Interlude: Caritas

Caritas watched the large mirror in the middle of the gazebo. He and his brethren used those devices to monitor the endeavors of mankind. His student, Taylor, called it spying on Earth. The Heavenly Virtue smiled. It had been two centuries since he last had a student to teach and had somewhat forgotten what it felt to interact with humans on such an intimate level. Happiness. Pleasure. Taylor was an eager student, absorbing his knowledge like a dry sponge absorbed water. He remembered her heart, when she first called out for him. Battered and broken, a sore sight to his eyes. Two months of intense training in the ways of healing and fighting had undone most of the damage, though he knew it was still too early to have her face the truth of her betrayal.

Caritas sighed. He knew the identities of Taylor's tormentors. He knew one of them was a "Ward", a young Tainted training to be one of the Defenders of Mankind, the people they called Heroes. Except this particular one had the mentality of a Destroyer, a Villain. And he loathed her for that, the Hunter from the Dark, the girl called Shadow Stalker. She didn't deserve to be a Defender, her heart was too turned toward Destruction, unlike the other "Wards" whose hearts were turned toward Creation and Harmony. Like Taylor's.

Through his student and through the mirror, he had watched. He had learned. Now he knew more about the Tainted and he was starting to consider them differently than his brethren. Despite their supernatural powers, "parahumans" were still humans. Their strength rivaled that of angels but their hearts hadn't changed and could still be influenced the same way. The reactions of the people rescued by his student were proof enough. Many had called it a miracle and Credo had reported a slight increase in the prayers turned toward Heaven. He had also told his brother that a good number had also turned toward the Eternal One, Scion. The fact was saddening to the Heavenly Virtue of Faith, who had suggested having his student do specific tasks. Caritas had stubbornly refused. Taylor wasn't their handyman. She used her powers the way she wanted. Free will, please?

His smile widened as he saw his student perform her new miracle. One hundred and fifty people, give or take a handful, healed in three words. To humans, a miracle. To him, a finger snap. He was still proud, though. He could feel several Tainted – parahumans – among the bomb victims. They weren't wearing distinctive clothing like most of their kind, so it was hard to tell them apart except by sensing the Taint. Taylor had healed them without a second thought, just as she had healed the two Defenders – Heroes – as she would have any patient. He was especially happy with the care with which she had healed the pregnant Hero after finding out she was expecting a child.

Human healers were bound to follow a specific oath. Caritas had once read it to Taylor when she had asked about it, wondering if it applied to her due to the divine nature of her powers. After hearing it, she had decided to go by it.

I swear to fulfill, to the best of my ability and judgment, this covenant:

I will respect the hard-won scientific gains of those physicians in whose steps I walk, and gladly share such knowledge as is mine with those who are to follow.

I will apply, for the benefit of the sick, all measures which are required, avoiding those twin traps of overtreatment and therapeutic nihilism.

I will remember that there is art to medicine as well as science, and that warmth, sympathy, and understanding may outweigh the surgeon's knife or the chemist's drug.

I will not be ashamed to say "I know not," nor will I fail to call in my colleagues when the skills of another are needed for a patient's recovery.

I will respect the privacy of my patients, for their problems are not disclosed to me that the world may know. Most especially must I tread with care in matters of life and death. If it is given me to save a life, all thanks. But it may also be within my power to take a life; this awesome responsibility must be faced with great humbleness and awareness of my own frailty. Above all, I must not play at God.

I will remember that I do not treat a fever chart, a cancerous growth, but a sick human being, whose illness may affect the person's family and economic stability. My responsibility includes these related problems, if I am to care adequately for the sick.

I will prevent disease whenever I can, for prevention is preferable to cure.

I will remember that I remain a member of society, with special obligations to all my fellow human beings, those sound of mind and body as well as the infirm.

If I do not violate this oath, may I enjoy life and art, respected while I live and remembered with affection thereafter. May I always act so as to preserve the finest traditions of my calling and may I long experience the joy of healing those who seek my help.

The Hippocratic Oath. Caritas grinned. Hippocrates had been one of his prized students, back when mankind was young. An excellent one. He was proud of his legacy and the many people that followed in his footsteps. A special case was this young Tain - parahuman Taylor had lot of respect for, Panacea. Her Taint allowed her to heal anything short of brain injuries and this inability had motivated Taylor in sneaking into hospitals at night to help her in her task, to do what she couldn't so to alleviate her burden. But Caritas had seen the girl and the nature of her powers. Absolute biokinesis. Panacea's true power was to control Life itself.

Not to play God was one of the covenants of the Hippocratic Oath. It was, however, exactly what the young parahuman's power allowed her to do. Her so-called inabilities were restrains she had put on herself to prevent her from doing that. Temperantia, moderation. Powers like her were the reason Heaven and Hell dreaded her kind. And with a tormented heart like hers, a heart worn out by her duties and restrains, broken by lack of parental love, torn by a love that was forbidden to her, the Virtue could clearly feel disaster looming on the horizon. He should tell Taylor about it, explain how her role model was suffering and ask her if she would be willing to help, extend a hand as he had done with her, even though she was a Sage and Panacea was a parahuman.

The rustling of wings interrupted his thoughts. Turning, Caritas nodded at the newcomer. Spero landed at his side. The Heavenly Virtue of Hope was a giant white bird with white skin and four wings, a long slender neck and a long tail made of seven feathers, each in one of the rainbow's colors. His feet were long and finished by four sharp golden claws while the four wings were white for the feathers and gilded on the edge with golden and jeweled armor. A human face covered most of his stomach and another face was at the back of his dove-like head. The gilded armor covered a good deal of his body without hampering his movements. Caritas considered his brother. Hope was beautiful. Hope was terrifying. And so was Spero.

"Greetings, my dearest brother."

The Heavenly Virtue had a singing voice. Caritas answered with his honey-like voice.

"Greetings, brother. What brings you to my domain?"

"Do you not yet know? That prized student of yours had accomplished a miracle and the feedback is simply amazing! The Cloud Castle is vibrant with the restored hopes of the people she saved, and that of their friends and relatives!"

The Virtue was excited like a little child and Caritas couldn't blame him. With all the calamities that struck the Earth, one after the other, each worse than the last, hope had become a luxury few could afford. Every glimmer was good to take, and Taylor's action had been the equivalent to a firework.

"Treasure it, then, brother. Such wellspring will not occur before some time."

"I will. You know…" Spero smiled. "I am jealous of you. You look happy with your student and she looks even happier. Her heart is a perpetual spring of hope, where I can tell despair had once laid. You saved her, brother. You gave her hope…"

"She was seeking a purpose. I gave her one that fit her heart."

"And I wish I could do the same, to find a human in need of help that I could answer to, so I could have a student to myself with which I could share my knowledge and weave a bond such as yours."

Caritas offered his brother a kind smile.

"I am surprised the Infinite One did not yet reprimand me for my action. You could try. Go looking. I do not think He will reprimand you, as he did not reprimand me either."

Spero positively beamed. Caritas nodded and returned to watching the mirror.

Assault & Battery

Battery's eyes fluttered open. The room was dark, but the few lights of the devices around her gave enough that she could see her surroundings. Her hand rose to her head. Somehow, it felt light, clear. It took her a moment to understand why.

"I remember…"

Her memories had been restored. The holes in her mind had been filled and any other nasty side-effect of the gas bomb was gone. And it wasn't just her mind. Her body felt rested, as if she had a full night of beauty sleep, but she could tell by looking a the window that it was still nighttime. Her eyes fell on Assault. The cape was sleeping on a chair, his face tight. She didn't need to be a Thinker to understand why.

"Assault? Ethan?"

Assault groaned in his sleep. Battery caressed his head and tangled her fingers in his hairs. This was enough to awaken the Hero who groggily looked at his wife.

"…Cecily?"

Battery removed her mask and smiled. It took the man a moment to understand.

"You… You're alright! You are… cured!"

"I never felt so good in my life."

She had barely finished her sentence that Assault had removed his mask and tackled her on the bed to kiss her. Battery gladly returned the kiss and passed a hand on her stomach. She could feel the child inside. Her husband looked at her stomach with worry.

"You know, I was saying nothing so far but you should really go on a diet. You're putting on weight."

"Don't worry." Battery smiled. "In four months, my stomach will be as flat as before."

It took Assault several minutes to understand what his wife implied. Finally, he spoke.

"When were you going to tell me?"

"Next week. I wanted to make it your birthday present."

The Hero's smile could have lit up the whole room. As it was, his eyes were expressing nothing but pure, unadulterated love. He held his wife and partner, the most precious being he had in the world.

"I dreamed of a man in white and gold." Battery finally said. "He was healing me, completely. It wasn't just the brain but the whole body, and the child too."

"The Mysterious Healer. This man in a blessing, if he really is a man."

Battery nodded and snuggled against her husband.

The Wards

Glory Girl snuck a peek in the hall. It was empty. She turned to her sister and nodded. Panacea followed her inside. The blonde heroine headed straight to her boyfriend's bed and pushed a wild strand of hairs. It was enough to awaken Dean, also known as the Ward Gallant. The two teens' eyes met.

"Hello, Vicky."

"How are you feeling?" Glory Girl asked, her throat tight.

"Light-headed. And fine."

The cape kissed him, tears in her eyes.

"I love you."

"Me too."

At the same time, Panacea was checking on the other patients.

"All cured. No exception."

Glory Girl grinned and Gallant smiled. They were about to make a comment when they saw Assault dancing the Madison in the corridor. The three looked at one another.

"Battery's fine, alright."

In his bed, the young Ward called Clockblocker chuckled.

"That cape is a miracle maker. Watch out, Panacea. You got concurrence!"

"Tell you what, I sleep better knowing there's another healing cape out there to help me." Panacea retorted. "We should take some sleep. The day was eventful and since everyone was healed, there will be reactions. From the PRT, the media, the Protectorate…"

"You're right." The Ward called Aegis smiled. "Today was eventful but tomorrow will be even more. Let's take some rest."

The capes nodded. While Gallant made some room for his girlfriend, Panacea used her white coat as a blanket. Glory Girl noticed it and folded her own cape to make her a pillow. Panacea smiled and fell asleep with her head in her beloved sister's smell.

Caritas didn't stop watching. There was something still going on, a restless heart in the room. His eyes fell on it.

Clockblocker was restless. He knew he should go to sleep, but his mind was too active for that. He nudged his bed neighbor, Aegis. The dark-skinned teen groaned.

"Clock? Can't you go to sleep already?"

"Can't." The redhead sighed. "I got too much on my mind."

"If it's about some stupid prank or jokes…"

"No. Nothing like that. Just… stuff I had forgotten and now I remember them, I can't stop thinking about them."

Aegis raised a brow. Clockblocker smiled.

"Say, did you have a dream before gaining your powers?"

"Dream? Like what?"

"Like, what you want to do when you grow up, stuff like that." The redhead smiled. "As a kid, I always wanted to be a novelist. I loved reading books, especially the fantasy ones. They always fascinated me. Still do. I loved music too but I've never been that good a singer. Tell you what…" The boy leaned closer o his friend. "I'm taking classes in my free time to learn singing. Some people are naturals at it. At best, I'm average."

Aegis starred at his friend. That wasn't something he expected from the smartass of the Wards. A singer-in-training and wannabe novelist? Really? Clock sighed and lay on his bed.

"The novelist part pretty much dropped after I got my powers. Sure, writing fantasy is fun, but having powers on your own takes some of the magic away from it. I turned to writing songs instead. The first I wrote was after my trigger event. I was fourteen. It's pretty dark given the trauma I'd been through, but it's still one of my favorites. Actually, I'm better at making songs that singing them."

"What was the title?"

The redhead smiled.

"Panic Switch."

Caritas nodded. The boy's heart held multiple layers, masks he put on to hide his true nature. Humans always wore masks. But they hid nothing from the divine eyes of the Heavenly Virtues. Caritas watched the boy's heart. Truly, Caritas thought, this one is a Defender of Mankind. Should he be allowed to reach adulthood, he will make a fine Hero.

His thoughts were distracted by a presence tugging his arm. Turning, he grinned at the sight of his student. Taylor was wearing the green vest and blue pants she had received on her first coming and had a bright smile on her face. He gladly answered the hug she gave him. Her heart was warm with a love that was somewhere between filial love and the care between a student and his teacher. He wouldn't have it another way. Taylor then turned to Spero.

"Greetings to you, Herald of the Clouds. What do we owe the visit?"

Always formal and respectful around his brethren. She had been quick to learn manners and decorum. Humans may be lower than the lowest angels but the girl was his student. Only he was above her. Azure, her Guardian Angel, cooed a greeting and turned to Spero. The Virtue of Hope grinned.

"I came to inform my brother of the surge of hope in my realm following your actions. What you did may be mundane to us but, on Earth, it was nothing short of a miracle, a firework of happiness and hope in the Castle!"

Spero was giddy as a child. Taylor put her hands in her back.

"I just did my job as a healer. Sure, I had to charge up in Credo's realm to have enough Will to do it but, looking back at it, these people were sick with a disease Panacea couldn't cure. I just… I don't really know how to put it. Credo wanted to order me to heal them but Caritas reminded him I can do what I want with my powers. I would've saved these people regardless of anything. It was just… the right thing to do?"

Spero turned to Caritas, his eyes wide.

"She is always that selfless?"

"Her heart was always turned toward Creation. I just gave her the means to follow it. She is indeed a selfless one, and modest at that. To a fault, I may sometimes say. But her heart has been battered for a year and a half and it has yet to fully heal."

Spero nodded in appreciation.

"Now, I really want a student to myself. Are your sure, brother, that the Infinite One shall not bat an eye at my action?"

"I do not think so."

Taylor turned to the mirror and the picture started shifting.

"Half a day has gone since our 'miracle'. What's going on down there? I am… a bit limited in intelligence gathering on Earth."

Caritas grinned and, feeling her heart, adjusted the mirror.

Panacea

Victoria watched her sister sleeping. As soon as the doctors had arrived that morning, she had taken her sister home so she could sleep in an actual bed rather than bundled in a chair or against a wall. Amy was lightly snoring, curled in a ball among the blankets. She looked peaceful like that. She remembered her answer to Clockblocker's remark.

'It must be that healer. With him in town, Amy can afford to catch a break. She knows he'll take over the job.'

"Amy! Get down here! We need to talk!"

Amy woke up with a start and Victoria cringed. Her mother's voice didn't bode well. The brunette turned to her sister, nervous.

"Don't worry." Vicky reassured. "I'll be with you."

"I did nothing wrong. What could she want this time?"

That, the blonde couldn't answer. The two girls went down the stairs to see Carol Dallon, also the New Wave Hero Brandish, sitting at the table and looking somewhere between annoyed and angry. The two girls sat. Their father, Mark, was nowhere to be seen.

'He must be in his office.' Vicky thought. 'Damn depression… Wait, maybe I could ask Healer to do something about it.'

"Healer?" Taylor asked. "Isn't the name taken already?"

"You chose to let them name you." Caritas reminded.

Brandish crossed her arms.

"Amy Dallon, I am not proud of you. This is the second time this mysterious cape one-ups you in your duties and makes you pass for someone incompetent."

"Mom, he can heal brains! You know it's not something I can do!"

"Not only can he do something you can't, but he also does it in a fashion that is humiliating to you. An entire ward in a game of hide-and-seek, then a hundred and fifty-four people in less than five minutes. Remind me how long it takes you to heal twenty persons?"

"Depends the injury…"

"It doesn't change the fact you are Panacea. You are the best healing cape on Earth, period. You have worked to achieve this status and I won't let a superpowered social climber steal your spot in a week and a half! You have a reputation to hold, damn it!"

"I still heal people." Amy mumbled. "I always have. It's not because someone came who has powers like mine that I'm going to stop…"

"I hope not! You have to prove him you're still the best healer on Earth. Work harder, try pushing the limits of your powers… You are Panacea. You are the universal cure. Don't let that stranger steal your name."

Amy shivered violently. She was working to near exhaustion and pushing her powers further was out of question. She knew what she could do. Not a chance she used her powers for anything else than healing and she didn't trust herself enough to try brains. The human mind was something too complex she preferred to leave untouched.

"Why couldn't I be friends with him? We could work together, each working in alternation while the other rests or as a team."

"Not. A. Chance. First place isn't something you share, Amy. Even among the Triumvirate, Legend and Alexandria may be at the same level but Eidolon remains top dog. You stand at the top, the best of the best among healing capes. I want you to stay here. Understood?"

Amy looked down and sighed.

"Yes, Mom."

Victoria passed a hand on her sister's shoulder and massaged it.

"At least, let her take some sleep. She needs it. Really."

"Of course. Everyone needs to sleep. But she better not forget her duty… and to maintain her reputation. She has concurrence, now."

The blonde girl nodded and took her sister back to her room.

Taylor was speechless.

"What's her problem!? I just want to help and she goes yelling at her daughter! Panacea did nothing wrong! Her catching her breath is why I became a healer in the first place!"

"Indeed." Caritas nodded. "That woman, Brandish, doesn't really feel to me like a Hero. She wields the light, but her heart bears a shadowy taint."

"I wish I could see in it." Taylor pouted. "And sense parahumans too, but only you guys can do it. I'm still working on the words to make the spell."

"We could do this for you." Spero offered. "You gave us hope. It is only fair that Hope does you a small favor in return."

"I am Caritas's student. I don't expect reward for my actions. Now, if you did it, I wouldn't mind if you shared the results…"

Spero smiled and looked into Brandish's heart. The Virtue winced. The glowing steel of righteousness was here, as well as the desire to do good, but Caritas was also right: there was darkness in the woman's heart. He recognized the fire of hatred, the shadow of scorn and the bitterness of resentment. No maternal love, no gentleness toward her younger daughter. The Virtue frowned. He would have to go to the Endless Library and look into the Mirror of Time to see their past.

"That woman, Brandish, does not love Panacea. She has only dark feelings toward her." Spero turned to Taylor. "I know you do not accept commands from us, but please, if you could befriend her and provide her with some support… Moral support, I mean. You are indeed helping her by replacing her as a healer, but it is obviously not enough to bring her peace, and I sense some conflicting feelings in her heart toward her sister. Glory Girl may be supportive, but she is unknowingly part of her sister's problem."

Taylor looked at the mirror and half-smiled.

"You don't need to ask."

Caritas smiled. A tingle made him turn to the mirror and shift to the Protectorate headquarters, a modified oil rig in the bay that looked nice to his heavenly eyes, with white spires and arches. The Virtue nodded and clapped his hands, catching the attention of his student and brother.

The Protectorate

The Protectorate and the Wards, together with Director Piggot of the PRT, had gathered in the conference room. Assault and Battery were on the stage.

"For starters, we'd like to announce a happy event." Assault grinned. "Battery and I are expecting a child in about four months."

Whistles and cheers flew and even Piggot clapped her hands several times. Clockblocker turned to Aegis.

"So that's what Assault was so happy about last night. I always wondered when those two would become an actual family."

"Congratulation." Miss Militia grinned. "I can't wait to see it."

Battery leaned in her husband's embrace. Piggot took over.

"Also, after the 'miracle' from last night, we received several mails from the victims' families, the public and Haven, who once again wants to know if our healer would be interested in joining." The woman crossed her arms. "We have a case on our hands. This healer may be benevolent, but it seems he doesn't understand the consequences of his actions. He's a rising star. The public wants his name. Those he saved expressed several times their annoyance that they couldn't thank him properly or didn't even get to see his face. We only have his description through eyewitnesses such as Glory Girl and Panacea or blurry cameras. We need to name him, and above all, we need more information about him. We don't even know if he's a boy or a girl!"

"For a name, I've got an idea." Assault grinned. "Savior."

Caritas nodded.

"It seems appropriate enough to me. Your actions earned you this name."

"Sounds arrogant to me." Taylor fiddled.

"Not at all." Spero grinned. "You are a savior. You save people, you protect them. This is what Sages do: they help people. Sometimes, their actions earn them titles such as those. Saviors, miracle-makers, chosen… It just happens that this title of yours will be your name as a… cape? It is how they call human with powers, right?"

"Yes." Caritas nodded. "Cape is the generic name for Tainted. Since the coming of the Eternal One, mankind has all but forgotten about Sorcerers and Sages. They cannot tell your powers are of Heavenly origins, so they assume they come from the Eternal One. They are wrong, of course."

Spero nodded in understanding. His head suddenly turned.

"So, about having students of our own…"

"For the last time…" Caritas sighed. "Yes, you can try."

Spero grinned and took flight, waving a goodbye to his brother and the young Sage in training. His mind had been wandering the Earth during their conversation, seeking the proper soul, one with a heart like his. He had found it, a young woman broken and desperate. A Tainted, victim of her power and the fear lurking in mankind's heart. A caged bird.

"Do not yet lose hope…"

The young woman answered.

And here is next chapter, as well as Taylor's cape alias. It is also the end of the Paradiso arc. Next is Vigilance. Also, for reference, the song Clock refers to is an actual song by Silversun Pickups. If you want to look it up...

For the reviews:

- DarkEmress: sorry if I misled you on Skidmark. As for the sentence, it wasn't a typo. Taylor/Savior does mention style will slide in a pinch, but the situation wasn't one. She kept her style all along and noted how Skid and Squealer weren't that great a threat. Finally, Danny won't become a student. But nothig says he won't gain some powers himself, either as a follower or a favored...

For the others: thank you! And see you soon.