The crime scene had been left in disarray, and the late night had taken its toll on Leon, Sara, and Mike. Their departure was shrouded in an uneasy silence, the weight of the recent events hanging heavily in the air. Leon's mind was occupied with the revelation of Azrael, the System, and the path he now had to follow.
As the first light of dawn began to break through the clouds, the police and forensics team returned to the crime scene. The area, cordoned off with yellow tape, had been left in a state of chaos. The markings on the ground, remnants of the earlier struggle, and the traces of dark energy were now more pronounced in the light.
Sergeant Collins, the lead forensic investigator, approached the scene with a team of officers and crime scene analysts. Their expressions were a mixture of confusion and concern as they took in the sight before them. The body had been removed, but the area was strewn with debris, and the walls were covered in strange, glowing symbols that still flickered intermittently.
"Jesus," Collins muttered as he surveyed the scene. "What happened here?"
Another forensic analyst, Dr. Peters, examined the symbols on the walls. "These markings… they weren't here before. This doesn't look like a typical crime scene."
The officers began to set up additional barriers, reestablishing the cordon and ensuring that the scene was properly secured. Collins issued instructions to his team with a calm, authoritative demeanor.
"Listen up," Collins said, his voice firm. "We're closing this scene off again. I want everyone to put up additional caution tape and ensure no one else gets through. We're dealing with something beyond the usual here. Secure the area and start documenting everything meticulously."
The officers and forensics team moved with practiced efficiency, their actions governed by protocol. They set up temporary fencing to prevent unauthorized access, placed new markers around the symbols, and began taking detailed photographs of the scene from multiple angles.
Dr. Peters began collecting samples of the strange substance that had coated the symbols, while other team members dusted for prints and gathered any remaining evidence. The scene was thoroughly documented, with every piece of evidence being cataloged and preserved for further analysis.
After ensuring that the area was properly secured and documented, Collins approached Leon, Sara, and Mike, who were standing at a distance. The three of them were visibly exhausted but focused on their respective tasks.
"Alright," Collins said, his tone professional but tinged with concern. "We're going to need a full report from you about what happened here. For now, let us handle the scene. You're free to go, but we'll need your cooperation in the investigation. Specially from your weird friend there Sara, he's not even police so I will let it slip, I'll let the captain decide on what to do with you".
"Understood sir" Leon said sarcastically
Collins gave a curt nod and turned back to his team. As the officers continued their work, Leon, Sara, and Mike began to head their separate ways.
Leon, feeling the weight of his new responsibilities and the urgency of his training, decided to head back to his apartment. He needed solitude to focus on mastering the System and preparing for the challenges ahead. He said his goodbyes to Sara and Mike, his mind already shifting to the tasks he had to complete.
Sara and Mike, meanwhile, were summoned by their commanding officer, who had been briefed on the unusual developments at the crime scene. They made their way to the precinct, where the atmosphere was tense with anticipation and concern.
"Let's get going," Sara said to Mike, her voice resolute. "We need to debrief with the captain and figure out our next steps."
Mike nodded, his face still pale from the night's events. "Agreed. We need to understand what just happened and how we're going to deal with it."
As they arrived at the precinct, the gravity of the situation weighed heavily on them. The commanding officer's office was filled with the hum of activity as officers and analysts worked on the ongoing investigation. Sara and Mike were ushered into the office, where Captain Reynolds was waiting.
"Captain," Sara began, "we need to discuss the situation at the crime scene and the implications of what we encountered."
Captain Reynolds, a grizzled veteran with a stern demeanor, looked up from his desk. "I've been briefed on the unusual nature of the crime scene. What can you tell me about what happened?"
Sara took a deep breath and began recounting the events, explaining the appearance of the strange symbols, the intervention of Leon's spells and on how Leon can do magic. Mike provided additional details about their observations and the difficulties they faced during the investigation.
Captain Reynolds listened intently, his expression serious. "This is beyond anything we've dealt with before. We'll need to adjust our approach and work closely with other agencies to get a full understanding of what's going on. I want you both to stay on top of this case and keep me informed of any developments. But I still don't believe on your "Magician" friend. You know he's the town con artist right?"
Sara and Mike nodded, their resolve strengthening in the face of the uncertainty that lay ahead. As they left the precinct, the weight of their new responsibilities pressed heavily on them. The city of New Dresden was teetering on the edge of darkness, and they knew that the coming days would test their limits.