FLAW: FIFTY-FOUR

**TRISHA POV**

"How did you find the bodies?" a police officer asked me. Sky told us telepathically what we should answer. We couldn't just tell them we conducted our investigation, as the police might think we were trying to lead them.

"We were just walking in the forest to document for our research," I lied, and the police officer believed it immediately.

"Where did you see them?" he asked next. This was a tricky question. If our answers were inconsistent, we would surely be exposed.

Luckily, Sky had already briefed us on what to answer. "Near a big tree," I innocently replied.

"And how did they get their injuries?" he added.

For the third time, I answered while trying to sound sincere and pitiful, "We don't know. They already had injuries when we found them."

"Thank you for your cooperation," the police officer concluded, closing his notebook. I nodded, and he left to attend to his other colleagues.

I walked towards Alex, who had just finished being interrogated. "What's the situation?" I asked.

"The club is still there, guarding the creatures. Should we go there?" Alex asked, looking at Sky.

"Let's wait until they leave," Sky said, referring to the cops. "They might follow us," he added, and we all agreed.

Sky made a phone call to the club, informing them of our current situation. After an hour, the police left with the bodies. Then I saw the ghost again, this time all of them. They were all smiling at me as if they were glad that their deaths were brought to justice by killing that monster. I didn't know how to react. Should I smile? Or should I be sad? I didn't know. Mixed emotions were just too complicated to convey.

When the police finally left, we immediately headed to the location of the Enigma Club. Upon our arrival, we saw that the creatures were still imprisoned, while Dao looked bored sitting on the ground.

"Sorry," Alex apologized.

"So, what are we going to do with them?" Calli asked, looking at the cage full of creatures.

"Let's just kill them."

"Wait," Maica suddenly interjected in response to Justin's statement. We looked at Maica, whose eyes were squinted, and she appeared thoughtful while looking at the creatures. "They're innocent," Maica declared, surprising all of us.

"You can talk to them?" Calli asked.

"I'm not sure, but I understand them," Maica replied.

"Clairaudience," Alex suddenly said, making us look at him. "I understand them, too," he continued.

"Clair... what?" Wernie asked, puzzled.

"Clairaudience. An ability to hear things no ordinary ears can hear," Dao explained.

"So, this noise they're making now is somehow their form of language?" Calli pointed out, which Dao agreed with.

"They said they were forced to abduct the victims," Maica translated.

"The spider," Sky suddenly exclaimed.

"What spider?" Calli asked. I narrated to them what happened during our rescue mission, and they were all shocked to hear what happened to the victims. Especially the part where spider offspring emerged from their bellies. "That's cruel. I thought that only happened in movies?" Calli shivered.

"Listen!" Alex exclaimed, and the creatures immediately fell silent. They looked like children. "I'll let you go, but promise me you won't do what you did again," Alex said to them, and I wasn't sure if they understood him.

One of the goblins spoke in their language as if conversing with Alex.

"The spider is dead, so you have nothing to fear," Alex added, seemingly responding to what the goblin said to him.

"I'm going to document this," Calli stated, taking out her phone and recording Alex talking to the creatures.

"Are you sure about this, Alex?" Sky inquired.

"We are all victims here. Just like us, they were also forced," Alex explained. "But if any of you want them dead, count me out," he added. I looked at everyone, and it seemed that no one wanted to kill them.

Alex gestured, and the two cages opened simultaneously. The creatures slowly emerged from the cages one by one. One of the goblins spoke again, followed by sign language.

"You're welcome. Just never forget my warning. Because if I hear that you've victimized someone again, I'll come after you," Alex threatened. Alex made the same gesture, and they slowly walked back into the forest.

"What was that about?" Calli asked while imitating the goblin's sign language.

"It's their way of showing sincere gratitude and regret," Maica answered, looking at the creatures slowly being swallowed by the forest. I couldn't believe I just witnessed an alliance between humans and the fairy realm. If I were to say it's the most outstanding achievement in human history so far.

We quickly checked out and descended from the campsite when we realized our mission was over. Upon our arrival at the bottom, the Enigma club bid us farewell to go home. We watched the group leave until we also started to leave. While on our way, I noticed the changing aura of the two. It seemed like they were slowly accepting Tita's departure.

Speaking of Tita, I see her occasionally. Sometimes in the kitchen, sometimes in the living room. And every time we make eye contact, she smiles as if she's trying to convey that she will always be here for us.

A few minutes later, we entered the city proper. But instead of joy, fear gripped us when we saw a burning building. Judging by the thickness of the smoke, I knew it was a large fire.

******

**ALEX POV**

Fear and anxiety immediately engulfed me upon seeing the burning building. The fire was immense and fierce, judging by the thickness of the smoke. Suddenly, my cell phone rang. When I checked it, I saw Dao's caller ID.

"Yes?" I answered his call.

"We detected an energy shift at the burning building. I don't think this is just an ordinary fire," Dao informed, heightening my concern.

"We're on our way. Thanks for the info," I replied and ended the call. "Dao detected an energy shift in that building. The cause of the fire might be supernatural," I stated, a sentiment that Sky acknowledged.

Sky changed course and headed towards the burning building. When we arrived, we quickly disembarked to examine it closely. Firetrucks wailed their sirens, drowning the place in a cacophony of sounds along with the shouts and screams of the firefighters. I could hear cries while some gasped at the enormity of the fire.

The fire was on the tenth floor, making it challenging for the firefighters to extinguish it. Since it was high and far, their hoses and ladders didn't reach. The only way to put out the fire was from the inside. And it was my cue.

"Wait here," I ordered the three. I thought Sky would stop me, but he didn't. After all, I was the only one who could finish this. I discreetly entered the building and immediately headed for the stairs leading to the tenth floor. Upon reaching the door, I quickly grabbed the doorknob but withdrew my hand immediately due to its scalding heat.

So, I used my telekinesis to break the door. When I saw the interior, I could hardly recognize whether it was an office or hell itself. Flames were everywhere, and the sprinklers weren't working either. The only option left was the water hose.

But I caught on to something. A ball of flame was levitating and hovering around. It had no eyes or face, but I was sure it was responsible for this. I grabbed two metal bars and threw them at it. Unfortunately, they just passed through its body, and to my misfortune, it got its attention. It blew fire at me, but I quickly stopped it with my force field.

But I realized it had no intention of stopping. I delivered a shockwave that momentarily halted it. I seized the opportunity to launch two psi balls at it. However, I was dismayed when it suddenly consumed them, making the fire it emitted stronger.

"Great," I commented, dodging the fires it spewed. It had no mouth, yet it could breathe fire. It had no eyes, yet it could see me.

I engaged in a cat-and-mouse game with it for a few minutes until I noticed a water hose on the wall. I was about to rush towards it, but the creature showered it with fire. The hose melted, leaving only its metal parts.

"Come on!" I grunted. "Never mind."

Even though I knew the hose was already damaged, I continued with my plan. I wanted to try something right now, and I wanted this fireball to witness it first. I broke the water stopper, releasing high-pressure water. I wet myself first to get rid of the heat I had been feeling in my body.

Then, I began to feel the coldness of the water. I started to imagine its atomic composition and activity. I also sensed the water on my skin since our bodies were 60% water. After that, I slowly raised my hand, and droplets of water began to float, indicating that my new technique was working.

Hydrokinesis. The ability to manipulate water molecules and temperature. And this would be the end of this annoying fireball.

The creature spat fire again, seemingly annoyed at my presence. I deflected its attack by countering it with my telekinesis. It wasn't a force field but a pure and concentrated energy surge. When it stopped, I launched another attack. Using my newly acquired technique, I showered it with fist-sized water droplets. It tried to dodge them, but my attacks were too fast.

After growing bored of the same attack, I started to get serious. I extended both of my hands, causing the water to float. I felt like Moses. The water moved in a spiral motion, surrounding us. We were in the middle of a water tornado. I could feel the mist of water hitting my skin.

The fireball started to behave strangely, as if panicking. I didn't wait any longer and attacked. I clasped both of my hands, causing the water to wrap around the fire. In an instant, it disappeared, leaving only a water sphere. I unclasped my hands swiftly, and the water spread throughout the room.

The fire was immediately extinguished, leaving only damaged furniture and items. Then, to my surprise, a firefighter entered the room. He was shocked to see me but more astonished to find no fire in the room. He wondered how the entire room got wet and how I managed to extinguish the fires.

He was about to ask me, but I quickly left. He called after me, but I ignored him and continued descending the building. I regrouped with the three, who were surprised at my appearance. They were confused about why I was wet.

"Is it really fire you're up against or water?" Trisha joked, but I just smiled.

"Let's just go. I'm freezing," I said, and they favored my suggestion. Sky drove us home until we reached it. I instantly asked Sky to prepare some clothes and went straight to the bathroom. While showering, I couldn't help but play with the water. Maybe it's time to unlock more abilities. The more, the better. The more abilities I have, the easier it will be to eradicate these monsters.

*Speaking of them, I noticed something. If it's true that the sheet has been torn, why are these attacks only happening in our city? If you think about it, it should be happening worldwide. What could be the possible reason?*