5th of Optis, 318 Nocturne Era, the ninth month of the world's calendar, named after one of the Twelve Nobles who helped shape the Empire of Umbridge throughout its long history.
On this gloomy day, an incident occurred in one of the alleys of Grey Street. It would later be known as the Butterfly Incident, named after the countless butterflies witnessed taking flight by both pedestrians and GPA officials alike.
The Yellow Stripes function as a domestic law enforcement agency within Umbridge, tasked with ensuring that the law is upheld across its districts.
They are divided into four main divisions:
Passive Division: Responsible for routine policing and local law enforcement, the Passive Division handles everyday crimes, public disturbances, and emergency responses within neighborhoods and streets. Their role is to maintain order daily, ensuring the safety and security of civilians.
However, this division had many flaws within its regime. Within Umbridge, it had gained a particularly negative reputation, especially in Gravenhurst.
Neutral Division: Serving a more supportive role, the Neutral Division is responsible for responding to medical emergencies and providing assistance where needed.
Active Division: The Active Division has a more daunting task, handling serious domestic crimes such as drug trafficking, organized crime, and high-profile incidents. They conduct in-depth investigations, interrogations, and prosecutions, often dealing with cases that require authority beyond the scope of routine policing.
The Active Division operates with greater autonomy and resources, tackling threats that could destabilize Umbridge or involve powerful figures, including scripters or members of the royal court.
Forensic Division: The Forensic Division specializes in evidence collection, analysis, and reconstruction of crime scenes. They meticulously document, bag, label, and preserve all items for investigation and court proceedings. This division works closely with both the Active and Passive divisions, providing scientific and technical expertise to ensure accurate conclusions and support prosecutions.
The headquarters of the yellow stripes are located within the mireline district, known as YSD-GPA...
All three divisions except the forensic division responded after being called by multiple passersby, who reported the extraordinary phenomenon they had just witnessed. The Passive Division handled the scene, which was promptly sealed off from the public, while the Neutral Division provided medical aid to the royal guards and questioned them.
News reporters from the Blackthorn Times and Tribune were on-site to cover the incident for the public. They attempted to gather information from Demiscus, who was being transported at the time and refused to speak to the press.
As royal guards fall under the direct authority of the Empress, they shared no details regarding the events that had transpired.
"For what reason are you refusing to comply?" asked a man to Demiscus, who now sat inside a black vehicle.
He was being interrogated by Ronald Crownhurst Reagan, an investigator of the Yellow Stripes within the Active Division.
He was impeccably dressed in a black suit and tie, his hair slicked back, and his pale skin adding to the aura of professionalism; he exuded an authoritative demeanor toward Demiscus, who was covering his ears.
"Stop talking. My ear is only getting worse from your voice," Demiscus commented in a low volume, his own voice strained against the ear injury he had sustained during the Butterfly Incident.
"That ear injury, what caused it?" Ronald pressed. He lowered his voice out of consideration for the royal guard's ear injury.
After all the struggle, the Royal Guard had difficulty keeping his balance and was clearly in extreme pain. Yet, impressively to Ronald, he seemed to endure it with remarkable composure.
To the investigator, it was proof that Royal Guards were truly resilient.
"We received reports of gunfire at the scene."
"Interestingly, witnesses also mentioned hearing the scream of a woman, described by some as the wail of a banshee. It was so loud that even people five kilometers away were painfully affected. I'm genuinely surprised you can still hear. I must say, I'm impressed."
Ronald was baffled by the apparent endurance of a Royal Guard. Yet even such an individual could be disoriented to the point of incapacity, especially when confronted with a phenomenon like this.
"Demiscus, who is the person responsible for this incident?" Ronald asked seriously. It didn't help that five Royal Guards had been present at the scene, and we're all presumably handled by one individual.
Demiscus only tightened his covering over his ears; his expression turned into extreme irritation as his own voice seemed to worsen the pain.
"We are under Her Majesty's authority."
"We have no obligation to tell you anything; you're wasting your time."
Ronald knew he was right; the Yellow Stripe Active Division had no jurisdiction over the Royal Guards. Yet that did little to stop him from pushing further.
"This could reach His Grace, Gustav Crownhurst," Ronald continued, leaning forward.
He spoke of the Duke of Crownhurst, a man who held complete authority over the Royal Guard, the Hurst Army, and the GPA. A true royal bloodline, second only to the Victorian family.
"I'm aware that his son, Lord Lucian, assumed the position of Head of the Royal Guard after Lord Alexander's passing. And while Lord Lucian may favor the Empress, once the Duke demands answers, not even he will have the authority to refuse."
"The same goes for you, Demiscus. This isn't a common case; we're dealing with a Scripter within Gravenhurst, one that was powerful enough to deal with five royal guards at once and disappear within a whim."
"We need to put an end to these schemes before they spiral out of control."
"So... tell us everything we need to know..."
For a long moment, Demiscus said nothing.
"Help us..." Ronald tried to persuade further, almost assuming a pleading tone, yet the royal guard only felt like a wall, non-responsive...
"Suit yourself. Pray that your silence doesn't contribute to the severity of the situation, Demiscus." Ronald controlled his frustration, mindful of his tone, before stepping out of the vehicle, leaving Demiscus alone.
"So many headaches in this district," Ronald muttered. "We're already dealing with a drug problem, including a rampant crimson beast, and now there's the presence of a Scripter outside of Umbridge's control."
Alone with his thoughts, the royal guard merely contemplated his situation, "None of you knows what it means to be a royal guard," he touched his neck.
Dark yellow ink hissed directly at his Adam's apple; it was evaporating into the air. "The empress could slice my throat the moment I speak, but my loyalty to her is true; I must make a report soon and seek the maiden of Glass."
As he was in the middle of his reverie, the driver came back to the car, ready to drive him back to Elysium. They greeted one another, but the driver, who was an old man, offered an item to Demiscus.
"My good sir, for you." The old man gave him cheap ear protection. Demiscus was appreciative of the gesture, even promising him a worthy payment for his action.
The driver smiled and thanked him for his duty before driving into the bleakness of Gravenhurst, "That slave, we'll capture her soon enough..." Demiscus muttered to himself.
Ronald watched as the vehicle disappeared from view. Dismissing his gaze, he pushed through the crowd of curious onlookers until he finally reached the crime scene.
There were multiple authorized officials and reporters at the scene. Upon seeing him, they offered their salutes and greetings, but Ronald quickly dismissed them, as he needed to speak with one particular person.
He stood next to a curious-looking man with dark, sunken eyes and a complexion as pale as a corpse. The man, dressed in the same black suit as Ronald, appeared to be in his thirties.
"What a beautiful mess, isn't it, Sergio?" Ronald asked, but Sergio seemed too focused to even hear his words.
Ronald had known Sergio since their academy days; this fellow never spoke until he was offered a cigarette, which Ronald did, even lighting it with his own lighter.
Sergio took a huff and exhaled. "Ronald, have you ever once torn down the wings of a butterfly?" he asked casually.
Chapter End...