The sleek, modern lines of the board meeting room contrasted sharply with the age and gravitas of the individuals who began to filter into the large, high-tech chamber on the HQ's top floor.

The room had been designed to accommodate the powerful presences of the world's most formidable Awakeners and was a masterpiece of engineering and magical reinforcement. Marcus thought it a pity that it wasn't used more often, but considering that only half of the people who had a right to sit at the meetings usually showed up, it made sense that the more informal one adjacent to the Director's office was used instead.

Large windows offered a panoramic view of New York City's skyline, while the interior boasted a long oval table made of a material that shimmered subtly, reacting to the ambient magical energies. In case of emergency, it served as a war room, with real-time visualization capabilities for the entirety of the city.

Marcus stood at the head of the table, his gaze sweeping over those assembling for the meeting. His stature alone commanded respect, but to the people present, it was the depth of experience and the battles he had weathered that truly set him apart.

They all knew better than to fall for the pleasant smile that usually lit up his expression, having witnessed the sheer destruction he could unleash when he let go.

As the newer board members took their seats, whispers of surprise and curiosity circulated through the room. It wasn't just the current leaders of the AA who were arriving; the older generation of Awakeners, those who had laid the foundations of the Association and retired to the background, were making their unexpected presence known.

"Marcus, dear. I see you called the cavalry, huh?" Joanna Bisque asked rhetorically. She was one of the few active high-rankers Marcus trusted implicitly and had been informed that something big would happen. However, the reason for the meeting was still a mystery to her.

"I don't enjoy playing this kind of game, my dear, but sometimes it is inevitable," Marcus responded, nodding in greeting as another of his old friends trickled in. "We need all the help we can get today."

To the newer members, the arrival of each venerable Awakener was like turning the pages of the AA's history, with each figure representing monumental moments and decisions that had shaped the world post-Apocalypse. Their names were legends, spoken with reverence and a touch of awe, and their decision to step out of retirement for this meeting spoke volumes of its importance.

Bertrand Mosey, who was the first B-rank Awakener in human history. Beatrice Heston-Roguery, who had personally led the special forces to retake the Upper East Side. Jerome Adekunle, who had been the one to end the Garden Warlord’s ambitions before they could take off. The aristocracy of New York was coming out in force.

The atmosphere tensed noticeably when Alfred Meyer, the Regional Director of the New York AA, entered the room. His confident stride faltered for a moment under the weight of so many scrutinizing gazes, especially those of the old guard. Meyer, known for his tactical acumen and control over the region, found himself momentarily adrift, unprepared for the assembly of power before him.

Marcus smiled privately to himself. It was one small pleasure, but he allowed himself to savor the moment of incomprehension and confusion crossing the usually perfect Director.

You weren't expecting me to allow this travesty to continue eternally, were you? I suppose that success breeds arrogance. It's good that I didn't wait longer, or he would have been right in believing himself safe.

The room's air was thick with anticipation, and the undercurrents of powerful energies were only held in check by the discipline of their wielders.

Having gathered his wits, the Director stood, his voice resonating through the room, clear and authoritative. "Thank you all for coming. I understand the surprise and, for some, the inconvenience of this sudden call. However, the matter at hand was apparently urgent enough that several of the most senior board members signed the request."

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Before he could continue, a stir at the entrance drew everyone's attention. Into the room walked an older woman whose perfectly coiffed white-blond hair, pearl necklace and earrings, dark shades, and white leopard fur identified as Madam Helper. Her presence alone silenced any murmurs. As the most powerful Awakener in the state, an S-ranker whose exploits were legendary, her return from Kashmir and presence at this meeting underscored the seriousness of the situation. Her unannounced and unexpected arrival instantaneously shifted the room's dynamics, lending an air of inevitability to the proceedings.

Alfred Meyer, momentarily caught off guard by her entrance, stood up after a brief hesitation, attempting to greet her. His movement, however, was met with a cold snub from Madam Helper, who instead made her way directly to the seat next to Marcus, acknowledging him with a nod that conveyed volumes. The room watched this interaction with bated breath, the tension palpable as alliances and standpoints seemed to realign with her mere presence.

Marcus called for the meeting to begin, not giving his opponents time to recalibrate. The secretary of the board, a middle-aged woman of notable efficiency, quickly went through the procedural statements, setting the stage for the day's business.

"I have called this assembly," Marcus began, his voice steady and commanding, "to address a matter of grave concern - a matter that strikes at the heart of what the Awakeners' Association stands for."

The Regional Director, still standing, gave him a wary look. "And what matter would that be, Marcus? You've certainly piqued our curiosity."

Marcus's gaze swept across the room, meeting the eyes of allies and adversaries alike. "The matter, Alfred, is the leadership of this Association under your direction. It is my belief, and one shared by many in this room, that it has strayed far from its intended path."

A murmur of shock and whispers rippled through the newer board members as they processed Marcus's words. The older generation remained impassive, their expressions giving nothing away, though the mere fact of their presence spoke volumes.

"It is with a heavy heart, but it cannot be delayed any longer," Marcus continued, the room hanging on his every word, “that I call for a vote of no confidence in our current Regional Director, Alfred Meyer."

The statement sent the room into chaos. Board members began to speak all at once, some in outrage, others in support. Alfred Meyer's face turned a shade paler as he realized the magnitude of what was happening. The carefully maintained balance of power he had orchestrated was unraveling before his eyes.

Before he could mount a response, the room was abruptly silenced. Madam Helper raised a hand, and everyone immediately quieted down, not daring to go against the woman. She did not need to waste mana to get their attention; her mere reputation was enough to command absolute respect.

"It's time for a change," she stated, her words bearing undeniable weight. "The Association needs leadership that remembers our purpose and duty to the people we swore to protect."

The atmosphere, already charged with tension and anticipation, seemed to crystallize around Madam Helper's words. Her unequivocal and resolute statement left no room for doubt about where she stood on the matter. Her reputation and power added a gravitas to the proceedings that no one could ignore.

In the following moments, Director Meyer’s longstanding allies on the board attempted to rally a defense. They cited the wrong timing, the Director's past achievements, and the potential instability their actions might provoke. However, their objections were met with a lackluster response. No one but the staunchest supporters dared speak in favor of the man Madam Helper had verbally condemned.

Sensing the shift in the room's dynamics, the newer members began to reconsider their positions. Tentative support for Marcus's motion started to emerge, swaying the balance further away from the Director.

When the vote was finally called, the result was a foregone conclusion. The Director was ousted, the tally reflecting a clear majority that favored a new direction for the New York AA. The room, still reeling from the rapid developments, fell into a stunned silence as the gravity of their decision settled in.

Director Meyer, in a last attempt to salvage his dignity and perhaps sway some sympathy, turned to Marcus. “Now that you got what you wanted, Marcus, will you take the reins?" His question, laced with a mix of accusation and resignation, suggested he saw this as a personal power grab.

To the surprise of not just the Director but many in the room, Marcus shook his head. "No, Alfred. This was never about personal power." His gaze then shifted to the woman he had identified as the right candidate. She was an A-rank Awakener known for her integrity, leadership, and, more importantly, her vision aligned with the Association's founding principles. "I nominate Joanna Bisque to lead us forward."

Joanna, taken aback by the nomination, hesitated only momentarily. The weight of the responsibility was apparent in her expression, but so was her resolve. After a brief pause, she stood up, "Thank you for your confidence in me, old friend. If the board wants me, I'll serve to the best of my abilities. There is much work to do to take the AA back to what it should be, but that has never stopped me before."

The vote was called, and Joanna won decisively. Though still reeling from the changes imposed upon them, the room seemed united in the hope of a new beginning under her leadership, if only momentarily. The old guard at least seemed satisfied.

As Joanna took her place at the head of the table, assuming the mantle of leadership, Alfred Meyer posed one final question, his voice tinged with a mix of defiance and genuine concern. "Do you all truly understand the consequences of what you've done today?"

Marcus's response was calm but carried an undercurrent of iron resolve. "Yes, Alfred, we do. And by the time we conclude here, almost every regional AA will have seen similar changes in leadership."

Looking at everyone's stunned faces, even those of his allies, Marcus allowed himself a grin.

Yeah, I still have it.