The grand hall had grown quieter after Erwin was escorted to the waiting room, his steady composure lingering in the Revients' minds. The round table, once alive with heated debates, was now shrouded in heavy silence. The leaders of the guilds exchanged glances, their expressions betraying a mix of suspicion and curiosity.
Reynard Vos was the first to break the silence. His sharp, calculating eyes scanned the room as he leaned back in his chair. "There's something unsettling about that boy. His story reeks of half-truths."
Velara Sable chuckled softly, her silver hair glinting under the chandelier light. "Half-truths, Reynard? You're being generous. He's hiding something significant." She tapped her gloved fingers on the table, her smirk suggesting amusement rather than concern. "But… is it really worth our time? He's just one stray rookie who got lost in a portal. Hardly a pressing matter."
"Lost or not," Evelyn Mora interjected, her voice calm but firm, "his presence here is an anomaly. The database contains records of every player—rookie or otherwise. The fact that he's unregistered is alarming."
Harkon Dray, lounging in his chair with his wolf resting at his feet, shrugged. "He doesn't smell like a threat to me. If anything, he seems… out of place. Like a cub who wandered into the wrong den."
Garran Thorn, the Revient of the Foot Soldiers Guild, growled in frustration, his massive frame shifting in his chair. "Enough speculation. We'll question him again when the time is right. For now, we have bigger concerns."
The others nodded in reluctant agreement. The issue of Erwin's origin would have to wait.
Before they could return to their discussion about the portal distortions, a sudden knock echoed through the hall. The heavy doors creaked open, and a soldier entered, his armor clinking softly with each step. He saluted sharply before speaking.
"Revients, we have an incident," the soldier announced, his tone professional but tinged with urgency.
"What kind of incident?" Garran asked, his voice gruff.
"A breach," the soldier replied. "A Class 5 creature emerged from a portal in the southern sector."
The room collectively exhaled, the tension dissipating almost immediately.
"A Class 5?" Velara said with a smirk. "You had me worried for a moment. Those things are hardly worth mentioning."
The soldier nodded. "Yes, ma'am. It's a small herbivore, nothing dangerous. It's been causing minor disruptions in the marketplace, but there's no real threat."
"I'll handle it," Garran volunteered, rising to his full height. His armor gleamed under the chandelier lights, a testament to his readiness. "It's good for morale to show the foot soldiers that their leader isn't above dealing with minor nuisances."
Reynard waved a dismissive hand. "By all means, Garran. Let's get this over with so we can focus on more pressing matters."
Garran nodded, motioning to his assistant, Rika Blayne, to follow him. Together, they exited the hall with purpose, leaving the remaining Revients to refocus on the table.
The silence that followed was heavy with thought. The portal distortions had grown increasingly erratic, and now an unregistered player had appeared in their midst. The pieces of the puzzle didn't yet fit, but the picture they were forming was one of unease.
Reynard broke the silence once more. "The distortions are affecting everything—trade, missions, even player stability. And now, we have a supposed rookie with no records and an implausible story."
"He's lying," Velara said bluntly, leaning forward. Her silver hair framed her sharp features as her eyes narrowed. "And I want to know why."
"We all do," Evelyn replied. "But for now, we should focus on the distortions. The longer we delay, the more damage they'll cause."
Before Reynard could respond, the soldier returned, his face a mix of embarrassment and amusement. "Revients, the creature has been subdued. Commander Thorn handled it swiftly."
The Revients shared a glance, Garran's efficiency a reminder of why he led the Foot Soldiers Guild.
"Good," Reynard said, dismissing the soldier with a nod. "Now that that's settled, let's return to our discussion about the distortions."
"Not yet," Velara interjected, her tone commanding. "We're not complete. Garran will need to be here for this."
The room fell silent again, the weight of unfinished business settling over them. For a moment, the focus shifted back to the waiting room and the enigmatic figure sitting within.
Evelyn's green eyes softened slightly as she spoke. "He's just a boy. Alone, unregistered, and clearly afraid."
"Afraid?" Velara scoffed. "I saw no fear in him. If anything, he was too composed. Too calculated. That's what makes him dangerous."
"Or resourceful," Reynard countered. "We could use someone like that."
"Only if we can trust him," Harkon added, his wolf growling softly as if to emphasize the point.
The debate was cut short by the sound of the doors creaking open again. Garran re-entered, his armor slightly scuffed but his demeanor as steady as ever. Rika followed closely behind, her sharp eyes scanning the room.
"The creature is dealt with," Garran announced, taking his seat once more. "Now, let's get back to business."
The Revients nodded, their attention shifting back to the matters at hand. But even as they prepared to dive into the complexities of the portal distortions, one thought lingered in the back of their minds: the boy in the waiting room.
Who was he, really? And what was he hiding?
For now, those questions would remain unanswered. But the Revients knew one thing for certain—their world was shifting, and the answers they sought might hold the key to their survival.