The meeting room inside the Arcane Keepers headquarters had gone quiet again. Tension still hung in the air, heavy with exhaustion and recent loss. The dim lighting cast long shadows across the faces of those gathered, making the atmosphere feel even heavier.
Three figures stood at the entrance.
A woman with long green hair stood in front, confident and relaxed. Her sharp eyes scanned the room with mild amusement, as if she found the somber mood almost amusing. Beside her, a bald man with a thick beard crossed his arms, his muscular frame making his presence impossible to ignore. The third, a man with long hair, stood calmly behind the others, his expression unreadable but his stance ready for anything.
Fiona recognized them instantly. They were known as the top three members of the Arcane Keepers—elites that few dared to challenge, even among their own. Just their arrival made the air in the room shift slightly, as if their mere presence could change the tide of things.
"We're back, leader," the green-haired woman said. Her name was Uma, and her tone was casual, almost too light for the situation. "This place is even sadder than the last time we were here."
"Welcome back," Jasper replied from his seat. He looked tired but managed a faint smile, the first sign of relief since the destruction of their headquarters. "Yeah, a lot has happened. Bad things."
"No need to be so depressed," Uma said, waving a hand dismissively. She strode further into the room, her boots clicking against the floor. "You win some, you lose some."
"That's right," said the bald man with the beard, known as T. His voice was deep and steady, carrying the weight of experience. "And if we lose, we can always pay them back later."
"Don't worry," the man with long hair added, his tone calm and measured. He didn't move from his spot, but his words carried authority. "We're here now. If the prisoners ran away, we just need to recapture them. Isn't that right, leader?"
"Yes," Jasper said. A bit of color had returned to his face, some of the tension easing from his shoulders. "Your timing couldn't be better. We really need you guys back."
The long-haired man sighed. His name was Vecro. He stepped forward, arms resting at his sides, his gaze serious.
"But don't get too happy either," he said. "While this whole Joker Roulette situation and the escaped prisoners are obviously serious," Vecro continued, "this isn't even the biggest thing we'll need to deal with."
"What do you mean?" Fiona asked, her eyes narrowing. She had been standing quietly, but now she stepped forward, her curiosity overriding her usual hesitation.
"Our return wasn't just because of the leader's request," Vecro said, glancing at the others, as if silently confirming something with them.
"That's right. It was a headache," Uma muttered with a grimace, rubbing her temple as if the memory alone was exhausting.
"What are you guys talking about?" Fiona asked again, more insistent this time. Her fingers curled slightly at her sides, a sign of her growing frustration.
"It's about them, isn't it?" Hairo said, a flicker of concern crossing his face. He had been quiet, but now his voice was tight with unease.
"So you know?" Uma said with a slight grin. She tilted her head, studying him. "Pretty good, Hairo. You're more than just a healer."
Hairo sighed and looked away, rubbing the back of his neck. "Not really. I just heard things."
"What are you talking about?" Fiona asked again, now visibly frustrated. Her voice rose slightly. "Can't someone just tell me already?"
"Yes, we want to know too," Gloria said, stepping up beside Fiona. Her arms were crossed, her expression firm despite the exhaustion in her eyes.
"Relax, girls," Uma said casually. She leaned against the table, completely at ease. "It's not even good news. No need to be eager for it."
"Can we tell them, leader?" Vecro asked, glancing toward Jasper, deferring to his decision.
"Sure," Jasper said. He exhaled slowly, as if bracing himself. "I doubt they'll be surprised anymore at this point."
"Fair enough," Vecro said. He turned back to Fiona and Gloria, his expression grave. "After all the bad things lately, another one isn't exactly shocking."
"What bad things?" Fiona asked, a bit pale. Her hands clenched into fists at her sides. "You guys are scaring me."
"Well, it's just that," Uma said, pushing off the table and standing straight. She crossed her arms, her tone turning serious for once. "We've got something else to worry about now. The Big Three international criminal organizations are starting to make a move. We believe they've already sent their lackeys here."
Fiona swallowed hard. Her throat felt dry. "You mean that groups? I heard the rumors..."
"How strong are they?" Gloria asked, her voice steady but her fingers tapping nervously against her arm.
"I believe they're just sending a small fries for now," Uma answered, shrugging slightly. "Just to check if this place is worth the effort. So probably not much—for now."
"That's the wrong attitude," T said, his voice firm. "They're dangerous. We might be able to handle them, but for you guys? If you ever meet them, prioritize running away."
"O-okay," Fiona said, her voice a bit shaky. She glanced at Gloria, who gave a silent nod in agreement.
"Aren't you scaring them too much?" Uma said with a shrug. She smirked, though there was no real humor in it. "If we anger their main groups, sure, it'll get ugly. But this?"
"No, we don't know yet who they've sent," T replied, his tone leaving no room for argument. "If they've sent their stronger members, it's better to be cautious no matter what."
"That's right," Jasper said. He rubbed his temples briefly before looking up at them. "It won't hurt to be more careful. I don't want to lose another members."
"Aw, you look cute when you're depressed, leader," Uma teased with a smirk, trying to lighten the mood despite the tension.
"Hey, that's rude," Vecro said with a disapproving glance, though there was no real heat behind his words.
"Whatever," Uma said with a dismissive wave. She turned back to Jasper, her expression shifting back to something more serious. "Don't worry, leader. We'll clean up this mess, and you don't have to be depressed anymore. First, let's catch the missing prisoners, shall we?"
"Wait," Fiona said, eyes wide. She took a step forward, her earlier fear momentarily forgotten. "You know where they've gone?"
"Sure do," Uma said confidently. She grinned, a flash of teeth that was more predatory than friendly. "Bog, the big brute, wasn't even trying to be subtle. When we arrived, we already heard reports—he destroyed some buildings and killed a few civilians. It's going to be easy to track him down."
Vecro nodded. "The other two, though… they vanished without a trace," he said, his voice calm but edged with frustration. "Seems they chose the opposite strategy and went into hiding for now."
"So how is it, leader?" Uma asked, flashing a grin. She tilted her head, waiting for his response. "Can we do it?"
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