22. Wasp

Wasp

Veross City Sanctuary

I adjust the mask on my face before I meet the new hellstar Beetle brought in yesterday. As much as I would like to step out of my office and let everyone know who I really am, my identity must remain a secret no matter what. So much is at risk if the Dukes, the Lords, or even the other hellstars find out who I am. My experiences have taught me not to trust people.

The Blight that is spreading across Universes and worlds inside them is almost here and we are not ready. Through my research, I learned that there is only one way to stop the Blight—the box Pandora made in the bowels of Hell with the help of Lucifer. The myth of Pandora is true, yet the truth about who she is and what the box represents is different from what we were told. It contains the answer to how to stop the Blight.

The Blight is looking for the box. The first Guardian was the one entrusted with its safekeeping and hidden from the scrutinizing eye of the Blight.

In time, the box disappeared.

With the last Guardian dead and the box nowhere to be found, everything is at risk.

I have yet to give up. Each day, I search to see if a new Guardian has been born. So far, I have had no luck. But… from what I’ve learned about Guardians, there should be one born soon after the other dies. His purpose is not to guard the box, but to protect the one who can open it.

From the window of my office, I watch the sunrise. Another day starts. I pick up my cup of coffee and quickly scan some papers on my desk. I have done so much, and still, there is so much more to do until the Blight reaches us. Everything I have done has been to delay its arrival and to prepare this world.

I only hope everything is ready by then.

My phone rings, and I glance at the screen before I take the incoming call. My heart races. For years, I’ve waited for this phone call. I started to lose hope it would ever happen.

I answer and wait for the other person to speak first.

Seconds pass without hearing anything. “Hello?” I finally say.

Another hesitation then, “I am in.”

Despite my visible excitement, I say, “What made you change your mind?”

“Indy is dead.”

“I am so—”

I am cut short. “It is for the best. At least she is not suffering anymore.” A pause of a few seconds, then, “I have information for you.”

After another sip of coffee, I ask, “You do? About?”

“About the Guardian.”

My pulse quickens. “We need to meet.”

I look at the calendar on my desk. “I am free two days from now.”

“I’ll see what I can do.”

The call ends.

I stare at my phone while I think. Could it be that a new Guardian was born?

If so, I need to find them before Azael does.