Earlier That Very Same day upon the defeat of the Grave Robber's puppet a meeting was held to discuss the situation. The Elders, the oldest and the wise along with having the administration to command the organization attended the gathering. The Lords, Rankers, and even the top brass of their respected expertise assembled for the present matter
[First Elder: A]
"I heard the news... that fool had finally decided to reveal his location? Why isn't that a surprise, is this another one of his tricks?"
[Seventh Elder: G]
"That's highly unlikely to be the case. I know how he acts and this most certainly isn't a ploy or a blunder. It's connected to that..."
[Third Elder: C]
"Preposterous! That incident was proven to be true... there were no survivors.
His disobedience, guilt, and lack of expertise are what caused the lives of his comrades. I refuse to have this matter mentioned time and time again in such a significant meeting such as this-"
[Fourth Elder: D]
"We get it Third! I think what Seven was speaking of is the perpetrators of that incident are related. Not only did that case take the lives of our people but also our resources. The worst is that it made our most prized Hound doubtful in our rise in power,"
[Fifth Elder: E]
"What makes you think he had a change of heart... out of all his brethren he was the most stubborn. Are you certain of him?"
The Fourth cleared his throat and replied. "We can see his actions as his way of saying that he'll submit if we give him a little treat to make amends,"
[Sixth Elder: F]
Suddenly the conference fell silent as a harsh, violent, wave of Order spread, and the Sixth spoke. "And what if he remains the same? What will you do? Fourth, ever since you rose into your position you've been unintentionally supporting him. The one who's dubbed Arthur is gone only a traitor remains,"
The Sixth stands from his seat and slowly walks to the back of the fourth at his position it was easy for him to reach Four's vitals. "You're soft... is it because he's one of your companions? Let me remind you. The organization moves with our will. Why he's breathing to this day is a privilege you've granted I'm telling you this as your senior to do your role. If I happen to know anything related then so help me-"
The Sixth casually puts a dagger in the Fourth's neck and before anything else, the tension subsides. The First Elder slams his hand to the table breaking it into dozens of pieces reminding everyone of his presence. His aura points furiously where the Sixth's stood so he backs off and returns to his seat and the meeting resumes
"As much as you have your own opinion be reminded that you stand as an Elder, your role is to unite the organization," The Elders nod in agreement, and the First continues to report the discoveries by the Department of Reigous Pines
"The reason why I call for you all today is with the rise in unusual deaths in the small town of Reigous Pines. The report also says that a threat level III jumps two whole levels becoming V. Putting that in the equation we can assume that the Exiled assisted for his benefit of accomplishing his goals,"
As the First Elder conveyed the report the doubts and assumptions of many ceased as one statement became true. Just as the fourth stated his act was involuntary, far-fetched, and bizarre knowing the personality of the person in question. The reports even defended the Fourth's assumption as the exile agreed to become the replacement of the fallen Keeper
"Now that his motives aren't harming the organization. Since most of the Elders are here why don't we vote for our next course of action? I'll see to it that they can't object to this notion due to their absences. All in favor of sending a small group?" The First, Second, and Fourth agreed to send a small group to monitor the situation if any further movement arises
"All in favor of sending a large group to apprehend the exiled?" The Sixth assumed the other two Elders would raise their hands but only the Third took his side and the rest remained still
"All in favor of staying neutral," The Fifth and the Seventh raises their hand thus sealing the meeting with the organization sending forth a small group
"You... you instigated this!" The Sixth glared at the Fourth Elder but she remained unfazed batting not a single eye at his presence
"Watch your mouth Sixth! As your junior, I ought to guide my seniors to a brighter path. Why choose war if you can choose not to?"
The Elders wore a mask to conceal their identity but underneath that guise, Sixth was hurling daggers at the Fourth. "That's enough! I won't tolerate your attitude no longer Elder or not. If you still keep on acting like we're in a bar then I'll be your opponent,"
"Do whatever you want! Bringing that black sheep into this is the death of us all. The creation of the Black crow was a mistake!!!" The Sixth Elder left the conference in a fit of rage and the others soon came to follow right after
"Don't take it to heart the Sixth lost so many in that incident… the only thing he could do to push through was to blame the sole survivor. Pay it no mind, the organization would've killed him long ago if he was deemed dangerous,"
"First…" Upon hearing the First Elder's words she felt the warm and gentle touch of the Second on her back
"He's right you know the organization was weak at that time but they wouldn't exile him if we knew he's dangerous,"
The fourth was reassured and eventually, she left on her own time to return to her post where her authority was absolute. Upon arriving at her home she had no reason to remain in the protection of her mask revealing her long golden hair. Pure jade-like eyes and the stigma in the shape of a crow etched on her right palm revealing her past ties
…
Religious Pines at that time
[Unknown caller: It's done… I made sure to put in a good word for you in the conference but I think they've noticed]
"It doesn't matter if they notice. They have no evidence and they can't prove that those affiliated with the black crow hold a mental technique. I'm more surprised that you didn't rat me out when I brainwashed a few members of the association,"
[Unknown caller: You know very well as I do that our master made us swear to a pledge of life to never reveal this technique
The only reason why I didn't report you was because you've never used it apart from tinkering with their memories
You're lucky that I'm the one in control of the information getting in and out of the organization or you would've been dead]
"I don't know what you mean by that,"
[Unknown caller: Oh really? Should I jog your memory then? The report about you agreeing to be a temporary replacement?
In that letter you mentioned and I quote "Make sure that kid can't be touched" Since when did you care about a child?
You are the worst person for anyone to ask for help, you have tons of enemies, if they heard about this that child would be as good as dead]
"If you read the report, my alias is written as a fresh graduate. A smoking addict but has a passion for teaching,"
[Unknown caller: I know but why did you suddenly call to ask for a little tweaking with that paper especially one that wasn't even suspicious-]
"I'm poaching that boy,"
[Unknown caller: Alex!!!]
"What? Master trained us when we were eight years old. He's twice our age. He can handle a few beat-downs,"
[Unknown caller: That's not what I meant and you know it! Isn't the point of being burdened as a child a way for us to better ourselves to not become our teachers-]
"I am better than my master. I'm not gonna beat a defenseless child to death. He's old enough and a problem child at that,"
[Unknown caller: Now I understand why you're his favorite student I can't believe his legacy is given to an even wicked demon
Well I can't persuade you once you made up your mind just be careful you have the responsibility to rebuild our bureau
I'm talented but my gift wasn't befitting in the ways of the Black Crow, but I did manage to earn my position]
"Now look who's bragging gee isn't it a little too early for that? Why don't you say that at the 10th reunion of our batch? I heard Sam still has the hots for you,"
[Unknown caller: Fuck you!!!]
"But seriously thanks a bunch, Diane… don't ever call me again. Your position might be taken away if they knew,"
[Unknown caller: Since when did you gain a conscience? Don't worry about it. I rather they find out. I never knew I needed to work so much-]
'She's stubborn as always… I don't know what those guys see in her for them to recommend her to be an Elder. But she's kind too much I'd say, those types of people wouldn't last in that type of position of power. The successor of the Black Crow? She's wrong… the only reason why I know it all was because he taught me,'
He looks intently at an old portrait taken in his youth with Diane and another person whom he refuses to utter the name. "Now that they've made their decision a small group would take about a month upon careful selection,"
"At that period, I needed to train that kid so he could utilize his body and teach him some techniques, the problem is..." Alex stops midway in his thoughts as he's yet to hear the answer to the proposal he made with Luke
"He still hasn't made up his mind? Maybe giving him a box of pizza might change his mind. That could work but it's coming out of my pocket money. God damn it..."