"Toby," Folorunsho greeted. "What are you doing so far from Meiden?"
"I came here with Mikael," Toby explained. "He fell ill and the hospital back at home didn't have the facilities to take care of him, so I brought him here,"
"I'm sorry to hear that. I hope the little guy is alright,"
"He'll be at the hospital for a few days, but after that, he should be fine,"
"I'm surprised you aren't in the hospital at the moment," Toby commented. "I heard about what happened at the Helix Centre on the news,"
The burns from Umbra's Sabre tingled at the mention of the incident.
"I was two days ago, but medicine is just that fast-acting,"
"Well, I'm glad to see you back on your feet, "The dark-haired man smiled. "Whenever you're back in Meiden, make sure to come by the orphanage,"
The three parted, with Folorunsho and Ingrid heading back to their hotel. On their entry into the building, the two were met by two police officers.
"Are you Folorunsho?" One asked.
"Yes. Can I help you, officer?"
"We're going to need you to follow us to the station for a bit of questioning if you don't mind,"
Folorunsho furrowed his eyebrows. He was sure he had not gotten up to any illegal activity since he had been in Shandel. The only thing he could think of that would lead to the police seeking an audience with him was Umbra's escape, and he had already cleared that up with the officers who had been present. He looked to Ingrid, who nodded in response and left for their hotel room.
"I'm all yours officers," He said.
They left immediately for the Shandel Police Department. At the station, they made their way to the interrogation rooms. Folorunsho caught glimpses of several people he could only assume to be members of the Ebon Shroud. He even caught the sight of Eron Walker discussing with a particularly cocky man.
The three finally halted in front of one of the interrogation rooms. Seated in the room with a police officer for the company was a man with a leopard print on his short blonde hair. His pale skin was especially prominent under the fluorescent light. His pale blue eyes bore into the officer Infront of him with a look of contempt. Folorunsho immediately recognised him as Lumiere.
"What is he doing here?" He asked.
"He was handed over to us by Diane Cambion on the 25th floor of the Helix Centre," An officer said. "According to her, he was tasked with guarding the bomb that had been placed there,"
Lumiere turned to face Folorunsho, his eyes glaring daggers at him. The freelancer was taken aback by this. He was under the impression the windows here were tinted on his side. Yet, he was certain he could see him.
"Why did you bring me here?" Folorunsho asked. "If you think I know this guy, then I'm sorry to disappoint you,"
"It was at the request of one of our superiors," An officer explained. "He also requested to meet you after you had seen this man,"
Footsteps began to echo throughout the hall. The echoes heralded the arrival of a man dressed in a black and red uniform. Written across the shoulders of the uniform was 'A.T.T.F.'. The man's black hair was styled into a buzz cut. His brown skin contrasted with the grey walls of the station. His brown eyes were focused on Folorunsho, with a pompous look hanging in them.
"It is a pleasure to make your acquaintance Folorunsho," The man greeted. He stretched out his hand to shake. "I am Akin, the lead officer of the newly formed Anti-Terrorist Task Force,"
"The pleasure is mine," Folorunsho replied as he took Akin's hand. "Now, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
Akin turned his attention to Lumiere.
"Amongst all the terrorists we have in custody, he is an outlier," He began. "He's one of two who are proficient enough to use a Revel Art and of those two, he is an unregistered Revel User and makes use of an unregistered Art. However, that does not mean he is the only one in the Ebon Shroud who is like him. Aside from Umbra loyalists, there could be hired freelancers like the other Revel User we have in our custody, Adira,"
"What does that have to do with me?"
"Though I cannot account for how strong he was, you managed to hold your own against Umbra. You also managed to disarm the bomb without any prior expertise in the field. A man of your skill is someone I need on the task force. If not as a full member, I am more than willing to hire you through the UFLO until we have the rest of the Ebon Shroud behind bars,"
"I'm guessing I'm not the first person you've asked this to," Folorunsho assumed.
"I made this offer to Diane Cambion and Eron Walker, but both turned it down," Akin admitted. "Should I assume your response is the same?"
"Most definitely," He replied. "I came here on work, and I can't just drop one contract for another mid-job. What would that say about the company I represent?"
"Fair enough. I will hold you no longer then,"
As Folorunsho departed from the police station, Akin watched from the foot of the door. He was soon joined by a larger man with tan skin, a bald head and a thick beard that hid his mouth.
"Another one slips away," The bald man said in a booming voice.
"Sadly," Akin replied. "But it is of little concern. Men like him are droplets in a sea of water, and I already have myself an ocean,"
The pair walked back into the station and went on until they arrived at the back of the building. Waiting for them was a squadron of police officers dressed in their colours. All stood at attention and saluted as the pair walked in front of them. Akin combed through the force he had been granted at long last with a smile on his face. Becoming the head of this task force was a promotion long overdue. Alongside a job suited for a man of his calibre, he could not help but be ecstatic.
"Let's shine a light so bright this shadow disappears, shall we?"