Chapter III

POV: James

I thought she recognized me. It looked like she did. I can't say for certain. Her black, feline eyes were the same. No, all of her was the same. Black hair, shining, reaching past her shoulders. Light, she looked frail, delicate, she seems troubled though. Can't blame her if a stranger suddenly sat her table like I did of course she would be wary. 

Back at my apartment, it had nothing. Save for a mattress, laptop and a small closet. I received a  text message today to check my e-mails. I don't care about it. Too much going through my mind. I finally found her...at the wrong time. Timing can be such a b***h. My phone rings, I just let it ring, hopefully, the caller gives up. I take a shower, a cold one. Today was just too hot, like all other days in this country. Wish it were like...that's gone. Pretty useless to reminisce once you know you'll never see again. 

It's 6:00 P.M. Better to check my e-mails. I open an application to encrypt my session. It takes a few seconds to notify me that it's done encrypting. I log onto a website to open my e-mails. First one is about recent studies in the Pacific. I deleted that one. Next one read Strong Wavelengths in the Pacific. I scrolled through everything. Pacific? What's with it? There was nothing special. It's just a vast ocean. Curiosity got the better of me, I opened one of the e-mails, started reading each one, even the one that I deleted. 

Strong energy found under the Pacific, sights of what used to be ancient world...similar to the ones found in Egypt, Greece and Siberia. 

I clicked on one attachment. The picture showed white columns and underneath were stone and metal giants. The black one caught my eye. I zoomed in to take a closer look. The eyes glowed red. Its wings blending into the dark waters, only made visible by the silver outlining of the wings. I called up Seth, the one who's been sending me the text messages and e-mails. He picked up the phone on the first ring. He didn't answer but I could hear him breathing on the other line. 

I stammered a little bit. "Se-Seth?"

"I'm guessing you saw the attachment." He knew. 

"They found it." It was more of stating the fact than feeling worried about it. 

"There's one thing we could do. They haven't brought the artifacts to the surface." 

"We can't do it. We have to wait. They need to bring them up." I knew it was not a good idea but the options, manpower were limited. 

Seth cleared his throat then he said "I'll contact the others. Just continue with the plan."

"Fine." I could only agree. Seth hung up the line afterwards. 

My left arm started to sting, the stars appeared faintly. From black to red then black. Time is not on my side. I tried to manifest the energy through my hands. It barely rose up. Barely, I stopped trying ever since that day we lost it all. I didn't understand any of what happened before. It all happened to quickly. And today, meeting her, like this...weak as ever. Nothing seems to be going according to my plan, to bring back my powers and most of all, her. Nothing. 

I open my windows. I sit on the window sill, grab a cigarette then light it up. I took a long drag of it, I still felt uneasy. The view outside is just a beautiful mess. Rows of houses, uneven houses made of plywoods, plastic and anything that can make a home. The lights from inside was as pure as it can be. The people in those homes at least had a family despite living in their current state. Unlike me, my apartment was dark. I never cared to open the lights unless I needed to work. If you could call plotting against unforeseen or imminent threat a work. 

Later that night, I received a message asking me to meet up at the North Harbor. I grabbed my bag then left. 

Public transport was a sorry excuse in this country. Jeepneys, buses and walking. Can't I get a straight one ride to the port? I couldn't focus on my task. Whatever the task will be. I arrived at the port and saw Seth. His blonde hair really sticks out even if he's wearing a baseball cap. So much for a disguise. 

Seth saw me walking towards him. He turned into an alley, a dead-end alley. 

"Glad that you can make it." He greeted me. 

"Why are we here?" I asked but it sounded more like a demand. 

"There have been reports that tonight's shipment contains wreckage from the Pacific."

I tried to sound uninterested. "So, what of it?"

He looked around before answering. "You really don't get it, do you? I think they're going to use the wreckage for some sort of experiment." Seth looked like he was having a headache. The way he put his fingers to his temples. Clearly, he was annoyed by my lack of interest.  "Here are the reports...here's one transcript from the triads, from the blackmarket in the north, extremists.." He handed me a bunch of folders from his bag. I just stuffed them all inside. I'll read it when I get back to my apartment. 

"Now what about the wreckage?" I asked. 

"We're just going to take a look." With that, I followed him to one of the ships that were docked in the pier. 

Lady...Crimson..

I read the ship's name. Doesn't look like a lady. Seth held out his hand. From it, dark shadows flowed and then covered us. He warned me. "Stay close, the shadows will hide us." I followed him. The entrance to the ship was open. About twenty people were unloading crates,. I could only guess either artifacts or some supplies. We blended into the shadows to get inside. Outside the ship it did not look quite as massive as compared to the inside. 

The far end of the ship had something covered. We walked towards it. My arm started to burn again. 

Seth noticed it. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing." I replied.

"Don't tell me that whatever's underneath there is your..."

"I can't say." I was uncertain of what's under the covers. 

"Stay here. Hide behind the crates over there." Seth pointed. "I'll check it out for myself."

I hid. I watched Seth lift up the covers. No one was around this area. 

"CLOSE THE MAIN DOOR!" A booming voice was heard in the middle of the ship. A red figure approached Seth's direction...