Reporting

Robert, feeling the weight of his bandaged leg, steadily climbed the entrance stairs to the towering building, his heart thumping in his chest with anticipation.

After arriving at the reception desk, he encountered a curious woman who seemed to gaze intently at his injured leg.

Attempting to clear his throat and gather his thoughts, he whispered to the woman in a low and cautious voice,

"Excuse me, ma'am. I need to report something."

The woman's expression remained neutral and unreadable as she replied,

"What is it that you need to report?"

Robert hesitated, uncertain about how much he should reveal.

He couldn't shake the memory of the homeless people he had witnessed earlier and the nuns who appeared to be manipulating them. With a deep breath, he decided to share everything he had seen.

He described the homeless people in the alleyway and the nuns who were distributing bread while reciting an eerie prayer.

He spoke about the sense of unease he experienced and how his suspicions were raised.

The woman listened carefully, her expression growing more somber with each passing moment.

When Robert finished speaking, she nodded slowly and thanked him for his work on the matter and for the report.

She assured him that the higher-ups would review the information he had shared and provide feedback as soon as possible.

"One more thing, allow me to examine your wounded limb" the woman said, her voice gentle and soothing.

"I am trained as a combat medic, so fear not, for you are in capable hands."

She cast her discerning gaze on the tightly wrapped bandages that enveloped Robert's leg, and with a deft hand, she began to unravel them.

As she did, a look of mild surprise crossed her face.

The wound appeared to have already healed quite nicely, despite the fact that it had been inflicted just hours ago.

The woman assumed that Robert must be an ascendant, a being with extraordinary regenerative abilities.

"Forgive me, sir," she said apologetically.

"It seems that my services were not needed after all. You may now retire to your quarters and rest easy, knowing that you have done your part in serving your fellow man. Your bravery and selflessness shall not go unnoticed nor unappreciated."

Robert nodded in understanding, grateful for the woman's kind words.

Robert felt a sense of relief and gratitude wash over him as he made his way downstairs, eager to rest after the harrowing ordeal.

But even as he lay down on his bed, exhaustion tugging at his mind and body, he couldn't shake the unsettling feeling that lingered.

The events of the day had left him feeling deeply shaken and he knew that he would have difficulty sleeping. As he closed his eyes, attempting to relax, his mind was flooded with dark and troubling images.

He dreamed of the nuns, their faces twisted with malice as they chanted their mysterious prayer. He saw the homeless people, their eyes vacant and unseeing, as they accepted bread from the nuns. The dreams were so vivid and nightmarish that Robert woke up several times throughout the night, his heart pounding with terror.

In the morning, Robert attempted to put the unsettling events of the day and his vivid dreams behind him.

But he couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss and he knew that he would need to be vigilant if he wanted to uncover the truth.

Robert woke up to an empty dormitory, as usual. The silence in the training room indicated that his comrades were out patrolling the city to gather information about the recent attacks. He yawned and stretched his sore muscles, his mind still hazy from sleep. He got up and walked towards the staircase that led to the ground floor, hoping to find Eugene at the reception desk.

As he climbed down the stairs, he saw Eugene sitting behind the counter, staring intently at a pile of documents. When Eugene noticed Robert, he looked up and gave him a quick nod.

"Kid, quick, quick!" Eugene exclaimed, a hint of urgency in his voice.

"The commander wants to see you. It seems like your report struck gold. You've got a knack for finding danger."

Robert furrowed his brows, his curiosity piqued.

"What did I do? What happened?" he asked.

Eugene's eyes widened in disbelief.

"What happened? You reported a bunch of strange nuns feeding homeless people with a suspicious-looking bread, that's what happened!" he said, as if it were obvious.

Robert's heart skipped a beat. He had almost forgotten about the bizarre incident he had witnessed the previous day.

"Oh, that. Right. What did the commander say?"

Eugene leaned in and lowered his voice, as if revealing a secret.

"I don't know, kid. The commander didn't say much. Just that he wants to see you as soon as possible. I suggest you don't keep him waiting."

Robert nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and apprehension. He had never been summoned by the commander before, and the fact that his report had caught his attention only added to the mystery. He followed Eugene as he led the way to the commander's office.

The office was located on the top floor of the building, a spacious and well-decorated room with a large desk and numerous shelves filled with books and artifacts.

The commander was sitting behind his desk, a stern look on his face.

He was a man of about 50 years of age, with a commanding presence that demanded respect. His physique was well-built and his posture exuded confidence, befitting a man of his rank and stature. His broad shoulders and muscular frame were a testament to his physical fitness, and his keen eyes seemed to penetrate through one's very soul, conveying an unwavering sense of authority and wisdom. He carried himself with an air of self-assurance and gravitas, as if he had seen and experienced more than most people could ever imagine.

"Robert, good to see you," the commander said, motioning for him to take a seat.

"I've read your report, and I must say, I'm impressed. You have a keen eye for detail and a sense of intuition that is rare among your peers."

Robert felt a surge of pride at the commander's words, but he also felt a sense of unease. He had a feeling that this meeting was not just about praising him for his report.

The commander leaned forward and clasped his hands together.

"As you know, we've been investigating the recent attacks in the city, but we have yet to find any leads. However, your report has given us a new direction to explore."

He paused for a moment, as if considering his next words.

"We believe that these nuns you saw might be connected to the attacks. There have been reports of similar incidents in other parts of the city, and we suspect that they might be a part of a larger organization."

Robert's eyes widened in shock. He had never imagined that his report would have such far-reaching consequences. "What can I do to help?" he asked, eager to contribute to the investigation.

The commander gave him a small smile. "We need you to keep an eye out for any more suspicious activities. You have a talent for spotting danger, and we need all the help we can get."

The commander's voice boomed through the room, reverberating off the walls as he spoke with a sense of urgency.

"First things first... Beatrice gave me a report on you, after your checkup, it seems your memory is gone. So you must not know the organizations of ascendants located in this city." The commander's words were direct and to the point, leaving no room for interpretation.

He continued, "I'll be brief and tell you just the basics, there are us, The Order, and our direct opponents, The Blackhand. These two factions have been engaged in a long-standing war for power and influence, and they will stop at nothing to achieve their goals. However, there are also some small, neutral organizations that do not take sides in this conflict, but they are not to be underestimated."

The commander's voice grew somber as he spoke of the heretics.

"Then there are the heretics, groups made of power-hungry ascendants that love to bring chaos and destruction. Every ascendant in those groups is wanted, mass murderers, rapists, madmen, terrorists, you name it. They are a scourge on this city, and we will not rest until they are brought to justice."

He paused for a moment, taking a deep breath before continuing.

"We suspect the one behind these attacks is the group, commonly known as Devil's Embrace. They are mostly devil worshippers that seek to resurrect ancient beings commonly known as devils. But make no mistake, these beings are not just any ancient beings. They are powerful ascendants, whose powers defy everything that you know. If they are successful in summoning one, this city will be done for. We have ways to battle those beings, but we wish to avoid a battle on those proportions that would only bring death, chaos, and destruction to this city."

The gravity of the situation was not lost on Robert as he listened to the command's words.

He was not only fighting for his own survival but also for the safety and wellbeing of his loved ones.

With a resolute heart, he understood that he needed to take swift and determined action to avert an impending catastrophe of epic proportions, one that threatened to upend the delicate balance of peace and prosperity in his world.

The commander continued with a grave tone,

"It is with great concern and urgency that I must convey to you, Robert Blackwell, the gravity of the situation we currently face. The danger posed by these heretics and their ascendant accomplices is of epic proportions, and the potential catastrophe that looms over us is nothing short of apocalyptic."

"Thus, it is imperative that we act quickly and decisively, with all the resources at our disposal, to neutralize this threat and protect our families and communities."

"To this end, I have instructed you to undertake a mission, accompanied by John Thompson, a capable and formidable ally, to scout out the numerous hideouts used by the heretics."

"It is vital that you do not engage the enemy, but rather observe and gather intelligence, so that we may pinpoint their location and put an end to their nefarious activities."

"Thus far, we have only been able to rescue the unfortunate victims who have fallen under their mind control, but we have yet to identify any of the heretics themselves."

"I must admit, I am growing increasingly frustrated and weary of this protracted struggle against these despicable individuals. However, I have faith in your abilities, and believe that your report from this mission will prove crucial in finally locating and eliminating the heretics."

"Be aware, Robert Blackwell, that the stakes are high, and failure is not an option. Your safety, as well as that of your companion, John, is of utmost importance to me. Therefore, I have ensured that John is more than capable of protecting you both, should you encounter any resistance from the heretics or their ascendant allies."

"It is my sincerest hope that you understand the gravity of your orders, and the crucial role you play in the success of this mission."

"If you are successful in this endeavor, I can promise you that you will be rewarded with the opportunity to ascend, and to reach greater heights in our organization."

"Now, go forth with purpose and determination, Robert Blackwell. John is waiting for you at the entrance, and time is of the essence."

Robert replied,

"I won't let you down, sir. I'll make sure to bring back the information you need."

As he left the commander's office, Robert felt a sense of exhilaration. He knew that the road ahead would be fraught with danger and uncertainty