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That's how people destroyed not only civilizations, but also the Universe, prowling other planets in search of resources for their existence.

"What reliquiae do you mean?"

"If it's the will of the Gods, you'll find this out at the right time."

The portal opened near my front door. This time I managed not to fall down, though it was difficult. I was shaking and felt sick, but carefully hid it not to experience the disdainful look of these strange eyes once again.

"We're going hunting tonight!" said Eugene as the last word and disappeared in the portal.

I was so tired that I did not ask any questions. I wanted to get to the bed and sleep for twenty-four hours in a row.

It was almost dawn, so Jackson had not left for work and was still sleeping. When I got to the door and opened it, I found out that Jackson was at home but awake. He jumped up to me and hugged. I had to explain everything…

"What happened? I couldn't get why you ran away."

"I'm sorry. I just freaked out. It's probably nerves, and you're right: I'm so silly!"

"It's okay! I'm with you!" he was stroking my back in circular motions. It always calmed me down.

"How's your hand?"

"Everything's okay. It's good that I'm not allergic to bee venom."

"WHAT?

"Well, my hand didn't swell after the bee sting, and if something was wrong, we're lucky to be right next to the hospital. Why did you run away?"

"I was scared of the bee," I lied. "And then I got lost. I left my handbag in your car. I couldn't call you, so I had to go home on foot."

Jackson made a cup of tea and cooked dinner or breakfast already. And after that, we went to bed to get some sleep before work.

I fell asleep, curling up in the arms of my boyfriend, in the safest place in the world.

The Guardians' Abode. The Commander's Office.

His footsteps were fast and silent as always. He was focused and determined. The Commander's office appeared around the corner. Eugene was running out of time, but at whatever cost he had to talk to Tol before hunting.

The Commander was not in the office. Eugene hesitated for a minute and decided to wait for him. He began to walk around the office in circles, expressing his impatience in this way.

Waiting took quite a long time, but Eugene decided that he could not postpone the conversation with the Commander. An hour later, Tol entered the office and raised his eyebrows. He did not tolerate strangers in his office without his presence. It was good that only Eugene allowed himself this privilege.

"Don't you have a mission? Haven't I explained to you the task?"

"I understood perfectly well, but Darsy wished to go home. She didn't even want to hear of staying here. People like to create their own problems. I decided not to interfere and see where their praised freedom of choice will lead."

"Eugene, if something happens while you're not around…" Tol began, but Eugene interrupted him.

"What could happen to her in bed? Or do you want me to watch her at night? Then I’m out of it. I'm not going to babysit two teenagers," Eugene screwed up his face. He involuntarily had a vague memory of those scenes that he had seen during his missions: lustful people, wandering around, making out at every corner, indulged in debauchery and other foul actions right on the deserted streets of cities.

"No, you certainly don't have to watch her by the bedside," Tol shook his head and collapsed into his chair. He had many things to do that were urgent and that he could not deal with so far.

"Why didn't you tell her the truth? Or why didn't you tell her the whole truth? Or maybe I don't know something? If my memory serves me right, the Oracle's vision said otherwise."

"What makes you think she didn't see anything else?"

"Tol, the Oracle said clearly that the young woman must participate in some upcoming battle, but you say that she is to pay the debt. She'll lose her powers as soon as it happens!"

"Eugene, you yourself brought her to me because you didn't know how to persuade a human to cooperate. And now you criticize me for me having managed to get her on our side, though hiding some part of the truth!"

"I don't criticize you at all. I want to understand why you didn't tell her about the role you'd prepared for her in all this!"

"Do you think she would eagerly agree to die in her young age because we've been unable to perform our duties as we should have? Although you're not a big fan of people, but the existence of all things depends on a completely unprepared, innocent young woman, who is not ready to hear the whole truth. She'll just be afraid of what she'll need to do. Besides, if you succeed in paying the debt, the disaster can be prevented."

"Is it what the Elders said or just your assumption?"

"Rather, the second one…"

"Though she is a human, she deserves to know the truth…"

"Enough! It's not my responsibility! If that's what you want, I give you permission to tell her everything. Go on! But if she refuses to help after that, we're doomed."

"She's just a kid!!! She will have to risk her life, most likely even die, and I think she has the right to know why and what price she will have to pay to save the Balance."

"I also feel sorry for her… This might sound weird, but she's just a victim of circumstances. But the greater good is more important. It's best not to say anything yet. Let her find out about it later, when she has no choice."

"She'll hate us…"

Tol half-arched his eyebrow as if in surprise.

"Does it bother you?"

"Sure! If she becomes powerful enough, she can make troubles. People live with emotions, especially emphasizing the revenge. Imagine what will happen if she absorbs too many powers and we are no longer able to stop her… Then, the Balance will be our lesser concern. Isn't that why Charon was locked up without a chance to leave his post?"