Cole sighed as he walked up the large building, due to the events that happened two days ago he was summoned by the Ministry of Defense. As he walks through the large, imposing structure, he knows that whatever they called him for must be because of the attack during the Guild Wars.
On his way to the meeting room, he feels the glances and stares of others, sensing the tension and curiosity directed at him. Once he enters the room, he sees it is completely closed off by a barrier, cutting off any and every information from leaking out.
There, seated around a long table, are government officials, guild masters, the captain and chief of the Holy Order, and others that Cole doesn't care enough to remember.
The silence is heavy as Cole takes his seat, waiting for the proceedings to begin. Finally, the head of the assembly, a stern-faced man with graying hair and piercing eyes, breaks the silence.
"Cole," he begins, his voice carrying the weight of authority. "We've summoned you here to address the incident during the Guild Wars. The attack has raised numerous questions, and we require answers."
Cole meets the man's gaze evenly. "I understand. What do you need to know?"
Another official, a woman with a severe expression, leans forward. "First and foremost, we need to understand the nature of the threat. The involvement of Alexander and the subsequent chaos he caused have implications that extend far beyond the immediate danger."
Cole nods, his mind already working through the events of that chaotic day. "Lex's appearance was unexpected. His actions suggest a deeper plan, one that likely involves more than just disrupting the Guild Wars. He mentioned something about a cleansing—"
The room erupts into murmurs at the mention of Lex's ominous proclamation. The captain of the Holy Order, a towering figure clad in ornate armor, raises a hand for silence.
"Lex is a known entity to us, especially to you," says Steve, a government official, his voice a low rumble. "From the records, a century ago, Lex caused a terrorist attack on a major government cabinet. Due to that, he was sent to Tartarus for an indefinite amount of years, but he escaped."
"Yes, that's true," Cole responds, his voice steady.
"Isn't this Lex a regular human? How was he able to live for over a century? Shouldn't he be dead or senile at this point?" Executive Chief Davis asked, his tone incredulous.
The room starts to murmur again, uncertainty and fear rippling through the assembly.
Cole takes a deep breath, choosing his words carefully. "Lex is no ordinary human. His escape from Tartarus and his longevity suggest that he has acquired abilities or knowledge that have prolonged his life and enhanced his powers. We don't yet fully understand how, but it's clear that he's a significant threat."
The head of the assembly leans forward, his piercing eyes locking onto Cole's. "Then it is imperative that we understand these abilities and his motivations. We cannot allow someone like Lex to destabilize our society."
Cole nods in agreement. "I'll do everything in my power to uncover the extent of his plans and find a way to neutralize him. But we need to be prepared for the possibility that Lex's influence and capabilities extend further than we currently understand."
The captain of the Holy Order speaks up, his voice firm. "We will mobilize our forces and coordinate with all guilds to increase security measures. Lex's threat cannot be underestimated."
"He can't be all that troublesome. From what I saw, he's just an S-ranker, right? If not, I can just take care of him myself," said Luke, his voice full of confidence.
"No," said Cole firmly. "Given enough time, he can create enough mutants to be a threat to the whole country, possibly more."
The room went silent.
"So, we're dealing with an S-ranker that has the potential to be a calamity," Steve remarked, his voice tinged with apprehension.
"Exactly," Cole affirmed. "Lex's ability to manipulate and create mutants means his threat level could escalate rapidly. We need to address this before it spirals out of control."
The woman with the severe expression leaned forward, her eyes narrowing. "What do we know about his plans? You mentioned something about a 'cleansing.'"
Cole nodded. "Lex announced a 'cleansing' that he plans to execute in sixty days. It suggests he has a larger, more sinister agenda. We need to gather intelligence and understand the full scope of his intentions."
"We don't even know where to start. We're so screwed," sighed Todd, frustration evident in his voice.
"That's where we come in," Cole said, his tone resolute. "There were some rats in my guild, but we caught one and the other ran away. We interrogated him, but he didn't give us much. My guild is still investigating this matter."
The room buzzed with the weight of the situation. Cole could see the tension etched on every face, the enormity of the task ahead daunting but not insurmountable.
Luke leaned back, his expression turning serious. "Alright, then. We need a plan of action. Cole, your guild's information will be crucial. We need to tighten our defenses and start tracking any unusual activity that might lead us to Lex."
The captain of the Holy Order nodded in agreement. "We'll increase our patrols and coordinate with the guilds to ensure a rapid response to any threats. This 'cleansing' must be stopped."
Cole glanced around the room, noting the determined faces of the officials and guild masters. Despite the gravity of the situation, there was a sense of unity and purpose.
"We have sixty days," Cole said, his voice firm. "Let's make them count."
"What do we do about the civilians? They're probably on edge," said Jonathan, his concern evident.
"The journalists and news reporters want answers this afternoon. Someone must make a public service announcement," added the woman with the severe expression.
"So who's going to do that?" Cole asked, looking around the room.
Everyone turned to look at Cole.
"Huh?! What? Why me??" Cole exclaimed, clearly taken aback.
"I think it's the most logical option," Jonathan replied. "Your guild experienced the most contact with Lex, therefore you'd be able to answer most of their questions."
Cole sighed, rubbing his temples. "Great. Just what I needed."
Steve nodded, his stern expression softening slightly. "Cole, you have the respect and trust of the public. They'll listen to you. We need someone who can speak with authority and reassure them."
Cole straightened up, realizing the responsibility he now had. "Alright. I'll do it. But we need to make sure we have a unified message. What exactly do we want to tell them?"
The captain of the Holy Order spoke up, his deep voice commanding attention. "We need to inform the public about the threat without causing panic. Emphasize that we are taking every measure to ensure their safety and that we are actively working to neutralize the threat posed by Lex."
"And we need to assure them that we're on top of the situation," added the woman. "Transparency is key, but so is maintaining calm."
Cole nodded, his resolve strengthening. "Okay, I'll handle the announcement. Let's draft a statement and make sure we cover all the bases."
The woman smiled, a rare moment of warmth. "Thank you, Cole. This will go a long way in keeping the public's trust."
As they left the meeting room, the woman stopped Cole just as he was about to leave.
"Excuse me, Cole," she said.
"Hm?" Cole turned to face her.
"If you don't mind, can I accompany you to the press?" she asked, her tone respectful yet hopeful.
"Sure. Just make sure you get there on time," said Cole, his mind already on the task ahead.
"Thank you," she said, quickly walking off with a hint of redness in her ears.
Luke, standing nearby, chuckled softly. "So, you finally met the new guild master of the Silver Skies—Stephanie Fay."
Cole raised an eyebrow, not having caught Stephanie's name earlier. "Hm, so the old hag finally stepped down, huh?"
Luke laughed. "Yeah, something like that."
Meanwhile, Stephanie walked briskly down the hallway, her heart racing. 'Omgomgomg I'm actually going with him!!' she thought happily. In her mind, the press conference had transformed into a date with Cole.
As Cole and Stephanie made their way to the press area, Stephanie couldn't help but steal glances at him, her excitement barely contained. Cole, oblivious to her thoughts, was focused on formulating his statement and preparing for the barrage of questions he was about to face.
They arrived at the press area, where a crowd of journalists and news reporters were eagerly waiting. Cameras flashed, and microphones were thrust forward as soon as they spotted Cole.
Stephanie took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves. She positioned herself next to Cole, ready to support him in any way she could.
"Good afternoon, everyone," Cole began, his voice steady and authoritative. "I'm here to address the recent events and provide some much-needed clarity."
As he spoke, Stephanie listened intently, her admiration for Cole growing with every word. She couldn't help but feel a sense of pride standing next to him, even as she reminded herself to stay professional. For now, her feelings would have to wait. There was a job to do, and the safety of the realm depended on it.
As Cole and Stephanie stood before the crowd of journalists and news reporters, the air buzzed with anticipation. The sea of eager faces and flashing cameras created an electric atmosphere, thick with expectation.
"Good afternoon, everyone," Cole began, his voice steady and authoritative. He scanned the room, making eye contact with several reporters, establishing a connection. "I'm here to address the recent events and provide some much-needed clarity."
The reporters quieted, their attention solely on Cole. Stephanie stood beside him, her posture straight and poised, a slight tremor in her hands the only indication of her nerves. She admired the way Cole commanded the room, his presence radiating confidence and assurance.
"Firstly, I want to acknowledge the courage and resilience shown by all the guild members and civilians during the attack. Your bravery did not go unnoticed, and we are deeply grateful," Cole continued, his tone sincere. "We are currently investigating the full extent of Lex's plans and working tirelessly to ensure your safety."
A murmur of approval rippled through the crowd. Stephanie glanced at Cole, feeling a swell of pride. Despite the gravity of the situation, his words were a beacon of hope.
Cole took a deep breath, preparing to delve into the more sensitive aspects. "Lex has made threats regarding a 'cleansing' he plans to execute in sixty days. We are treating this threat with the utmost seriousness and are mobilizing all available resources to counter it. Our goal is to prevent any further harm and to bring Lex to justice."
The crowd erupted into questions, reporters shouting over one another to be heard. Cole raised a hand, and the noise subsided.
"One at a time, please," he said, nodding to a reporter in the front row.
"Mr. Cole, what specific measures are being taken to counter this threat?" the reporter asked, her voice tinged with concern.
"We have several initiatives underway," Cole replied. "Our intelligence teams are gathering information, and we've increased security measures across all major cities. We're also coordinating with other guilds and the Holy Order to ensure a unified response."
Stephanie listened intently, her admiration for Cole growing with each measured response. She was grateful for the opportunity to stand beside him, to be part of something greater. As she scanned the crowd, she noticed the mix of apprehension and relief on the faces before her.
A reporter in the back raised his hand, and Cole nodded in his direction. "What about the civilians, Mr. Cole? How can they protect themselves?"
Cole's expression softened. "We advise all civilians to stay vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the authorities. We're distributing safety guidelines and providing additional support to ensure everyone is well-prepared. Your safety is our top priority."
Stephanie felt a surge of determination. She knew that the path ahead would be challenging, but with leaders like Cole at the helm, she believed they could overcome any obstacle.
As the press conference continued, Stephanie remained by Cole's side, offering silent support. Despite her initial excitement, she understood the gravity of their mission. The safety of their realm depended on their actions, and she was ready to give it her all.
The session went on, with Cole fielding more questions and reassuring the public. When it finally drew to a close, he turned to Stephanie, offering a small, grateful smile.
"Thanks for your support," he said, his voice low enough for only her to hear.
Stephanie nodded, her cheeks flushing slightly. "Anytime, Cole."
As they made their way out of the press area, Stephanie felt a renewed sense of purpose. Standing beside Cole, she knew that she would do anything he asks of that is because for years now she's been his number one admirer. Now standing next to him was like a dream come true, she wanted to get closer to him but then her cheeks flustered - an idea came to mind,
"Hey Cole.."