Chapter 43 – Revelation

Sal felt useless as he sat in his chair, listening intently to Quest and Divinity as they discussed her theories. Quest had regained his composure and moved into damage control mode, in a clear effort to learn as much as possible about the Bastion infiltration. His expression was haggard, and every sentence seemed to drain a little more of his vitality.

Divinity was almost the exact opposite, as she got more context. She had her legs crossed underneath her in the seat as she recounted a series of events Sal had missed over the last few weeks.

“Anthony, who was on Sal’s team for the tournament, wanted to learn how to make a radio device. He heard rumors that the Bastion was using old technology to communicate with refugees across the city and on the Darwin Cruise Liners. We didn’t explore that lead much, because Barry admitted to being approached by a group of Controllers who promised to get him into the Saviors class. He said they were being backed by the Bastion.”

Quest raised a hand in question. He looked incredibly troubled by what he was hearing. “How could he be so sure that they were from the Bastion? It’s normal for the students to form factions within their specialisms. A group of Controllers vying to get ahead isn’t anything out of the ordinary.” Quest paused in his own sentence and added a caveat. “I know that we have at least one devious Controller, but I don’t want to label all of them without any sort of evidence.”

Divinity nodded. “Barry was skeptical, so he used his ability to follow them unnoticed. Apparently they didn’t think he was worth scouting, but their orders came from above. One of the Controllers said that he was a high priority to enlist, but that they didn’t know why. Barry said that they spoke about his personality potentially being a problem, but that his current ranking made him an easy enough person to elevate to the Saviors.”

Quest shook his head as he leaned back in his chair. “Barry Francis is hovering around the top one hundred in the rankings, but I don’t understand why they seem to think he’d have an easy time getting into the top thirty. Is there a method they’re using to game the system? I wonder if they’re intending on using me to elevate his rank.” That last part he spoke quietly, almost to himself.

Quest lifted his glasses away and rubbed at his eyes. “Is that everything you know, or do you have more that links it up with the Bastion?”

Divinity hesitated for a moment, as though weighing the pros and cons of divulging more information.

Quest gave her a weary smile. “If you or Barry used questionable methods to obtain information on a Bastion coup, I’m likelier to reward you than reprimand you. I say that not as an instruction to put yourselves in danger, as the task should fall on the shoulders of the faculty rather than yours.”

Divinity’s shoulders relaxed as a small smile appeared on her face. “Barry followed them for a week. He used his ability to look like another student—Darren Lenihan, who we’ve confirmed with my visions as a Savior in the future. He pretended to have cold feet about their help, and they reassured him that they were being backed by a reputable benefactor, but only after testing him. They made ‘Darren’ prove himself by using his ability, which Barry managed to imitate with his illusions. They’re incredibly careful in their approach, and insisted that ‘Darren’ meet them at a safe location to speak properly.”

Divinity took a breath before continuing, her cheeks growing slightly red in embarrassment.

“I ran through every outcome with him, providing him all the information that they’d ask in advance. He passed all their tests and when they were sure it wasn’t a trap, they divulged to him that it was in fact the Bastion that wanted to help him reach his goals. All they wanted in return were capable Heroes who would welcome their return in the future.”

Quest’s face paled. “Their return in the future? You’re certain that they said that?”

Divinity nodded. “Yes, the reason they’re going after Controllers is because of their leadership roles on the battlefield. Elevating them to the Savior class would greatly increase the chances of those Controllers becoming future guildmasters. Darren was promised resources like Q-Cred, and a fast track through all the outings. He has mentors from the higher years helping him get the best results in class. Lastly, which was most concerning, they’ve already got Saviors in the second- and third-year classes. They boasted about that as proof of their capability. Even my visions weren’t able to determine which ones were helped by the Bastion.”

It took a few moments for Quest to react. He stared off into the distance as though he were shell-shocked. Sal shifted uncomfortably in his seat as he looked over at Divinity. She glanced across at him and tried her best to give him a reassuring smile, but it was clear that she was nervous too.

Sal couldn’t believe how much he had missed in such a short time. He wasn’t sure how he could have helped in their investigation, but he would have liked to have been a part of it. One thing was for certain: there was no way he would have done what Barry did. Pretending to be another student and essentially acting as a spy within the Bastion’s ranks? It was a terrifying thought, and he was certain he’d have been caught immediately.

“Barry Francis. Do you think he would enlist with them?” Quest asked.

The question was aimed at Divinity, but Quest turned to include Sal with a pointed look. Sal wasn’t sure how he should respond and looked over at Divinity, who laughed at the ridiculousness of it.

“Barry hid his powers the entire time he was in the academy, because he never felt the need to showcase it. He likely would have been able to make it to the Savior class if he applied himself, but in my visions, he was content to watch everything unfold from the sidelines. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about him in the last few months, it’s that he doesn’t like being told what to do.”

Sal laughed, and Divinity shot him a grin before continuing.

“See? Sal knows it too. Barry wouldn’t join them, but he’d absolutely be up for destroying them.”

Quest smiled at Divinity’s verdict, but clearly didn’t share her conviction. Sal wondered whether he thought Barry would be swayed like the other Controllers.

“I don’t see Barry being any sort of ally to the Bastion. He stepped up when we needed his help for the dungeon raid, and I think that’s a clear sign of his integrity and character.”

Quest nodded, and Sal felt conflicted about how little he knew about the mysterious group of people. Sure, there had been conversations and a few snippets from lecturers about them, but Sal didn’t know why they were so reviled. He guessed that today was as good a time as any to find out, and didn’t care that he was highlighting his lack of understanding.

“Why do we hate the Bastion so much?” he asked and was surprised by the astonishment on Divinity’s face.

Sal wasn’t sure, but he guessed that she had lost a sliver of respect for him in that moment.

Quest raised an eyebrow before turning in his seat to face him. “When the portals first opened, we scrambled to protect our people and defend our homes. Well, our parents did, and their parents. It was a horrifying time with so much uncertainty, because no matter what was done, the demons kept coming in force. Those portals were weaker than what we’re accustomed to now, and would only release leechers and the occasional prowler. It took five years for the first hulker to get through the portal, and we weren’t ready. In those five years, all the resources we had on hand to fight back were squandered and used by the political and social elite.”

Quest laughed humorlessly as he leaned back in his chair. “The government knew how we’d react, so they left it as a surprise. The Bastion Project was supposed to be a protective haven to defend ourselves, similar to the barriers we use today but on a much larger scale. We were fed updates on how our ecological and agricultural systems were operational and would allow us to feed hundreds of thousands of people with ease. Barriers that could repel and defend against whatever the portals threw at us. It motivated the front lines and kept their spirits up, until the Bastion Project launched.

“What it actually turned out to be was an escape route, for the ultra-wealthy and influential. All the research they had done, the results of the best minds from around the world…all went up into the air. What was marketed as a shield generator that would protect us from orbit turned out to be a space colony that would see them outlive us all.”

Sal’s jaw slackened as he listened in disbelief.

Divinity added a few choice details of her own, the spite in her voice clear enough for both to hear. “They had the gall to flood our networks with propaganda, explaining that they did it for us. They were going to find a way to break the portals, as they had the best minds working around the clock in their space colony. It wasn’t enough for them to abandon us; they still wanted to control us as they watched on from above. Their messaging only changed at the advent of humans gaining abilities. I imagine that they realized how powerful we were becoming without them, and that they were very unlikely to be welcomed back as heroes.”

Quest smiled at Divinity. “Very apt, Miss Khan. Despite them abandoning us, we managed to scrape through and survive. I grew up during the worst years of war, where we faced demons on a whole new level. Abilities were still in their infancy and anyone without a battle-ready capability was pushed to the back. It went on for far too long, and we exhausted ourselves on the front lines, trying to protect our home. Barrier technology is what eventually saved us, or at least gave us the time to react. New generations who have lived comfortable lives don’t understand what we went through because of the Bastion. Some have gone so far as to suggest we welcome them back.”

Sal frowned, feeling like he was one of the new generations Quest was talking about.

The headmaster laughed and gestured at Sal. “Don’t go feeling guilty over something you didn’t know about. I’m a jaded man who grew up during the war. You’ve grown up in Silver Sanctuary, right?” Sal nodded, and Quest waved his hand behind him to the window scape.

“We have close to a hundred safe zones that operate as sanctuaries, all within a short distance of the academy and guild towers. That was a dream thirty years ago, and now it’s a reality. I’ll never resent a child who has grown up without the trauma of war, as that’s our goal. Preserving the future, one zone at a time.”

Sal felt incredibly conflicted. It was true that he had grown up in a safe environment, and he wished that everyone had that same upbringing. The reality was different, though, and Sal had started to understand just how much of a bubble he had been living in.

His first dungeon run had been an eye-opener as to what the Heroes faced on a daily basis and what was expected of students aspiring to take up that mantle. Sal couldn’t change the past, but he could resolve to not be like the Bastion. Their self-interests had essentially doomed humanity, and yet they were alive because of the sacrifices and efforts of their families during the war.

Sal’s parents hated talking about the war, so he never delved too much into their childhoods. He couldn’t help but feel he was missing so much context about how others had struggled over the last few decades. What had been stories now suddenly felt so much more real.

“Can the barrier technology be improved?” Sal asked.

Quest looked at him before a wide smile crossed his face. “That’s a conversation for your next semester, Salvatore. Otherwise, all the roadblocks I’ve put into place to stop the Doom Council from enlisting you will have gone to waste. There are countless projects your ability could help us with in the future, but we need you to think like a Hero first. Trust in the process for now, and learn as much as you can while you’re enrolled here. Then we can talk about how you can help the city.”

Divinity looked out the window, into the sky above before asking a question hesitantly. “What’s stopping them from just arriving unannounced? Landing and creating a power struggle?”

Quest laughed as he stretched his arms wide. “We built Quest Academy on their launchpad. They created a fortified safe zone to protect the Bastion Project, so we used it to create our own beacon of hope. If they want to return, they’ll have to do it elsewhere. A structure the size of a small town isn’t going to have many options.” Quest turned around to look out the window, following Divinity’s gaze. “They’ve tried to send a few people down over the years.”

Quest was about to continue when the door to the office opened, revealing Neuro and Erika. Neither of whom looked pleased.