The Divided Guardian [Cursed Anti-Hero, Progression, Dark Fantasy]

Red could sense the terror radiating from both the woman in the bed and the small boy frozen in the doorway. The kid had caught them in what looked like the worst possible situation. Red turned toward the child, that wild grin still plastered across his face as he tried to figure out how normal people handled scared kids. "Hey there, little guy. Relax—I'm not gonna hurt your mommy."

The words hit the boy like a slap. What little color remained in his face drained completely. He took one shaky step backward, then stopped himself, torn between running and staying to protect his mother.

Red scratched his head, feeling the kid's fear spike even higher. "Well, that backfired spectacularly." He leaned closer to Sam, lowering his voice to barely a whisper. "You need to take control here. Get up, act like you're the boss of this situation. Can you do that?"

Sam blinked at him, confusion mixing with worry across her features. Then understanding clicked. She threw off her blanket and stood up, wrapping it around herself like armor. Her entire posture shifted as she strode across the room with sudden confidence.

Halfway to the door, she turned back and fixed Red with a stern look. "You—Red, wasn't it? We'll finish this conversation downstairs." Then she pivoted to face her son. "Dave, what are you doing out of bed?"

Red felt the boy's panic start to ebb as his mother took charge. The kid fumbled for words, glancing nervously between them.

"I heard you scream, and–and, and then I saw this guy in here with you. I got scared..." Dave peeked around his mother at Red, then quickly looked away. "Who is that mom?"

Sam guided her son toward the hallway, her voice growing distant as they moved. "He's someone I work with. Why he decided to show up without warning is exactly what I plan to find out..."

Their voices faded as they disappeared down the hall. Red made his way downstairs and settled into the kitchen, drumming his fingers on the counter. A few minutes later, careful footsteps descended the stairs before stopping just outside the kitchen.

"What the hell are you doing in my house?" Sam's voice was barely above a whisper, but it carried real bite.

Red straightened up, getting straight to business. "We hit Hugo's place tonight. Found a bunch of paperwork, all signed by someone called Megan Olive. Figured she might know something useful. Ring any bells?"

Even in the darkness, Red could feel Sam going pale. She flicked on the lights and moved into the kitchen, hoisting herself onto the counter with a heavy sigh. "Never heard of her." The disappointment in her voice was obvious.

Red threw his hands up in frustration. "Perfect. Waste of my fucking time. Screw that, see ya." He said almost starting to dissolve.

"Wait!" Sam called out, stopping him before he went to smoke. "Hold on—tell me more about these documents. Maybe I can still help you out."

"Some kind of payment records, I think. Not really my area of expertise." Red shrugged dismissively.

Sam's brow furrowed as she worked through the possibilities. "Payments... could she be an accountant?"

"Hell if I know." Red was already losing patience, shifting his weight from foot to foot.

The silence stretched on as Sam thought it over. Just as Red was about to call it quits, her face lit up with an idea.

"I don't know her personally, but I think I know someone who might."

Red perked up immediately. "Well don't keep me hanging then!"

"Josef..."

"That old guy?" Red's confusion was written all over his face. "Why would he know some accountant?"

"Think about it—the miners have to handle paperwork for everything they dig up. Someone like Megan might be involved in processing those." Sam's explanation made sense, even if Red didn't understand it.

Red stared at her for a moment, then shrugged. "If you say so. Hey Angelo, you catching this?"

Angelo's flat response echoed in their shared consciousness. "Yeah, I'll run it by the others."

"Alrighty then." Red turned back to Sam. "Thanks for the help lady. Catch you later."

Sam nodded as he headed for the door. "Keep me updated on how this plays out."

Red gave her a quick thumbs up before dissolving into crimson smoke, rushing through the night back toward the inn.

Back at their room, Sol and Neiva were waiting for Angelo to give them any news from Red.

"Well?" Neiva bounced on her toes impatiently. "Found out anything?"

Angelo rubbed his neck, already looking tired. "Sam doesn't know this Megan woman directly. But she thinks Josef might have dealt with her."

Sol stroked his chin thoughtfully. "Josef, huh? I guess we're making another trip to the mines tomorrow."

"That's your call." Angelo was already heading toward his bed, exhaustion clear in every movement. "I've got Trinergy training to focus on."

"Seriously?" Sol's frustration was obvious. "What if I need Red's help again?"

Neiva giggled at Sol's tone. "Someone's getting a little too dependent on our smoky friend."

Sol shot her an annoyed look before Angelo cut in with his suggestion.

"Take Neiva with you. She's got that cursed toy, right? Perfect for staying in touch with us."

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

"What?" Neiva's amusement vanished instantly. "But I want to keep training too!"

Angelo actually smiled at her protest—the first genuine expression of approval he'd shown all day. "In that case, it's your choice. Training or helping Sol. Totally up to you."

Neiva crossed her arms with an exaggerated pout. "That's completely unfair! Now you're putting me on the spot, you big jerk!"

Angelo rolled his eyes as he pulled back his covers. "Then I don't know what to tell you. Anyway, I'm done for tonight." He turned his back to them, clearly finished with the conversation.

Sol let out a tired sigh, then turned to Neiva with a gentler expression. "Hey, no pressure. Sleep on it and decide tomorrow morning. Even our Mr. Grumpy here is running on empty." He managed a reassuring smile. "Whatever you choose, no hard feelings."

Neiva's irritation melted away, replaced by a grateful smile. "Thanks, Sol. That actually helps."

With that settled, the exhausted group finally called it a night, each lost in their own thoughts about what tomorrow might bring.

Morning came whether they wanted it or not. The rain had lightened to a steady drizzle, and Neiva took one look out the window before making her decision.

"I'm going with Sol!" she announced, grabbing her jacket.

Red materialized with his usual smirk. "What's wrong? Afraid of getting a little wet during training?"

"Getting soaked is one thing," Neiva shot back, pulling on her boots. "Adding training on top of that? Hard pass."

Sol rummaged through his oversized travel bag, producing two umbrellas with a satisfied grin. "Good thing I came prepared." He turned to Angelo, who was studying the weather outside. "What about you? Does a little rain slow down the legendary Angel of Death?"

Angelo wiped condensation off the window glass for a better view. "I've done ambushes in blizzards worse than this. Rain's nothing."

"Plus he can just make himself some energy armor," Red added.

"Exactly." Angelo stretched, already preparing.

Sol and Neiva stood ready at the door, umbrellas in hand. "Alright, we're heading to the mines. You'll listen in through Neiva's pocket Red?"

"Only if she actually takes it out," Red corrected lazily. "Her pocket muffles everything."

"Got it. See you later." Sol nodded to Angelo before turning to Neiva. "Ready?"

"Catch you guys later!" Neiva waved cheerfully as they headed out into the drizzle.

Red dissolved into smoke and return to Angelo before they headed out as well. Minutes after they left, Angelo stepped off the cliff edge, his body cutting through the rain-heavy air. His evolved orange aura erupted around him like controlled fire, wings of pure energy sprouting from his back. The faster he flew, the harder the rain hit, so he wrapped himself in a shell of solid energy armor. The glowing orange shell made him look like one of those comic book heroes he'd watched as a kid.

He hovered above the churning ocean as Red and Blue emerged from his body, their own auras igniting. Red's crimson energy crackled wildly while Blue's azure power formed with perfect precision.

Red looked Angelo up and down, letting out a bark of laughter. "Ha! That armor makes you look just like Dray's dead brother. Remember him?"

"Can we focus?" Angelo's voice came out flat and mechanical through the energy helmet. "We still need to crack Blue's 'Conflict Matrix' problem." The mockery in his tone was unmistakable.

Blue's eye twitched, but he simply adjusted his imaginary glasses with scholarly dignity. "Mock my terminology all you wish, but identifying the problem remains half the solution."

"Yeah, yeah, let's get moving," Red interrupted, his patience already wearing thin. "If you two are gonna bicker all day, I'm ditching you to go find Steve."

Angelo sighed inside his armor. "Fine. Let's try this again."

The three extended their palms toward each other, energy beginning to swirl between them as they attempted another round of their combined technique.

Meanwhile, Sol and Neiva finally reached the mine entrance, shaking rain droplets from their umbrellas.

"Hope we actually find someone today," Sol muttered. "Last time this place was completely empty."

Neiva glanced at him curiously. "Wait, last time? I thought we came here together."

"Nah, Sam's cryptic directions led me here on a solo trip too." Sol grinned sheepishly.

Before Neiva could respond, a gruff voice called out from the cave depths. "Who's there?" Heavy boots echoed against stone as someone approached. A stocky miner emerged, squinting at them through the dim light. His weathered face showed years of underground work. "Who're you two supposed to be?"

Sol stepped forward with his trademark confidence. "Just travelers, actually. We're investigating the mystery behind this Geodite mountain."

The miner's forehead wrinkled in confusion. "Mystery? What mystery?"

Neiva jumped in, her voice sweet and enthusiastic. "We're trying to figure out how this specific mineral ended up here instead of in Geovale, where it's supposed to be."

"Oh." The man looked almost embarrassed. "Never really thought about that, I guess. Can't help you there."

"That's perfectly fine," Sol replied smoothly. "There was another miner who offered to help us out. Do you know Josef?"

The man's expression brightened immediately. "Course I know Josef! Old bastard's been mining longer than anyone, but he's the best we got."

"Is he working today?" Neiva asked hopefully.

"Yeah, he's down in the deeper tunnels. I'll fetch him for you." The miner was already turning back toward the cave. "Wait right here."

Sol and Neiva exchanged a quick look before stepping just inside the entrance to escape the rain, collapsing their umbrellas with relief. Five minutes of muffled conversation echoed from the depths before Josef's familiar footsteps approached.

"Well, look who made it back in one piece," Josef said with genuine warmth when he spotted them. He glanced around nervously. "Where's your intimidating friend?"

"Angelo's off training," Sol replied, unable to hide a hint of frustration. "Let's walk."

Sol opened his umbrella and shared it with Josef as they stepped back into the rain, circling around to the far side of the mountain where their conversation wouldn't carry.

"Gotta admit, you folks made quite an impression," Josef said once they were alone. "That whole fire demon spectacle—no wonder you gained the Hanger's respect."

"Actually, we think it was because those guys were Infernian," Sol corrected. "Word is Hugo has a serious bone to pick with them."

Josef nodded grimly. "Makes sense. So, what can I do for you today?"

Neiva pulled out her pocket Red, fidgeting with it casually as she spoke. "We think we might know who stole the Heart of Geovale."

Josef stopped walking entirely, his eyes going wide. "You do? That's... that's incredible!"

"The thing is, we need solid proof before we can do anything about it," Neiva continued. "And we think we know who might have the evidence we need."

Sol picked up the thread. "That's where you come in. We're looking for someone named Megan Olive. We believe she's Hugo's accountant."

Josef's face went through several emotions at once—confusion, then understanding, then pure rage. "Hugo's accountant? You don't think that he..."

"Stole the gem himself? That's exactly what we think," Sol finished.

Josef's hands slowly curled into fists. "But that would mean... he stole from us, then pretended to help pay the debt for his own crime. That's not just theft—that's pure evil."

"That's why we need proof first," Neiva said gently. "Do you know this Megan woman?"

Josef's shoulders slumped. "I... no, I don't think I've ever met her."

Sol turned to Neiva with a disappointed sigh. "This is going to be harder than we thought. She's like a ghost."

"But wait!" Josef suddenly perked up. "If she handles Hugo's finances, I might know people who've dealt with her. Business connections, you know?"

Sol and Neiva exchanged hopeful glances before Sol spoke up. "What we really need is to find where she lives."

Josef straightened up, thumping his chest with determination. "You got it! I swear on my life, I'll track her down no matter what it takes. A miner's word."

Neiva beamed at him. "We're counting on you, Josef!"

Meanwhile, in one of Thunderclap Port's most expensive neighborhoods, someone was about to receive an unwelcome surprise. A doorbell chimed through the elegant house.

"I'm coming, I'm coming!" Megan's voice carried down the hallway. "Who visits in weather like this?" She pulled open the heavy door, her eyes widening in surprise. "Veronica? This is unexpected. You never drop by unannounced."

Veronica stood on the doorstep, rain dripping from the umbrella carried by the taller Cliffhanger behind her. Her expression deadly serious. "That's because these aren't normal circumstances. Listen carefully, Megan—I have good reason to believe someone's has put a target on your back. We're moving you to a safe location."