— We are part of a group called A.L.O., which stands for Advanced Leadership Order. Our goal is to bring together people with powers to resist E.G.O., because we want a future, we want a safe place in this world for those like us. — Reed explained, the flames of the bonfire flickering in the depths of his dark pupils. — You could say we're rebels, basically. And, spending this time with you, with all of you, we decided it would be good if you joined us. Or if A.L.O. joined you.
— We want the same things: a home, safety, to fight those who harm us, and to try to save the planet. — Lillia added in the face of Sete's and the others' silence. — We are not to blame for everything that is happening, they are. The Oracle of the Gods told us-
Hiroshi interrupted her with a firm and particularly sharp nod, sullen look, as if the girl had almost revealed more than she should have.
Sete raised her eyebrows curiously.
— An Oracle, huh? I'd love to know more about this spokesperson for the Gods… — The young deity narrowed her green eyes resentfully. She hadn't forgotten who had put her in this situation of disconcerting helplessness, who had separated her from the other Seasons...
Obtaining revealing information about this Oracle could represent a starting point in her quest for revenge, if he really is a direct line of communication between the Gods and the mortal world. The timely manifestation of an Oracle among the rebellious heirs was very suspicious, Spring knew very well how cunning the Gods could be when they wanted to be.
Suddenly, alarming bell sounds began to ring inside Sete's head, a red light flashing in her peripheral vision. As she was about to call Vez, someone interrupted her:
— You there! Put your hands where we can see them and lie down on the ground! — A cold male voice suddenly pierced through them, amplified several times through loudspeakers.
Above the group's camp, there were about four silent helicopter-like ships surrounding them, along with a dozen more war drones. They illuminated them with their blinding white headlights, causing the young people to squint to see the outlines of men in tactical suits pointing rifles in their direction.
A translucent red screen flashed in Sete's line of sight:
!Emergency Mission!
Get rid of the E.G.O. agents
and escape with the heirs.
Rewards: 5% power and 5% divinity.
Failure will result in death or
the end of this world.
— I won't repeat myself! Show your hands and get down slowly! — The same icy voice commanded, leaving no room for any kind of insubordination.
Sete looked each of the heirs in the eye, their expressions varying between tension and shock. No one knew what to do, but they sought some kind of guidance in the fierce face of the young deity. They got her message when the whites of her eyes lit up in green swirls, exuding the kind of resistance that only a force of nature could demonstrate before men.
Sete was no longer the fragile human of flesh and blood who had dined with them around the campfire, savoring the food innocently and unpretentiously.
Sete was now Spring: a natural disaster about to begin.