Avery watched. Si was silent, looking as if he were preparing to speak.

  Yes.

  Si took a breath.

  “There are difficult changes on the horizon. So, I have decided it is a moment for you to meet my closest partner. I talked to him last week and summarized your work from my perspective. He observed you as well, I am certain. He agreed to meet with you today; his one-hour training window started—” Si stopped and took a look at his messenger, as if he needed to confirm it.

  “… Ten minutes ago. He added you would have the option to decline and insisted that if you did, you should stay here in Shadows—of course, if you would like. I am merely quoting what he had said. So. To finish this speech, quite long, very in my partner’s style, I will ask, using his words again. Is it understandable?”

  Avery listened to what Si was saying.

  At the end of this, as he called it, a longer speech, Si smiled. As if he were laughing at this person—his partner, who was said to be important.

  It was intriguing.

  Avery had worked with Si for months already; he also spent time in Shadows territories, including many hours talking to Luna. And he never got to know who exactly this person was.

  There were moments when there was some commotion; Si or Luna received a message and had to go somewhere. Occasionally, Si had to suddenly go to see the Leader. Then it was said that it was this person’s matter, a message, or a meeting.

  Once a week, exactly on this day of the week, this hour, Luna had her special dancing lessons; this Avery knew.

  But. Dancing lessons surely had nothing to do with an older person?

  Older, because Si highlighted a week ago that this person was called Elder. Si also added that Avery should prepare a bit and gave old materials to read—to explain who Elders were in the past.

  This way, Avery was warned that this meeting was to take place.

  It wasn’t sudden.

  Avery read the documents, searched the net, and asked Luna. And he was puzzled. He understood the information. But. Why was it relevant currently?

  He decided to wait. He was patient. Always preferred to observe first before making the move.

  “Roger,” Avery answered.

  Si smiled even wider and nodded.

  “He is knowledgeable, experienced, and old. Mature in politics. Powerful, he has a lot of energy.” Si was complimenting his partner.

  Avery listened and noted.

  It looked like a promotion. He felt increasingly better about it, realizing he deserved it and that his trial months were not wasted.

  “Also. Avery, most importantly, listen carefully. He is alive, but in 70 ACD he died.”

  Si suddenly said and stopped talking but began to watch Avery’s reaction intensely.

  There was a long silence between them.

  How peculiar.

  Avery thought about how to comment on it.

  Si was a fan of small jokes but never about important matters. It was the first thing to notice after joining the team. Shadows Lord was cheerful, not silly. Not stupid.

  What Si said had to be the truth.

  “I do not fully understand, but I assume it will be explained. I confirm that I’ve heard this information.” Avery stated.

  Si nodded.

  “I have to admit, it is not the easiest to explain. So, my partner, Elder, is in the form of energy. It means that he has no real body, as we usually think of it. Is it somehow understandable?”

  This time it was Avery who nodded.

  It somehow was.

  “Also, it all is classified. About Elder not more than a few people know, including me and the Leader. And Luna,” Si added, still watching Avery’s face.

  “Luna?” Avery had to ask.

  That was even more peculiar.

  She said she was avoiding being involved in politics—not to cause any problems for her husband. It was wise. Why would she know about a person that the knowledge about was classified, and visibly it was pure politics?

  “About this, Luna sometimes says it like this; I will use it. I will leave the decision of whether to explain it to Elder. Today is clearly a day when I am only repeating the smarter ones.” Si laughed as he said this.

  Avery nodded again; he patiently decided to wait. It was not the moment to ask questions; he knew Si well enough.

  “So, now it is—” Si again checked his messenger. “Nineteenth minute of their hour, I think, we can interrupt them. Let’s go.”

  What Si said confirmed that Elder was attending dancing lessons with Luna.

  Was he watching? As energy? How was that possible?

  Avery followed. Si walked at a fast pace, as if their time was truly limited.

  Was this person so old, conscious only for some time, because of the age? No, he read about Elders; the title was not about their age… Avery was thinking, guessing.

  It was intriguing, and the best part was that he would know it within minutes.

  His career, his future, seemed to be even more interesting. It was exciting.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  They went out of the meeting space and headed to the gardens. The interior ones, which were very private. Avery had been there maybe once.

  Si suddenly stopped.

  Shouts were audible.

  Avery followed Si’s gaze.

  Inside the gardens there was a round, tiny arena for training, surrounded by an opaque energy barrier, so it wasn’t possible to see who was inside. Small, but could be very effective; three people could dance there.

  Inside, clearly two people were arguing, but only Luna’s voice was heard.

  “… No! I won’t train with you in this version; forget about it!”

  It was her, loud but not angry.

  “Sweetie!” Si shouted.

  Avery jumped—it was so surprising.

  “Elder! You both, Avery is here with me; we have talked about it!” Si shouted again.

  How peculiar, Avery thought, when something even more unexpected occurred.

  Luna ran out of the arena sweaty, with red cheeks. Visibly tired, she laughed while shouting words, some of which Avery couldn’t understand.

  A different language?

  Then, the other voice could be heard, replying to her shouts.

  “… O, what is that? Trying to impress me, no? You used the sentence incorrectly; learn the grammar better! Come back; I made this projection today purposely to train you; you’re chubby again, Si! You have to take care of your wife, she told me—”

  This person didn’t shout but said these words loudly, and their meaning made Luna come back to the arena—she ran back quickly.

  Avery could hear her start to shout again.

  “I don’t believe it, you! Saying something like that! I see, you blush; you regret it, right! No, don’t come near me; I won’t train with a sword. Are you mad? What… what? Maybe I made mistakes, but I’m learning. I’ll learn your language, and you’ll stop talking to me with words I don’t unde—what? No!” Luna screamed louder and ran out of the arena again.

  This time, she didn’t stop or change her mind; she ran toward her husband.

  … Luna was laughing hard.

  “Si, help! Take me away from here. Hi Avery, go there. I’m not coming back. He wants me to dance with a sword. Truly, take me away…”

  She was shouting it all intentionally; she wanted to be heard by the person inside the arena.

  Avery was puzzled.

  “Come back! I still have some time today. If you go, don’t blame me. I will dance alone and project again next week—no me for you in between, o? It is a threat; come back, Luna!”

  This person was still inside; now the voice was louder.

  … Quite a beautiful voice, unusual. An accent? It was not an accent. What was it—a nuance in the intonation? Avery liked to analyze sounds. That melody, passion in speech, intriguing.

  He didn’t have more time to focus on it. Si grabbed his wife—Luna was laughing; she didn’t shout anything more, only nodded, as if to say ‘hello’ again. Si then, before using his Shadows’ swirl, he pushed Avery in the direction of the arena and added, laughing.

  “Go, meet our esteemed Elder…”

  They disappeared at the same moment that this person shouted something more.

  “You shrimp… you dared to escape!”

  After this, there was a moment of silence.

  Avery, however, had the certainty that he knew who he would find inside.

  Shit.

  He heard an audible sigh and the swish of something sharp.

  Surely, that was the sword.

  “Avery Corja, come inside; I cannot go out,” this man said.

  Shit and shit. How unexpected.

  Avery went inside.

  Yes—it was him.

  The one who Avery had thought was a spy. The one in the black dress, armor, whatever it was, who killed all the monsters on two planets. His energy, as Si had said, certainly was huge.

  Avery shook his head as he thought to himself.

  How badly he had missed the point. Elder, existing in the form of pure energy? That would explain the sound; even now, a slight buzz was around the figure. And that he thought it was someone older. Limited? This energy had limitations? Or his consciousness?

  “Elder, I am pleased to meet you officially,” Avery said, trying to sound calm.

  They exchanged looks.

  “My name is Taj. Don’t use Elder; it is not secure. My name is quite forgotten; no one should guess based on my name,” he said and stopped.

  “I am informed about only some basics. Forgive me for my mistakes,” Avery added.

  This made Taj look at him attentively.

  “Did Si not explain in detail? O, he promised he would… not amazing,” he said.

  “I will listen and learn without any—” Avery started to speak; he wanted to confirm he was ready for whatever was needed, but he was interrupted.

  “Avery Corja, this may surprise you, but to make it clear and direct, to avoid misunderstandings, since we have met before and there was a problem…” Taj said these words and then surprised Avery.

  He bowed.

  Elder Taj truly bowed, deeply, his ponytail reaching the ground. Then he spoke again, and what he said was even more astonishing.

  “I am not interested, Avery. It is because I am in love with another man. Is it understandable?”

  The silence was complete.

  Avery didn’t know how to comment on it.

  Was that the most important thing to highlight at that moment?

  “I hope Si had mentioned at least how I exist. Everything can be explained. However, we need to start with the basics,” Taj said.

  They exchanged looks again.

  “Avery, I decided to start with this because of what our first meeting looked like. I need you to understand it. I like it when there is mutual respect. I want to respect you for who you are as well as for your knowledge, skills, and everything you achieved. The same I would like to have from you. I do not care about looks or the type of your energy; I am not a fan of energism. That would be quite ridiculous, as I was a Crystaler myself. Additionally, I do not care whom you choose to love. However, I care about mutual respect. With this said, you have everything you need to decide whether you want to work with me or not. Decide.”

  Elder Taj finished his talk.

  Avery listened carefully. Their first meeting was not the most fortunate. He was certain he used derogatory wording. Clearly, it could be forgotten.

  He didn’t need much time to decide.

  “Roger. I confirm I understand. It will be no problem, I assure you. I am eager to work with you. I do not care about your personal matters,” Avery said, trying to be as clear as he could.

  Only his work mattered.

  “Correct. I do not intend to discuss my husband,” Taj said, his tone of voice slightly changing.

  Avery caught it.

  “To clear it up front, is there something I should know about the matter? Can it impact the work? Your husband, won’t he see our cooperation as a problem?” Avery asked, probing.

  Not to have a jealous man chasing after him later.

  “No. My husband has been dead for one hundred and three years and four months, plus minus. I won’t elaborate on my past; your concern is noted.”

  That was the answer.

  Very specific.

  But. Avery nodded—he had nothing else to add.

  “Good. I will send you the materials and our training scheme. We will communicate through messenger, and I will set up a secure connection. I am not allowed to project currently, so you won’t see me often. But we will have tasks. I wish us boring cooperation, Avery, but I already know it won’t be the case. Brace yourself. Now I ask that you leave me. I want to use my time while I’m projected.”

  Avery nodded again.

  Everything sounded strange, but he was certain it would be explained. The first days with Si had been similar. There was nothing to worry about.

  Before leaving, Avery noticed four things.

  The first was—Elder Taj made a strange gesture at the end. It could have been some kind of goodbye signal, so Avery noted it to check it.

  The second was that he needed to verify the name and identify which Elder Taj was. But. Not to be too casual, his name should be skipped. If the title ‘Elder’ was not safe, then a simple ‘boss’ would be the best to use in public.

  In his mind as well. Keeping the distance at work was crucial.

  Starting immediately.

  The third—it explained a lot.

  Avery had previously tried to figure out how it was possible to kill the monsters and why the Leader was not sure what happened, as he observed that the Leader wasn’t truly aware.

  It wasn’t a secret that many inventions were lost along the way, mostly because of decades of misunderstandings between energy users. The division then deepened, with users of artificial energy bullying the naturals.

  If the boss was indeed Elder from more than a hundred years ago, it could be that he knew of old inventions and used them. He was certainly powerful and ruthless.

  To kill them all that simply, no hesitation. Extreme.

  As for the fourth one, Avery had never thought it could happen. He was rejected by a gay man. Not that he wanted to be accepted; he despised the idea.

  But. How interesting. And the boss, being ruthless—it fit the picture of his kind, how disgusting—

  Suddenly, Avery had an additional thought.

  Opportunities were too extraordinary to spoil them by stating his preferences or opinions aloud. His thoughts could be noticed as well; he needed to be careful.

  Then, another thought.

  He was privy to this secret; he had met an actual Elder. Would it be possible for him to meet this woman too? She was visibly more powerful. What Avery saw her do was even more extraordinary than what the boss did.

  Avery decided to work hard and earn trust. Then, he might be able to meet her. The woman in a white dress, sick but powerful. It was the dream.