The briefing room fell silent as the last of the Seraphs took their seats.
Only a few hours earlier they had been enjoying one of the rare peaceful evenings they had experienced in years. Now the tension had returned.
A large map was displayed on the screen behind Philip. Beside it was an image every person in the room immediately recognized. Raw haikitium ore.
The blue crystal seemed to glow even through the photograph.
Philip stood at the front of the room with his arms folded.
"We have a situation."
Nobody interrupted.
"Three hours ago, a group of local fishermen operating along the coast of a small town discovered an unusual mineral deposit after a storm exposed part of the shoreline."
The image changed to photographs taken by local authorities.
"The material was recovered and turned over to local law enforcement."
A second image appeared showing several sealed containers being moved under police escort.
"They don't know what it is."
Malak leaned back in his chair. "And we'd like to keep it that way."
Philip nodded. "Exactly."
The room grew quiet again.
Philip stepped closer to the display. "Our objective is simple."
He pointed toward the containers.
"We recover the Haikitium before the Sanctum does."
Seraphina frowned.
"You sound certain they'll come for it."
"They will." Philip's answer came without hesitation.
"If a few grams of Haikitium can create a Saint, imagine what an untouched ore could do."
Nobody needed convincing. They had all witnessed firsthand what happened when Hana absorbed a large quantity.
The memory alone was enough to unsettle the room.
Philip continued. "If the Sanctum obtains this deposit and successfully uses it to evolve the remaining Saints..."
He paused. "...then we've lost."
The words settled heavily over the room.
"We've spent eight months leveling the playing field. "His gaze moved from one Seraph to another.
"Eight months improving your capabilities."
"Eight months trying to close the gap."
"We finally have a chance to fight them on somewhat equal terms."
He let that sink in before continuing.
"If the remaining Saints undergo the same kind of evolution Hana experienced, that advantage disappears immediately."
Andrew stepped forward.
"And unlike last time, we won't have the luxury of months to catch up."
The Seraphs exchanged uneasy looks.
They understood exactly what that meant.
The Saints had already been dangerous before Hana evolved.
If all of them evolved...
The outcome was difficult to imagine.
Rafael crossed his arms.
"So if they get this deposit, we're back to being outmatched."
"Worse," Andrew replied. "They'll continue improving while we struggle to survive."
Malak exhaled slowly. "Fantastic. This day keeps getting better."
Philip ignored the comment.
"The Sanctum has resources across the globe. The moment they learn where the deposit is being held, they'll move. We haven't lost yet and winning this battle determins if we lose or get to fight another day."
Aziel studied the map carefully. "Then we move first."
A small smile appeared on Philip's face.
"That's exactly the plan." The display shifted again, revealing the route local authorities were using to transport the recovered material.
"Our intelligence suggests the Haikitium will be transferred to a secure federal facility within the next twenty-four hours."
Seraphina leaned forward.
"So we intercept it before that happens."
"Correct." Philip looked around the room.
"This mission is critical."
His voice grew more serious.
"If we fail and the Sanctum obtains that Haikitium, the war may be decided before the next battle is ever fought."
The room fell silent. The gravity of the situation hitting deep.For the first time since their enhancements were completed, the Seraphs finally understood why they had been called back into the field.
This wasn't just another mission.
It was a race against time.
And if they lost—
There might not be a second chance.