The briefing room at Enforcer HQ buzzed with subdued chatter as officers reviewed their reports and awaited the arrival of the Chief. Darren sat in the corner, his freshly patched-up uniform a stark contrast to the exhaustion etched into his face. The events at the industrial lab replayed in his mind—Morwin's madness, the chaos, and the birth of *Eidolon*.
He kept the name to himself. The sentient energy had introduced itself in his mind as *Eidolon*, a being born of Prism Energy's instability and Morwin's reckless experimentation. Darren still felt its presence within him, like a second heartbeat—a constant, quiet reminder of his transformation.
The room fell silent as Chief Renauld entered, her commanding presence cutting through the noise. She carried a folder under her arm, her sharp eyes scanning the room until they landed on Darren. With a gesture, she beckoned him forward.
"Officer Cole," she began, her voice firm but laced with respect. "Your report on the Morwin incident has been reviewed. Your actions in the field were nothing short of extraordinary."
Darren stood, feeling the weight of every gaze in the room. "Just doing my duty, ma'am."
The Chief opened the folder, her expression neutral. "According to your report, you encountered heavy resistance from Dr. Morwin, whose experiments had rendered him… unstable. You noted his use of Prism Energy to enhance himself and the subsequent destruction of the lab during your confrontation."
"Yes, ma'am," Darren replied, careful to keep his tone steady.
"And yet," she continued, "you managed to subdue the threat and survive, even after your team was incapacitated. That level of bravery and quick thinking deserves recognition."
The room erupted into a smattering of applause. Darren nodded his thanks, though his mind churned with unease. He had left out the most critical detail—the existence of Eidolon. It wasn't a decision he made lightly, but how could he explain the sentient being that now lived within him? The world wasn't ready for something like Eidolon, and Darren wasn't ready to trust anyone else with the truth.
Chief Renauld closed the folder and looked at him intently. "Effective immediately, you are being commended for bravery in the line of duty. You'll receive a formal medal at the next assembly, but for now, consider this an acknowledgment of your efforts."
"Thank you, ma'am," Darren said, his voice quieter than before.
As the Chief dismissed the room, officers approached Darren to congratulate him. He responded with polite nods and forced smiles, his thoughts elsewhere. The hum of Eidolon's voice resonated faintly in his mind.
*"You hid my existence,"* it observed, its tone neutral. *"Why?"
"Because they wouldn't understand," Darren thought back. "And because I'm not sure I trust them to handle it."
*"Pragmatic,"* Eidolon replied. *"But secrets have a way of unraveling. Be cautious, Darren Cole. We are bound together now. Your choices will define us both."*
Darren stepped out of the HQ into the cool night air. The city stretched out before him, alive with its usual chaos. Heroes and villains clashed in the distance, their battles lighting up the skyline. For the first time, Darren felt like he wasn't just watching from the sidelines.
But he also felt the weight of a new responsibility—a power he didn't ask for and a secret that could change everything. As he walked into the night, he vowed to use his newfound strength wisely, even if it meant carrying the burden alone.
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