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  Lanel Recreational Center. Emerith District. City of Melbury. State of Melbury. Central Republic.

  07:30 AM.

  The morning sun has risen by this point, casting long shadows across the Lanel Recreational Center—a stark contrast to an hour and a half ago, when the dawn barely glimpsed this tragedy. At the same time, forensic activity continues in full swing through the analysts who had already arrived and begun working the crime scene of the death of three officers, one of them of great importance to the Nation.

  However, they had now been joined by the military—the Navy of the Central Republic—who were in charge of managing the physical disasters caused at the recreational center, such as the severed metal of the benches and security panels on the courts, the wreckage of the benches and walls, as well as the general cleanup.

  —Detective, look at this –A 20-year-old female officer with brown hair, one of the first to respond to the original scene, approaches Detective Salieri Montenegro Neiruk. Her expression is a mix of awe and apprehension as she gestures for the Detective to follow her.–

  —What is it? –The silver-white haired detective asks, her detective instincts immediately alert, following the agent with expectation in her scarlet eyes.–

  The officer leads her toward some dense, green bushes nearby, just behind one of the dilapidated basketball hoops. There, driven into the damp earth among the grass and fallen leaves, lies a weapon that does not belong to this era and would currently only be seen in museums or TV shows: a sword, specifically a greatsword, of a decidedly strange appearance.

  —This…–

  Salieri cautiously approaches the weapon. Ever since she ordered Sariel—the man found at the crime scene with blood on his clothes—to be taken to the Morian Station at approximately 6:30 AM, she had not left the site. Instead of sinking into the grief of losing her father, Officer Montenegro, her serial-worker instinct urged her to move.

  Because of this, she had scoured the entire recreational center, analyzing the details meticulously, searching for a clue that would lead them to an explanation for the murder at this location. But, aside from the wreckage, she had found nothing. Nothing, until now.

  —How did you find it? –Salieri asks the brown-haired officer beside her– I didn’t see it before–

  —Um… –The uniformed woman startles slightly at the question. However, she quickly recovers– If you look around, you’ll see there are several nearby trees that make the place darker. Plus, added to the fact that it was inside the bushes, it was hard to see –She adds with a naturalness improper for her rank and age– If it wasn't for the sun finally shining here, allowing some light to reflect off the metal, I wouldn't have been able to spot it when I walked by.–

  —The Detective looks at her for a moment. But, seeing the young woman's neutral expression, she nods– Understood. Thank you very much for your help.–

  —You're welcome, Detective. I’ll take my leave for now. I’ll keep searching –The young officer responds, her tone now filled with a somewhat exaggerated sense of justice.–

  —Alright, go –Salieri then turns her gaze back to the weapon, unable to see the smirk on the uniformed woman’s face or the particular glint in her green eyes.–

  Salieri, ignoring the annoyed looks from two other officers toward her brown-haired colleague and the latter’s smug smile back at them, walks forward and stops two meters from the weapon in question.

  It is an imposing two-handed sword that seems to belong more to a dark legend than to a crime scene in the Central Republic.

  Its wide blade, made of a dark, almost black metal, gleams with sharp edges of a lighter steel. However, the most disconcerting part is the intricate patterns running down the center of the blade: sinuous lines of a deep purple, almost bluish, glowing with a faint internal light like veins charged with an unknown energy.

  The guard is large and elaborate, with multiple sharp and curved protrusions giving it an aggressive and decidedly unearthly appearance, adorned with inlays that emit the same purple glow as the blade. The hilt is long, wrapped in what looks like worn dark leather, and the pommel, equally ornate, finishes the weapon with an air of arcane power.

  To one side, the brown-haired officer lightly nudges the blonde officer from before with her elbow, her look of smugness even greater as she watches the Detective analyze the weapon she found.

  —Tch. This is why I can't stand the Veil Security Forces. You Vesefo types think you're so much just for being the International Police of the Altern –The blonde officer mutters with certain annoyance– And I can't stand cats like you and that annoying woman even more–

  —Heh, heh~ –The uniformed woman mocks with delight, but in a low voice to avoid drawing attention– Don't forget to say hello to your girlfriend and my distant cousin, Katerina, okay? Tell her I'll go visit her one of these days, taking advantage of the fact that I came here to the Aynu–

  —This isn't the place for these things –The blonde officer snaps back, moving away from the brown-haired woman, who watches her with an annoyed pout–

  Meanwhile, Salieri, after finishing her analysis of the weapon, directs her gaze toward a nearby officer with muscular arms and body.

  —Hey –She signals for him to approach– Can you lift it? –She asks him, her tone professional but polite–

  The burly officer nods and accepts the task. First, he puts on special latex gloves from one of the forensics who had arrived, with the purpose of not leaving any fingerprints, then he leans over the weapon and grips the hilt with both hands, his muscles visibly tensing under the fabric of the uniform, and finally, he pulls with force to lift it.

  Or at least, he tries.

  —Ughhh!–

  A groan denoting a great and futile effort is heard. The nearby agents, including Salieri and the blonde agent from before, watch how the burly man uses all his strength, even showing clear white knuckles from the pressure and veins bulging in his neck. However, no matter how much he tries, the heavy weapon does not move a single millimeter from the ground where it is driven.

  —I’m sorry, Detective –The burly officer finally gives up, panting slightly, and apologizes to Salieri with a mix of sadness and shame–

  —Don't worry –And she, instead of showing anger or impatience, offers him a reassuring and understanding smile– Thank you very much for trying–

  The officer, somewhat relieved by her reaction, since usually those of higher Rank tend to get upset when they don't correctly do something they are asked, moves away from the place.

  —Ha, humans –Though that doesn't take away the fact that the brown-haired officer mocks in a whisper– We Surnaturel are much stronger than them, heh, heh–

  —Shut up, cat –The blonde agent grumbles toward her companion with more annoyance than before– Go back to acting like an ordinary agent before I report you to your superiors for talking about something forbidden in front of humans–

  —Nya~–

  Then, one of the forensics, an elderly man with the experienced gaze of someone who has seen countless crime scenes, approaches with extreme care to visually inspect the weapon without touching it, maintaining a prudent distance.

  —Do you see that? –He asks Salieri while pointing with a gloved finger at some fine engravings that run along the back of the blade, on both sides, ones that were not easily visible at first glance, as they possessed a color very similar to the silver metal of the blade itself–

  —Yes –She nods, leaning in a bit closer and recognizing some letters that, although stylized, bear a structural resemblance to the current Language System, Modern Astelian, but clearly belong to a language unknown to her current knowledge–

  —It is an already extinct language –The man responds with confidence– My sister is a historian at the Melbury State Museum and has worked there for over 20 years. Also, she specializes in Extinct Languages. Thanks to her, I can identify a few dead languages based on how they are formed–

  —Do you know what language it is? Or what it says? –Salieri asks, her interest now completely captured–

  —It is probably Seytanian, as the words are very similar to this one –The forensic specialist points to one of the phrases engraved near the hilt– For example, this inscription, if my knowledge does not fail me, says "Unto Luzkiel, Archon of Gehenna, this blade doth yield its Devouring Shadow."–

  —Seytanian? –Confusion tints the Detective's voice, as the name is not familiar to her–

  —A language that belonged to an Empire that fell thousands of years ago, which used to be called the Empire of Seytan –The forensic specialist adjusts his glasses– It is said they were an Empire centered on the study and practice of Demonic Magic–

  —Salieri nods slowly, processing the information– Luzkiel… –She repeats the name in a low voice, and immediately, a connection forms in her mind, linking the name to a dominant figure from the darkest legends and forbidden texts– Could it be possible that it refers to Luciel? According to the Holy Church of Astel and the Bible itself, it is said that he is the one who rules Gehenna, the Demonic City, as well as all its hells–

  At that moment, the blonde-haired Officer who was listening behind her, after making sure that the brown-haired one had returned to her duties, approaches the Detective once more.

  —In fact, the Holy Church of Astel catalogs him as a Demon who betrayed the Goddess for pure pleasure and a thirst for power –She says, while standing beside Salieri. After that, she turns her gaze toward her with seriousness– There is even a passage dedicated to 3 of his very loyal minions: Aren, Zakech, and Lumen. The Infernal Triad–

  Upon hearing those three names, Salieri's eyes widen, while a shiver runs through her body again, but this time not from fear, but from an alarming and sudden realization.

  Aren, Lumen, and Zakech. The same names that the young man with messy black hair and green eyes—the one who had now been detained and whose story seemed like a delirium—had told her just a few hours ago, in his incredible and so far implausible tale.

  —Detective, with this… inscription, and the nature of the deceased Officer Montenegro… should we ask the UKS for help? –At that moment, one of the Commanders assigned to the scene approaches, his voice low and tinged with a worry that goes beyond a simple homicide–

  —No –The Detective quickly denies, her tone firm and sharp, leaving no room for discussion– Absolutely not. We do not need extremist worshipers like the people of the United Kingdoms Sanctified. The last time there was a "collaboration" on their part, in a case with supposed demonic connotations, there were many more injuries among civilians and our own agents than real and feasible solutions. Their fanaticism is a danger in itself–

  —It's true, those fanatics are not to be trusted much –The Agent beside her says with a nod– Detective… –Once again she turns toward the young white-haired woman, with an even more serious but also considering expression– Have you considered the fact that the words of that young man from before might be true?–

  Detective Salieri frowns, her scarlet eyes fixed on the agent. Within her—specifically in her rational mind—a fierce struggle between common sense and the connection she had felt before takes place. However, after a few seconds, she turns her gaze away and sketches a small smile whose amusement does not reach her eyes.

  —Yes, sure –Even despite having heard three crucial names that matched in an alarming way with that person's story, the tone she uses is loaded with complete irony– Demons? Those are just tales of the UKS to maintain control within their country through fear, or stories to scare children and make them go to sleep early. Those things do not exist–

  —The Agent sighs, a mixture of frustration and respect in her ignorance– Detective, with all due respect, I don't want to be rude to you, but you should at least consider-...–

  —Enough –At that instant, a nearby young uniformed man, with slightly gray hair and a severe expression, interrupts her words abruptly– Stop talking nonsense and keep investigating the scene –He adds, while taking her arm and leading her away from the Detective– If not, then help the Soldiers of the Republic clean up the disasters caused in this place–

  The Agent looks at her companion with a frown, a spark of clear annoyance shining in her eyes, as she forcefully pulls her arm from his grip. However, the gray-haired officer only rolls his eyes at her, with a gesture of weariness and irritation.

  —It is better that she finds out now than when it is too late –She says in a whisper to her companion, her voice vibrating with urgency–

  —We do not know if she will also be a Sehwert. You know well that, unlike other Mehr-Wissen, Sehwert powers are not hereditary. Besides, remember that our rules forbid ordinary Humans from knowing about the Altern. We already have Vesefo agents, like your girlfriend’s distant cousin who is over there playing with a ball of yarn –He responds, his tone a mixture of annoyance and poorly disguised condescension–

  —But even if she doesn't end up being like her Father, we must do it –Agent Arisa insists, her tone now firmer, her gaze locked onto her colleague's– Furthermore, that boy from before is also involved in this. He clearly knows the Altern too, and from what I have seen, everything he said is true. If the Detective remains ignorant about our world, an innocent person will end up being persecuted and punished–

  —Arisa, please, how do you know he wasn't the murderer? –The officer snaps at her, frowning and crossing his arms– He was covered in blood, at the crime scene, and was the only one present with the victims when the first units arrived. The circumstantial evidence is overwhelming–

  —Because I saw it, you idiot! Did you forget? I am a Fuchsgenheit –Arisa points out, her expression now also tinged with frustration and a palpable exhaustion at her companion's apparent stupidity, while her eyes glow with a teal light for an instant– Our specialty is seeing the past, present, and future. And while I do not have 12 tails, I have enough to see the past in a specified place up to 24 hours prior –She adds in a tone as if she had to repeat something to a foolish child– After using my Ability, ?Vista Passa?, I saw how a demon in armor with a head shaped like an ancient lamp killed Officer Leon, and also how that black-haired boy fought by his side, risking his own life. Even how he desperately tried to save him in his final moments after he was stabbed by that spear made of darkness –She says this last part with a tone marking deep regret and sadness–

  —Fine, then go and tell the Detective that –The officer replies with evident sarcasm– Reveal your identity right here, your true form, the Wesnaf, in front of everyone, so she believes you, risking your girlfriend’s cousin arresting you immediately for violating the law. Let’s see how well that goes for you–

  —Tsk –Arisa stomps her foot on the ground out of pure frustration, a dry and angry sound– Stupid prick –She spits out, her voice heavy with a contained rage that struggles not to explode–

  While Arisa turns around abruptly, her teeth grinding in pure rage and helplessness, Detective Salieri—oblivious to this heated secondary discussion happening behind her back—continues her meticulous search for clues around the mysterious sword. Her focused face attempts to find a tangible logic within the chaos and strangeness surrounding her.

  —What else did you find? –Her voice is directed at the forensic team, after determining that from the sword, for now, she will obtain nothing more than enigmatic inscriptions and an unnatural weight–

  Another forensic technician, different from the one who identified the Seytanian language—a middle-aged man with a somber and methodical expression—approaches her and, with a gesture, asks her to accompany him toward the adjacent football field area. Salieri agrees immediately, leaving behind the mysterious sword driven into the earth, but not before ordering other uniformed officers to guard it to prevent anyone, even the forensics themselves, from approaching it.

  Thus, after advancing several more meters, they arrive where the first two fallen officers lie, their bodies now partially covered by white sheets that the forensics have placed as a precaution.

  —Officer Jack Clinton, 30 years old, from the Melbury Police Department, Emerith District, that is, where this park is located –The forensic technician begins to report, consulting a small digital notebook– He was on duty alongside his partner, Agent Alejandra Hernández López. Both were called because they received a call from a civilian who had reported a strange person wearing ancient clothes and whose head, according to the witness, was a strange protrusion very different from what one would commonly see –He pauses, his face becoming even graver–

  Then, his gaze turns toward several people behind him. His hand gestures for them to approach, which they quickly obey.

  —Manuel Neuer, Criminalist Expert –The first to introduce himself is a 24-year-old young man, black-haired, thin but energetic, wearing a white protective suit– I, along with my colleagues, have been in charge of reconstructing the crime scene… or at least, the best we can–

  —Salieri nods her head– Very well. What do you have?–

  The Criminalist turns his gaze toward the Forensic Expert. The latter nods his head, leans over, and removes both sheets, revealing the lifeless bodies of the two people. A sight that leaves Salieri stunned, as something about them was different. There were no heads on either body.

  —As the Forensic Director said before, this is Jack Clinton –The criminalist points to the man while getting on his knees– And she, Alejandra Hernández López –Now, he points to the woman. After that, he stands up and turns his gaze back to Salieri– Due to the position of both, as their backs are touching the ground, both fell backward after being attacked. Furthermore… –He directs his gaze toward two pistols a few meters away– Their weapons are over there, and if we follow the trail of scant blood from a few meters back, we can say that both were dragged at least 14 meters from their position, which is the entrance to the basketball court, to here, in the middle –After that, he takes out his phone, which contains images of the weapons– According to Ballistics, the weapons were indeed fired. There was a total of three shots from Officer Clinton's weapon, while from Agent Hernandez there were five. However, there is something curious here–

  —The bullets were not found –Salieri responds, after a few seconds of deduction–

  —The Criminalist shakes his head– That’s what we thought at first, but after a thorough search, we found the eight bullets on the football field, about five meters from where Officer Montenegro's body was located, among many others–

  —Many others? –Salieri asks, observing as two other forensics carefully transport four more weapons– Well, let's leave that for later. Go on–

  —The Criminalist nods– Well, now we go to the most interesting part of this –Immediately, he crouches down again and gestures for Salieri to do the same. Thus, both are squatting– This was clearly a decapitation, wasn't it? However, do you see the stump of the neck? In a normal decapitation, there should be torn tissue, ruptured blood vessels, and open flesh. However, there is none of that here. Instead, there is a burnt surface, sealed and a bit rough. It’s as if someone had cut them with an edge wrapped in flames at over 300 degrees Tamperati.–

  —What exactly could achieve something like that? –Salieri asks–

  —We could say a thermal knife, which is a metal blade with a ceramic tip that heats up with electricity and is used in surgeries of highly vascularized organs, like the liver or spleen. However, that is basically a scalpel. It is impossible for something like that to manage to cut a neck. While it seals, it becomes rubbery, something that both necks do not show. It could also be said to be a blowtorch or a plasma cutter, but this is also impossible, as the former would leave severe burns on the body, and as you see, both are intact, while the latter, by heating up to 20 thousand degrees, would leave no trace of bodies at all. So, in conclusion, nothing that precise exists. Not even iron forged in a smithy–

  —And their heads? –Salieri asks–

  —When you were on the football field, did you see two small white sheets? –Now it is the forensic expert who asks a question–

  Salieri's body trembles slightly. Indeed, she had seen them, but she hadn't paid attention to them for the simple fact that her Father's body was in that same place.

  —Let's go –After inhaling and exhaling, Salieri begins to walk toward the indicated spot–

  The Forensic Director and the Criminalist nod their heads and then follow the woman toward the indicated location.

  ________________ >> 2 minutes >> _________________

  —Very well. Go ahead, Director–

  Just as he had done before, once they reached the indicated site, the forensic expert leans down again to remove both small white sheets. With both hands, and since they were close together, he takes them and removes them slowly and gently.

  And once the heads are revealed, all three are stunned. Even a grimace of horror is drawn on the forensic expert's face while the Detective feels a shiver and a slight urge to vomit.

  What they saw were not ordinary heads, but something much more macabre. At the bottom of both, there is a pool of now-dried blood, while in the parietal region, where there should be hair, there is nothing but an indentation where the interior could be seen. However, the brain, which should normally be there, was to one side, discarded as if it were a mass that was in the way.

  In place of the brain, one of the heads—Officer Clinton's—was filled with four thin candles carved with monstrous spectral figures: one of them with a representation of Mortem, Death Incarnate. The second, a bipedal monster. The third, a caricature of a demon, and the fourth, a series of sharp spikes.

  In the case of Agent Hernández's head, there were none of those. However, it had marks of having been torn from the inside by sharp claws, until the internal part was smooth, as if a spoon were scooping fruit from a watermelon.

  —Who…? –Salieri's face darkens instantly. Her fists immediately clench, while her scarlet eyes turn dangerous– Who could have done something like this?–

  —Whatever did this must have had experience –Criminalist Neuer quickly recovers from the shock and returns to his professional mode– First, with the candles. This level of detail and quality in their creation is not something seen nowadays. Furthermore, as you can see, the 4 candles are arranged in a rhombus, so they fit perfectly –At that instant, he signals one of his colleagues– Emily, come here!–

  In an instant, Emily—a 25-year-old Crime Scene Technician with wavy black hair and dark skin, also dressed in a protective suit—runs toward them with a briefcase in hand. Upon seeing the scene, she stands frozen for a moment. However, in less than 5 seconds, she returns to normal.

  —Crime Scene Investigator, Emily Ricken –She gestures with her head to Salieri and then leans down, placing one knee on the ground– Let’s see…–

  Immediately, the Technician opens the briefcase and takes out a high-impact reflex camera. After that, without touching anything, she begins to take witness photographs from all angles.

  And once everything is photographed, she takes out a field notebook and a wax pencil—to prevent any sweat from the gloves from dripping—and begins to draw the skull and the four candles.

  Once she finishes her drawings, she takes a digital caliper and a forensic measuring tape from the briefcase. First, she uses the steel measuring tape and wraps it around Clinton's skull, encircling the area where the temples and the back part are.

  —56.4 centimeters in perimeter–

  Then, she takes the digital caliper, turns on the screen, and begins to measure the diameter of one of the four candles. After holding the caliper firmly, the measuring tips embrace the base of the candle.

  —32.0 millimeters –She says after a few seconds–

  One by one, the four candles are measured, concluding that all four measured exactly the same, without variations.

  —Irregular rhombus arrangement. Distance between frontal and right parietal candle, 42 millimeters–

  Finally, after a series of further measurements, Emily finally finishes her work, packs her tools into her briefcase, and stands up.

  —Detective Montenegro. I have confirmed the measurements. Jack Clinton's skull measures 15 centimeters in width by 17 in depth. In the case of the candles, all four measure exactly the same: 30 millimeters in diameter and 10 centimeters in width. Furthermore, they are placed at the same angle, in a rhombus shape, distributed in such a way that they all fit and none collide with each other, leaving a space of two centimeters –She says after a few seconds– This means that whoever did this, just as Criminalist Expert Neuer said, must have incredible experience and skill. Both in the creation of said candles and in the measurements, as they know exactly the position in which to place them. A novice would place them in a way that they would fit however they could. Instead, our unsub places them almost in a reverential manner, as if they had obsessive-compulsive disorder–

  —Salieri's gaze turns toward Agent Hernandez's head– And her? Would the same thing have happened?–

  —According to the tears, everything indicates so. This is because someone was scraping to make a similar space so that the candles the unsub was going to place, whatever the amount, would fit perfectly –The Technician responds while carefully pointing to the parts she is talking about, so as not to worsen the scene– However, from what I could see, there are some uniform parts. Everything indicates that someone stopped them before they could continue with what they wanted to do–

  Salieri sighs in sadness and shakes her head, angry at whoever performed such an inhuman act.

  —Do you know roughly what time the call that alerted these officers was made? –Salieri asks after a few more seconds. Her gaze is directed toward Criminalist Neuer–

  —The Criminalist immediately signals another of his colleagues, a Technological Specialist– Leonardo, come here!–

  —In an instant, a slightly muscular man, 35 years old, with dark skin, brown hair, and wearing black-finished glasses on his face, approaches running– Hello again, Detective –He bows his head slightly toward the Detective in greeting– Leonardo García Morales at your service once more–

  —Leonardo? Do you live in Melbury? –Salieri asks with surprise. Occasionally, as part of her work as a Detective, she used to collaborate with the Army, which led her to meet a specialist hired through outsourcing by the Imperial Army–

  —I came for my little girl. Thanks to your help, I can finally bring her to live with me –The man responds with a smile– So, I took advantage of my vacation to come get her and take her to the Capital–

  —Salieri smiles. Although she is not a lawyer, upon learning the man's story, whose wife was unfaithful and used their daughter against him to keep humiliating him, her passion for justice and equity led her to help him, providing access to the Montenegro law firm, managing to win the case and imprisoning the woman for her crimes– I am very glad. And, I apologize for interrupting your moment–

  —The Technician laughs lightly– It’s nothing. If I can help even a little, to return your kindness, I consider myself well served –Then, he brings his hands toward Salieri's hands, specifically to the black gloves that wrap them– By the way, those aren't your special gloves, are they?–

  —Salieri startles slightly and quickly looks at her hands– Oh. I completely forgot them in the vehicle, in my haste –Then, she sighs with relief– Fortunately, I haven't touched any man in all this time. Otherwise, I would have had a hard time–

  —Be careful, Detective. We don't want you to end up vomiting or fainting at this important moment because of a touch from us –The man responds, before crouching down to begin working, placing his briefcase on the ground to take out his tools–

  Then, from his briefcase, he first takes out a tablet that allows manipulation even with gloves. After entering the privacy code, he opens a police application.

  —Here are the logs of the call made to the nearest Station, which is the one in this District, Emerith, and also the logs of the call made to Officer Montenegro when they requested his help –He responds– They are in both text and audio. Which one do you wish to check, Detective?–

  —Text, please –Salieri responds after checking both options–

  Upon receiving the response, the technician taps on the chosen option, where the entire conversation unfolds in a police report format.

  —Let’s see…–

  ================================================

  EMERGENCY CALL TRANSCRIPTION.

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  INTELLIGENCE UNIT.

  NATIONAL POLICE

  DATE: Filloni 30th, 2025

  TIME: 02:40 AM

  LOCATION: Lanel Recreational Center. Emerith District. City of Melbury

  OPERATOR: Dispatcher 402 (Mariana J.)

  CALLER: Civil (Identity unknown).

  (Sound of line connecting. Two dial tones.)

  OPERATOR: 911, Melbury State Police, how can we help you tonight?

  CALLER: (Heaving, jagged breathing. Background wind and a distant, heavy metallic sound against the ground are heard). Please… I need your help! There is something strange in this place!

  OPERATOR: Ma'am, I need you to calm down so I can help you. First, where are you located?

  CALLER: (Trembling voice, whispering). I’m… I’m hidden in some bushes near some basketball courts at the Lanel Recreational Center, located in the Emerith District. You know, the one near the exit of the City of Melbury. (Whimper of fear.) Oh, by the Goddess Astel! I think that thing has seen me!

  OPERATOR: Understood. Can you tell me what “that thing” you are referring to is? Are you being attacked?

  CALLER: No. It’s not attacking me. In fact, I don't think it's paying attention to me, it's just watching me. (Sound of concrete breaking). But even so… but even so, I’m afraid to come out of here. I don’t want that thing to hurt me.

  OPERATOR: Ma'am, once again, what thing are you referring to?

  CALLER: I don't know! I only know it's not human. It’s huge. It could easily reach a street lamp. It must be over two meters tall. It’s wearing some kind of black armor with silver parts, as the metal clanks when it walks or moves, and I think a red sash. Metal boots, too. It’s near the athletic track right now. (Sound of more concrete breaking) It’s destroying the ground!

  OPERATOR: Very well, I understand. Tell me, Ma'am, does the individual carry a weapon?

  CALLER: Yes. It has an axe. Black. Probably with a metal handle, as it gleams a bit in the moonlight. It also has decorations that end in spikes. The decoration is similar to a weapon used by my son's character in a fantasy video game. (Voice increasing in nervousness). That thing is using it to break everything it sees. Benches, lights, concrete, even the wall near the bleachers (Sounds of various thuds and destruction).

  OPERATOR: Very well, Ma'am. Anything else that can describe it?

  CALLER: (Long silence) Yes… I know it sounds impossible to believe, but please, I beg you not to take me for a madwoman. Everything I’m telling you is completely real (Voice cracking with fear).

  OPERATOR: Understood, Ma'am. Go ahead. Tell me.

  CALLER: The individual has on its head… No. I don't know what it is. I wouldn't even know if to tell you if that is a head. In place of one, it has a… lamp, I think. One of those traveler's lamps, made of iron and glass… The design of it looks like one of those castle towers, with several spikes. The top part looks like a crown.

  OPERATOR: Understood, Ma'am. Don't worry. You are not crazy. You are not the only one telling us something similar.

  CALLER: (Sound of heavy, metallic footsteps. And a laugh that seems to chill the air). Oh, Holy Goddess! I think it really saw me now!

  OPERATOR: Calm down, Ma'am, calm down. I am sending a police unit to your location right now. They will arrive in five minutes.

  CALLER: (Deep, grave, and thick voice) You are not Sariel. Get out of here. (Female scream of horror and phone falling to the ground).

  OPERATOR: Ma'am?! Ma'am, are you there?!

  (Call cut off, but not before hearing something breaking, along with a long and extremely high-pitched beep).

  ================================================

  —Sariel?–

  In an instant, the name makes Salieri's eyes widen. Although she hadn't asked for his name before—after asking him to explain himself fully, he had only named himself—she now knew that this was the same name as the man she had sent to a cell.

  —It is the name of the person sent to the Melbury Station –Arisa, upon hearing the name, approaches the Detective once more to speak to her–

  —Salieri nods her head– Then it is him. That name sounds so… angelic. The suffix “el” is usually used in angelic names–

  —Well, anyone who knows Sariel knows exactly that it isn't like that –Arisa sketches an amused smile. Although she hasn't met him in person, as everyone in the Altern knows of him, they do know of his "feats," such as the fact that he loves to sleep with anything that has a female humanoid body–

  Salieri raises an eyebrow, intrigued by the words of the blonde-haired officer. However, when the latter turns her gaze away, she decides to ignore her words.

  —Next one, please –The Detective looks back at the technician's tablet screen– My Father's–

  —Understood, Detective–

  ================================================

  EMERGENCY CALL TRANSCRIPTION.

  INTELLIGENCE UNIT.

  NATIONAL POLICE

  DATE: Filloni 30th, 2025

  TIME: 03:35 AM

  LOCATION: Near the Lanel Recreational Center, in the Emerith District, on Maple Street.

  SENDER: Operator Mariana R. (Melbury Intelligence Unit).

  RECEIVER: Commander Leon Montenegro Solís (Morian Police Station).

  (Sound of static, produced by the radio of Unit 110)

  OPERATOR: Commander Montenegro, do you copy? Over.

  MONTENEGRO: 5-4 Mariana. What’s going on? Right now I’m a bit busy with a problem.

  OPERATOR: I’m sorry to bother you at this hour, Commander. But since I saw that your real-time location no longer marked the Town of Nueva Pacifica on the outskirts of the City, but rather a place near the Lanel Recreational Center, I decided to call you.

  MONTENEGRO: What is the matter about?

  OPERATOR: You see, an hour ago we recorded several emergency calls from the same place, the Lanel Recreational Center, by various civilians. Because of this, we sent Unit 2-41 from the Emerith Police Station to investigate. However, we haven't received a response from them since the last one at 2:50 AM. Their last known location was the north entrance of the complex. Their GPS is even still at that spot.

  MONTENEGRO: What was the reason for those calls?

  OPERATOR: The 15 calls we received near 2:40 in the morning all had something in common. An unsub over two meters tall, black armor, carrying an axe. Furthermore, they all mentioned with voices of horror the lamp on its head.

  MONTENEGRO: Lamp on its head?

  OPERATOR: Yes. They said it looked like an ancient iron lamp with spikes on the top, resembling a crown. Some other calls mentioned an unnatural bright yellow halo. The guys here in the Melbury Central Unit insisted that we call you, as you were the most appropriate for this task.

  MONTENEGRO: I understand. That was a very good decision. Anything else?

  OPERATOR: There was a call from someone close enough to this person. It said, “You are not Sariel, get out of here.” and in fact, most reports said it wasn't doing anything to them.

  MONTENEGRO: (Amused chuckle, directed at someone else) Seems you were right, kid. Those 3 guys are after you. And apparently, they are waiting for you. (Amused chuckle from a young man approximately 27-28 years old) I told you, Officer. It was probably Luciel, the Regent of Gehenna, who ordered them.

  OPERATOR: Commander? Are you there?

  MONTENEGRO: Oh yes, sorry Mariana. Tell the other units nearby not to approach that place. Tell them to wait for my call before they move in. Any attempt to approach will end up like what probably happened to those two poor officers from before. I’m heading to the site right now.

  OPERATOR: Understood, Commander. Please take care of yourself.

  MONTENEGRO: (Voice of the same young man from before) Will that be all you'll take from the Sehwert Base? (Montenegro's voice). Yes. With these weapons, it will be enough to face Lumen. Though there would still be the other two, Zakech and Aren. (Young man's voice) No, the other two won't be there, only Lumen. That guy might be a murderer, but at least he has honor. He’s waiting for us to face him in a 2 versus 1. (Montenegro's voice) I hope so. Due to how the Sehwert Base is, I couldn't take much better weapons. Besides, it's not like my powers and yours still exist, heh, heh. (Young man's voice, but with feigned offense) Officer…

  (The radio transmission is cut off by Montenegro himself).

  ================================================

  Once Salieri finishes reading everything, she immediately takes out her wired earphones, puts them on, inserts the jack into the tablet’s 3.5 mm port, and presses the button to play the audio accompanying the text log.

  And when the voice of Leon Montenegro—her Father’s voice—is heard, she cannot prevent her eyes from reddening a little. After all, this same voice, which spoke to her with authority and also with affection, had accompanied her throughout her nearly 25 years of life. That is why now, hearing it after seeing the corpse of the very person it used to belong to, provoked emotions that were complicated to put into words.

  However, after a few more seconds, she soon forces herself to calm down, for it was not yet the moment to release these emotions. There was something more important to do. So instead of sinking into depression, she listens intently to the last part, where her Father and another voice speak to each other. The conversation, although strange given the context, had a particular style of warmth, as if the two people conversing were already great friends.

  —That voice… –She murmurs, while analyzing the tone in the other person's voice– It is the same as that young man's, Sariel–

  Finally, a knot in her heart that she didn't know she had vanishes completely. The type of conversation between the two made it more than clear that this man—the one she had believed was responsible for murdering her Father—was completely innocent. And because of this, she couldn't help but let out a sigh of relief, and even feel those same distinct heartbeats from before.

  —Something good had to come out of this day –She thought in her mind before forming a slight smile that left those near her stunned–

  Then, she looks back at the Military Technology Technician to her left.

  —Is there another related call?–

  —14 more calls similar to the one I showed you the first time. And regarding your Father, there is also one more, but it wasn't to the police services, but to the medical ones–

  —What? –Salieri asks with intrigue–

  ================================================

  MEDICAL EMERGENCY CALL LOG

  MELBURY MEDICAL SERVICES

  MEDICAL RECEPTION

  DATE: Filloni 30th, 2025

  TIME: 05:50 AM

  ORIGIN: Lanel Recreational Center, Emerith District, Melbury City | Police Phone of Commander Leon Montenegro Solís (000-592-8841).

  DESTINATION: Melbury City State Hospital

  OPERATOR: Medical Dispatcher (Marco L.)

  CALLER: Unknown (Male voice, approximately 27-28 years old)

  (Sound of wind whistling. In the background, the crackling of something strange is heard, like disintegrating embers and a constant dripping of liquid).

  OPERATOR: Melbury Medical Emergencies, what is your emergency?

  CALLER: (Prolonged silence).

  OPERATOR: Hello? Are you there?

  CALLER: (Broken, tired, hoarse tone). Could you send the forensics? (Pause of exhaustion).

  OPERATOR: Excuse me? Is this a prank call?

  CALLER: Officer Leon Montenegro Solís has been murdered. He is dead.

  OPERATOR: (Stunned pause. Then, a gasp) I beg your pardon? No, seriously, if this is a joke please don't do it. It’s in bad taste.

  CALLER: I’m not joking. A few minutes ago, Officer Montenegro was murdered at the Lanel Recreational Center. You can call the State Police Central Unit of this city, where they can confirm that Officer Montenegro was sent here after a previous unit failed to respond. Now, he is dead. So, please, bring the forensics quickly, put those technological preservation tools you have on him before his body can’t take it anymore.

  OPERATOR: (Pause while trying to figure out if it's a joke or not).

  CALLER: Also, the other two officers they sent are also dead. They have no heads.

  OPERATOR: I understand. I will send the Motorized Paramedics first to verify if this is true. Based on that, we will send the respective units.

  CALLER: All right. Just… hurry.

  OPERATOR: Very well, Sir. Please stay there in case it turns out to be true. The Motorized Paramedics will arrive in less than 5 minutes.

  (Call is cut off. Only the hang-up beep)

  ================================================

  Salieri remains in silence, listening to the tired voice of the person in the audio, which she also played along with the notes. She, as a Detective from the Homicide Unit of the National Police, has the ability to detect lies even when she doesn't have the person in front of her to see their expressions. The simple tone of voice is enough for her. Because of this, in all her expertise, she was able to know that the man's sadness in the call was not false at all.

  —We also have a call that the same person made to the Central Intelligence Unit, Detective –The Technological Technician says– Do you want to see it and listen to it?–

  —Salieri, despite the fact that this was enough for her to know the man was innocent, decides to refuse– No. This is enough. Thank you very much for your help, Leo–

  —It’s nothing, Detective–

  After that, she turns her gaze back toward the basketball court, so the whole group moves with her toward that place. And upon arriving, Salieri walks toward another nearby forensic expert. The moment had finally come to analyze other evidence found at the crime scene: the weapons.

  Her gaze fixes on the weapons on the ground: a battle rifle, a shotgun, and a submachine gun. The first piece rests on the asphalt: a battle rifle with angular lines and a pristine ceramic white finish. Unlike standard models, this one did not have a removable stock or excessive modular rails; instead, it featured an integrated compact optical sight and a lower compartment that, due to its bulky shape, suggested an underslung grenade launcher. But what truly triggers Salieri's curiosity are not its components, but its general silhouette. That weapon did not belong to any known police inventory; its design broke with traditional ergonomics, looking like a relic brought directly from a science fiction movie.

  —Is this… plasma?–

  —Karina! –Then, Technician Leonardo shouts toward a woman roughly his age, with fair skin and blonde hair, also dressed in a protective suit– It's your turn, honey–

  —Salieri raises an eyebrow and looks at the two of them– Honey?–

  —I am… his girlfriend –The woman says, with a visible blush since she isn't wearing a helmet– Karina Torres Coltrane, Military Weaponry Technician. Like Leo, I am also hired through outsourcing–

  —Pleased to meet you –Salieri responds, extending her hand toward her to shake it–

  —Karina hesitates for a moment and looks at Leonardo– Go ahead –He tells her– The Detective's illness doesn't apply to women. Only to men–

  Karina, with the green light, finally shakes Salieri's hand. Afterward, she, like Leonardo, leans down to take out her work tools. In this case, special gloves developed by ZeriX Military Factory, a company created by Emperor Lan, the ruler of the Central Republic, and known for manufacturing high-quality weapons for the military and even personal spheres. And not just weapons, but also other types of military artifacts, such as ammunition, clothing, personal care products, food, land, water, and air vehicles, and even scientific products. Everything related to a military scope.

  —Now then, Detective, let us begin –The Weaponry Technician's previous embarrassed attitude vanishes completely. Now only her professional mode remains–

  Karina places both hands over the plasma rifle. However, she does not touch it. Instead, she flexes her hands five times, forming a fist and then extending it, all with speed. And once the fifth time ends, two holographic screens appear over the gloves, allowing what the gloves see to be viewed with more clarity. However, as these were in the Technician's way, she decides to merge both into one and place it at a height where it wouldn't be a nuisance. All using both hands.

  —All right, Detective, do you see this?–

  The screens show the surface of the rifle. After that, a zoom out of nowhere makes the part where the barrel is located visible.

  —I see it –The Detective responds, now squatting to get a better look at the screen–

  —This circular thing here that you see… –The screen moves toward the left side, near the trigger– …is an Energy Core. Its purpose is to process the energy this weapon uses and then convert that same processed energy into ammunition –Now, the screen moves toward the right, toward some energy tubes– These lines you see here are the "highway" through which the converted energy passes from the Core to the barrel –Finally, the camera moves to the far right– To here, where it is fired as plasma bullets–

  —Plasma? –The Detective asks. Her previous question had been answered–

  —Yes –Once again the camera moves, but this time toward the left, a little ahead of the stock– Here in this compartment is where the plasma cartridges are placed. Due to this energy it uses, its design is aerodynamic, with many ventilation slots so that it expels the heat caused by the processing –She then signals one of her colleagues. After a few seconds, he hands her a semi-transparent square-shaped cartridge– This one you see here is the magazine this weapon uses. And yes, in case you were wondering, it is liquid plasma–

  The Technician shows the cartridge to the Detective, and she, after a few seconds of looking at it, allows her to place it back where the weapons were positioned.

  —Very well, let's move on to the next weapon found. The submachine gun–

  Their gazes now shift toward the submachine gun lying next to the rifle. It is a bullpup configuration SMG, compact and lethal. Its two-tone casing, in brilliant white and matte black, gleams under the morning light. The weapon stands out due to a holographic sight mounted on a top tactical rail, a magazine integrated directly into the chassis, and a pistol-style grip that invites a quick draw. At the rear, a folding stock completes its minimalist yet aggressive design.

  —This one, well, in itself doesn't have much to talk about. It’s just an SMG. I assume you've seen many in your career–

  —Salieri nods her head– Yes. But the ones I’ve seen, and even used on some occasions, didn't have a minimalist design, nor a sight with what looks like artificial intelligence, nor an integrated magazine, nor a digital ammunition counter… In fact, they didn't even have a counter–

  —The technician smiles– Exactly. And furthermore, if you look closely at the barrel, it’s about three millimeters larger –Once again the camera moves, this time toward the barrel– Conventional SMGs use pistol ammunition, that is, 9 millimeters. However, the barrel of this SMG uses exactly 12-millimeter ammunition. What a rifle or a light machine gun would use–

  —It’s like a premium version –Salieri deduces–

  —That’s right. However, if we look at its compact size, we'll see that it isn't perfectly built to handle bullets of that caliber. –The camera now focuses on the muzzle– If you look into the barrel, you can see it's a bit burnt, which means this weapon gets very hot.–

  —And how do the bullets get in? I mean, the magazine is integrated–

  —That is the question. From what I can deduce by the shape and size of the magazine, we could say it holds about 25 bullets. However, my colleagues found more than 150 bullets of this type over there on the football field, which is impossible, as it has no other port to load bullets–

  —Salieri smiles, but it isn't a happy smile like the one she had when she learned Sariel was innocent. This was a smile of irony– What? Does it just generate them by itself, out of nowhere?–

  —The Technician stares at her for a few seconds– It could be true, you know?–

  —Eh? Really?–

  The Weapons Technician does not respond. She simply moves on to another weapon, the shotgun. The artifact lying on the ground defies conventional classification. Although its length suggests an assault rifle, its caliber and the width of its muzzle betray its true nature. It features a futuristic modular design, with a white casing of angular lines and an integrated front grip that invites a firm two-handed hold. Most interesting, just like the previous weapon, is its feeding system: there is no visible magazine or traditional pump-action tube; instead, a series of light indicators and a blood-red exposed chamber promise devastating firepower. It looks as if it were taken from an orbital battlefield, too advanced for this planet, Astel, too heavy for the police.

  —Again, I don't see where it's loaded from –Salieri smiles again with that previous ironic smile– Anything to say?–

  —Karina also shows a resigned and ironic smile– I guess… it’s a shotgun? Even I don’t understand how this works. But what I do know is that it uses 25-millimeter rounds, which is beastly power. Whoever Officer Montenegro fought must have had a hard time receiving these impacts. According to what we collected, at least 15 must have been fired.–

  Her camera then moves toward the lower part of the shotgun, between the two grenade launcher barrels.

  —Do you remember what I said about it potentially being true that the bullets generate themselves? –The Technician asks, while zooming in on a certain symbol–

  Salieri nods her head. Then, the Technician frames in the camera something that, to the naked eye, could not be seen: the micro-engraving of the ZeriX Military Factory logo. The design is a hexagonal shield with double, almost three-dimensional outlines. At the cusp, a three-pointed crown with a central rhombus, representing that this is a creation of the Imperial Crown. The initials “ZMF” occupy the core, designed with sharp edges that mimic blades. To the right, an arrow pierces a serrated gear, symbolizing the fusion between innovation and controlled destruction.

  The most interesting thing is not the design, but its location: laser-engraved into the metal of the weapon, requiring holographic magnification to be seen. Basically, a signal for those who seek the truth.

  —It’s the ZeriX Military Factory logo –Salieri instantly recognizes the logo. It’s no secret to anyone, as this logo is used on all products created by this very company, ZMF, according to its acronym, or “Zemf,” according to its pronunciation, and it’s also the corporate logo that can be easily seen at all its headquarters–

  —Exactly. I don't know if you knew, because I only found out in passing during one of my contracts at the Military Agency Private, that ZMF has an Experimental Branch where they develop new military creations and, depending on how well they turn out, they either release them to the public or keep them within the Military Agency Private –As she says this, Karina searches for the same logo on the remaining weapons, effectively finding it on both– As you can see, all three have the same logo, which means all three belong to ZMF. And if they are weapons never seen before, it means they belong to the Experimental Branch –Then, the Technician looks at Salieri with curiosity– Now the question here is, how did your Father have these weapons? Wasn’t he supposed to be just a Commander of a Station here in Melbury?–

  At that moment, the Military Technology Specialist Technician, Leonardo, who was watching but had not commented, approaches the spot.

  —Karina, remember that Officer Montenegro was not just an ordinary Commander –His voice turns soft when he speaks to her– He was also the Heir of the Montenegros. And the Montenegros are not common people; they are the second richest family in this country, and the third richest in the world. Even despite that event of repudiation by the Old Patriarch, which prevented him from accessing the Montenegro power, it’s normal that he had access to classified military levels, since even His Imperial Majesty chose and recognized him.–

  —Salieri, listening to this, nods her head– Yes. My Father, although he had no Montenegro power at the time, was still an Heir, so he occasionally had to attend events organized by the Imperial Family by force, which he took advantage of to make contacts. Not only with the Emperor but with others dedicated to security, such as the Lafayette Family, another of the 7 Founding Families, like us, the Montenegros. They are also dedicated to the field of national security–

  —It’s true –Technician Karina nods– The current head of the Lafayette Family, Collette Lafayette, is the Attorney General of the Nation–

  —Besides that –Salieri continues with her explanation– My Father also had contacts in the Military Agency Private–

  Military Agency Private, or M.A.P. by its acronym. A security agency created by Lan, the Emperor of the Central Republic. The M.A.P. is a hybrid between a public and private agency, as it offers services for those who can afford its prices, and it also serves as the last line of defense for the Central Republic. A private Army that obeys only Lan, the Emperor, and Eleanor, the Empress, but with the capacity to protect the entire country thanks to having one million armed assets.

  In fact, rumors circulate that the M.A.P. is not a normal agency in the human sense. Many believe its members are immortal. Nothing and no one can kill them, but they are under the control of the two Regent Emperors. This is because on social networks, like Lumos, videos have been leaked of M.A.P. Soldiers being shot and even bombed, and not only have they not sustained a single scratch, but they remain standing as if nothing had happened.

  And additionally, another extra of this Agency is that they possess highly superior technology of all types. Weapons like the ones Salieri was now seeing could easily be in the repertoire of the M.A.P. Soldiers.

  —Hmm. Are the weapons registered in the M.A.P.? –Salieri asks suddenly–

  Upon hearing her, Karina deactivates the Holographic Mode of her gloves, making the same gestures as before, removes them, stores them in their special compartment, and finally, takes out a laptop.

  After that, she types the specific address to search the Military Agency Private database. However, before they could enter, something stopped them: an institutional data capture screen.

  —Detective, I need permissions. I am not a police officer, so I cannot gain access.–

  —Very well –Salieri nods without hesitation–

  Immediately, she enters her username in the "User" field and her password in the field of the same name. These two are her credentials with which she can access her National Police account, and since there is collaboration between national security companies, one can access the databases of any of them just by being a member of one and identifying themselves.

  —Done–

  —Once Salieri hands control back to Technician Karina, she begins to search for the weapons in these databases.– Well–

  First, they tried with a serial number, as they did not know the name. However, after finding nothing on the weapons, even after a thorough check, they decided to go with an image search. So, once Karina took the images with her specialized camera and transferred them to her computer using high-speed wireless technology, she placed the images in the search field.

  —Eh?–

  —Oh…–

  However, they faced a problem. The good part: they did find them. The bad part: to access their data, higher-level permissions were required.

  —"We are sorry. Your Access Level is not suitable to display this classified information. Required Level: Administrator"... What the hell? But I am a Detective. Although I am Level 8, thanks to my contributions to the National Police, I have a Level 3 Access, equal to what a State Inspector General would have, a power level close to any of the 1,000 Administrators the M.A.P. has. So why can't I gain access? –Salieri's frustration grows more and more with every word she speaks–

  To one side, Arisa, the blonde Agent, upon hearing the young Detective's frustration, smiles tenderly, like one would smile at a sister who is angry with bureaucracy.

  —Anyway –Salieri, after getting angry, sighs to calm her temper– It's already a gain that they appeared in the M.A.P. database. This means they are weapons that could easily be tracked, having their own ID. However, that doesn't explain how my Father had something like that–

  —Maybe that young man, Sariel, knows. –Arisa, at her side, doesn't miss the opportunity– Why don't you ask him?–

  Salieri turns to look at the agent, almost burning her with her gaze. However, Arisa does not flinch. She simply sketches a playful smile.

  —Haa… –And once again, the Detective who previously had all the answers and used to stay controlled in cases, sighs with resignation–

  Afterward, she turns toward the team that had helped her during these hours. Thanks to their help, processing the fact that this could not be a merely human matter had begun to be accepted by her, along with the explanation Sariel mentioned before she ordered his transfer to Morian.

  —Mr. Neuer, Miss Ricken, Mr. García, and Miss Torres, thank you very much for your help–

  —It’s nothing, Detective –The four respond with a smile–

  —It’s not just our job, but we also owed it to Officer Montenegro. He has helped us a lot –Manuel Neuer responds–

  —And you too –Leonardo García responds– Thanks to you, my daughter has finally returned to my arms. Also, you allowed me to meet someone as wonderful as Karina. Helping you is like returning the favor, even if just a little–

  Salieri finally smiles with a smile different from those she has had before. It is a smile of genuine gratitude toward the people, because for them it was not just another job, but a hand held out in the current darkness that surrounded her upon losing her Father.

  —Again, thank you very much–

  The four then give a respectful bow to Salieri. A 30-degree bow, the same that would be offered to royalty, as Salieri is technically royalty; being the current Montenegro Heir and having all the power of that family under her command, a status similar to a Princess had been assigned to her.

  ________________ >> 5 minutes >> _________________

  —So… –After the thanks, the others continued working, searching for more clues that could serve them, while Salieri moved a bit away from the site to be able to think calmly and reconstruct the events with the available information– In this place, the Lanel Recreational Center, a strange creature, which according to that man is called Lumen, began to cause destruction near three in the morning. This led to calls being made to various nearby stations by civilians asking for help, which culminated in them sending a unit with two officers. However, in the process, this entity called Lumen murdered those two. According to the records, it carried an axe, and the wound on the necks seemed to have been made with the edge of a similar weapon. However, it did not attack the civilians, which means it does not attack if it does not feel attacked. Officers Clinton and Hernandez attacked, which caused their murder, and also their heads being turned into a lamp. Or well, only Clinton's, because in Hernandez's case, something interrupted it. This, taking the other records as reference, was my Father, who answered the call after the unit sent did not respond. Along with him was that man, Sariel. After that, a confrontation took place between my Father, Sariel, and Lumen, using high-caliber and special weapons manufactured by ZMF, culminating in the death or disappearance of Lumen, and in the murder of my Father, who was pierced by something circular about 5 centimeters in diameter.–

  The more she reviews it in her mind, the more strange and dissonant it all seems to her, for logic—that friend who had always accompanied her throughout her entire police career—had shattered against the bizarre details of this case.

  In its place, a subtle, insistent persuasion had been born in her mind, coming from the depths of her own heart, whispering that the information from that young black-haired man, his incredible story about demons, could be completely real.

  —Haa… –A new but this time deep sigh escapes the lips of Detective Montenegro– Have the forensics prepare to take the bodies of the two fallen agents to their respective morgues –Finally, she decides to stop for a moment, in pursuit of new horizons–

  —Understood, Detective –Responds a sergeant she had summoned with a gesture– And what will happen with Officer Montenegro's body?–

  —If I remember correctly, the Attorney General of the Central Republic, Collette Lafayette, is in the City of Melbury, as she used to be a friend of my Father and wanted to come visit him. So, inform her of everything that happened in this place and also my Father's passing. –Salieri quickly remembers whom to turn to for something like this– She will know what to do regarding my Father's body and the implications it entails–

  —Very well, Detective, it shall be done.–

  —Furthermore… notify Aisha as well, the Governor of the City. –A knot forms in Salieri's heart. She knows perfectly well it will be a heavy blow for Aisha, her Father's girlfriend and with whom he has been in a relationship for ten years, almost with plans to marry. However, she decides not to hide it, as she knows that would be much worse– Let her know that my Father has passed away. And tell her that I will go see her soon–

  After making the corresponding preparations, Salieri moves away from the crime scene toward her vehicle, which is parked in the North Zone parking lot, not far from where her Father's body was.

  —Demons, huh? –She murmurs to herself as she opens the door of her black utility SUV, robust, with tinted windows and a powerful engine that, even five years after being bought, still has the strength of the first day. The word mentioned on her lips feels strange and alien to her vocabulary–

  While one part of her—the rational side, trained and tethered completely to the logic that a person of science would have—still resists believing in the veracity of the young man's story, another part—perhaps that intuition that has often guided her in the most complex cases—whispers for her to believe it, to open her mind to possibilities she would have previously discarded as fantastical, conspiratorial, or belonging to people who were not in their right mind.

  In turn, along with that whisper, memories of her childhood—once relegated to the chest of childhood fantasies or strange dreams—now resurface with a new and disturbing clarity.

  The first: a strange basement located far from the main Mansion, in a remote patio of that gigantic estate, secured with protection provided by the M.A.P., which her Father never allowed her to enter. Once, out of curiosity, she managed to get in, discovering a strange decontamination corridor like those used in biological laboratories. However, she could not go any further because her Father discovered her, scolded her, and forbade her from ever returning to that place; and Salieri, someone respectful of rules, had obeyed and never approached it again, even to this day.

  The second: a secret room within the bedroom that used to belong to her Mother, Scarlett Neiruk—an exclusive space given by her Father to her so she could rest without being interrupted, and where only she could enter. In that place were shelves filled with ancient books containing illustrations of creatures that seemed torn from the darkest nightmares, from fantasy and mystery movies, and even from video games of the same genre. Simultaneously, there were also books related to magic, occultism, the worship of Gods, and even strange artifacts that remained abandoned in chests since Scarlett disappeared mysteriously when Salieri was 5 years old.

  Third: her Father's inexplicable nightly outings. On some occasions, during the late hours of the night, he would go out armed with ancient weapons—such as swords, crossbows, and bows—with the fierce gaze of a Hunter. Upon returning near dawn, there were always small scratches on his body, like the claws of a strange animal, and in turn, a peculiar and faint metallic smell—typical of blood, but one that did not smell exactly like human blood would.

  Fourth: the strange noises—hisses, unnatural creaks, or sometimes a silence too profound—that occasionally surrounded her home in the stillness of the night. Noises that were quickly silenced by her Father's vigilant and protective presence.

  All of this, and more—including what happened this morning—now indicated to her that the truth could be much stranger than she ever imagined, and that her common logic, her police training based solely on the tangible and demonstrable, might be useless here.

  That is why, after much thought, after processing everything that had happened and finally listening to her intuition, she decides to head toward the one person she identified as the only one who could give her the information she needed.

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