The chamber did not exist on any public map.
It was not hidden.
It was excluded.
Balance convened the session without ceremony. The walls adjusted inward as participants arrived, authority compressing space until disagreement would be difficult to sustain.
Three were present in force.
Two in representation.
One in absence.
"The designation 'Witnessed Irregularity' was unnecessary," said the Archivist-Prime.
"It was accurate," replied the Veil's representative, voice diffused. "People compared memories."
"People always do," Dominion countered. "They forget afterward."
Balance did not speak immediately.
Silence recalibrated.
"The event did not resolve," Balance said finally. "Correction withdrew."
A ripple passed through the chamber. Not shock—calculation.
"Escalation protocols exist for this reason," Dominion said. "Authority was not fully asserted."
"And yet," Veil replied, "assertion would have drawn attention."
The Archivist-Prime folded their hands. "There is a variable."
The room aligned subtly.
"Name it," Dominion said.
"Kael Ardent."
The absence shifted.
Balance hesitated—measurably this time.
"He is not causal," Balance said. "He does not initiate."
"No," the Archivist agreed. "But proximity correlates."
Veil tilted their head. "The public is beginning to orient around him."
Dominion frowned. "Then reclassify him."
Balance considered the available categories.
None applied.
"Observation status," Balance said at last. "Expanded."
"And if that fails?" Dominion pressed.
Balance did not answer.
The session ended without resolution.
That alone was unprecedented.Chapter Ten: Closed Session
The chamber did not exist on any public map.
It was not hidden.
It was excluded.
Balance convened the session without ceremony. The walls adjusted inward as participants arrived, authority compressing space until disagreement would be difficult to sustain.
Three were present in force.
Two in representation.
One in absence.
"The designation 'Witnessed Irregularity' was unnecessary," said the Archivist-Prime.
"It was accurate," replied the Veil's representative, voice diffused. "People compared memories."
"People always do," Dominion countered. "They forget afterward."
Balance did not speak immediately.
Silence recalibrated.
"The event did not resolve," Balance said finally. "Correction withdrew."
A ripple passed through the chamber. Not shock—calculation.
"Escalation protocols exist for this reason," Dominion said. "Authority was not fully asserted."
"And yet," Veil replied, "assertion would have drawn attention."
The Archivist-Prime folded their hands. "There is a variable."
The room aligned subtly.
"Name it," Dominion said.
"Kael Ardent."
The absence shifted.
Balance hesitated—measurably this time.
"He is not causal," Balance said. "He does not initiate."
"No," the Archivist agreed. "But proximity correlates."
Veil tilted their head. "The public is beginning to orient around him."
Dominion frowned. "Then reclassify him."
Balance considered the available categories.
None applied.
"Observation status," Balance said at last. "Expanded."
"And if that fails?" Dominion pressed.
Balance did not answer.
The session ended without resolution.
That alone was unprecedented.
—-
End of chapter 10