Chapter 1: New Seeker


Alyna Vale was very much used to the thrill of Seeker life, especially since she'd been in a relationship with Dante. Everywhere that guy went, the Organization seemed to follow.

Never though had she expected to see Suits in the streets of Venice chasing a couple teenagers, letting normal citizens see their Titans and their powers.

"Solwing, defend!" she quickly called.

The Krono amulet was around her neck and on the light green undershirt, since it had been a wedding gift from her husband. She might never have the same bond with her Solwing as Dante had with his, but at least she had an extra ally.

The Suits and their Redcap and Mindrone were easily distracted by the triple winged bird, Alyna's perfect chance to call out a warrior titan, which was in the little pocket on her leather belt that held her black pants up.

"Bring it on, Iron Monkey!"

The Yama-titan warrior emerged from his amulet, immediately attacking the two titans.

Alyna went up to the teenagers. "We'd better get out of here, quickly!" and she dragged the two with her, Solwing following them up in the air far enough so people would think it was a normal bird.

"How are we supposed to know you're not with those people?" the boy asked.

"Run now, ask questions later." she told him, tugging him further along.

Luckily, they weren't far from her home, so they could possibly get there without much resistance from those suits.

The streets of Venice were like a labyrinth sometimes, if you didn't know how to navigate through them. Alyna had lived in the city for 4 years now, and it still was a puzzle, but not as hard as a puzzle as it would be for those suits to find them now.


They quickly arrived at the plaza that held the Vale residence, which was a three-story Seeker warded house. The Suits wouldn't be able to get in the house or damage it in any way, but their neighbors wouldn't be so lucky.

"Okay, I'm confused now. Why do people want this diary?" the boy, named Lok Lambert, asked.

"The front cover has on it what their leader wants." Alyna explained as she removed her blood red jacket to hang it over a chair. "It's the Ancient amulet of Will, it would control Titans with even the most powerful bond to a Seeker. But to do so, you would have to collect three Legendary Titans. Body, Mind and Soul, and the Professor wants that power."

"Well, that explains why he was after my dad. He knew the information they needed." Lok stated.

Mrs. Vale nodded. "That's right. He probably disappeared to keep it hidden from the wrong hands. And it seems your father trusts you to complete his work."

"Keep the info in the right hands?"

"That, as well as finding those Legendary Titans."

The blonde-haired boy looked down at the brown cover. "My mom would never let me."

"Maybe not right now, but there will come a time that she'll have to let you." Alyna told. "You're one of us now, and Seekers on the same side look out for each other."

Lok smiled at that; it was something he could believe in.

The woman sat down beside him. "Dante and I can teach you what you need to know to become a Seeker, but the rest will be up to you."


Sophie thought something was off about the woman who'd brought them to Dante Vale's home. Who was she to the World's Most Famous Seeker? She knew Dante had hazel eyes and brown hair from the pictures the Foundation had given her, as well as specific facial features, and this woman had none of those. Her hair was auburn, and her eyes were emerald green, almost a venom like color. Thus, she was for certainly not his sister. Maybe a friend? A Seeker partner? Though she would've heard about a partner.

The Casterwill heir decided to take a little tour around the house and asked for a bathroom would she need one. What she encountered were a lot of ancient artifacts from many places in the world, and several pictures as well as post cards. Sophie picked one up that was from South Africa.


Dante,

As you see, I'm on a mission in South Africa. I'm in Johannesburg to be exact, trying to deal with some vigilante Seekers that decided to battle things out on the streets between the mundane people. So far, nothing has come of it, but Teien seems to be certain that something can be done.

South Africa could be great, if there weren't such a high crime rate. Basically, the poor have nothing, can't even climb the social ladder without sponsorship or anything. I really feel for these kids who have nothing. I think of giving some kids a sponsorship with the money my dad left me upon his death.

I really miss you Dante, missions just aren't the same without you, even when Teien or Metz are with me. I wished I could come home already and just be with you in Venice

Yours sincerely,

Alyna


Then, Sophie saw a photo of both Dante and the woman. The woman, Alyna, was wearing a beautiful long white gown, only a little bit of sparkle on the top half of the dress, formfitting but wide enough to be able to properly walk. Dante himself was in a black suit, with a white rose on the left side of his chest. There were golden rings around their fingers, and they were smiling happily.

Though she was only 16, Sophie knew what it meant. The two of them were a married couple.

"I see you found that photo."

The Casterwill heir spun around, finding Mrs. Vale standing in the doorway with a soft smile. "I… uh…"

"Don't worry about it. Though I hope you won't be telling the entire Seeker community about it."

Sophie raised an eyebrow. "You haven't told people you're married?"

Alyna shook her head. "Not everyone knows, only people within the Foundation we truly trust. It's not really a secret that Dante is one of the most powerful Seekers around, and if any spy the Organization might have within the Foundation knew Dante and I were married, I'll be a number 1 target. Just to hurt Dante, you know."

The strawberry blonde could understand the logic in that, anyone close would be hurt just to hurt the one they're close to. "I understand. Does Lok know?"

"He'll find it out on his own, he's a smart kid. He already solved a puzzle I've been working on for months!"

Sophie giggled. Yeah, her classmate was smart, he just didn't use it in school.

The green-eyed woman looked out of the window. "Well, Dante's gonna have to fight through to get home."

"How so?"

"Just come and look." Alyna said.

The blonde woman took a few strides closer to the window to look outside.

Suits. At least a dozen of them, on the plaza.

"Who are those two that aren't in black suits? Are they Organization too?"

"Definitely. They just have a higher rank than a simple minion. They're more powerful, and thus more useful to the Professor."

Sophie looked at the older woman. "Dealt with them before?"

Mrs. Vale simply nodded. "You see that tall stock blonde man in military grab? That's Commander Grier, he's ex-army and from somewhere in Greece. I once encountered him and his Meso-Titan Breaker in Strasbourg three months ago while searching for clues about ancient Seekers. He's got a good type of discipline and doesn't easily give up in the eye of defeat, he's a good opponent, honorable too. The other guy not in a suit, he's a different case."

"How so?"

"It's just… I've seen him before, before he became Organization. I just don't remember where and when. Maybe if I encounter him alone one day, I could figure it out."

"Does Dante know?"

"Oh, I told him months ago, after the first encounter. He says I'm seeing things, but I know my gut feeling about people is often pretty right."

The blonde looked at the man a second time. "What do you think it is?"

"I have multiple suspicions. For example, he could be a Foundation spy who's been presumed dead for a couple years, maybe I saw him before he became a Seeker? Anything's possible. They also pluck homeless Seeker kids from the streets before we can, that's one of the reasons it's grown so fast." Alyna told. "Brainwashing, it's stupid."

Sophie had to agree with the woman. "So… how long have you and Dante been married?" she asked as they walked away from the window.

"Just two years, but we had been in a relationship for 4 years before that, and we were friends since we were kids. It's basically how most Seeker couples meet."

That's when they saw a flash of a raypulse pass the window.

Both females spun around and the oldest of them ran to the window.

"Dante's home, and he's not happy with the visitors we've got."

The Casterwill heir came closer again. She'd never seen an actual Seeker fight, neither Santiago nor LeBlanche would let her join the Foundation. It was something she wanted to do, for her parents.

Alyna grabbed Sophie's shoulder. "We'd better get to the roof and get out of here. We've got to find a place safer than this."

"Isn't the house protected?" Sophie than asked.

"Our house is, but not that of the neighbors."

"Well, we could go to my place. My family has a house here in Venice."

The green-eyed woman nodded. "That's good enough for me. Lok, Cherit, we've got to get out of here."

The strawberry blonde raised an eyebrow. "Who's Cherit?"

"I'm Cherit." a scruffy high-pitched voice said.

She turned, only to find a small, white flying Titan. And it was talking.

"I really haven't seen this before."

Alyna smiled. "Cherit's pretty unique, he's one of those few Titans that don't have an amulet. They're mostly independent Titans who judge your character to their own nature and thus if you're worthy of their companionship. Cherit found Dante to be worthy enough."

"You called?" Lok asked, peeking his head around the corner.

"We're leaving through the roof." the older woman told. "Sophie, take Lok and Cherit with you. I'll follow you behind on some distance."

"Seems like a plan." the blonde boy said.

But before they went to the roof, Alyna took something from a drawer. "Before you go, I wish to give you this. Dante already has one like these, and it won't bond with me, maybe you have better luck."

And as soon as it touched Lok's palm, a white light shone from the amulet, and he was getting flashes through his head.

When the light died, Sophie was staring in awe, and Alyna was smiling.

"What was that?" the blonde asked.

"A precaution. That Titan's name is Freelancer, he'll protect you in times of need."


Dante really disliked the Organization, and somehow, they had found out where he lived. He hoped they hadn't found out about his wife.

Defoe was a cunning individual and playing pretty much unfair.

Alyna had been right about Grier, he was indeed a fairer player than the usual Organization commanders.

As he was fighting the Suits, he noticed his wife on the roof, rushing a pair of teens away. The boy didn't really seem to know what the hell he was doing, thus he was most likely a newly found Seeker. No wonder the Organization was here, his wife had most likely rescued him.

Then, she whistled, gaining the attention of Grier and Defoe.

"Hey losers!" she called, waving with a book that looked pretty ancient and used. "If you want it, come and get it!"

"Catch her!" Defoe ordered.

About half a dozen of Suits went after her as soon as she took off.

Dante took his chance, breaking through the defense of the suits he himself was fighting, sending several spells at them as they were partially distracted. He'd take care of the teenagers, keep them safe as much as he needed to.