Marcus began to describe the flashback scene of Isabella defending the secret CCTV footage from falling into the hands of the authorities. His voice carried the weight of the memory as he recounted the tense confrontation."Marcus, don't just stand there! Help me!" Isabella shouted, her voice tinged with urgency. She held her red handbag in a battle stance, poised to defend against the unwelcome authority. The polished exterior of her handbag betrayed its unexpected lethality, a testament to her resourcefulness.

"The guy has a search warrant, Isabella. It's best not to resist. Hand it over to him. I know what he's capable of," Marcus said, his voice low and strained. He recognized the man standing before them from his days on the police force, aware of the formidable threat they faced.

Isabella's deep brown eyes flashed with defiance as she tightened her grip on the handbag. "I can't do that, Marcus. We can't let them take the footage. Too much is at stake," she replied, her voice steady despite the tension.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c5/Cole_Hawkins_Profile.png]

Standing in front of her was Cole Hawkins, the stern and intimidating inspector known for his ruthless methods. His short, neatly styled orange hair gave him a striking appearance, and his steel-gray eyes bore into Isabella with an unyielding intensity. His muscular frame and stern expression only added to his menacing presence. Clad in his black modified police uniform, complete with a ballistic vest tailored for combat readiness, he exuded an aura of authority and threat.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/7/79/Riot_baton.png]

Cole held his riot baton, ready to use lethal force if necessary. The baton, gripped tightly in his hand, was a symbol of his readiness to subdue any resistance with brutal efficiency. "Step aside. Hand over the footage, and no one gets hurt," he commanded, his voice cold and unwavering.

"Isabella, you don't understand. Cole Hawkins is relentless. He won't stop until he gets what he came for," Marcus warned, his voice heavy with concern.

Isabella's luscious pink lips curved into a defiant smile. "We'll see about that," she retorted, her tone laced with confidence. She knew she had to protect FuturForge's secrets, even if it meant facing down one of the most formidable inspectors in the city.

Cole's eyes narrowed, his grip on the baton tightening. "Under California Penal Code Section 148(a)(1), obstructing or delaying a law enforcement officer can result in the use of necessary force," he said, his voice devoid of mercy.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/a/ab/Authority%27s_Crush.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/9/9c/Bag_Block.png]

Without warning, Cole lunged forward, swinging his baton in a powerful downward strike—Authority's Crush. Isabella was quick to react, raising her handbag to block the attack, utilizing her Bag Block move. The impact resonated through the corridor, but she held her ground.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/d9/Bag_Bash.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/a/aa/Guardian%27s_Defense.png]

"Is that all you've got, Cole?" Isabella taunted, her eyes flashing with determination. She swiftly countered with Bag Bash, swinging her handbag with surprising force. Cole dodged, his movements fluid and precise, as he shifted into Guardian's Defense, using his baton to deflect her strikes.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/c/c3/Strap_Snare.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/3b/Enforcer%27s_Jab.png]

Isabella, undeterred, attempted a Strap Snare, looping the handbag's strap to ensnare Cole's arm. He anticipated her move, pulling back just in time and retaliating with Enforcer's Jab—a quick, targeted jab aimed at her midsection. Isabella stumbled back, gasping for breath but recovering quickly.

"You're persistent," she spat, her voice tinged with anger.

"So are you," Cole replied, his tone cold and unforgiving.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/1e/Fashionable_Flurry.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/1/18/Baton_Barrage.png]

Isabella lunged at him with Fashionable Flurry, unleashing a rapid series of strikes. Cole matched her intensity with Baton Barrage, their weapons clashing in a flurry of motion. The corridor echoed with the sound of their combat, neither willing to back down.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/e/ea/Bag_Takedown.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/3/3c/Suppressor%27s_Sweep.png] image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/da/Dominance_Grapple.png]

As Isabella went for a Bag Takedown, attempting to hook Cole's ankle, he saw the opening and executed Suppressor's Sweep, knocking her off balance and sending her sprawling to the ground. He followed up with Dominance Grapple, pinning her down with his baton.

"Enough!" Isabella gasped, struggling beneath his weight.

"Not until I get what I need," Cole growled, his grip tightening.

Before Cole could inflict more harm, Marcus stepped in, his commanding voice cutting through the tension. "That's enough, Cole."

"Step back," Marcus ordered, his tone brooking no argument.

Cole hesitated, his eyes locking with Marcus's. "She's in my way."

"And you're using more force than necessary," Marcus replied, moving closer and pushing Cole away from Isabella. "Let her go. I'll give you access to the footage."

With a grunt, Cole released Isabella, who scrambled to her feet, clutching her handbag protectively. Marcus stepped between them, his authoritative presence defusing the situation.

"Follow me," Marcus said, leading Cole toward the security office door. "But remember, this is the last time I cover for you. If you use unnecessary violence on civilians again, I will report you."

The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.

Cole nodded, his expression unreadable. As the door closed behind them, Isabella watched, her eyes burning with a mix of anger and resolve.

Later, Marcus finished his story to Cyrus and his team, leaving many unanswered questions from the flashback he recounted.

"If Inspector Cole has gotten hold of the clip, why hasn't he released it to the public?!" Cyrus shouted, his voice trembling with emotion. "This would clear my father's name!"

"Calm down, Cyrus," Marcus replied, his tone measured and calm. "Even if the footage shows that the legendary swords are real, it doesn't change the fact that Elden orchestrated the kidnapping, as I have shown you. It only proves that the swords are not just myths."

Cyrus's fists clenched, his knuckles white with frustration. "But my father is an honorable man! There must be more to this story."

Marcus sighed, his deep, weathered voice filled with a mix of sympathy and firmness. "I understand your pain, Cyrus, but we must face the reality of the situation. The existence of the swords complicates things, but it doesn't absolve your father of his actions."

Ji-eun placed a comforting hand on Cyrus's shoulder, her eyes reflecting both determination and compassion. "We'll find the truth, Cyrus. Together."

Cyrus took a deep breath, but his eyes told another story—one filled with anger and a thirst for revenge. "You're right. We need to uncover the whole story. The legendary sword wielders, Luna Estrella and Jake Harada, they will pay for this," he said, placing all the blame on them.

Marcus nodded, his expression serious and contemplative. "I will grant all of you access to the R&D lab and your father's office. I’ll turn off all the CCTV for the next four hours, but..." Marcus's gaze shifted to Elliot, "Elliot, you will have to take the fall for this. To answer to management, you will be suspended from your job."

Elliot's eyes widened in shock. "What!" he exclaimed, running a hand through his short brown hair, clearly taken aback by the sudden turn of events.

"The CCTV caught what the boy did to my security officer, and you are in the footage," Marcus continued, glancing at Noah. Elliot still seemed in disbelief.

"You did great," Noah said sarcastically, patting Elliot's back. "We did achieve our mission, after all!"

"Elliot, you really helped a lot. I appreciate it," Cyrus added, his tone sincere. "And Marcus, I know how professional you are. Your leniency means a great deal to me."

Elliot nodded, still processing the situation. "I guess I’ll take one for the team," he muttered, a mix of resignation and determination in his voice.

Cyrus turned to Elliot and Noah. "Can you both help me go through my father's office and see if we can find any clues or research he did about the seven swords?"

"Roger that, Captain!" Noah responded enthusiastically, dragging a still-stunned Elliot along with him.

Cyrus then addressed Ji-eun. "As for you, Ji-eun, I need your help with something specific. I have to use the R&D lab to reforge the Sword of Water." He held up the blueprint of the Sword of Water.

Ji-eun nodded, her eyes reflecting a mix of loyalty and determination. "Whatever you need, Cyrus. I’m here to help."

With their tasks assigned and a new sense of purpose, the group prepared to delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding Elden Thorne and the legendary swords.

oah and Elliot arrived at Professor Elden Thorne's office, only to be greeted by an overwhelming sight. The room was in complete disarray, with papers scattered everywhere, books piled high in precarious stacks, and various scientific instruments littered across the tables and floor. It was a chaotic scene that reflected the intense and hurried nature of Elden's final days in the office.

Elliot's eyes widened in disbelief as he took in the mess. "This is impossible," he muttered, shaking his head. "It would take days, maybe even weeks, to go through all this stuff one by one. We don’t have that kind of time!" His frustration was evident as he ran a hand through his short brown hair, trying to make sense of the clutter before them.

Noah, however, seemed unfazed by the chaos. He stepped over a pile of books and carefully navigated the room, a thoughtful expression on his face. "Don't worry about it, Elliot," he said confidently. "We need to be creative and think like the professor. If I were Professor Thorne, where would I keep my most precious research?" He looked around the room, his mind racing with possibilities.

Elliot sighed, feeling a bit more hopeful at Noah's positive attitude. "Alright, let’s think this through. Professor Thorne was meticulous about his work despite the chaos. He would have a system, even if it seems like madness to us."

Noah nodded, his eyes scanning the room with renewed purpose. "Exactly. He might have hidden his important documents somewhere safe, maybe even somewhere unexpected. We need to look for places that stand out—something that doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the mess."

They began to systematically search the office, moving stacks of papers and carefully opening drawers. Noah’s eyes fell on a large, old bookshelf that seemed oddly untouched compared to the rest of the room. He walked over and began examining the spines of the books.

"These books look ancient," Noah observed. "They might hold some clues."

Elliot joined him, pulling out a particularly dusty tome. As he did, a small cloud of dust erupted, making him cough. "I doubt he hid anything important in plain sight," Elliot said, skepticism creeping into his voice.

Noah, however, was undeterred. He continued to scan the bookshelf, his fingers tracing the edges of the wooden frame. "Wait a minute," he said, his eyes lighting up. "What if there’s a hidden compartment?"

He carefully pressed against various sections of the shelf, and suddenly, a section of the bookshelf shifted. Noah's heart raced with excitement. "Elliot, help me move this!"

Together, they managed to slide the bookshelf aside, revealing a small, concealed safe built into the wall. Elliot’s eyes widened in astonishment. "I can’t believe it! You actually found something!"

Noah grinned, his earlier confidence justified. "Let's hope this is where he kept his most valuable research."

Elliot examined the safe, noting its digital keypad. "Do you know the code?" he asked, looking at Noah.

Noah looked back at Elliot with a look of sarcastic disbelief. "Do you think I know the professor personally? I just met Cyrus too."

"Oh right! I forgot," Elliot said, feeling a bit foolish.

They continued entering several possible combinations, each time with bated breath, but all attempts failed as the safe refused to open. Frustration mounted with each failed attempt. "I give up! We won’t be able to open this forever!" Elliot exclaimed, exasperated. "Maybe we should go back and ask Cyrus!"

"Wait," Noah said, a sudden idea forming in his mind. "I’m not sure if this will work, but I have a skill to detect hidden enemies. It might be worth a shot."

"What skill are you talking about?" Elliot asked, curiosity and skepticism evident in his tone.

image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/f7/Echo_Locator.png]

"You don't need to know the details," Noah replied confidently. "Just listen to my command and keep turning the combination." Without further ado, he took out his blue yo-yo and began to use his Echo Locator skill. Normally, this skill created distinct sound patterns to locate hidden enemies, but this would be the first time he used it to unlock a digital keypad.

Noah swung the yo-yo expertly, the blue toy whistling through the air and creating a series of distinct sound waves. He closed his eyes, focusing intently on the echoes bouncing back from the safe. Each click and beep of the combination lock resonated with the sounds produced by the yo-yo, providing Noah with subtle auditory clues.

Elliot watched in awe as Noah concentrated, his movements precise and deliberate. "Alright, turn it left now," Noah instructed. Elliot followed his direction, turning the dial to the left.

"Now right, and stop at 32," Noah continued, the yo-yo's rhythmic swirls guiding his senses. Elliot obeyed, feeling a glimmer of hope as he followed the unusual instructions.

"One more to the left, and stop at 15," Noah said, his voice steady. Elliot made the final adjustment, holding his breath as the combination clicked into place.

Suddenly, the safe gave a soft beep and the lock disengaged. The door swung open, revealing a stack of neatly organized folders and a flash drive inside. Noah's eyes lit up with triumph. "We did it! I can’t believe that actually worked."

Elliot let out a sigh of relief, shaking his head in amazement. "I have to admit, Noah, that was impressive. I didn't think a yo-yo could help crack a safe."

Noah grinned, pocketing his yo-yo. "Never underestimate the power of creativity and a little bit of luck. Let's see what we've got here."

Carefully, they pulled out the documents and the flash drive, their hands trembling with anticipation. Noah quickly scanned through the folders, his eyes widening as he recognized the content. "This is it, Elliot. All of Professor Thorne's research on the seven swords. We've hit the jackpot."

Elliot nodded, his excitement growing. "We need to get this back to Cyrus immediately. This could be the key to everything."

As they carefully packed up the documents and the flash drive, ensuring nothing was left behind, Noah couldn't help but feel a sense of accomplishment. They had overcome the odds and succeeded in their mission. The chaotic search had paid off, and they were one step closer to uncovering the truth behind the legendary swords and clearing Elden Thorne’s name.

"Let's move quickly," Elliot said, urgency in his voice. "Cyrus will want to see this right away."

Noah agreed, and with renewed determination, they exited the office, ready to share their findings and continue their quest. Their discovery marked a pivotal moment in their journey, one that brought them closer to understanding the complex web of secrets and lies surrounding the legendary swords.