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Description

    Agonistes and Octavia watched from a moderate distance as Providence stood at the front of Greystroke Manse. While the main barriers had already dissolved, there were still some residual spells remaining within and around the mansion. Providence moved his hands to and fro, casting disenchanting spells and ensuring that no malevolent spells remained.

    “Reckon the big fella gets my thanks for his help back there.” Agonistes remarked, “Still gives me a bit of the creeps, though. And I’ve met lots of people like that.”

    Octavia let out a dry laugh, “Must be even scarier for you then, to know that even then he wasn’t even tapping into his full capabilities.”

    Agonistes stared at her like a deer caught in the headlines. “I beg your bloody pardon?”

    “Ever heard of the Tunguska Event?” Octavia asked.

    “Can’t say I have. My memories are not as whole as I want it to be.”
    Octavia looked ahead as she recalled the details. “It was back in 1908 over in Russia. There was this unearthly explosion that flattened millions of trees over an estimated area of two thousand something square kilometers. The resulting shockwaves were staggering, enough to shatter windows thousands of kilometers away, knocking people to the ground and to even be detected by seismic stations all over Eurasia. Witnesses back then said it was as though the sky was split in two and intense heat washed over the land.”

    Octavia paused momentarily before she continued to speak.

    “Of course, there were plenty of theories of what caused it, ranging from weapons being tested to even alien spaceships exploding. The more accepted theory is that it was a meteoroid that exploded before it could crash, causing the shockwave and explaining the lack of a crater.”

“And what would be the unofficial cause?” Agonistes ventured.

Her father’s journals came to mind as Octavia remembered the details written on them regarding the Tunguska explosion. “A portal opening, serving as a gateway to a dark realm where otherworldly entities whose only mindset is to devour and eradicate whatever sliver of life they can sink their presence into.”

“You’re saying the portal opening caused the explosion? Must have been one massive gateway.”

“Oh, the portal didn’t cause the explosion” Octavia gave a second for Agonistes to cock his head in confusion before she added, “The portal opened and a great number of the entities started to pour forth. They would have overrun Russia in half a day. Lucky for them that Providence was there, metaphorically and literally. The power he unleashed that day was witnessed yet couldn’t be properly interpreted by mortal eyes. For that one moment, as Providence tore apart the portal and eradicated the entities that managed to cross over, the world was able to glimpse just what he was capable of doing.”

There was a good minute of silence as Octavia let the story and what it meant sink in. Another minute before Agonistes found his voice to speak.

“Christ alive. And you’re fine having something like that beside you?”

    Octavia’s eyebrows furrowed as she gave Agonistes a side glare, “He is bound by laws that are more ancient than Earth’s genesis. But even then, he has stood true to his duty to safeguard our world and whatever big bad cunt that sought to harm it.”

    Agonistes held his arms up in an attempt to disperse the sudden tension, “I meant no offense. I was just inquiring on how you’re able to seem calm around him, knowing what he can do. Lord knows, I work for a boss that still makes me shudder even when she’s being neutral.”

    Octavia let the annoyance fade as she turned to where Providence stood. “He can be a complete Philistine when it comes to knowing pop culture references. His penchant to be utterly verbose at times gives me a headache. And most importantly, he doesn’t understand the complete and utter genius that is my puns.”

    For a moment, Octavia’s eyes softened as she touched the scar across the bridge of her nose and recalled a distant yet vivid memory of a building aflame accompanied by inhuman howls, and an outstretched hand offered to her.

    “But when shit hits the fan and everything goes tits up, there’s no one I’d rather have to watch my back.”

    Agonistes shook his head and relaxed. “Sounds like there’s a story there.”

    Octavia simply nodded and said nothing.

    Unseen by Octavia, Agonistes winced slightly, the latter momentarily holding a hand to the side of his head. The moment passed and Agonistes breathed before he managed a slight chuckle. “Well, it’s been quite a ride. Maybe you’re right in me misjudging him. Give the man my thanks and thank you as well for helping with the case. Well, duty calls. Be seeing you around, detective.”

    Octavia turned to where Agonistes stood, only to find the spot empty.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As the final lingering spells were finally dissolved, Providence allowed his hands to drop to his sides. Any traces of hostile aura once permeating the mansion was nowhere to be felt.

    Providence watched the result of his work as he saw wispy trails of light emerging from the mansion walls. As the trail danced through the cool dusk air and passed by him, he could hear the faint sounds of relieved sighs and quiet laughter. It was as they passed that Providence felt the presence of another.

    Turning to where the trail of light was going, Providence saw a woman standing in the small field adjacent to the mansion. She leaned on a rather intricate shovel and her other hand was raised as the trail of light flowed around her.

    She met Providence’s gaze then, her eyes seemingly as though they danced through the different shades and hues of purple, and she offered him a warm and gentle smile. Furthermore, she nodded to him as though in thanks. As the sounds of calming wind chimes were heard, she vanished along with the trail of light.

    Providence gave it a moment before he turned and walked toward Octavia. As he approached, he saw Octavia eyeing where the woman had disappeared from.

    “Who was that?” She asked.

    Providence paused for a moment before he answered, “What waits at the end”

    Octavia rolled her eyes at the cryptic response. “Well, I sent Captain Burke a message saying that this case has been dealt with and can be officially closed. At least he can rest easy being able to put a face to who did the murders in this place. At least one of us has some sort of closure.”

    “None of that. I already told you that we have finished what we can of this case. Whatever other outliers that remain of this case have no grounds to deny that this certain event has been cleared.”

    Octavia looked as though she still had some retort, but relented and instead opted for a tired smile. “I’ll take your word on that.” She paused before she smirked. “Don’t think I forgot about your little eloquent quip earlier. I may be fighting through a hallway of murderous apparitions, but no way I’m forgetting what you said. The padawan is finally learning the ways of the sass. As your teacher, I can’t help but feel proud.”

    Providence didn’t deign to respond to Octavia's teasing. However, his eyes didn’t fail to catch the slight wince when Octavia gave him a love tap to the side.

    “You’re hurt,” Providence said, more of a statement than a question.

    “Eh, one of the apparitions managed to blindside me when I was making my way to you. Jacket managed to take the brunt of it, but still feels like getting shot while wearing a bulletproof vest.”

    “Show me.”

    “You know there are more subtle ways to get someone to strip.” Octavia drawled, but nonetheless moved to remove her jacket. Turning her back to Providence, she unbuttoned her blouse and lowered it without much thought, as she was wearing a sports bra beneath. Sure enough, there was a bluish bruise already forming on her left shoulder blade.

    “It probably looks worse than it feels. Don’t worry, doc. I’m a big girl. I can handle it.” Octavia joked.

    “Nothing a simple healing spell cannot fix.” Providence replied as he placed his hand above the bruise and whispered, “Convalescere.”

    Octavia winced slightly as she felt her injury begin to heal. The pain in her muscles beneath the skin, where the injury was, began to fade slowly. As the healing process continued, Octavia hummed, “By the way, it’s almost the end of the month. You know what that means, right?”

    “Of course. How is one meant to forget when you always bring it up. Rest assured, my schedule as you call it has been cleared for that duration.”

    “Good, there’s a special marathon coming up featuring an uncut edition of Lord of the Rings, and you best believe that your uncultured ass is going to watch it.” Octavia voiced out in a mock threat.

    “Worry not, I’ll be there. Better to entertain long theatrical viewings than even a fraction of a second listening to your rants and indignation,” Providence replied, the most miniscule trace of jest dancing in his eyes.

    Octavia stilled and managed to give Providence the most chilling side glare she could muster.

    “Oh you are so buying the popcorn and drinks, mister wiseguy”

Description

    Agonistes and Octavia watched from a moderate distance as Providence stood at the front of Greystroke Manse. While the main barriers had already dissolved, there were still some residual spells remaining within and around the mansion. Providence moved his hands to and fro, casting disenchanting spells and ensuring that no malevolent spells remained.

    “Reckon the big fella gets my thanks for his help back there.” Agonistes remarked, “Still gives me a bit of the creeps, though. And I’ve met lots of people like that.”

    Octavia let out a dry laugh, “Must be even scarier for you then, to know that even then he wasn’t even tapping into his full capabilities.”

    Agonistes stared at her like a deer caught in the headlines. “I beg your bloody pardon?”

    “Ever heard of the Tunguska Event?” Octavia asked.

    “Can’t say I have. My memories are not as whole as I want it to be.”
    Octavia looked ahead as she recalled the details. “It was back in 1908 over in Russia. There was this unearthly explosion that flattened millions of trees over an estimated area of two thousand something square kilometers. The resulting shockwaves were staggering, enough to shatter windows thousands of kilometers away, knocking people to the ground and to even be detected by seismic stations all over Eurasia. Witnesses back then said it was as though the sky was split in two and intense heat washed over the land.”

    Octavia paused momentarily before she continued to speak.

    “Of course, there were plenty of theories of what caused it, ranging from weapons being tested to even alien spaceships exploding. The more accepted theory is that it was a meteoroid that exploded before it could crash, causing the shockwave and explaining the lack of a crater.”

“And what would be the unofficial cause?” Agonistes ventured.

Her father’s journals came to mind as Octavia remembered the details written on them regarding the Tunguska explosion. “A portal opening, serving as a gateway to a dark realm where otherworldly entities whose only mindset is to devour and eradicate whatever sliver of life they can sink their presence into.”

“You’re saying the portal opening caused the explosion? Must have been one massive gateway.”

“Oh, the portal didn’t cause the explosion” Octavia gave a second for Agonistes to cock his head in confusion before she added, “The portal opened and a great number of the entities started to pour forth. They would have overrun Russia in half a day. Lucky for them that Providence was there, metaphorically and literally. The power he unleashed that day was witnessed yet couldn’t be properly interpreted by mortal eyes. For that one moment, as Providence tore apart the portal and eradicated the entities that managed to cross over, the world was able to glimpse just what he was capable of doing.”

There was a good minute of silence as Octavia let the story and what it meant sink in. Another minute before Agonistes found his voice to speak.

“Christ alive. And you’re fine having something like that beside you?”

    Octavia’s eyebrows furrowed as she gave Agonistes a side glare, “He is bound by laws that are more ancient than Earth’s genesis. But even then, he has stood true to his duty to safeguard our world and whatever big bad cunt that sought to harm it.”

    Agonistes held his arms up in an attempt to disperse the sudden tension, “I meant no offense. I was just inquiring on how you’re able to seem calm around him, knowing what he can do. Lord knows, I work for a boss that still makes me shudder even when she’s being neutral.”

    Octavia let the annoyance fade as she turned to where Providence stood. “He can be a complete Philistine when it comes to knowing pop culture references. His penchant to be utterly verbose at times gives me a headache. And most importantly, he doesn’t understand the complete and utter genius that is my puns.”

    For a moment, Octavia’s eyes softened as she touched the scar across the bridge of her nose and recalled a distant yet vivid memory of a building aflame accompanied by inhuman howls, and an outstretched hand offered to her.

    “But when shit hits the fan and everything goes tits up, there’s no one I’d rather have to watch my back.”

    Agonistes shook his head and relaxed. “Sounds like there’s a story there.”

    Octavia simply nodded and said nothing.

    Unseen by Octavia, Agonistes winced slightly, the latter momentarily holding a hand to the side of his head. The moment passed and Agonistes breathed before he managed a slight chuckle. “Well, it’s been quite a ride. Maybe you’re right in me misjudging him. Give the man my thanks and thank you as well for helping with the case. Well, duty calls. Be seeing you around, detective.”

    Octavia turned to where Agonistes stood, only to find the spot empty.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

    As the final lingering spells were finally dissolved, Providence allowed his hands to drop to his sides. Any traces of hostile aura once permeating the mansion was nowhere to be felt.

    Providence watched the result of his work as he saw wispy trails of light emerging from the mansion walls. As the trail danced through the cool dusk air and passed by him, he could hear the faint sounds of relieved sighs and quiet laughter. It was as they passed that Providence felt the presence of another.

    Turning to where the trail of light was going, Providence saw a woman standing in the small field adjacent to the mansion. She leaned on a rather intricate shovel and her other hand was raised as the trail of light flowed around her.

    She met Providence’s gaze then, her eyes seemingly as though they danced through the different shades and hues of purple, and she offered him a warm and gentle smile. Furthermore, she nodded to him as though in thanks. As the sounds of calming wind chimes were heard, she vanished along with the trail of light.

    Providence gave it a moment before he turned and walked toward Octavia. As he approached, he saw Octavia eyeing where the woman had disappeared from.

    “Who was that?” She asked.

    Providence paused for a moment before he answered, “What waits at the end”

    Octavia rolled her eyes at the cryptic response. “Well, I sent Captain Burke a message saying that this case has been dealt with and can be officially closed. At least he can rest easy being able to put a face to who did the murders in this place. At least one of us has some sort of closure.”

    “None of that. I already told you that we have finished what we can of this case. Whatever other outliers that remain of this case have no grounds to deny that this certain event has been cleared.”

    Octavia looked as though she still had some retort, but relented and instead opted for a tired smile. “I’ll take your word on that.” She paused before she smirked. “Don’t think I forgot about your little eloquent quip earlier. I may be fighting through a hallway of murderous apparitions, but no way I’m forgetting what you said. The padawan is finally learning the ways of the sass. As your teacher, I can’t help but feel proud.”

    Providence didn’t deign to respond to Octavia's teasing. However, his eyes didn’t fail to catch the slight wince when Octavia gave him a love tap to the side.

    “You’re hurt,” Providence said, more of a statement than a question.

    “Eh, one of the apparitions managed to blindside me when I was making my way to you. Jacket managed to take the brunt of it, but still feels like getting shot while wearing a bulletproof vest.”

    “Show me.”

    “You know there are more subtle ways to get someone to strip.” Octavia drawled, but nonetheless moved to remove her jacket. Turning her back to Providence, she unbuttoned her blouse and lowered it without much thought, as she was wearing a sports bra beneath. Sure enough, there was a bluish bruise already forming on her left shoulder blade.

    “It probably looks worse than it feels. Don’t worry, doc. I’m a big girl. I can handle it.” Octavia joked.

    “Nothing a simple healing spell cannot fix.” Providence replied as he placed his hand above the bruise and whispered, “Convalescere.”

    Octavia winced slightly as she felt her injury begin to heal. The pain in her muscles beneath the skin, where the injury was, began to fade slowly. As the healing process continued, Octavia hummed, “By the way, it’s almost the end of the month. You know what that means, right?”

    “Of course. How is one meant to forget when you always bring it up. Rest assured, my schedule as you call it has been cleared for that duration.”

    “Good, there’s a special marathon coming up featuring an uncut edition of Lord of the Rings, and you best believe that your uncultured ass is going to watch it.” Octavia voiced out in a mock threat.

    “Worry not, I’ll be there. Better to entertain long theatrical viewings than even a fraction of a second listening to your rants and indignation,” Providence replied, the most miniscule trace of jest dancing in his eyes.

    Octavia stilled and managed to give Providence the most chilling side glare she could muster.

    “Oh you are so buying the popcorn and drinks, mister wiseguy”