Hank’s forehead popped with visible veins, his controlled composure cracking.
"You!" His hand clenched at his side. "I’m just saying to hand them over to the Imperial Council for proper judgment according to established protocols for noble criminals!"
He took a breath, forcing his professional mask back into place.
"Not to mention, we have even greater criminals present in this very city who should be our priority." His gaze shifted towards Gregor with intensity that made his intention clear. "Isn’t that right, Aura Sovereign?"
"..."
The temperature in the room dropped.
Gregor’s expression didn’t change, but something dangerous flickered in his grey eyes.
’Here we go... Now, this looks like an SFD Officer.’
Damian eyed Officer Hank coldly, but he didn’t say anything.
Hank’s accusatory voice continued.
"The Unnamed Four have been wanted fugitives for years. And yet here they are, operating openly in Tranquil City..." His hands clasped behind his back. "I suggest we arrest them immediately for questioning regarding their past activities."
Salazar, who had remained silent throughout the entire exchange, spoke for the first time since Damian had arrived.
"The Unnamed Four." His eyes found Hank across the room. "I have heard about them... I also know of some Noble families using the SFD to go after them for personal vendettas rather than actual crimes."
He took a step forward, his blood-soaked appearance making him look dangerous despite his exhaustion.
"Are you part of them as well, Officer Hank? Working for those lowly Noble families?" His voice dropped lower. "It is clear to everyone how the Unnamed Four protected everyone today. Evacuated thousands, fought the Shadow Kings, even killed one and saved the city from complete destruction."
His hand gestured dismissively.
"Are you seriously going to declare them criminals after witnessing that? After seeing what they sacrificed?" His eyes blazed. "You think those lowly Noble families have more influence than us, the Imperials?"
Silence crashed through the room like thunder.
Damian hadn’t expected his former master to be the one to stand up for them.
’Internal struggles between Imperial families and Hundred Noble families...’
The realization settled.
’But he’s helping us indirectly...’
Something complicated twisted in Damian’s chest, but he pushed it down.
The Governor’s voice cut through the tension with absolute authority.
"Aura Sovereign, Phantom, the Undying One, and the Healer." His masked face seemed to focus on Damian. "From this moment forward, they are no longer considered fugitives. Their records are cleared, all outstanding warrants voided and all pursuit orders cancelled effective immediately."
Officer Hank’s mouth opened.
"But Governor–"
The Governor’s hand came down on the table.
BAM
Loud enough to cut through whatever Hank had been about to say.
"Your Director, it seems, can’t handle his subordinates well." His filtered voice sounded cold. "First, one of your major officers turns out to be a member of the Shadow Council, participating in an attack on a Federation city."
His hand gestured toward Ashley’s unconscious form.
"And now you even have the audacity to argue with me about a decision I’ve already made?"
Pressure radiated outward from his position as Hank’s knees buckled slightly, his face going pale as he struggled to remain standing under the crushing force.
"I... I apologize, Governor..."
The words came out strangled and desperate.
"I was simply... trying to follow established procedure..."
The pressure vanished as suddenly as it had appeared.
Hank straightened slowly, breathing hard, sweat running down his face.
The Governor’s filtered voice continued as if the display of power hadn’t happened.
"Ashley Blackheart and Admond Ashford will be handed over to the Northern Regional Governor." He gestured toward the bound prisoners. "He’s been working with the SFD Director on Shadow Council investigations and will handle their interrogation personally."
Nods rippled through the room, acceptance of decisions already made and beyond anyone present’s ability to challenge.
Then his masked face turned toward where Damian sat.
"The Federation owes you a debt, Damian Valcor." His filtered voice softened fractionally. "Everyone fails to realize the importance of Elizabeth Murdock, what she represents for humanity’s future, but you ensured her survival tonight and even before."
He inclined his head fractionally, a gesture of respect that looked strange coming from someone of his rank.
"You have my personal thanks."
’He seems to really care about her survival...’
Damian remained silent for a moment, then his voice came out quiet.
"Governor, the Death Cult and the Shadow Council seem intent on killing her." He paused. "I don’t think the threat is over... They’ll try again."
The Governor’s masked head tilted slightly.
"Don’t worry about further attacks from now on. I personally dealt with the Death Cult Head during the attack." His voice carried satisfaction. "He won’t be moving against anyone for quite some time. And more importantly..."
He leaned back in his chair.
"The Murdock Family Patriarch and several others are scheduled to return to our world within the next few hours." The announcement landed with weight. "Once the Sage is back, no danger shall befall the central region."
Relief flooded across every face in the room as expressions softened and shoulders dropped with tension bleeding away.
’The Murdock Patriarch is called the Sage?’
Damian processed the information.
Then another thought followed immediately.
’So the deal with the elves is over? Whatever negotiation or conflict kept them away for months, it’s finished?’
Relief touched something in his chest that had been wound tight since the attack began.
’With the powerful ones returning, those strong beasts during the beast tides will be handled... At least for now, I have some breathing room...’
Then he stood up slowly.
"If there’s nothing else The Governor needs from me..."
The Governor’s masked face turned toward him, then nodded once.
"You’re dismissed and get some rest. You deserve it."
Damian nodded back, then turned and walked toward the door.
Behind him, the Governor’s somber voice reached his ears as he crossed the threshold.
"Aura Sovereign, regarding the strength of these contracted humans..." The question trailed off as Damian stepped into the hallway. "How do they compare to normal awakeners of equivalent rank?"
The door closed, cutting off Gregor’s response.
Damian walked down the empty corridor, his footsteps echoing softly against polished floors.
’The Sage...’
The title circled through his thoughts like a vulture.
’What does that title even mean? I knew Elizabeth’s grandfather was a seer as well, but being called "the Sage"...’
His pace slowed fractionally.
’Can he see everything? Does that title come with abilities that let him know secrets others try to hide?’
His hands clenched at his sides.
’Will he know I’m from the Bloodworth family the moment he sees me? Can someone at that level see through the seal my mother died to create?’
The corridor stretched ahead, empty and quiet.
’The Bloodworth family extermination...’
The thought surfaced despite his attempts to keep it buried, to push it away like he’d been doing for months.
’Was the Murdock Patriarch involved? Did the Sage order it? Or at least know about it and choose not to intervene?’
The questions cut deeper than he wanted to acknowledge.
Suddenly footsteps echoed behind him.
"Damian."
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