The Watch Headquarters architecture was so oppressive according to Lyla's taste. On their front, stood a looming giant Auburn Staff. but instead of a vertical one, it was the horizontal pentagon type-ish, so the Auburn just looks like an ordinary sharp wall from afar. The building itself stood on the background of the wall, full of pointy things, in Lyla's mind's eye. What unusual alien magic is that. She shuddered.
If Greg and Jack look intimidated when going into the library earlier, now they are both strolling casually as if it was walking around the park. It is fitting, they both have very close relations with several personnel of the Watch, and often come to this place.
But for Lyla, the place was so foreign that it made her nervous. She cannot help it, while taking into account that on the very same day Greg stole a wallet from a murderer— her potential murderer that likely was in the very same building they headed to.
From their left, she could see some kind of post, likely for checking every visitor that went into the Headquarters and the Watch on duty just glanced at their group and gave a small nod. then to their right, a very large field with military training equipment and several parked vehicles. In the reception room, Jaris, Greg and Jack are greeted by a pair on duty. They exchange a few small talks, Greg and Jack also introduce Lyla to every Watch member they know.
After more talking and greetings, they went into the halls but before they could ask anything, they found iron partitions between halls that were heavily guarded more than the reception room. Jaris asked them to standby, so the trio waited. Jaris relaying to the standing guards about something. they can’t hear anything despite the close proximity between them, possibly some enchantment or Skills effect.
Passing the choke point and the ever watching guards, Greg started opening his mouth to ask Jaris a question, Jaris beat them with his own.
“So, what is the result from the library?”
Greg startled and Lyla flinched. The hall was so quiet that Jaris’s voice booming like thunder. but strangely, their stepping boots are not making any noise. even Jaris light armor was not clinking any more.
“Adequate.” Greg said after recovering from his starle and immedietly covering his ears. Shocked by how unexpectedly loud his voice was.
Man this hall was creepy. Jack thought, stepping away while watching everything in the hall with an evil eye.
Then there was *pop* sound on their ears.
“This hall is part of the Watch defensive structures. So, yeah, that is why I am talking first to make you guys aware. This thing is awesome right? The three of you might get serious mental problems or worse, heart attack if not aware of the mechanism, and I suppress it using a Skill of mine. The code for this hall was: Silence hall, one of the various copies of technology from The Tower.
“I’m sure I will straight pass out if you don’t use your Skill there. Nice mechanism by the way.” Greg approved the creativity of The Tower mechanism.
“Sure, sure. but back to your answer earlier, adequate? Come on guys, Symara library is known around the world because of its best consultations service, because the services given were always putting forward the best quality. Even, you know,
“Yeah, that's what I said, because it's adequate. Right, Lyla?”
“Unfortunately it is based on our still fresh memory
“Tell me more. but later after we reach our destination.” Jaris said, gear in his head began working, likely overloaded. For Symara’s folk, the library is part of their main pride, so much as to make them touchy.
So if visitors from afar complained about the quality of consultation to anyone in the city, the problem would be fixed in no time. no matter how gruesomely slow the bureaucracy is.
But if they make it up, then good if they are already outside of the Isles, or be prepared to get the wrath of the people. because the news will spread like a firebolt on the field of dry grass.
“Okay, but why are we here then? Jaris, please be honest with me, man. Are we in trouble? you said it was the last procedure or something, right?” Greg finally voiced his worries after they passed another iron partition with a more heavily guarded post than the former. which is really concerning.
“No, you’re not in trouble, …well not entirely. I will tell you later, I promised. we are already close to our destination.” Jaris hesitated, then perhaps to charm his guests, he ‘winked’ at them. Which is terrifyingly not charming.
After that, Jaris started to pace, perhaps knowing their patience was wearing thin. Until he abruptly stopped in front of a plain looking door—just like any other door in these buildings. Lyla wondered why the Watch aesthetic was so …plain. Then Jaris knocks on the door, they hear a step from the inside.
What the trio expected was an interrogation room, or perhaps an individual cell, instead they saw a glimpse of a cozy looking room behind a woman who opened the door from the inside. Probably the first room that has multiple colors. It makes Lyla's sore eyes a bit better.
Thanks Godmother, I hate this place, Lyla muttered
They were greeted by a Watchwomen, later they knew her name was Olav, Greg guessed she was a high member on the Watch—by the gestures Jaris made— “Olav” with a nod she introduced her name curtly. Not the chatty type huh. Greg wondered why in between the hall and the spacious room there were just the five of them. Where are the others? Clearly this is the innermost of the Headquarters. Of course there should be a lot of people passing by. Suspicious.
They were invited by Olav to sit on the very comfy looking sofas and chatted lightly with her, well not exactly chatting, but her shirt and curt reply must count right? And Greg guesses earlier apparently hit the bull’s eye, turn’s out she was part of an elite squad from the Watch. The squad mixed between swordsman or swordswoman in Olav case and a battle mage. They’re not the best of the best, but they still have outstanding reputations on the Nine Crown Isles. In fact Jack and Greg knew their works from the disaster when they still reside on Calsmonport.
After Olav decided that her quota of pleasantries was over for the day, she abruptly closed her eyes and …that’s it. Poor Jaris struggled to improve the awkward situations. If Lyla is in a little bit better state right now, Jack and folk worth their salt knew she or her kind, other ‘the city girl’ definitely would speak up a piece of her mind: like how Olav was rude no matter who Olav is.
Giving up, Jaris on point just asked them the reasons why they said their consultations were adequate, and his conclusion at first was they got the ever grumpy Esam as their consultant. Esam was one of the consultants infamous for his …unstable mood, but he was loved by the more rough and shady folks, because he always had awesome remarks they appreciated. But still, Jaris is puzzled. Because despite Esam outburst, he is still one of the top consultants the library has. There is something more to this. Jaris Skills: [Watch: Exceptional Instincts] and [Watch: Intuition] and a couple of Skills from his former Class were tingling.
Greg and Jack look at Lyla, suggesting she tell Jaris what happened in the library. She expertly recounts why it’s adequate. Hesitatingly at first, then picking up speed when she is sure the series of stories is acceptable according to her taste. But not crossing any line, she makes sure not to overdo the Aszphera’s part, because Jaris and Olav sure can tell if she made something up. After she’s done, on the contrary of Jaris, Olav all of a sudden stood up and walked with brisk pace on to the door and without saying anything she’s out.
“Well, that's unpredictable,” Jack commented. Lyla just nodded along, and Greg raised his eyebrow at jaris.
“Can’t help it guys, she’s a new prodigy from our most elite squad. The rumor said she’s as sharp as her Adamantium sword, but her social skill was as blunt as its sheath.” Jaris raises his hands in surrender.
“By the way, the reason she is here was part of why you guys are here. Because …someone asked me to personally escort you, and Olav's job was as her personal guard, that’s why she is standby in this room. I know she doesn’t like being followed around. Besides, she’s awakened. So she was, you know …more dangerous from Olav. Alas, Olav takes her job very seriously. Oh and my other part was to make sure you guys are comfortable with our plain courtesy. Don’t tell her I said that, please.” He said, the last part while pointedly seeing Lyla. Somehow more distracted by his duty rather than to put more thought into the consultant's problems.
That makes Lyla a little uncomfortable somehow. But Greg and Jack traded a glance and they have one same conclusion. She must be an executive of the Watch, or higher. One of the chairman perhaps. But, why? unless—
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
His speculation was stopped when he heard a knock from the door. Jaris tensed, anticipating the woman they were gossiping about entering the room. However they see Elice, peeking her head.
“Why so tense Jaris?” Elice teased him; she was Jaris’ childhood friend who encouraged him to join the Watch.
“I thought you were her, I mean Myra for a second. That’s why I tense you oaf.” Jaris grumbled, that made her laugh. In short, they got to know each other while she kept teasing Jaris constantly. But not long after that there is another knock, and it makes Jaris and Elice tense. They thought the person knocking on the door was Myra, but it turned out to be just Elice's assistant.
“Hah. You guys see it right? Both of us tense like a pair of dumb sprig,” Jaris stated ridiculously.
“No, I'm not.” Elice lied futilely, but that made all of the tension in the room bleed out.
Elice has a cheery personality, she and Lyla become close really fast. Her cheery and vocal characters match perfectly well with Lyla's personality. Also Elice's voice and short stature always made her lovable despite her specialist as one of the best Watch in hand-to-hand combat. And she chose to become the head of administration instead. Always rejecting the recruiting from elite squads. Jaris emphasizes.
“Wha …Short? Short? I’m average, you shred faced oaf.” Elice argued, but her friendly insult made Jack and Lyla flinch. Because she meant Jaris 'conditions. Contrary to getting angry, instead they threw insults at each other, one of them made Greg and Jack guffawed, “Greg, you know that Godmother only lets things grow until they’re perfect, right? But unfortunately one of them didn’t take as long as the others. Oh hey Elice, fancy seeing you down there.” Jaris said solemnly while looking down on Elice.
They began bickering, not wanting the other one to win. Greg and Jack, smelling some potential entertainment start fueling the war with guerrillas tactic, they each sided with one group. Perhaps not wanting to be left alone, Lyla chose to officially promote Elice as the leader of their group, and on the other side was Jack and Jaris, with Jack as the leader. And Greg settled as a referee. The first game Greg selected was what he called the wall of doom. The game rules were simple. The two participants sit facing each other until their knees touch each other, then the referee will place a barrier in front of each participant's body. When the countdown time is up, the barrier will be lifted and participants will show each other their silliest expressions. The first one to laugh is the loser.
As the place was set up and done, they began deciding the first participants. Greg felt the mana around Jaris and Elice move in rhythmical patterns, probably using their Skills. The first round was Elice Vs Jack. Strategic move. Greg approved. Then he began counting down, after the count was up he lifted the barrier. Alas, happy moments are always short-lived. There was a swift open door noise and they all froze, watching the intruders amidst the silly expression Elice and Jack made, also Greg and Jaris suppressed laughter.
On the entrance stood two figures, one was Olav who opened the door and the other one was a middle aged lady, a very not ordinary looking lady. Her eyes were sharp, her hair was jet black, her posture oozing confidence and despite standing still, she had dangerous vibes. It made Jack and Lyla primal instinct screams, forcing them to acknowledge her as a predator as the hunteress. That they were both just a mere game, the bottom of the food chain, that they—
“Lovely atmosphere here, I’m so sorry we are interrupting you guys. Please give us a minute. Olav, how much do I have to debrief you as to be polite around our guests? What part of the instructions do you not understand? We’re not in the middle of a war! For Hinsee sake.” The lady said politely to them and dragged her to the side while scolding her still stiff personal guard, looking so frustrated. Despite her soft, elegant and meek pose, she still feels and acts like a huntress to them.
“Apologize, Chairwoman Myra, for sure.” Olav's voice booming with her usual flat intonation could be heard, and probably didn’t mean what she said, still.
After the lady finished scolding her personal guard, she approached them and requested Jaris to arrange and prepare the meeting, perhaps because her plan was ruined. Jaris starts doing that but Elice helps him and Olive is fined, so she is currently standing on the corner. Greg, Lyla and Jack sat in front of Myra while Elice and Jaris stood on their side.
“Again, I’m so sorry to ruin your game. My initial intention was to subtly and slowly integrate myself with the ambiance of the room. Before we began the serious talk, that's the reason why I appointed Jaris instead. So this exact situation could be avoided. But thanks to a certain someone, that plan was just that, a plan. Enough grumbling, pleased to finally meet you all, my name is Myrlvanumm W’Joise. So mouthful isn’t it? So I would be happy if you all called me by my primary name, Myra. Nice seeing you all in person, Mr. Gregory White, Mr. Jacksonn Merr. and Miss Lylsheraza W’Zar.” Myra said their names one by one while still maintaining eye contact with them.
“The first issue I want to talk about was about the awakened assailant in our custody, Miss Lyla, is it okay if I called you by your primary name?” Lyla noded
“Do you want to know the assailant's name?” Her nod is more hesitant. After waiting another beat, expecting Lyla to change her mind.
“Okay. But before I forget, yes, yes, I see that you are upset Jaris, Elice. I don’t follow the procedures. Yes, I understand I’m Sorry. It's because I haven’t done this in a …huh quite a while actually. Around the Madness period, that’s basically …huh. Well, let me repeat then, before we continue we need the victim’s consent to discuss these issues, specifically in front of all the people in these rooms. If you do not want that, then simply raise your hand. Do you understand? Good. Now, Miss Lyla, do you agree on sharing the name and issues of your assailant to all people present in this room?” Lyla gave her a firm signal.
“Thank you. With the procedures done, now we could exchange the information more freely. Now, the assailant's code name was Mr. Blue, he's a rogue awakened and the likely suspect from another dozen cases around the Isles. Place of origin unknown, birthday unknown, power unknown and the last seen and reported was around the early 194th year in Calsmonport.” Greg and Jack realized that in that same year Calsmonport was experiencing a terrible upheaval.
“It is now the 196th year. That means a year after Mr. Blue's last seen was when Greg and Jack moved to Symara.” Lyla murmured, and her eyes opened wide registering what that meant. Before she checked her friends' reactions her body became so heavy that it made her dazed and not long after that she passed out, not knowing why.
In the room, the atmosphere was so thick it made it difficult for Elice to breathe, as if she was in the depth of the ocean. Greg and Jack's eyes look cold, their bodies indicating suppressed desire to kill, to do whatever they want out of hatred. Gone Greg's usual bright persona, gone all Jack’s goofy face, all that changed into bloodlust, so deep that it reeked of promised unimaginable pain. That made even Jaris and Elice take a step back, away from the two. Never in their entire duty as the Watch, they ever see so much killing intent that it makes their guts cry out to take cover, to cower. But they just barely hold the urge if not because of their Class and Skills.
Olav's adamantium sword was already out of its sheath because of her instinct telling the two as a dangerous threat, especially the awakened one. So she pointed the sword tip at the two of them as a warning, while she was already standing guard next to Myra. But Myra's reaction was the opposite from the others. Instead she looked at the two and was in pain. The reason why was because she had experienced the same tragedy as them, and she despaired that it was afflicting them. She knew their feelings really well, it was her oldest friends that she hoped could be sewn shut and she knew it will never healed.
Watching their hatred was like watching a mirror of herself, it opened up her deepest rotting wound and regret. She regretted not being in there preventing the tragedy while in her current position as the Head of the Watch. She was disappointed in herself because of that, no! She hated herself for that, and she considered it as her debt and sin. Her goal climbing the Watch was to prevent this exact kind of tragedy, and she failed at that. She cursed her foolish old self at that time, she also cursed her present self. As Myra guilt gnawed at her, Greg finally talked.
“So …it's him.” That was all he said before he let loose the mark force. He doesn’t want to hold it anymore. He doesn’t care about what might happen, be damned the Watch, damned the world. Greg began touching the root of his marks. And soon the marks respond.
From his forehead the second mark expanded until touching the other mark on his left cheek. It began writing Greg’s most naked desires by creating structured spells. Replying to his call, it obliges by bending the reality itself, opposing the will of the world and seizing it for Greg to be used, to be leashed as he pleases. And Greg chose to do that.
[Interval]
Then Greg could see infinite threads that connected one another while it was continuously moving on so many levels that it looked like the world itself wearing a more gigantic transparent fabric. The fabric softly flowed as if time was just a normal gust of wind. The thread pattern was so overwhelming to him that it made him falter. Fortunately his focus was pulled back by the mark, one of their safety mechanisms so as to not lose in the trance. Greg suddenly understood the nature of it. Also to do something. That was Greg's mortal-rational thought to the mechanism.
His mind calmed a bit, he began looking around while still sitting—that was all he could do in this state. Seeing Jaris and Elice's shocked face, Olav with her adamantium swords, probably mythical grade, because the thread sometimes touches the sharp sides and the blade cutting it, although after that the thread starts pulling each other in and becomes whole again. Next he turned on the looking pained and guilty Myra. She is just as still as a statue like everybody else. Even Jack.
It’s time. After several of the threads ‘talked’ to him, informing where his target was, he started to gently pull and grasp some of the thread that was touching his target. After he was sure the target was being wrapped, Greg used his intent and the other hand to make a pattern, creating a passage for his target. It seemed so instincive and natural, doing all these foreign activities.
Greg stopped, feeling someone watching him. He even could sense it, like physical matters. Strange, is there someone in this realm? I better hurry. He had already strained his abilities on this first try, so he hoped whoever it was, didn't mean to disturb him.
Finally he pulled the man out of the gaping realm and started grabbing him by the neck, hard. Then the spell wears out, Greg begins coming back but while still in between, the person from the strange realm grip his arm and whispers: Beware of the thread, it's ...not ...yours.
All colors and air back in a flash to being physical. Greg, still sitting, inhaled deeply, filling in the lost air on his lungs, while still choking the wide eyed Mr. Blue.
“Hello, Mr. Blue. Remember me?” Greg whispered right in front of his face. And driven by his emotional desires, Greg instinctively channeled all his hatred and killing intent, then slammed it on the man. His eyes started to roll up, and what Mr. Blue saw before all became black was a man with a vengeance.