Dante felt the tension drain from his body as Alaric’s team finally returned to the shelter under the cover of night. The moment he saw them, exhaustion etched into their faces but mostly unharmed, a wave of relief washed over him. They had made it back—intact, and with only minor injuries, from what he could see. It was a small victory, but in times like these, even small victories felt monumental.
Alaric, ever the leader, wasted no time. "Go get some rest or have your injuries checked," he ordered the team, his voice steady despite the clear fatigue in his eyes. His gaze swept over the group, ensuring that his orders were followed before he turned on his heel and made his way toward his office. “Dante, I want you at the mission debrief,” he added over his shoulder, not breaking stride.
Dante fell in step behind Alaric, the weight of the day beginning to press down on him, but he forced himself to remain composed. As they passed the infirmary’s door, he saw Lydia catch sight of them, her sharp eyes immediately honing in on the blood-stained bandage wrapped around Alaric’s arm. Without missing a beat, she followed, her steps quick and determined.
“Alaric, you need to get that checked,” Lydia insisted, her voice firm, though there was an underlying edge of concern that Dante didn’t miss.
“It’s minor, Lydia,” Alaric replied, his tone leaving little room for argument. “I’ll have it looked at after the debrief.”
Dante could see the internal struggle on Lydia’s face, the way she bit back the urge to argue further. She respected Alaric’s decision, recognizing the urgency of the debrief, but her worry was palpable. Still, she continued to follow them, as if silently vowing to drag Alaric to the infirmary the moment he finished. Alaric noticed her persistence, but he didn’t say anything more, only giving her a brief nod as they entered the office.
Inside, the atmosphere was tense but focused. The group gathered around, the weight of the mission hanging over them. Dante could feel the fatigue in his own muscles, the long day catching up to him, but he pushed it aside. This debrief was crucial—Alaric wouldn’t have called them here otherwise. They needed to dissect what had happened, to understand the trap they had narrowly escaped, and to prepare for whatever came next.
Alaric settled into his chair, his expression unreadable as he looked around at the assembled team. Lydia stood just inside the door, arms crossed, clearly ready to pounce the moment the debrief concluded. Dante couldn’t help but admire her dedication, even if it bordered on overbearing at times. Alaric’s injuries might be minor, but in Lydia’s world, no wound was too small to ignore.
“Let’s begin,” Alaric said, his voice cutting through the silence, bringing everyone’s attention back to the task at hand.
Dante stood quietly, his thoughts a whirl as Alaric began the debrief. The room was heavy with the tension of what they had just survived. Alaric’s voice was calm but carried a weight of authority that silenced any murmurs. He confirmed the news they had all dreaded—there were casualties, lives lost in the chaos of the ambush. But, he added, the majority of their group from this shelter had made it back alive, a small solace in the midst of their grief.
“There was a commotion that aided our retreat,” Alaric continued, his gaze sweeping the room, taking in each person’s reaction. “One of their leaders turned back earlier than expected, which allowed us to regroup and escape with fewer losses.”
Dante’s mind immediately went to Vayne, the memory of Estelle getting hurt while protecting him still fresh and painful. He clenched his fists, trying to shake off the image of her falling to the ground. Vayne had been a formidable opponent, a twisted smile on his face as he toyed with them. But then, something strange had happened—Vayne had stopped attacking after Estelle slashed him, screaming about some “old man” before retreating with his forces. The whole scene had been confusing, but it had given Dante the precious time he needed to tend to Estelle and get her back to safety.
His thoughts were interrupted when a member of the group brought up Lily. Dante’s heart sank as he sensed where the conversation was headed. “We know this was a trap,” the member said, his voice laced with suspicion. “Our target wasn’t even in the transport. And we’re supposed to believe that’s just a coincidence?”
The room buzzed with murmurs, the talk of a mole rising quickly, dividing the group. Some accused Lily outright, while others defended her, stating that she was in no condition to betray anyone, especially given her current state. The debate grew heated, with someone suggesting they should see what was beneath Lily’s mask, fueling the argument further.
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“Enough!” Lydia’s voice cut through the noise, sharp and unwavering. “Lily is my patient now, and no one is touching her until she’s recovered. This isn’t up for debate.”
The group fell silent for a moment, but the murmurs didn’t die down completely. “But the mask,” someone insisted, “it’s not for healing. It’s to hide her face and voice.”
“What’s beneath it? And why did she leave the shelter briefly before the mission”
Dante noticed Iris stiffening beside him, anger flashing in her eyes. She had taken care to keep the true purpose of the mask quiet, instructing the person who made it to maintain discretion. Yet, here it was, being thrown back into the open. He could see the tension in her posture, the way her hands curled into fists, ready to defend Lily if needed.
The situation was spiraling, and Dante could feel the pressure building. But before it could escalate further, Alaric stepped in. “I followed her when she left the shelter before our mission,” he said, his voice cutting through the rising tension. “She didn’t do anything suspicious. I’ve been keeping an eye on her, and I’ll continue to do so.”
The room fell silent, all eyes on Alaric as he asserted his authority. “I will decide if she is a threat,” he continued, his tone brooking no argument. “But for now, she’s injured and unconscious. We’re not going to get any answers by badgering a woman who can’t defend herself. Let her rest.”
Dante felt a wave of relief wash over him at Alaric’s words, though it was tinged with unease. Alaric’s stance would protect Lily for now, but it was clear that the suspicion wouldn’t simply disappear. He glanced at Iris and Lydia, both of whom seemed to share his mixed feelings. They were safe for the moment, but the situation was far from resolved.
As the conversation about Lily finally came to a close, Dante could feel the tension in the room begin to ease. Alaric's firm declaration that he would handle the situation himself had quelled most of the concerns, at least for the time being. The group respected Alaric’s judgment, and with that trust came a temporary reprieve from the growing suspicion.
Alaric moved on, addressing a few more important points about the mission’s aftermath—plans for fortifying their defenses, regrouping with other cells, and ensuring that the shelter remained secure. But Dante found it hard to focus on the details. The events of the day had left him exhausted, both physically and mentally. His thoughts kept drifting back to Lily—Estelle—and the weight of everything that had happened.
Finally, Alaric wrapped up the meeting, his voice steady but laced with the exhaustion they all felt. “That’s all for now,” he said, his gaze sweeping across the room. “Get some rest. We need everyone at their best for whatever comes next.”
The group began to disperse, the fatigue evident in their slow, weary movements. Dante, feeling the weight of the day in every step, was about to follow the others when he heard Alaric’s voice again, directed at him and Iris.
“Iris, Dante,” Alaric said, his tone leaving no room for argument, “you two need to rest. No exceptions.”
Dante opened his mouth to protest, to say that he needed to check on a few more things, but the look Alaric gave him silenced any objections. Alaric wasn’t just their leader—he was their brother, someone who had carried them through countless battles and hardships. And right now, his concern for them outweighed any other consideration.
Iris seemed to sense the same, giving a small nod of agreement. “We will,” she promised, her voice softer than usual, the weight of responsibility and worry clear in her eyes.
Satisfied with their response, Alaric finally turned to Lydia, who had been waiting with a stern but patient expression. “Alright, Lydia,” he said with a sigh, “let’s get this over with.”
Lydia’s eyes softened just a fraction, but her tone remained brisk. “About time,” she muttered, already moving toward the door. She didn’t have to say anything more—they all knew how stubborn Alaric could be when it came to his own well-being. But even he knew when to relent, especially after the long day they’d all had.
As Dante watched Alaric and Lydia leave, he couldn’t help but feel a deep, gnawing uncertainty about the future. The trust they had in Alaric was unshakeable, but the events of the day had left cracks in the foundation of their resolve. The talk of a mole, the trap that nearly cost them everything, and the growing suspicion surrounding Estelle—it all weighed heavily on him.
He let out a slow breath, running a hand through his hair as he tried to clear his mind. The exhaustion he felt was more than just physical; it was a bone-deep weariness that came from the constant struggle to keep everyone safe. But even as he tried to push the thoughts away, the image of Estelle—injured and vulnerable—kept flashing in his mind.
“Come on, Dante,” Iris’s voice broke through his thoughts, gentle but insistent. She had lingered behind, waiting for him. “Let’s get some rest.”
He nodded, knowing she was right. They couldn’t afford to burn out, not when so much depended on them. “Yeah,” he agreed, his voice low. “We’ll need our strength for whatever comes next.”
Together, they left the office, the weight of the day still pressing down on them. As they walked through the dimly lit corridors of the shelter, Dante couldn’t help but feel a deep unease. But for now, all they could do was rest and prepare for whatever came next.