The dawn crept through the blinds of the WAGE office, casting pale streaks of light across the cluttered desks and worn couches. It wasn't much of a company headquarters — more like a makeshift home for those who had nowhere else to go. Fame and fortune hadn't touched them yet, so nights were spent sleeping in the office itself, surrounded by files, relics, and the faint hum of old lamps.
Soloman stirred first. His green eyes opened to the dim light, and with a sigh he rose from his corner. Unlike the others, he had grown used to solitude in the mornings. His routine was his own — a ritual of discipline and strength.
He shuffled toward the coffee table, pouring himself two full cups of caffeine. He downed them in quick succession, the bitter taste fueling his restless energy. Without hesitation, he stepped outside, the chill of morning air biting against his skin.
Soloman's exercises were far from ordinary. He lifted two trucks full of logs with a single finger, his muscles straining yet his grin unbroken. Then, with a burst of speed, he raced alongside bullet trains, keeping pace for five rounds before slowing to a jog. The world blurred around him, but his mind sharpened with each impossible feat.
By the time he returned to the office, sweat glistened across his brow, though his expression was calm. Inside, the others were still asleep, sprawled across couches and chairs. Soloman shook his head, muttering under his breath, and decided to cook breakfast.
With one hand, he cracked eggs into a pan, scrambling them with practiced ease. With the other, he held a book, eyes scanning its pages as though multitasking were second nature. The scent of sizzling eggs filled the room, warm and inviting.
Louis stirred first, his pale body shifting as his eyes fluttered open. He blinked at the sight of Soloman already at work and scrambled to his feet. Rue followed soon after, stretching lazily as he wandered toward the table.
Louis's enthusiasm bubbled over instantly.
"Food! Food!" he nagged, bouncing in place.
Soloman's patience thinned.
"Enough! It's ready, dammit."
They gathered at the dinner table, the simple meal laid out before them. Rue unfolded the morning newspaper, his sharp eyes scanning the headlines. One caught his attention immediately:
"DUMA to Visit the Alphabes Mansion Soon…"
Rue tapped the paper, showing it to Soloman.
"We gotta take action quick."
Soloman frowned, confused.
"Well, what do you mean? If DUMA finds the libido god themself, it wouldn't be suspicious. We won't have to explain ourselves to them."
Rue's expression darkened.
"Well, you don't know what they'll do to him, right?"
Soloman leaned back, crossing his arms.
"Well, since when did you begin caring for others?"
Rue said nothing, his eyes fixed on the headline. The silence stretched, heavy and uncertain.
Louis broke it, his voice soft but insistent.
"What do you mean, Solo? You do know Rue doesn't do anything out of the ordinary. There must be something he thought of while suggesting this."
Rue smirked faintly, his wit returning.
"Yes. You do know that stronger entities attract stronger entities, right?"
Soloman narrowed his eyes.
"Yeah, but wh—"
Rue interrupted, his tone sharp.
"Well, so if the God of Lust is there, then as DUMA executes the sealing, what if a stronger entity arrives? We haven't looked in every room, and you know stronger entities can camouflage their presence. We didn't feel the God of Lust's presence either, so…"
Soloman's face softened, guilt flickering across his features.
"Well… I'm sorry, Rue. I just shouldn't have underestimated you."
Rue folded the newspaper, his smirk fading into determination.
"Well, now that we actually have to do something about Jasper, we need a plan."
To be continued…