Deviant: No Longer Human

"The Ghosts are under the leadership of a Guardian, an mystery within our ranks," Luna began, her voice steady. "No one has ever seen or met this Guardian. It's all very secretive."

Wang Xiao's interest piqued. The mention of a Guardian playing a covert role stirred a whirlwind of questions in his mind. Why would a Guardian operate in such secrecy?

Luna continued, detailing the composition of the Ghosts. "The team consists mostly of defectors, deviants who turned their backs on the Legion. One day, we received mysterious invitations, anonymous letters asking if we wished to join the Ghosts."

She leaned in closer, her voice dropping to a whisper. "Once they accepted, all their problems vanished. They were promised freedom, no coercion, no obligations."

Wang Xiao's brow furrowed as he processed this.

The sudden erasure of information about these individuals indicated the influence of someone powerful, presumably a Guardian working behind the scenes.

"The missions," Luna added, "are distributed to each member through letters that self-destruct after being read. Every Ghost receives the same letter. There's no room for refusal or communication. Anyone can undertake the mission."

She paused, a hint of excitement in her eyes. "Upon successful completion, we're rewarded. The rewards are always undisclosed beforehand but are always worth the pursuit."

Taking a deep, contemplative breath, Wang Xiao broke the silence. "So, what is your ultimate goal?"

Luna momentarily froze, the weight of his question hanging between them. Then, as if a mask had slipped, her face softened into an mysterious smile. "Nothing," she replied, her voice a melody of mystery.

"Nothing?" Wang Xiao's voice was laced with skepticism.

Luna nodded, her eyes reflecting a depth of unspoken thoughts. "We don't have set goals, not really. The missions, I believe, are a means to channel the energies of the defectors... A way to keep them under control. They're used as pawns to ensure the world's balance of power remains intact, preventing these misguided souls from self-destructing."

Intrigued, Wang Xiao leaned forward. "Like what?"

Luna's eyes darkened with the memory. "The last target was a general, walking on the brink of igniting a global war."

Wang Xiao's eyes narrowed, a shadow of realization flickering across his face. "And what of those who refused to join the Ghosts? Those who defied the legion?"

Surprise flickered across Luna's features. "You don't know?" she asked, a sly smile curling her lips.

"I am not a deviant. How would I know the inner workings of your kind?" he countered, a trace of annoyance in his tone.

Luna studied him silently, her gaze intense and probing. Abruptly, her expression shifted. "You're lying..." she accused, suddenly pushing him down.

Her eyes, fierce and unyielding, bore into his. "I can tell by your eyes... They're as hollow as ours," she whispered, her fingers hovering dangerously close to his face, as if ready to reveal the truth hidden within.

"Hollow?" Wang Xiao questioned, his voice a calm counterpoint to her intensity.

"Yes, hollow," Luna affirmed, her voice softening. "You exhibit no fear, no nervousness. It's absent. In fact, you're just like me..." Her voice trailed off as she scrutinized him, a dawning realization reflected in her eyes as she peered into the depths of Wang Xiao's gaze.

Wang Xiao regarded her with a steady gaze. "You just can't see it, but I am as scared of dying as anyone else."

Luna fell silent, then broke into a chuckle, disbelief evident in her tone. "I highly doubt that."

"By the way," she continued, her demeanor shifting, "as for those who defected... they faced the legion's rule: hunt and kill." Her eyes glinted wickedly as she spoke the harsh reality.

Wang Xiao, probing further, asked, "And what about height? Do all Deviants look like children?"

"Do I look like a child to you?" Luna responded, a flash of anger in her eyes.

Wang Xiao retorted, "Your actions are childlike."

Luna fell silent, then unexpectedly chuckled. "You might be right. We don't really interact with humans... Our social skills are as they were when we first joined..." Her voice trailed off, and she suddenly turned pale, as if struck by a disturbing thought.

Wang Xiao narrowed his eyes, pondering. Was this what Li Zhiming was referring to?

The mysterious and unspoken 'tunnel to heaven' among Deviants?

Regaining her composure, Luna continued as if the previous lapse had never happened. "We don't have a uniform height issue. Some Deviants are short, but others aren't. We're not the same... Each one is different. Some grow...

Some remain the same size their entire lives. Some age... Some don't age at all... Some age slowly... Others age rapidly... We are all different!"

Wang Xiao pondered silently, 'Is entering this so-called tunnel the only way to solve this mystery?' His thoughts were abruptly interrupted by Luna's proposition.

"Do you want to become a ghost as well?" she asked, her face inches from his, her breath mingling with his, her hair cascading over his face.

He inhaled, taking in her scent. "Why would I? I am not even a Deviant," he replied, maintaining his composure.

Luna leaned in closer, her fascination with him growing. "It doesn't matter. No one would be able to tell the difference. You're more of a deviant than any of us..." She marveled at his ability to remain calm in the face of potential death.

'Doesn't he fear an attack from me?' she wondered.

Wang Xiao raised an eyebrow as Luna continued, "No one would ever hunt you... Your name would vanish from history... Off the wanted lists... You would become a ghost... Free to do whatever you want... What do you say?"

Wang Xiao, seizing the opportunity to gather more information, asked, "But you said you have no contact with the leader. How would I join?"

Luna's face broke into a secretive smile. "It's a secret... I can't reveal anything unless you join us... Or I would..."

"Or you would what?" Wang Xiao pressed, his curiosity piqued.

"D-I-E," Luna stated bluntly, her expression unchanging. She watched him closely, trying to gauge his reaction, to see if the possibility of such danger would elicit any fear or concern.