Mei sank to her knees amidst the smoldering ruins, sobs wracking her body. Sofia was dead - her mentor, the closest thing to a mother, Mei, had. And it was Mitch's team who had carried out the execution.

Mei understood Sofia had turned down treacherous paths lately. But to be killed in cold blood like a rabid animal? It was too much to bear.

Had Sofia been so wrong in questioning the authorities? Mei herself had doubted their methods many times. And now those same forces would label Mei a traitor too.

Footsteps sounded behind her. Mei turned to see Booker approaching cautiously, his expression filled with empathy.

"I came as soon as I heard," he said gently. "I'm so sorry, Mei."

Fresh tears spilled down Mei's cheeks. "You were right to warn me about the Director," she choked out. "Now Sofia's gone, and I'm next!"

Booker embraced her reassuringly. "I won't let them take you too. We'll get through this together."

Mei clung to him, drawing what little comfort she could from his solid presence. At least she still had one true friend in this chaos.

After a long moment, she pulled back, steeling herself. "Mitch will pay for what he did," Mei said coldly. "He murdered her in cold blood."

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Booker hesitated. "We don't know the full story yet-"

"Whose side are you on?" Mei demanded angrily. Seeing him recoil, she softened. "I'm sorry, that was unfair. I just can't believe she's really gone."

Booker squeezed her shoulder. "I know. But we have to keep faith somehow. Dark as things seem, Sofia was right about one thing - light endures if you refuse to yield."

Mei managed a shaky nod, clinging to that fragile hope. The world had gone mad, threatening to swallow her whole. But now, she was still free to kindle the faint sparks Sofia's memory brought.

Booker's gut churned with unease as he led the Spearhead Guild team toward the safehouse coordinates where Director Phip was supposedly being kept. According to Mei's inside source, a PSA hit squad had been dispatched to quietly "remove" the aging director under allegations of demon collusion. It didn't sit right with Booker at all.

Booker signaled the team to fan out as the nondescript building came into view. He tapped into his mana senses, picking up shifting energy signatures within - at least six armed hostiles by his count, flanking a weaker aura he hoped was Phip.

"On my mark, we breach," Booker whispered to Selena. The stalwart recruit nodded, gripping her warhammer tightly.

Booker gathered his focus, then yelled, "Now!" as he unleashed a battering wave of mana at the fortified door. At the same time, Selena charged, smashing through the weakened entrance in a shower of splinters.

Inside, a squad of black-clad PSA agents whirled in surprise, weapons rising. But Booker and his allies were already on them, subduing the would-be assassins with targeted blasts and crippling blows.

Within seconds, only their leader remained standing, grabbing the old Director Phip in front of him as a human shield.

"Back off!" the man shouted, pressing a pistol to Phip's head. But Booker could see his aura flickering with fear. He was no hardened killer.

"Don't do this," Booker said calmly, not lowering his crackling hands. "You're only here because of lies, but there's still time to make this right."

The agent hesitated, doubt plain on his face. After a tense moment, his shoulder's slumped and he released Phip.

"You'll have to answer for this lapse, but it's not too late to walk in the light again," Booker told the man gently. He turned to Phip's worn but smiling face. "Let's get you somewhere safe."

The trip back to base was made in tense silence. Booker's thoughts swirled with the implications of this assassination attempt...