[Alaric's Pov]
Instructor Alaric stood near the centre, staring at the floating massive sigil.
And a ripple of purple energy tore open the wall, stabilizing into a swirling portal. Lyra stepped through.
Alaric didn't wait for the portal to collapse. He turned, a flicker of strained relief crossing his face. He forced a smile, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Ah, Lyra. You returned quickly." Alaric stated, his voice ringing with cheer. He moved toward her. "Tell me, is it done? Has your Executioner seen to the matter?"
"No, Alaric." Lyra replied, meeting his stare.
Alaric's smile instantly evaporated, replaced by a sudden emptiness. He felt the blood drain from his face. "No? What do you mean, no?" he demanded, taking a confused half-step backward.
"Acheron is dead, Alaric." Lyra interrupted. "The Anomaly killed him. Just as he killed your Commander Heron."
Alaric stared, speechless. The blow to his confidence was profound, shaking the core of his carefully cultivated control.
Lyra pushed off the wall and began to pace the length of the chamber. "That boy is exponentially stronger than you calculated." she added, "And this is a sign, Alaric! That you should have taken this matter to the full Council immediately! You've lost your Commander and now I've lost mine. We cannot afford another death."
"No." Alaric snapped, running a trembling hand through his thinning hair. "I am not doing that! I will not have my failure broadcast across the entire country."
Lyra took a deep breath, fighting to keep her patience. "If you won't, then I will." she said, turning sharply toward the portal wall and ready to leave.
Alaric lunged forward, his movement desperate and seizing her wrist. "Come on, Lyra. Just give me more time, I can still handle this."
Lyra didn't try to pull away, but the look she gave him was searing with disgust. "You still don't want to get it, do you? If that boy gets into the Game, your reputation will be the least thing on the line."
"You think I don't know that?" Alaric shot back, his eyes flashing with desperate sincerity. "I do know that. And I'm trying to make sure he doesn't get into the Game! I've lost two men, Lyra! Do you really think I'm taking this lightly?"
"Yeah. You've been trying, Alaric but as you can see, it's no good. You've tried everything." Lyra said, her voice dropping to a heavy verdict. "And it's enough. Let the Grand Matriarch handle it now."
Alaric released her wrist, stepping back as if struck. "I haven't tried everything yet, though." he argued, his mind racing. "I still have one last card to play... I still have to convince the SS-Rank to eliminate that boy."
"The SS-Rank Candidate?" Lyra repeated, her brow arching. "You said he was hard to find."
Alaric straightened, a manic glint returning to his eyes. "Exactly 'was.' But now I found him. And I've already sent a group of my best remaining Executioners to try and bring him in."
He extended his hand, channeling mana and a new portal tore open on the opposite wall.
Alaric stepped toward the portal, his voice regaining slight confidence. "Shall we?" he said, gesturing at the portal.
Lyra hesitated for only a fraction of a second. "After you." she conceded.
Alaric nodded and stepped through the portal. Lyra followed and the chamber was plunged into rune-lit silence.