꧁ঔৣ Fate has Wings ঔৣ꧂

...

Chapter 1

Me and Marisbury were having a good time and we quickly became friends within a short amount of time. Never have I thought I would gain a companion that can easily face me and confront. It is true that I have friends from different respective fields but only Marisbury proved that I can be as approachable as a "human being".

Well, my super hearing picked up a somewhat undesirable factor about me from my compatriots that are not Marisbury and some of them branded me as different, unapproachable and well, unique.

Even among the weirdest, I was still considered different. Perhaps, I am still lacking in training how to act as a natural human being...not that it deterred me from loving humanity.

One thing that I learned from Marisubry, aside from the fact that our topics and interests aligned, is that he still used a primitive way of sending messages through letter writing. His reason, much to his embarrassment, is that he was still getting used to using the computer and cell phone. Weird or not, I had found that quirk of his just only made me more fond of him.

Our sharing and communication would continue until a good 3 months.

One day, while I am still in a condominium in the USA having a rest. Good ol, Marisubry visited me in his casual wear. One of the rare times that he didn't wear his rather formal suits on his rare visitations.

"Oh Marisbury, you came all of the sudden?"

Indeed, I was still in my nightwear, my glasses missing and hair very messy, while writing my recent studies in a notebook because all of the time, I didn't expect him to visit me all of the sudden. I have heard somewhere that a man shouldn't be allowed to see a woman in her private attire and yet Mr. Marisbury's eyes do not shine with perverseness but rather with curiosity.

Such curious characteristics.

As for me, I should have acted embarrassed right now but in front of someone with a high standard and upbringing like Marisbury, I was much obliged to act formal as well, by standing up and shook his hand, regardless of the situation.

"Sorry for my sudden intrusion but I did knock, right?"

Marisbury apologized in front of me, while garnering a warm smile.

"No worries, Marisubry, no harm taken."

I replied as I went to my own bedroom to fix up.

"So what's the occasion?"

As it is rare for Marisbur to personally visit me, I assumed that it is somewhat important. I immediately dressed up.

"I have thought that just by sending you an invitation might not be suffice…."

"Oh, is that so?"

I wondered if Marisbury wasn't so busy to have the time to do this.

Even while inside the room, I could sense that he was nodding in delight. Once I emerged out of my bedroom dressed in my usual attire, a scientist. Marisbury only stared at me inquisitively.

All in all he can't refute the way I dress. I also brought in a bag for a measure.

"So where are we going?"

"You'll see..."

I just can't wait for his damn surprise.

The sound of the beating blades against the wind filled my ears. It took two transports in order to reach the main mode of our transportation to the designated location. I have never thought that the man named Marisubry has several connections for the sake of our smooth transport. In other words, he must be filthy rich.

Apparently, we are now inside of a heavy-duty helicopter that could withstand blizzard and if I'm correct, we are heading somewhere toward the South Pole. Wearing headphones for communications due to heavy noises around our helicopter. My eyes could only see the expansive horizon of this frozen wasteland. A good hiding spot for your research.

Then I turned my attention toward Marisbury, whom I am currently facing right now and smiled. Marisbury then smiled back too. If I have to guess, he must have owned this helicopter privately.

I tried to talk to him through the speaker. "So I'm guessing that we are going somewhere on the south pole?"

Marsbury just nodded in confirmation. "Of course, our facility is located at the center of Antarctica so no other country could claim it."

"A wise idea indeed." I thought about it for a moment, for I didn't expect how Marisbury was so clever. I could presume what Marisbury needed from me; my expertise. Nevertheless, I couldn't wait for the place that he kept on hiding from me.

After that, I kept my silence, for I don't know what topic I should indulge with him and that my mind was filled with anticipation.

It took a grueling hour before I could spy with my own eyes of a large building currently hiding within a mountain of snow despite the heavy snowfall.

"Like what you see?" Marisbury guessed what I was seeing.

"All I could say is that it was magnificent." I commented.

I could sense Marisbury nodding in agreement. The heavy-duty helicopter is now preparing to land on the pad. It wasn't even a smooth landing since we landed with a thud.

As I jumped out, my foot landed on the soft snow, burying me at least below the knee. Never have I thought that there is a bitter winter that is more intense than in the wild land of Siberia. My breath frosted the moment it left from my mouth.

Of course, this is Antartica after all. The cold pricked my skin but it didn't bother me anyway.

I waited for Marisbury to step down too. I did not regret that my excitement just made me too giddy to stay in the helicopter that long. Not long after, someone emerged from the huge gate of the building with an accompanied umbrella, could be for Marisbury, who was already wearing several layers thick of a coat.

Eventually, we proceeded inside the premises of this huge building.

The building's main entrance was composed of thick metal that would keep the cold away from the outside. For enabling the view of the weather outside, a strong material composed of a see through product, that must have been fiberglass, were provided. All of it was just guessworks.

The moment I set my eyes upon entering the structure, I was filled with surprise and amusement as a bustle of activity composed of staff and operatives shook my attention. It seemed that I hardly underestimated Mr. Marisbury regarding her surprise.

"...may I present to you the Chaldea Security Organization." Marisbury said as he removed his overcoat with the help of one of his own staff.

I was still reeling from my shock earlier but I am better at hiding my own emotion. Indeed, this is too large a scale for something that I have never expected, although they still are smaller in comparison to the laboratory back from Russia.

I wisely kept my mouth silent for a while as my eyes greedily drank up the sightings as it wandered around the interior. Truly, the possibilities of humanity are limitless.

The staff, one by one, greeted Marisbury with vigor as he acknowledged their gratitude with a smile. Meanwhile, I was just busy watching and witnessing their interactions and so far, there is nothing fake about them. It seemed that they are generally at peace at their own job.

Marisbury was silent for a while as I indulged myself in seeing and watching my environment.

"Chaldea is a dedicated secret agency with the purpose of preventing the "certain extinction" of the human race. "

I was awed as I was listening to him. I could feel that he wasn't lying either so I believed in him.

"Chaldea is specialized in handling temporal anomalies and other existential threats to humanity."

We continued walking toward a hallway. The walls around us were really sound-proof as despite the staff and other people occasionally passing us, the only sound that can be heard is our footstep.

It seemed to be a long way, with occasional twists and turns, a proof that the building was larger than I could have imagined, until I could see another room that must have been his office. It was a rather uneventful walk after all.

His office was just like the other office I have visited with a table filled with documents laying properly on it, a bookcase filled with papers and books and ornamental plants to liven up the place.

Marisbury then just went behind his own desk and sat on the chair, nudging me to sit too on another chair that was just plainly waiting in front of the desk.

"As you have guessed, yes, this is the place that I have been referring to." Marisbury spoke softly. "I am the head director of Chaldea Security Organization."

"Amazing!" I exclaimed then I thought for a moment. "If you intend to show off the moment everything here inside the building the moment we land here then congratulations. I was amazed." I mockingly clapped in front of him and Marisbury raised his hand, which told me to cease with a smile.

"Correction: I have not yet shown everything to you. " he said before sporting a mocking grin. I only giggled at his attempt.

"Oh, really?"

Instead of answering me, Marisbury just looked at me with those cold, calculating eyes. I was presumed shocked. "You know what I am trying to say..." He tried to guess as he wrapped his hands together.

I just ignored the awkward atmosphere in the air and answered him as honestly as possible.

I breathed deeply before talking. "You want me to join Chaldea? "

He nodded at once. "Your talent and expertise will be beneficial towards Chaldea and its future." Then he exhaled and just smiled. "... I might have been asking for something impossible but I hope you reconsider this...as a friend." It seemed that he had trouble telling me this time.

I just chuckled at him for a moment. "My friend, your intentions were well-placed and of not malicious origin..."

Him being honest about his intention is enough for me to indeed consider his deal and possibly accept it but certain detractions and fulfillments from my life prevented me to do so.

"... but I will have to refuse at this moment."

I swear I could hear him huffed in disappointment but regained his usual temperament afterward. "I see, I have already expected this after all so I have my reserves."

"I just hope I didn't disappoint you, Marisbury."

"No. It should be me whom you should be dissapointed… It might be possible that my deal wasn't enticing after all."

"Wait, Marisbury-"

Marisbury just smiled. "I am just joking, Alicia. No worries." He quickly said.

I gave him a huff of disappointment with his cruel joke. Upon seeing me in a confused state made him chuckle a little.

"My true intention lies in showing you my dreams that were fulfilled and how our intentions sympathized with each other."

I was confused. "How would you know?" As far as I know, all of my research and studies were for the betterment of humanity and nothing more.

"Your noble intention at improving the life of the people, even by miniscule amount, is still counted as such… saving humanity" Marisbury looked at me with those soft eyes.

"Though decidedly correct, I have different reasons why I couldn't just accept your proposition, no matter how enticing it is… and no I can't tell you."

He looked at me with a slight frown, only to recover later on.

"I understand… I won't push you any further."

"Thank you." Although I admit that I was hesitating earlier in his proposition. Dammit, if Marisbury could have presented me more alternative options I couldn't even resist. I knew he was a pragmatic man but I couldn't read his thoughts any further.

I looked outside the clear glass since Marisbury's office has one, albeit a little bit smaller and I saw that the blizzard was getting thicker.

"Say would you let me explore Chaldea?"

Marisbury tilted his head in confusion but gradually understood the attention. "Of course…" He then looked outside, with hands behind his back, fiddling with his fingers. "It is quite unfortunate that we have unexpected weather this time..."

I just huffed sarcastically. "It seems that I have no choice but to stay here for a while." I smirked as I said those words. I hope he will not mistook me for a spy, because I am not especially with my ridiculous attire.

Thankfully, Marisbury was not a judgemental man.

"I might be needed here in the office unfortunately due to an emergency…" Marisbury told me as he frowned but livened up when he thought of an idea. "... but I can give you a temporary tour guide to have you company."

Then the door suddenly opened and in came a man of regal nature. With his long blonde hair and elegant clothing, one could mistaken him for a noble... or is he?

"Miss Alicia, meet Kirschtaria Wodime." The newcomer bowed down before us slightly as he was being presented by Marisbury with pride.

His name was kind of a mouthful ,aren't it?