Shadow Guardians were the most secretive organization. Even more so than the Shadow Order.
These two organizations only had a word in common but they were polars.
Not just in their ideologies, but even in their inception.
After the establishment of human alliance in 020 YAB, peace ensued for a few decades before a long-lasting war with intelligent sea creatures—Murlocs, broke out in 80 YAB.
Humans used their treachery and used the internal strifes to defeat the militarily superior Murloc race.
It was the classic 'Divide and Rule'.
But applying it subtly and carefully building up their own strength, humans took almost 120 years to exterminate the Murclos.
Of course, a few inferior unintelligent branches of Murlocs exist to this day. They were kept in separate islands and used for hunting.
When everyone thought peace could finally last, the consequences of the prolonged war finally caught up.
It happened by 200 YAB.
Some of the stronger awakeners termed themselves as the Omegas. The rest were Alphas—usable pawns and Betas—leeches.
Their underlying motive was the refusal to sacrifice themselves in wars. The stronger awakeners wanted to send everyone else to the front lines.
'Why should we, the strongest, go out there and sacrifice ourselves for these bugs?'
That was the common feeling amongst every self-proclaimed Omega.
Of course, such a feeling was always present in a small group of people since Blink.
However, 120 years of a costly war was the perfect catalyst to spread like an epidemic.
As they say, ideas are the most contagious.
As the war progressed, these extremists increased. Soon, the concept of Shadow Nation was conceived.
Shadow Nation was a society where strength was honored, and weakness was punished. To the extreme.
The popularity of Shadow Nation skyrocketed in no time.
As the leaders of humanity were focused on the ongoing war in the front lines, Shadow Nation grew rapidly in the rear.
Even after Shadow Nation was brought into official meetings, no solutions were found. There wasn't really a way of prevention since any strong awakener could join Shadow Nation and act like a normal person.
In fact, bringing Shadow Nation to lime light only increased distrust among humans.
As the war with murlocs ended in late 200 YAB, human alliance prepared itself for a fight.
But nothing happened. Shadow Nation strengthened itself and in 260 YAB, it launched a surprise attack on Human Alliance
It was a thunderous blow.
Basing itself on sleeper cells and the unexpected timing, Shadow Nation snatched 30% of clusters.
There was an increasing demand for Shadow Nation under their targeted propaganda to strong awakeners.
Every human joining Shadow Nation not only weakened Human Alliance but also strengthened the Shadow Nation.
A prolonged war seemed inevitable. Historians at the time lamented the coming millennia would be one of the unending civil war.
But to everyone's surprise, Shadow Nation collapsed.
It didn't end with a bang, but with a whimper.
The reason for its collapse… its very founding reason.
'Why should we, the strongest, go out there and sacrifice ourselves for these bugs?'
The Omegas were primarily humans who were afraid of fighting in a war and losing their lives.
So when equally strong awakeners of Human Alliance attacked them, disregarding their own lives, they cowered.
They were afraid of dying. They sent the people below them and those people sent the ones below them.
Infightings broke out between Omegas on who should risk their lives to hold on to the key frontline areas.
Somehow, they held on for a few decades, but soon, the cracks deepened and Shadow Nation, which seemed like an iron tower, collapsed like a sand castle.
In 300 YAB, Shadow Nation was wiped out.
The remnant of it was Shadow Order. They declared themselves as the successor.
Their goal was… bombing?
They had no founding belief. But they went against everything the government did. Or at least that was how it was supposed to be.
People didn't understand how this little organization survived for almost 2 centuries and even spread itself across the solar system.
On the other hand, Shadow Guardians were very young. Perhaps a year old or two.
Shadow Guardians had a single goal—do everything in their power to sever the chains dragging down humanity.
The first on their lists were traitors.
Enigma was the in-name leader of Shadow Guardians. However, it was Blue Flash that managed everything.
Firstly, they were very small. Second, every cluster had their own leaders that eased the burden on Blue Flash.
These leaders were personally scouted by Blue Flash or her trusted aides. And these leaders personally had to scout the members for their team.
The few people were dedicated to their ideal of saving humanity. Of course, they each had strength to back up their ideal.
Thus, when Enigma gave them the list of traitors who sold themselves to Abyssals for potions or aura crystals or merit points, Shadow Guardians moved swiftly.
But when Enigma ruined the Martin Clan, they were shocked. Blue Flash had to deal with a mountain of messages asking why on earth?.
Enigma declared it was a violation of an agreement by a certain power.
Some trusted her words, others trusted her track record, a few trusted their own intuition, but somehow, they didn't break apart.
But before long, they were set for another turmoil.
The most precious mines of Ganbold clan were destroyed.
The Level 7 and Level 8 high awakeners with most potential were assassinated.
This happened right after Martin Clan was ruined.
News went around the solar system that Shadow Order's Enigma was rampaging and slaughtering innocents.
She was called as an agent of Abyssals. A true devil in human skin.
Even the members of Shadow Guardians felt she was being too excessive.
'You'll be convinced in a few days.' Enigma left with those words.
Every Shadow Guardian wanted to meet her in person and ask what she meant.
But only Blue Flash had the opportunity. And she already knew.
Blue Flashed teleported to the space under an inconspicuous home.
It was a magnificent bunker, one of the many hideouts of Shadow Guardians.
Enigma was studying the information she gathered from the high awakeners she killed.
Blue Flash glanced at Enigma.
"...you are going to continue, right?" She wanted to say the consequences of her present actions were too much, but eventually didn't.
What agreement was broken for Enigma to react like this? She didn't know. However, Enigma always acted rationally with humanity's best interests in mind.
Enigma's beautiful eyes flashed as she nodded calmly.
"I know my actions are damaging our strength against Abyssals." She acknowledged without hesitation.
Blue Flash was about to comfort her but…
"It is necessary. If they can get away without keeping their end of the agreement, they will keep doing it." Enigma spoke emotionlessly.
Blue Flash was about to nod when she noticed the expression in Enigma's eyes.
It was not indifference…
"The agreement is important. They did things they shouldn't. Even if every guardian leader opposes me, I'd still do it." Enigma's tone was unusually hard.
'She is serious about it.'
"So what are you going to do?" Despite working together, Blue Flash still couldn't understand her completely.
Enigma flashed a smile. "Astors' are going to host a secret meeting. How can I miss my final target?"
*** *** ***
Varian reached the Astor's residence and hoped his friends would calm down after seeing his message.
He didn't know…
Kyle was busy in his lab and didn't notice Varian's message.
Maya tried to work herself out of grief. The loss of a close one and the breakup with her beloved was too much for her to bear.
So, she too didn't see his message.
Gareth entered Sea Abyss to repay a favor and was in a tough spot. His comm was broken, and he, too, didn't notice Varian's message.
After so long, Seth lost hope of Varian being alive and pushed himself in the Demon Abyss.
He was training madly and, of course, his comm was long crushed.
Sarah left her comm in home. She was preparing herself to infiltrate the Astor's residence and collect the key evidence.
She was worried her comm would be tracked by her father and she'd be stopped before doing anything reckless.
Thus… Varian's message was never read by anyone.
*** *** ***
A/N: Seeking constructive criticism. Please give a review of what you liked and disliked. I want to improve the quality of the story. Your help is needed. Thank you.