CHAPTER 319: THINK OF THE DEVIL

"Thank you. Our Angel"

Aria felt secondhand shame as the people she saved started praising her and calling her an angel. By no means did she consider herself one as everyone had their demons, even her.

Her thoughts wandered to her father. If she had to classify him into the villain or hero category, he was undoubtedly a villain. Yet despite the way he treated people, he was still her father at the end of the day.

Crystal was still amazed as she used her ice to create makeshift restraints for the individuals that had participated in the riot. Each time she did, she heard a soft ding echoing in her ears. Perhaps it was the system’s way of tallying their accomplishments for this quest.

Her only concern was that their stock of potions would ultimately be limited. They had no guarantee that they would have enough potions for everyone.

"Alright. Everyone! Make your way into the theatre. You should be able to hide there for the time being until help arrives. This will all be over soon."

Crystal raised her voice as a means to ensure everybody’s safety as well as guiding them to a safe area. While she couldn’t guarantee that the theatre would be safe. It was still much better than being out in the open on the streets.

As the crowd headed towards the entrance, several men in suits appeared near the entrances. They were all wearing suits and had head pieces in while at the same time wielding guns. They were all security guards...all of whom Aria vaguely recognized.

"Nobody is allowed in here. A Private Event is taking place here. "

One of the guards remarked coldly which caused Crystal’s temper to flare. Her head tilted slightly as she growled

"Can’t you see there are riots in the streets?! These people need a safe haven for a few hours at most. Some of them even need medical attention. They are going in."

Some of the men flinched but their leader remained adamant. He leveled his gun and pointed it at Crystal’s head.

"No can do. Bosses orders. Find somewhere else."

Aria stepped forward slowly, her wings folding behind her as she approached the standoff. The people behind her froze in place, some covering the mouths of their children, others whispering frantic prayers under their breath. Tension thickened the air like fog.

Her voice was calm, but carried weight.

"You’re really going to turn them away?" she asked, eyes narrowing as she looked at the man pointing the gun. "Look around you. This city is falling apart."

The man didn’t lower his weapon. If anything, his grip tightened.

"Not my problem," he said. "I’ve got orders, and I’m not about to lose my job or my life because some kids with powers think they know better."

Crystal’s hands clenched at her sides. Ice crackled under her boots, a fine mist curling upward from her fists. She didn’t summon more, not yet, but the warning was there. Her voice dropped lower.

"You’ll lose more than your job if you keep pointing that at me."

The man didn’t move.

Aria exhaled slowly. She stepped in front of Crystal before things escalated.

"Ethan...Stand down. Tell Gerard his child would like to see him."

The man flinched when he heard his name. Taking a closer look at her, realization dawned on him. He quickly pulled the gun away and yelled at the guards.

"Everyone stand down! This is the Young Master!"

The guards seemed to snap to attention as Aria let out a sigh.

The guards immediately backed off, lowering their weapons in unison as confusion and fear rippled through the group. A few of them even bowed their heads slightly, clearly shaken by the command. Jonathan took a cautious step back, holstering his weapon.

"I... I didn’t realize, Miss Aria," he stammered. "We weren’t told—"

"You weren’t supposed to be told," Aria said, her voice sharper than she intended. "If you have the power to protect, you should be using it for the people! Instead you chose to threaten children and point guns at the only ones trying to clean up this mess."

Ethan looked ashamed, unable to meet her eyes.

Crystal’s jaw tensed, but she stepped away as the tension slowly began to fade. The icy mist around her evaporated, though her expression remained cold. She nodded her head at the man who now seemed much smaller, feeling guilty about what he had done. .

"You know him?"

Aria nodded. "His father works under mine. My father called him a loyal dog, and clearly, the training passed down to his children."

Ethan didn’t argue. He stood silent, allowing the civilians to file into the theatre without another word. Some of the guards held the doors open now, quietly assisting the injured or the elderly. A few of them muttered apologies.

Crystal watched them go, arms crossed. "This whole thing feels off. Why would your father have guards posted at a theatre during a riot?"

Aria didn’t answer right away. Her gaze lingered on the fading backs of the guards.

"I don’t know. But I’m going to find out."

Then she started to walk with a renewed sense of purpose. She was no longer the caged songbird her father wished for. She was going to stand up to him and help the people who were here, even if it meant severing ties.

"Ethan. You are coming too." She snapped in an authoritative tone, allowing for no argument. Ethan immediately began to follow her without question, quickly followed by Crystal who was slightly amazed at the man who had only moments ago pointed a gun at her head.

He could only be described as a loyal hound. He was willing to lay down his life over a simple order even if it went against his own personal beliefs. He may not have shown it but she detected the tremble in his expression when he told everyone to leave.

Ethan was all too happy to have an excuse to follow different orders. Perhaps for Aria, he would even be willing to bite his own Master. Either way, Crystal would be ready to do whatever it took.