Daniel dragged himself up the grand staircase from the basement training room, each step creaking slightly underfoot.
His muscles ached from this morning's early training session testing the limits of his new fond abilities but it was the kind of ache that felt good that made him feel like he was still alive even though two days ago he was dead.
As he reached the first floor, the scent of something burning made spread through out the hall.
Daniel fire extinguisher rushed towards the kitchen the source of the burning smell was greeted to the sight of a certain 11 year old girl standing on a stool, dressed in an oversized hoodie(probably one of Daniel's), was Lina. Her blackened hands worked awkwardly at a frying pan, smoke billowing up around her.
The sight should have been funny.
It was funny.
Her brows were furrowed in concentration, tongue peeking out between her lips, determined as she utterly ruined what seemed to have been an attempt to make pancakes.
Daniel leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching.
She noticed him and immediately turned red.
"I-I was trying to make breakfast..." she said in a tiny, stuttering voice, almost cringing. "As thanks."
Daniel snorted and walked over, gently taking the pan from her before it burst into flames.
He dumped the charred wreckage into the sink with a sizzle, then ruffled Lina's hair roughly.
"Appreciate the thought, kid. Let's call it even before you burn the place down."
A ghost of a smile flickered across her face, the first real one he'd seen from her.
Before either of them could say more, footsteps approached.
Astrael and Malik entered the kitchen, both looking strangely normal—or at least, human.
Both of them carried thick, leather-bound folders.
"Good. You're awake," Astrael said briskly, setting the folder down on the kitchen counter with a heavy thump.
Malik tossed another folder onto the table.
"Time for Orientation," Malik said, grinning like this was going to be funny for him.
Daniel raised an eyebrow. "Orientation? What is this, a fucking job fair?"
"In a way, yes," Astrael said calmly. "You have a responsibility now, Daniel. A foot in both worlds. And you need to know how the game is played."
She snapped her fingers, and a holographic map of the supernatural world—hidden beneath reality—spread out above the table.
"First, your duties," Astrael began.
"You'll receive cases from two primary sources:
Heaven and Hell.
Both sides have interests in the mortal world.
Balance is necessary to prevent full collapse.
You're not serving either side—you're the intermediary, the enforcer of rules when needed."
Sometimes," Malik said with a smirk.
"But you'll also handle freelance work—requests from non-affiliated supernatural beings. Witches, werewolves, minor gods, dream-spirits, you name it."
Astrael tapped a shimmering list that appeared in the air.
Next, the Creatures.
Daniel leaned in as Astrael explained.
"There are three primary origins for supernatural entities," she said:
1. Mythspawn:
Creatures born from ancient myths and legends. Dragons, vampires, gods of old.
Some still remember the golden days of worship. Some... want those days back.
2. Dreamborn:
Entities created by human dreams, nightmares, and desires.
They are shapeless at first, but enough belief—or fear—gives them substance.
3. Sin-Echoes:
Beings born from human evil, hatred, and unchecked sin.
Serial killers twisted into monsters. Greed-fed horrors. Lust-warped parasites.
"Every category has its own rules. Their own strengths. Their own weaknesses."
Daniel whistled low.
"Sounds like a real pain in the ass."
"You have no idea," Malik muttered.
And finally, the Laws.
Astrael's voice grew firmer.
"Three laws govern the supernatural world among mortals:"
1. The Law of Discretion:
No creature may reveal the true nature of the supernatural world to humanity at large.
Breaking this law invokes automatic judgment—by you, if necessary.
2. The Law of Balance:
No major supernatural event may tip the mortal world's balance without council approval.
Wars, mass killings, wide-scale possession—off-limits unless sanctioned.
3. The Law of Binding:
Any pact made between a human and a supernatural entity is sacred.
Violating a contract, deceiving a human, or abusing a deal earns severe punishment.
Daniel leaned back against the counter, arms crossed.
"Sounds simple enough. Until someone inevitably fucks up."
Astrael gave a rare, thin smile.
"They always do."
Malik slid the second folder toward Daniel.
"In there is a list of basic equipment you can create with your perks. We figured you'd want the quick-start guide."
Daniel grunted, flipping the folder open and skimming through diagrams of enchanted bullets, binding chains, tracking charms, purification grenades, and more.
---
As the briefing wrapped up, Daniel caught sight of Lina sitting at the edge of the table, listening with wide, solemn eyes.
She wasn't just here by accident.
She was part of this now, too.
He sighed.
"Alright," Daniel said, standing up and grabbing the folder.
"Let's get to work then. I'm ready to see what kinda nightmares this world has cooked up."
Outside the manor's illusion, the city of New York bustled, utterly unaware of the hidden battles waging just under its skin.
Inside Specter Protocol, the first official enforcer was ready.
Almost.