The doors to Chairman Clain's office slid open with a soft pneumatic hum.
Kane stepped inside. Tall, broad-shouldered, clad in the sleek black tactical coat of a high-end Quad operative. Astral weapons hung from his belt—thin silver blades that shimmered with restrained light. His presence filled the room like a drawn sword. He was one of the Board's enforcers, the kind sent when diplomacy failed, and containment was the only option left.
Clain stood at the panoramic window, hands clasped behind his back, staring down at the glittering sprawl of Senkai City. Elder Kael sat in the corner chair, cane resting across his knees, face half-shadowed by the dim blue light from the desk console.
"Yes, Kane," Clain said without turning. "What is your report?"
Kane stopped a few steps inside the door. His voice was low, clipped, and professional.
"Nothing special on the surface. But we confirmed one thing from the helmet feed of Team Delta—the one where our Void Seekers died."
Kael leaned forward slightly. "Which is?"
Kane met Clain's reflection in the glass. "The castle in the hologram. The black-boned spire. The pulsing red sky. It belongs to Chaos."
Kael's breath caught. His knuckles whitened around the cane.
Clain remained perfectly still. Not a flicker of surprise crossed his steel-grey eyes.
"I see," Clain said quietly.
Kane continued. "The energy signature matches every known record of the Demon King's domain. No doubt. That castle has been growing. It's not a ruin anymore. It's active."
Kael exhaled slowly. "Then he has already begun building. The Void is no longer a wound. It's becoming his throne."
Clain finally turned. His face was a mask of calm. "Thank you, Kane. That will be all."
Kane hesitated. His gaze flicked to Kael, then back to Clain.
"Chairman… you should have allowed me to kill the hybrid in the trial."
The room went still.
Clain's expression did not change. "The trial ended. Rein Seethoshi was placed under Principal Wilson and Azrael's protection."
Kane's voice dropped lower. "Azrael is sentimental. The boy is a walking bomb. Chaos wants him. If we had ended it then—"
"We would have handed Chaos a martyr," Clain cut in, voice like ice. "And turned the village against us. No. We watch. We wait. The boy is bait, whether he knows it or not."
Kane's jaw tightened. "And if Chaos reaches him first?"
Clain walked past him toward the door. "Then we contain both. At any cost."
Kane watched him go. He looked at Kael.
The elder shook his head once. "Doom is closer than we thought, Kane. Pray the hybrid's strength holds long enough for us to act."
Kane gave a short nod and left.
The door hissed shut.
Kael remained seated, staring at the space where Clain had stood.
In the silence, the city lights kept shining below.
Kael paused at the doorway, turning back with a faint frown etched into his weathered face.
"He tried to kill him?" His voice carried quiet disbelief.
Clain nodded once, gaze still fixed on the glittering city below. "Yes. About four or five months ago, during the trial. If I recall correctly, you were in France for the summit."
Kael exhaled sharply through his nose. "I can't believe it. The boy's reckless."
"He is," Clain replied evenly. "Sit. Let me brief you properly."
Kael lowered himself into the chair opposite the desk, cane resting across his knees. Clain remained standing, hands clasped behind his back.
"Rein Seethoshi voluntarily gave us a sample of his Chaotic energy," Clain began. "A small vial drawn directly from his core. He offered it in exchange for his freedom. We accepted."
Kael's brow furrowed. "Why would he give it?"
"We asked," Clain said simply. "And he agreed. The analysis was… illuminating. His Chaotic energy is stable. Far more stable than raw essence pulled from the Void or Chaos himself. And it contains traces of Astral energy—delicate threads woven throughout."
Kael leaned forward. "So it's not pure."
"Precisely."
Kael's eyes narrowed in thought. "Then how can the boy fuse them? How can a hybrid core be so much more potent than pure Chaos if it lacks purity?"
Clain's gaze drifted to the city lights. "We don't know yet. The fusion defies every model we have. The balance is impossible… and yet it exists."
Silence settled between them.
"But that boy," Clain continued quietly, "could become stronger than Chaos. Perhaps even stronger than the Shadow King himself."
Kael's grip tightened on his cane. "Let us hope Azrael can guide him. The alternative is unthinkable."
Clain gave a faint nod.
Kael studied him for a long moment. "How long has Zero been in the village?"
"Five weeks now."
"I see."
Kael rose slowly, joints creaking faintly. "I will take my leave. Other matters demand my attention."
He paused at the door, turning back with rare warmth in his voice.
"Chairman Clain… you do not hate the hybrid. I respect that."
Clain's lips curved the smallest fraction. "So you noticed."
"Indeed." Kael's tone softened further. "I know you are not using him as bait. He's been through hell—you know that from Wilson, yes?"
"Yes," Clain said quietly. "He briefed me before the trial."
Kael nodded once, eyes steady. "Well then… see you, Chairman Clain."
He stepped through the doorway and was gone.
Clain stood alone in the quiet office, staring at the closed door.
"That cunning old man," he murmured to himself.
The city lights kept shining below.
Oblivious.
Unaware that the game had already shifted.