Guardians of The Damned

Chapter 17 - It Goes South

"I get why you're worried," I said, "but let's set aside Miem and her ties to Zeppelin for now. What matters most is the mission."

"I know you're scared she might screw this up and get us all killed, but trust me."

"You?" Dre raised an eyebrow. "Look, man, I know you've got the skills. I trust *you*. But her?" He motioned toward Miem. "I doubt even you can stop her."

This conversation was going nowhere.

Just then, Eve walked into the classroom, dressed differently. "When will they stop giving me these skimpy battle suits?" she muttered, tugging at the hem of her white tank top, her green jacket draped loosely over her shoulders. Her hair was tied in a neat ponytail.

She noticed us. "Didn't know you two were so close."

"Eve, perfect timing." I approached her and filled her in.

"Miem talked to *Zeppelin*?" Her eyes widened. "That's... bad, right?"

"See?" Dre said, gesturing dramatically. "Even Eve gets it."

"So why are you telling me this?" she asked, tilting her head.

"Because Dre's convinced Miem's gonna blow the mission and get us all killed. I need you to calm him down."

"Because that's what *is* going to happen," Dre insisted, dead serious.

Eve looked between us, her expression unreadable. "Alright."

"Thanks." I gave her a quick nod and headed toward Miem. "Sorry about earlier."

"It's expected," she said calmly. "So? What are you planning to do with me?"

She must've overheard. Not surprising—most Honors had enhanced senses.

"There's no hard proof you're planning anything. So we've got no reason to be on edge," I replied, keeping my tone neutral.

"You're sure?" she asked, sounding almost surprised.

"Of course. We need this mission to go smoothly. No one dies, no one screws it up. We don't need teammates doubting each other."

"I didn't think you cared so much about the mission. Or the team."

"Why would you think that?"

"Well, lately, you haven't talked much. You don't strategize or check in with anyone."

"Not socializing doesn't mean I don't care. Besides, if the mission fails and the team gets disbanded, that's bad news for me."

"That's fair," she murmured, voice softening. "They see us as weapons. They fear us. Out there, we're not welcome. Only here." She gave a faint smile. "You have my word, Sunny. Wielder of the Smoke. King Phantom. I won't harm the team. Betrayal isn't in my plans."

The title threw me off. *King Phantom*?

I was about to say something but held it in. What would it change?

Then Dre approached, his tone cold. "Miem, I'll trust you... but if you betray us, I'll make you pay."

"Relax. You're not the one I'm after," she replied, her gaze sharp.

"What does that mean?" Dre asked, confused. Miem opened her mouth to answer, but—

"All right, is everyone here?" Len walked in with the rest of the squad. We scattered back to our seats. Dre gave Miem one last glance before joining the others.

Len did a quick headcount, then continued. "There's been a change. HQ just gave the word. Vie will be joining us."

"No. Absolutely not." Eve shot up from her seat.

"I know there's bad blood between you two, but Vie increases our chances. He has ties to Riness."

"Riness?" Goo Han asked. "The black market boss?"

Len nodded. "Exactly. If things go well, Vie might get the device without us needing to lift a finger."

"Then why not send him in from the start?" Miem asked, eyes narrowing.

"Because it's not guaranteed. If Riness says no, we go with plan B—our original plan."

Eve sank back into her seat, resting her cheek against her hand, visibly irritated. "I hate this plan."

"Think of it this way," Hakku offered. "If it works, free money and vacation."

"Yeah, I guess..." Eve replied, voice flat. Her tone said that wasn't the real issue.

"Vie, come on in." Len called.

Vie stepped in from behind the door, standing beside Len. "I'll do what I can."

"What if you fail?" Miem asked plainly.

"I'll remove myself from the operation," he answered curtly.

"Why not just be part of the plan?" Miem suggested.

Eve turned to her in disbelief, then looked at me, silently pleading for backup.

"I'm fine with it," Vie said. "But some of you clearly aren't."

"You *know* why," Eve said, her glare sharp as a knife.

"There's no proof I ever kidnapped children."

"And if you disappear," Eve said darkly, "there won't be any questions either."

Vie floated closer and whispered, "You don't want what happened to your friend Ginta to happen to *you*, right?"

"It's Ginto," Eve corrected coldly, "and if you touch my family, I'll kill you."

The tension hit a boiling point. Both locked eyes, ready to explode.

Then Vie flinched. He sensed something and turned—finding me glaring at him, fury etched into every line of my face.

"What you said... was that true?" I rose from my seat.

He flinched again, floating backward.

"Sunny, calm down!" Eve stepped in front of me.

"You killed his family. Now you're threatening hers?" I brushed past Eve, slowly, deliberately. "Who the hell do you think you are?"

"What are you gonna do, kill me?" Vie snapped. "You know what'll happ—"

**BOOM.**

His body exploded.

Blood splattered across the walls, floor, and whiteboard. His head rocketed across the room, bouncing before it stopped. His guts spilled everywhere. One arm stuck to a window and slid down with a sickening sound.

Warm blood drenched those nearest to him. No one moved. No one spoke. Their thoughts scattered. Their minds went blank.