Tessa and Lynn burst into the command center, their faces pale and drawn. The room was filled with the low hum of activity, the tense atmosphere palpable. A group of individuals, clad in tactical gear layered beneath civilian clothing, were huddled around a central console, their faces illuminated by the multiple screens.Kira, her face etched with worry, looked up sharply. "What are you two doing here?" Her voice was sharp, cutting through the tension.Tessa's voice trembled slightly as she replied, "Officer Alphonse ordered us to return and bring reinforcements."Lynn nodded, her eyes wide with fear. She glanced around the room, taking in the serious faces and the air of urgency.

A woman with a commanding presence stepped forward, her gaze steady. Her uniform, though obscured by a casual jacket, hinted at her rank. "I'm Celine Hek," she introduced herself, her voice carrying a calm authority. "We've lost contact with the team in the area. Now, would you two mind taking me to my nephew?" Her voice was firm, but there was a flicker of concern in her eyes.

A sense of purpose washed over Tessa and Lynn. In the face of this composed, capable woman, their fear began to subside. They knew they had a role to play, a chance to make a difference.

Tessa and Lynn sprinted from the command center, the rest of the reinforcement team close behind. They burst through the crumbling ruins, the scene that unfolded before them a stark testament to the carnage. Jacob lay sprawled on the ground, his body a canvas of bruises and cuts.Celine knelt beside him, her hands trembling as she searched for a sign of life. Her fingers found a faint pulse at his neck, a surge of relief washing over her. She motioned to two officers, her voice barely audible over the wind. "First aid, now!"As the medics tended to Jacob, Celine and the remaining officers ventured deeper into the ruins. The scene inside was a grotesque tableau of violence. Blood spattered the walls, creating a macabre tapestry. The air was thick with the stench of death. At the end of the corridor, a horrific sight awaited them: Al's headless body, a grotesque offering to some unseen deity.

A dull ache throbbed through Jacob's body, a constant reminder of the ordeal he had endured. His vision blurred as he tried to focus on the unfamiliar surroundings. The sterile white of the hospital room seemed to amplify the pain in his head. He turned his head slowly, searching for a familiar face.There, slumped on the sofa, were Tessa and Lynn, their heads resting on each other's shoulders. A wave of relief washed over him as he saw them safe.A door creaked open, and Celine stepped into the room. Dressed in casual clothes, she looked more like a concerned aunt than a hardened soldier. "So, you're finally awake," she said, her voice laced with relief.Jacob tried to sit up, but a sharp pain shot through his body. "How am I doing?" he managed to croak.Celine gave him a reassuring smile. "You'll live," she replied, her tone light but her eyes filled with concern. "What happened out there?"Jacob recounted the events as best he could, the horror of the encounter replaying in his mind. When he described using Chthonic Confinement - a skill that marked a target with a potent energy, summoning roots from the depths of the planet to take the marked one- Celine's expression turned grave."You were able to use it?" she asked, her voice barely a whisper. The knowledge of Jacob's newfound power seemed to both exhilarate and frighten her."Yeah," Jacob replied, a hint of pride in his voice. "Al trusted me." His voice cracked as he continued. "How is he?"Celine's face paled. The cheerful facade she had been maintaining crumbled. "Al... Al didn't make it, Jacob," she said softly.A wave of despair washed over Jacob. Tears streamed down his face as the news sank in. "What? But he was alive when I marked it!" he cried out."How long does it take for the Chthonic Confinement to take effect?" Celine asked, her voice steady despite the turmoil within.Jacob's sobs were muffled by his hands. "Maybe five seconds," he replied, his voice barely audible.Celine's jaw clenched. "I need to make a call," she said abruptly, turning and striding out of the room.Tessa stirred, her eyes slowly opening. A wave of relief washed over her face as she saw Jacob. "Oh, you're awake!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with joy.

Meanwhile, Celine was on the phone. "Is Jacob awake, Celine?" Clara's voice was filled with a mix of relief and concern. As Jacob's mom, she had also been the one in charge of treatment, by her own choice, that had led to fatigue and now she was resting trying to recovered."Yes, he is," Celine replied. "I have both good and bad news.""Good news first," Clara said, her voice hopeful."Jacob used Chthonic Confinement," Celine reported.A moment of silence, then a burst of joy. "That's incredible!" Clara exclaimed. Her tone quickly shifted. "Wait, something's not right. Did it take that long for the Confinement to activate that the creature had time to behead Al and place his head on the statue?""No," Celine replied. "Jacob said it takes about five seconds."A heavy silence fell between them. "There might be more of them out there," Celine said grimly.The realization hit Clara like a cold shower. They had searched the area thoroughly, assuming the creature had escaped. Now, the horrifying possibility loomed that there could be others lurking in the shadows.

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Celine returned to Jacob's room, finding him in animated conversation with Tessa and Lynn. Relief washed over her as she saw the familiar banter between the three."Glad to see everyone's spirits are up," she said, her voice carrying a note of relief."J will be good to go in a couple of days," she continued, turning her attention to Jacob. "We can head home after that, just in time for your siblings' birthday."Jacob nodded, a small smile playing on his lips.Lynn stood up, stretching. "We should probably head out. We could all use a break." Her voice held a weariness that belied her cheerful demeanor.Tessa nodded in agreement. "We've earned some time off," she said softly.The two girls leaned in and kissed Jacob on the cheek before heading out.Once they were alone, Celine studied Jacob's face. "Friendships forged in fire," she said, a contemplative look in her eyes. "They're the ones that truly last."Jacob sat up straighter. "What about the test? We need to find out more about those things."Celine hesitated. "Kira is in charge. I'll talk to her and see what can be done," she replied.

Days turned into a blur of recovery for Jacob. Confined to the sterile hospital room, he immersed himself in the life of the man who had fallen beside him. With a tenacity born of grief and respect, he poured over Officer Alphonse's file, questioning anyone who had known him. It was his mother who finally relented and handed over the complete file.Celine arrived with news of the meeting with Kira. The three of them were to discuss the recent events at Jacob's siblings' birthday party. Tessa and Lynn, unaccustomed to the intricacies of high society, expressed their concerns about attire and etiquette. Jacob reassured them, promising to guide them through the social maze.Celine also revealed that Tessa and Lynn would need to undergo the Unveiling Ritual. When hearing this, Jacob requested a meeting with his grandparents to seek permission for the girls to undergo the ritual at the Hek mansion.

The Hek mansion, a sprawling behemoth of opulence, was transformed for the occasion. Its grand facade, usually austere, was adorned with twinkling lights and cascading garlands. Inside, the atmosphere was electric. A sea of elegantly dressed guests navigated the opulent ballroom, their conversations a shimmering mosaic of laughter and intrigue. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume and exotic cuisine.A line of guests, eager to partake in the festivities, snaked through the grand foyer. Impeccably dressed security personnel stood guard, their eyes scanning the crowd with practiced efficiency. The rhythmic pulse of music throbbed through the mansion, a hypnotic undercurrent to the extravagant spectacle.

Aleara and Beck mingled with their friends, their attire a dazzling spectacle. They were the epitome of youthful opulence. Aleara wore a shimmering emerald gown that clung to her curves, adorned with intricate silver beading that caught the light like dewdrops. Her mask, a Venetian-inspired creation of black lace and onyx, was as mysterious as it was alluring. Beck, on the other hand, opted for a classic black tuxedo, but with a modern twist. His jacket was embellished with silver thread, and his mask, a sleek black design with a single, piercing red eye, added an air of intrigue.

"Hey, where's your other brother?" someone asked Aleara, their voice tinged with curiosity.Aleara shrugged nonchalantly. "No idea, and I really don't care."Vastian's absence was a recurring theme. Known for his enigmatic nature, he would often vanish without a trace. But today, his disappearance was a cause for concern.Meanwhile, in another part of the mansion, Jacob was engaged in a serious conversation with his grandparents. "So, you want them to take the Ritual here? Just because you three shared a near-death experience?" Gerald questioned, his tone measured.