The air became charged, thick with the promise of a wild storm. Wind began to howl outside as a collective chorus of electronic chimes went off simultaneously across the dining hall. I mirrored Alice's actions, pulling out my phone and glancing at my screen. There was a notification from my weather app.
Extreme Weather Warning in Archae and Surrounding Areas: Category 1 Hurricane Risk
What?
Lilli turned to look at the window. Thick, fat droplets were splattering angrily against the glass.
Everyone jumped again when the doors to the atrium slammed open. The wind tore through the dining hall, leaving the initiates sitting closest to the entrance scrambling to chase after their rogue napkins.
"Zach, wait!" shouted a voice. "For the love of Thalix, please just listen for a second."
I realized with a jolt I recognized that voice—it was Officer Song. I jumped from my seat, trailing close to Alice and Lilli as they ran to the door.
Nearly every diner was hovering at the entrance now, and I had to crane my neck to get a glimpse of what was going on. My hair was billowing around me, my eyes watering from the wind speeds whipping through the atrium.
Song was in a silent, heated argument with someone I could only describe as the uncontested epitome of what Alice had been describing—the Legion Archetype, according to Lilli. Song was already tall to begin with, but the man with whom she was speaking positively towered over her. Like the male soldiers who had appeared in midair at The Haven, his shoulders were broad and his arms two rippling masses of muscle. He was holding a helmet under his arm—pitch-black like the rest of his uniform.
"I wish I could hear what they were saying," lamented Alice.
Their argument was escalating—I could tell from their body language without needing to hear a single sound through their Shield. As the windows began to rattle threateningly from the hammering downpour, Wilding appeared, Drifting in front of the two of them. He held up both hands and the atrium doors closed slowly, struggling in their fight against the storm. Wilding was a commander and presumably a very powerful Manipulator—who was this Legion soldier?
Song had turned to address Wilding, and I watched the Legion soldier close his eyes and pinch the bridge of his nose, evidently trying to collect himself. To my astonishment, the windows stopped clattering instantly.
Wilding Drifted away again and the two of them resumed their discussion, though it appeared less heated now.
"—commands Legion 1—" I heard someone in the crowd say.
I looked around, perking up.
"Is that the guy you were talking about?" I whispered excitedly to Lilli. "Someone said something about him commanding Legion 1."
"What? Here, at Archae? No way," she responded, her voice incredulous. She squinted into the distance. "Wait—is that a white stripe on his shoulder? That means Legion 1 commander, doesn't it?"
"Should be three black ones and a white one at the top. The other commanders just have four black ones," recited Alice immediately. "I can't believe it—we were just talking about him! What is he doing here?"
I wrapped my arms around myself, suddenly realizing how cold it had gotten from the storm. I felt a sneeze coming on and ducked into the crook of my elbow to muffle the sound.
"Thalix bless you," said Lilli absently, her eyes still glued to the scene in front of her.
"Thanks," I muttered, shuffling closer for warmth.
The Legion 1 commander went abruptly still—eerily still, like someone had frozen him. The wind stopped. The rain ceased. An unnatural silence filled the space.
He took a step forward and the illumination from the walls hit his face.
Dark hair. Striking features. Brilliant blue eyes I could see even from where I was standing.
Blue eyes that snapped up to meet mine.