The precinct was packed. It was the final debriefing before the raid began.

In all honesty, it was more a formality than anything. An opportunity to raise morale; for some this would be their first raid, for others this would be their last, and for the unprepared, this would be both.

Quinn exited her office onto a platform that was elevated just slightly above the rest of the precinct. To her left stood Varrick, the raid team leader, leaning against a pole. To her right sat Seph, the warden of the Underworld, spinning around in her chair, a gaming device glued to her hands.

Silence took over as everyone turned their heads toward Quinn.

Quinn took a deep breath in and began to speak. “By pure chance, each and everyone one of you here was given a gift, a mythos. However, it is by choice, that you all have chosen to use that gift for the sake of those less fortunate, even if it means putting yourselves at risk.

Let it be known, that to make such a decision freely, is a testament to the quality of character of everybody here. In being here, you command not only my respect, and my thanks, but the respect, and thanks of every citizen in Fable.

Now you know that this gift we have isn’t given fairly, but randomly. Some avatars believe themselves superior, simply because they possess such a gift. The Chimera family is made up of such avatars.

Today, they will come face-to-face with others who have that same gift. The difference between us and them is that our strength goes far beyond our mythoi; our true strength lies in our dedication to what is right, and willingness to work relentlessly to achieve a better future. When hard work clashes with entitlement there is no question of who shall win.

However, the Chimera family is not just villains. Given the nature of the Backwater Bridge district, many of its members happen to be avatars that have just awakened their mythos. At that moment right after awakening, the Chimera family leveraged numerous avatars’ confusion to grow their ranks.

Many, already suffered oppression at the hands of the Chimera family. Accepting an offer to not just escape oppression at the hands of the Chimera family, but also potentially escape the oppressed district itself, does not make these avatars evil. It simply makes them human.

Therefore, for this operation, we will be implementing these.”

Quinn held up a set of obsidian-colored handcuffs riddled with cracks that glowed red. “Seph, would you care to explain what these are?”

Quinn looked toward Seph to see her engrossed in her device. Seph’s headphones were preventing her from hearing what Quinn had to say.

Quinn gently pulled back the headphones, and repeated her request, this time whispering into Seph’s ears.

“Do I have to?” Seph questioned, annoyed.

“I would appreciate it,” Quinn replied, insisting Seph explain.

After a long drawn-out sigh, Seph rolled her eyes, sprang from her seat to her feet, and grabbed the handcuffs from Quinn. “Okay listen up everybody. That game couldn’t be saved, so to make up for my lost time I'm only gonna do this once.

These fancy dandy handcuffs are a creation of my mythos, Hades. You’re welcome.

Essentially, the cuffs mimic the power-dampening aspects of the Underworld on anybody wearing them. Eddi told me it’s because it’s designating them as souls yet to be ferried.

The actual useful information that you guys need to know is that you put these on an avatar, and their mythos gets way weaker. Be warned, the longer they’re away from the Underworld the more the effects start to dwindle.

If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.

After enough time, they’ll be completely useless, and they take a long time to make, so we only got one shot at this.”

Seph sat back down and looked at Quinn. “That's good?”

“You can go back to your game now,” Quinn whispered to Seph.

Seph put her headphones on, popped a stick of gum, and picked her device back up.

Quinn cleared her throat and resumed speaking. “I’m aware that none of you need to be reminded of why we are doing what it is we are doing. If your conviction was so easily forgotten, then you wouldn’t be here.

From what I’ve heard, Varrick put you all through hell in preparation for tonight, so I know some of you are eager to give it right back to the people we are facing. By all means, you have my permission to show the Chimera family the hell you were put through to take them down. Let them learn the overwhelming difference between you and them the hard way.

However, our main objective is not to defeat the Chimera family. As members of the FMPD, our primary goal has never been to defeat our enemies. First and foremost, we serve to save the people of Fable.

If any citizen is to die tonight, let it be after you.”

Quinn looked at Varrick and whispered to him. “Anything to add?”

Varrick grinned and stepped forward. “As Quinn said, we serve to protect the people, not take down the bad guys. If any innocent dies, it better be after you, or I’ll kill you myself.

With all that said, my advice? Don’t die.”

A brief bit of laughter overtook the silence of the precinct.

As everybody began to start moving to head out to the Backwater Bridge district, Quinn made eye contact with Herman in the crowd. The two exchanged a nod, signaling to Herman it was time to go.

Herman tapped both Lya and Saxon on the shoulders to get their attention. “It’s go time.”

The three took off to the nearest abandoned subway, the same place Saxon had taken Lya when they went to examine the crime scene left behind by Desmond Riley.

Charon was there waiting. As the three entered the jet-black limousine, the Anagrams, Lou Taw, Ada Prox, and Tay Phi, were already there waiting for them.

“What’s up,” Lou said, as Saxon, Herman, and Lya entered the car.

Saxon looked up. “Currently the roof, though it may come off, I’m not sure.”

“A convertible limousine, is that a thing?” Lou asked.

“I have no idea,” Saxon admitted, “but it would be pretty cool.”

“Definitely,” Lou agreed.

Tay and Herman both sighed at Lou and Saxon’s antics, and both spoke in unison. “It’s gonna be a long day.” The two looked at each other, empathizing in an instant over having to deal with a certain type of personality.

Tay reached out a hand toward Herman. “Lieutenant Herman, I heard you’ll be leading this team.”

Herman accepted the handshake. “I will. I’ll do my best to keep those two on a tight leash.”

“Maybe we should get them matching muzzles while we’re at it,” Tay suggested, jokingly.

“Not a bad idea,” Herman admitted.

Lya sat opposite Ada. The two exchanged a fist bump.

“Did you train today?” Lya asked Ada, sarcastically.

“Yeah, this morning,” Ada responded matter-of-factly.

“Oh,” Lya said, surprised, “that’s good.”

“I didn’t actually work out today,” Ada clarified.

“Okay good,” Lya replied, relieved.

Ada chuckled. “Good to see you again Lya.”

“You too,” Lya said.

“Are you all ready?” Herman asked.

Everybody in the limousine looked at each other and nodded.

“Alright then,” Herman said. “Charon, take us where we need to be.”

As the gloved hand of Charon gave a thumbs up, and with a flash of purple flames, the infiltration team consisting of Herman, Saxon, Lya, Tay, Lou, and Ada set out to infiltrate the Chimera family base of operation to capture the head of the Chimera family, Draumur Chimera.