"CEASE FIRE!" as the guards all stopped on order, a senior officer pushed his way through the formation of guards and stepped into view. He was clearly the highest-ranking officer present, judging by the way the others immediately made room for him. His uniform was more heavily decorated than those of the ordinary guards, and the expression on his face carried the authority of someone accustomed to being obeyed without question.
His eyes immediately settled on the injured guard Damien was holding.
Then they shifted to Damien.
The officer's expression darkened.
"Stop firing!" he ordered again, raising both hands toward the guards behind him. "Nobody shoots unless I give the order."
The remaining guards obeyed, reluctantly lowering their weapons while maintaining their positions. Their attention remained fixed on Damien, their bodies tense as they waited for the slightest movement from him.
Damien simply stared at the officer.
