The aftermath of the battle weighed heavily on the group as they worked in solemn silence. Orion moved closer to the hooded figure, his movements precise and deliberate. Kneeling beside the corpse, he carefully examined the body. The face was burned beyond recognition, the flesh charred by what seemed to be magical energy. Orion's brows furrowed as he inspected the remains, his sharp eyes scanning for clues.
Nearby, the Judge stood with his arms crossed, observing the recruits as they tended to the wounded villagers. His voice broke the silence. "This mission has become far more complicated than expected," he said, his tone grim. "We need to identify the culprit before it's too late."
The recruits nodded in unison, their expressions reflecting the weight of the Judge's words. The village square was a scene of grim labor as they worked to clear the aftermath of the attack. The unconscious villagers were carefully gathered in one area, their glowing green eyes now dimmed. The dead were respectfully laid out in another, their bodies a stark reminder of the night's horrors.
As they finished their grim task, Orion approached the Judge. His expression was resolute, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of uncertainty. "Judge," he began, "there's something I need to share."
The Judge's gaze sharpened as he turned to face Orion. He had long suspected that this young recruit, with his unusual abilities and noble lineage, carried insights beyond his years. Orion's family name, associated with the Voidwalkers, was whispered with a mix of awe and fear among Brotherhood circles. It was said that the Voidwalkers, one of the earliest noble families tied to the Brotherhood, possessed ancestral blood that granted them unique powers—powers that ordinary mages could barely comprehend.
The Judge, who had once witnessed the terrifying capabilities of a true Voidwalker in his youth, was acutely aware of their potential. The memory still lingered, a reminder of the power Orion might one day wield.
"Speak," the Judge said, his voice measured.
Orion took a deep breath, his mind piecing together fragments of his extensive studies and the clues before them. "I believe what we're dealing with might be linked to ancient experiments involving demons and humans," he said, his voice steady but tinged with unease. "In the early days of human civilization, during the great wars against demons, some individuals resorted to desperate measures to gain an edge. They conducted experiments, fusing human and demonic traits to create hybrid soldiers."
The recruits paused in their tasks, their attention drawn to the conversation. Even Haizen, who had been patrolling the perimeter, stopped to listen, his eyes narrowing as he processed Orion's words.
Orion continued, his tone growing more resolute. "Those experiments were outlawed and buried in history, but records of them still exist within the Brotherhood archives. I studied those records as part of my preparation to join the Brotherhood. What we saw tonight—these abominations—they bear striking similarities to those ancient hybrids."
The Judge's expression hardened, his mind racing through possibilities. "You're suggesting someone has revived those forbidden experiments?" he asked.
"It's possible," Orion replied. "The pieces fit. This village, the creatures, and even the strange magic driving the villagers—it all points to someone attempting to recreate those hybrids."
The Judge fell silent, his thoughts churning. The implications were staggering. If someone had indeed revived the experiments, it wasn't just a local threat—it was a danger that could destabilize the entire region.
Haizen, leaning against a nearby tree, spoke up. "So, we're talking about someone out here trying to play god with demons and humans?" His voice carried a mix of disbelief and anger.
Orion nodded. "Exactly. And whoever it is, they're either incredibly skilled or dangerously reckless. Either way, they need to be stopped."
The Judge turned to the recruits, his voice firm. "This changes everything. We're no longer just protecting this village. We're hunting whoever is behind these atrocities. This is your first true mission as members of the Brotherhood."
The weight of the declaration settled over the group. Despite their exhaustion, they stood a little straighter, their resolve strengthening.
"Prepare yourselves," the Judge said, his tone carrying a note of finality. "This is far from over."