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"‎My informant can't lie. Well, it's because they're dead. "

‎A tense silence hung over the table.

‎" What is that supposed to mean?

‎Alissa simply shook her head at the bewildered stares she was receiving. So what you're trying to say is that your powers have something to do with Clairvoyance, Xander asked, frowning slightly. Even Warren looked Slightly Flustered. Something like that Alissa said. Well that is certainly unexpected. I've never met any Talented with that kind of thing before. So how does it work? Edmund asked, raising an eyebrow in curiosity.

‎Alissa threw him a calculating look, then shifted her gaze to Norvax.

‎Norvax nodded slightly, ordering another Frosty.

‎" It should be fine sharing how your ability works since Aisha's here. None of the mundane people will hear us. Plus, I trust that she trusts Jeff.

‎Alissa nodded reluctantly, then spoke.

‎"It's exactly as I said before. My informants can't lie because they're dead. I can commune with the dead. In this case, the victims of this particular group we're dealing with. Vengeful souls."

‎Xander stared at her like he was seeing he for the first time, his expression mirrored by the other occupants of the table.

‎"As you can most probably tell, disability is very useful when carrying out investigations, especially those where there are no tangible clues."

‎Norvax nodded, taking a large sip of his freshly delivered Frosty.

‎" So in a case like this, where we have no witnesses and evidence to rely on, Alissa's particular skill set becomes extremely valuable.

‎Xander's brows knit together, his eyes narrowing in deep contemplation.

‎"So what do you do? Do you move to the crime scenes and simplify the victims' remains there?"

‎A faint smile appeared on Norvax's face.

‎" That's the thing, with Alissa present, we don't even need any evidence, that's what makes her so special."

‎Aisha chuckled slightly, tapping her cane on the floor.

‎Xander turned to her, frowning slightly.

‎"Yours is an area and powerful ability child one that I have not encountered over the course of my long life. As it stands, even one as old as I am can still come across new things.

‎Edmund's eyebrows furrowed in thought, they youth scratching his chin slightly as though in deep contemplation.

‎"Tell me, are you able to use your ability in a place such as this, he asked.

‎Alissa stared at him blankly for a while, then nodded.

‎"Yes, I can."

‎"Could you... show us ...please?"

‎Edmund asked, his eyes shining in curiosity.

‎Norvax tucked his chin in the palm of his hand, smiling mischievously when Alissa turned to him."

‎"It's your call. Besides, with the four of us adults here, nothing can go wrong."

‎A slight frown formed on Xander's face.

‎"Wait a minute, you're actually going to...talk to a ghost like right now?"

‎Alissa nodded somberly.

‎" Are there no dusks involved or anything...?"

‎Edmund's gaze shifted to Xander.

‎" Hey man, you're actually scared of ghosts?"

‎Xander threw him a furious glare turning back to Alissa.

‎"Can't it wait? You know, up to now I thought... ghosts weren't real, you know? And that when a person dies, that's it. Ax now you're telling me..."

‎He shivered abruptly.

‎" It's just a lot to take in."

‎Edmund sniggered, rolling his eyes sarcastically.

‎"Relax, don't be a scaredy cat. You're supposed to be an elite assassin. Surely you can't be scared of something as mundane as ghosts?"

‎Xander stared at him, then turned away, staring at Alissa.

‎"I'm also curious to see this ability in action," Aisha chipped in.

‎" It's not very often that you get to see something like this."

‎Alissa let out a weary sigh and then closed her eyes.

‎"It's actually happening," Edmund said excitedly, "We're going to see spirits in real life."

‎" Quiet, Edmund," Alissa said, opening one eye to glare at him.

‎"Using this ability is quite taxing on me. And I have already used it once today, so this is going to be my limit."

‎After a few moments, Alissa's eyes snapped open, glowing with a strange ethereal light.

‎The mismatched colours of her eyes only served to heighten the eeriness of the situation.

‎Xander gripped the table tightly, his knuckles turning white.

‎"What the hell?"

‎The wooden table started splintering from the force he was applying.

‎"Hey," Edmund hissed, tapping his shoulder.

‎" If you keep gripping it like that, you're going to break it. Just relax. We've got you, man."

‎Xander glared at him fiercely for a brief moment, then slowly inhaled.

‎Meanwhile, around them, despite the warm afternoon sunshine, the temperatures inside the cafe began to plummet, falling lower and lower.

‎"Interesting," Jeff murmured, observing the unfolding phenomenon with keen interest.

‎Alight frost began to spread across the glass panes.

‎"What the hell is happening?" Xander whispered, voicing everyone's thoughts.

‎"So there's someone here, apparently from the founding days of Zolaris," Alissa whispered.

‎" Is there anything in particular you'd like to know?"

‎Alissa turned to Xander, her eyes widening slightly.

‎"There's a figure behind you. A dark skinned man, you share a startling resemblance."

‎Xander's eyes widened in shock.

‎" What about me?"

‎Alissa turned to Warren.

‎A shrill scream rang throughout the cafe.

‎Despite the scream the rest of the customers showed no reaction.

‎It was as though they hadn't registered it.

‎"Death, a lot of death," she whispered, her eyes reverting to normal.

‎Warren tilted his head, staring at her in genuine curiosity.

‎"That's certainly true."

‎Aisha turned to Norvax, grinning slightly.

‎"And this is precisely why I needed your help. So, child, were you able to find anything other than that?"

‎" Yes, and with the new information, we should be able to find the head of the snake and solve the root of the problem. With such organizations, once you cut off the head of the snake, the rest of the body dies."

‎Edmund silently observed the dark-haired woman in front of him with a hint of curiosity.

‎" If you don't mind me asking, what class are you Alissa?"

‎Alissa three him a surprised look.

‎" Class A-5"

‎" Wow, you're as strong as Warren."

‎Alissa chuckled politely.

‎" You're wrong," a gruff voice spoke up.

‎Edmund glanced at Jeff in surprise, his face wrinkling in confusion.

‎"What are you teaching kids these days at the headquarters?"

‎Norvax grinned, shrugging slightly.

‎" Care to do my job for me?"

‎Jeff stared at him for a while, then sighed.

‎" While ranking during the Chrono evaluation is important, it does not determine every aspect of a Talented's strength. So while Alissa and Warren are the same rank, I'm willing to bet that she's much stronger than him."

‎Edmund's widened slightly at the bold proclamation.

‎"The strength of your abilities depends on how much time you train and invest in refining them until you can use them to their full potential."

‎" I hope this doesn't come off as rude, but what rank are you, Jeff?"Edmund asked, his eyes shining with curiosity.

‎The big man smiled, his pearly white teeth glinting in sharp contrast to his bronze skin.

‎" Class A-4"

‎Edmund's eyes widened in surprise.

‎" And what about you, Aisha?"

‎Tjrieimb her head back, Aisha laughed heartily until tears formed in her eyes

‎Edmund frowned in confusion.

‎" Did I ask a funny question?"

‎" No, pardon me, child. But it was a bit hilarious. To answer your question, I'm class A-6."

‎Warren and Edmund stared at the two with mirrored looks of confusion.

‎Xander smiled at their confusion.

‎" I'm not a Talented, but that would mean that someone of a lower rank can rival someone with a higher rank strictly in terms of power. Am I correct in assuming that?"

‎" You're absolutely right. Chrono evaluation simply determines how many abilities you're able to awaken. It does not measure;; rather it is not an accurate assessment of how powerful a Talented one can become. So what you're trying to say is Jeff here is quite powerful, Warren asked, his lips curling into an amused smile.

‎"But why of course. He is not on my personal security detail, simply for sure. He has the power to back it up."

‎Warren smiled faintly, his eyes gleaming with a strange light.

‎"Then, in that case, will I be able to get the opportunity to test my power against his, that is, of course, if he doesn't mind.

‎Jeff grinned amidst bites.

‎Pausing slightly, he nodded, his eyes narrowing in amusement.

‎After chewing for a while, he swallowed.

‎"Of course. But on condition that we've finished solving this mess. After that, we can have a go anytime that you like and really see if you're as strong as you say. The pleasure would be all mine, Warren said, grinning slightly.

The group finished their meals and left the cafe.

Inside the cafe, a ripple of groans echoed through the cafe.

" Hey man, I suddenly have a massive headache."

" You too? Man, I feel horrible. It's like waking up from this long dream."

A waitress passed by one of the tables, finding a tip and several trays and cups.

" Huh?! Was there anyone seated here? This is certainly strange.

Several bills were neatly tucked into one of the napkins beside the food.

In another part of the town, Aisha softly laughed to herself, her eye glowing with ethereal white light.

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