lower chambers. The place was dimly lit, only being illuminated by candles fixed on the stone walls. When he reached the last floor, he saw lady Lury talking to a rather handsome man—around thirty nine, with short yellow hair.
Lury noticed Lumian and waved cheerfully.
"Good evening, Lumian—wait, isn't it morning." She said scratching her chin, then waved again. "Good morning, Lumian!"
Lumian walked up to her with a smile.
"Good morning, dear Lury. You requested for me?"
Lury puffed out her chest proudly and handed him a small box. "These are specially designed bullets— infused with a bit of magic energy. They should help you better in combat."
Lumian gave a smile and ruffled her hair. "Lury you really went far for me. Thank you."
"Don't worry about it." She said quickly, then changed the topic. "I heard your about to become a sorcerer next week."
"Yes," Lumian nodded. "I'll be taking my first potion then."
"So, which order are you going to choose." She asked.
"Well I haven't decided yet... but if I could pick one right now, I would go with the seer order."
The man beside Lury—Mr dean— butted into the conversation, which was not quite some gentlemanly behavior.
"You want to become a sorcerer? Boy you've got some balls. Back in the day when I was a bit young—I never even considered the possibility of being one."
Lumian chuckled awkwardly, unsure how to respond.
Dean, stroked his full yellow beard and continued. "And a seer, huh? It's not the best for attack—its more like a support order, heh, that means it's usually safe... unless you go peeking into something really dangerous."
He eyed Lumian up and down." Also, why are you dressed in such shitty clothes? It's a disgrace for a gentleman. What'd you even come her for?"
Lumian didn't answer the first question but pointed to the box. "What'd you think?"
Lury giggled behind her hand.
Lumian turned back to leave, waving back at her. "See you later, Lury."
She waved back cheerfully, "Goodnight, Lumian—f**k I mean, have a nice day!"
---
Night fell, the crimson sun had now been replaced by the pale moon. Two figures stood before a tall gothic building—the first wearing a white shirt under a black jacket, scarf around his neck. And the other, in his usual red and black coat. They were none other than Lumian and Vincent.
They pushed the door open, and were immediately hit with the sight of chaos—tables and chairs overturned and papers littered around the floor.
"You finally decided to change your clothes, huh?" Vincent said with a chuckle.
Lumian rubbed his temples. "When everyone criticize me for being too casual, what do you expect me to do?"
They moved deeper into the house. Lumian paused and stared at a dusty family portrait. Vincent, meanwhile, walked right into a spiderweb and started frantically brushing it off.
As they climbed the creaky stairs, Vincent couldn't help but mutter. "The aesthetic of this place, is not quite welcoming."
Lumian chuckled softly as he reloaded his gun.
They reached a long corridor, when a horrible squeaking sound echoed above them—that kind of unbearable squeaking, you here at night from rats.
Then, without warning, something that looked like a winged baby dove straight at Lumian.
But he reacted in time and replied with, Bang! Bang! Bang! Three shots were fired, but it seemed it was faster than the bullet. It swooped down, claws outstretched, Lumian dodged down a bit and fired once more—bang! This time, the bullet connected. The creature shrieked in pain, but still came at him in a rage.
Then, black feathers spiraled through the air, wrapping around the monster until it burst into flames.
"Wasting your time on low level curses." Vincent said standing calmly, lowering his hands, he continued. "Oh, how nice it is to be a sorcerer."
Lumian just gave him a playful side eye.
They entered the next room and found shelves lined with wine, champagne, and every kind drinks imaginable.
"The owner of this place must've really liked to drink." Vincent said with a grin.
Lumian picked up a bottle, inspecting it.
Vincent asked suddenly, feeling puzzled. "Lumian, if you don't mind me asking—what are your goals?"
Lumian turned to him, smiling faintly, he handed the wine.
"I simply want to kill the sun."