image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/f/fc/Sword_of_Water.png]
While the team celebrated the completion of the Sword of Water, their laughter and relief filled the R&D lab. Suddenly, the door swung open, and Marcus Steele walked in, his presence instantly commanding attention. "Time's up!" he declared, his obsidian eyes reflecting his authoritarian personality. "It's time for you all to leave."
The group quickly sobered, understanding the gravity of Marcus's words. They began packing up their equipment, gathering Professor Elden Thorne's research on the seven swords, and securing the newly forged Sword of Water. Each of them felt a mix of accomplishment and urgency, knowing they had achieved their immediate goals but aware of the challenges that still lay ahead.
As they moved to exit FuturForge, Marcus stood by the door, his imposing figure a silent reminder of the power he wielded. The group walked past him, their expressions a blend of determination and gratitude. When Cyrus reached Marcus, he paused, turning to him with a quiet intensity.
"Thank you, Uncle Marcus," Cyrus whispered, his voice filled with genuine appreciation.
Marcus's stern expression softened just slightly. "What's next for you?" he asked, his voice low and measured.
Cyrus's grip tightened on the Sword of Water, his resolve clear. "My mission is clear: destroy the seven swords and expose Jake and Luna," he replied, his eyes reflecting a deep-seated determination.
Marcus nodded, his gaze steady. "Don't let revenge blind you, Cyrus. Stay focused and true to your purpose. I wish you all the best."
With those words, Cyrus rejoined his team, and they made their way out of the facility. The night air greeted them as they stepped outside, each of them carrying the weight of their mission and the knowledge they had gained.
As they walked away from FuturForge, the group felt a renewed sense of purpose. Ji-eun, now calm and composed, walked closely beside Cyrus, her eyes occasionally glancing at the Sword of Water with admiration. Noah, ever the optimist, chatted excitedly with Elliot about the next steps, his youthful enthusiasm a beacon of hope in the cool morning air.
"What are we going to do next?" Noah asked, his eyes bright with anticipation, seeming to forget he was just 15 years old.
Elliot, though still processing his suspension, felt a sense of pride in what they had accomplished. "We've got the research, and we've forged the Sword of Water. I'm not sure what I'll do next with the suspension hanging over me," he admitted, his voice filled with determination. "But whatever it is, it's worth it."
"I'm following wherever you go," Ji-eun said, her loyalty and devotion evident in her voice.
Cyrus looked at his team, his heart swelling with gratitude. "Thanks, guys. My father's research and the Sword of Water wouldn't have been possible without all of your help," he said sincerely. "I appreciate everything you've done."
The early morning light began to creep over the horizon, casting a soft glow over the weary but triumphant group. Cyrus took a deep breath, feeling the weight of their long night and the enormity of their mission ahead. "We've been at this all night. You all deserve some rest."
He turned to Elliot, his expression serious. "Elliot, thank you for your sacrifice. I know your job means a lot to you, and I promise we'll make it worth the risk you took."Elliot nodded, a faint smile on his lips. "It was a team effort. We did what we had to do."
Cyrus then looked at Ji-eun, who had been steadfast by his side. "Ji-eun, thank you for your support and for being here. Your help has been invaluable."Ji-eun smiled softly, her eyes reflecting her unwavering commitment. "I'll always be here for you, Cyrus."
Finally, Cyrus turned to Noah, who still buzzed with energy despite the long night. "Noah, I can't thank you enough. But I have to ask—are your parents worried? You're young, and I don't want to get you into trouble."
Noah brushed off the concern with a wave of his hand. "Don't worry about me, Cyrus. I'm more mature than most adults. I can make my own decisions, and I'm here because I want to be."
Cyrus looked at his friends, his expression sincere and earnest. "I don't have anything to offer you guys—no money or allowance. But if you're all in this with me, we can gather at my house later this evening," he said. "There's still a lot of work to be done with my father's research documents and the flash drive. We need to decipher them and see if there's anything useful to locate the seven swords. I can't thank you all enough for your help."
"Cyrus, please don't say that," Ji-eun responded with heartfelt determination. "As your girlfriend, I'll follow you to the end of the world!"
Cyrus rolled his eyes but couldn't help smiling at her unwavering loyalty. "I appreciate it, Ji-eun, but we're not a couple. Thanks for being with me in this," he said.
"Guess what? I'm suspended now and have nothing else going on, so I'm in this with you," Elliot said with a grin, showing his solidarity.
"Well, well, can't say no to an adventure! It's going to be fun!" Noah chimed in, his excitement palpable.
With that said, they all reaffirmed their commitment to Cyrus and his mission. "Alright then. Let's all get some rest. We'll meet later to plan our next steps," Cyrus concluded.
As they parted ways to get some much-needed sleep, the bond between them had never been stronger. The challenges ahead were daunting, but together, they knew they could face anything. The dawn of a new day brought with it hope and determination. With the Sword of Water in their possession and the support of his friends, Cyrus felt more prepared than ever to continue their quest for truth and justice.
This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.
Meanwhile, across town, the Zephyr City Police Department (ZCPD) was a hive of activity. The ZCPD, renowned for its strict enforcement and imposing presence, was housed in a towering building of glass and steel that loomed over the bustling metropolis of Zephyr City. This formidable institution was a complex web of officers and politics, where power and control were constantly in play.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/5/54/Police_Commissioner_Selene_Vrax_in_a_police_office%2C_highlighting_her_authority_within_the_law_enforcement_environment.png]
Commissioner Selene Vrax, the epitome of authority and control, was seated in her office. Selene, with her jet-black hair tightly pulled back and her piercing black coral eyes, presented an image of cold, calculated efficiency. Her lean, muscular build and sharp, defined features added to her intimidating presence. Clad in a meticulously tailored black police uniform, she exuded an aura of dominance and precision.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/d/dc/Cole_Hawkins_subtly_conveys_his_corrupt_nature_through_his_expression_and_surrounding_elements.png]
Suddenly, without warning, Cole Hawkins barged into her office, neglecting the courtesy of knocking. Cole was a striking figure with short, neatly styled orange hair and steel-gray eyes that gleamed with mischief. His muscular frame and rugged appearance hinted at a life marked by physical demands and ethical compromises. He wore a black modified police uniform with a ballistic vest, symbolizing his readiness for combat and his corrupt practices.
"Commissioner Selene, how's it going?" he asked with a sly smile, his steel-gray eyes glinting with mischief. "I've got some precious CCTV footage. I fought with my life to get it. Not sure if you're interested."
Selene glared at him with her black coral eyes. "You know I can charge you with insubordination for the way you conduct yourself and speak to me," she said coldly.
"Relax, Selene," Cole replied, his tone casual.
"Commissioner Selene, you mean," she corrected him sharply.
"Relax, Commissioner Selene. We're both the same type of person," he said, his voice dripping with insinuation. "We both work with the mafias."
"I would track back your statement, Inspector Cole Hawkins. We are not the same," Selene retorted, her voice icy.
"Back to the topic of the footage," Cole continued, undeterred. "I have reviewed it and found it invaluable to the police force. I'm willing to give it to you if you're willing to pay a high price for it. If not, I'm going to pass it to the mafias. You know, highest bidder wins." He displayed the footage on a thumb drive, revealing a clip from the FuturForge R&D lab. It showed a fight between Professor Eden Thorne and Jake Harada, proving the existence of the legendary swords.
The clip piqued Commissioner Selene's interest. "I really don't know how you obtained this clip, but consider it a done deal. How much do you want?" she asked, her tone firm but curious.
"Not much, just wire 80 grand to my private account," Cole said, tossing the thumb drive onto her desk. "It's nice dealing with you, Commissioner Selene," he added, smiling slyly as he left her office.
Commissioner Selene stared sternly at his retreating form, her mind already working on the implications of the footage she now possessed.
Commissioner Selene stared sternly at his retreating form, her mind already working on the implications of the footage she now possessed.
image [https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/swordbound-the-heros-journey-to-silence-the-seven/images/0/0b/Augustine_Salvatore_Profile.png]
Unbeknownst to Cole Hawkins, Augustine Salvatore was sitting in the guest lounge adjacent to Selene's office, quietly observing the exchange. Augustine, a figure of wisdom and strategy, had ruffled shoulder-length brown hair framing a face marked by a cool, composed expression. His dark green eyes gleamed with intelligence, and he wore a casual yet sophisticated white suit with an unbuttoned black shirt, exuding confidence and control. The presence of this consigliere in the police commissioner's office underscored the intricate working relationship between the mafia and the police force. He had overheard every part of the conversation between Selene Vrax and Cole Hawkins.
"It's quite an interesting conversation you had with your subordinate," Augustine remarked, biting on a toothpick, a habitual gesture that added to his enigmatic persona.
"Subordinate like this, I would rather have none. Do you know him? He works with the mafia," Selene replied, her tone cold and dismissive.
"We higher-ups do not deal with such small fry. His dealings are likely with the capo or the associates of the gang," Augustine responded smoothly. "What is the footage that you are willing to pay 80 grand for?"
"Have you heard about the kidnapping case at FuturForge Innovations?" Selene asked, plugging in the thumb drive to display the footage. "There's more to this case than meets the eye." The screen showed Jake Harada wielding the Sword of Flames in a fierce battle against Professor Eden Thorne. Augustine's dark green eyes widened as he observed the clip carefully.
"The legendary sword, which was thought to be a myth, is real? Will the ministry release the clip to the public?" Augustine inquired, his curiosity piqued.
"I have not decided yet. It could create public disturbance and unwanted attention," Selene responded thoughtfully.
"I wouldn't think so. Releasing the clip will bring global attention and help us use the public to locate the swords," Augustine suggested, his tone measured and strategic.
"Are you interested in the Seven Swords? What good do they bring to your gang?" Selene asked, her eyes narrowing with suspicion.
"The Godfather would be interested. I believe they are pieces of a puzzle for world domination. Whoever possesses the Seven Swords wields unimaginable power," Augustine explained. "I need to talk to the two individuals in the footage. Who are they?"
"The man holding the Sword of Water is Professor Eden Thorne. He's currently serving his sentence in jail. The boy is Jake Harada, a teenager studying at Starlight University," Selene informed him.
"I would like to visit them to learn more about the swords. Put the release of the clip to the public on hold for now. Since we know who holds the Sword of Fire, we should mosaic Jake Harada's face to prevent people from finding him. We need to reach the other swords before anyone else and leverage the governments of other countries, hunters, and power-hungry individuals to find the locations of the remaining swords for us," Augustine proposed. "Then we will seize them from whoever finds them. I will let you know when it's the right time to release the clip to the public."
Selene Vrax did not reply, but her silence and the slight nod of her head indicated her agreement with Augustine's plan.