-----------------------------
The warehouse smelled of lingering disinfectant and gunpowder. Footsteps clattered as reporters and journalists jostled around the taped perimeter.
The city's press had descended in full force, scribbling furiously about the so-called 'Shade of Caldonia.' Forensic teams moved like ghosts, photographing evidence and bagging fragments of the chaos. Detective Landon Bronte stood in the center of the main floor, eyes scanning the remnants of the previous day's violence.
"Ever notice you always stand where the worst of it happened?" a calm voice said from behind him.
Landon didn't flinch. "And ever notice you talk too much for someone who just walked in?"
Chief Enforcer Jonathan Williams stepped into view, hands clasped behind his back.
"You could at least pretend you're surprised to see me," Williams said.
"Heard your footsteps a mile away," Landon replied. "Figured it was either you or a reporter with poor survival instincts."
Williams glanced around the warehouse—the taped outlines, the shattered crates, and the blackened walls. "You always did have a talent for turning crime scenes into confessionals."
"This isn't therapy," Landon said. "It's evidence."
Williams nodded once. "So I've been notified. You think this 'Shade' is linked to the other incidents that have been happening recently?"
"I believe so," Landon replied.
Silence settled between them, heavy but familiar.
"Landon. You've got a reputation. Not always cooperative with orders, but effective. You get results, so I don't argue. But these incidents within the past few months—they're escalating. It's time you had backup."
Landon didn't turn as his eyes were fixed on the bullet-ridden walls. "I work alone, Chief. You know this. Always have. Always will. Keeps the people I care about out of the mess."
"And sometimes the mess catches them anyway," Williams said, voice sharp. "Your way of doing things paints targets on everyone around you. Yesterday's events speak for themselves."
Landon's jaw tightens, voice low but controlled. "Yesterday won't happen again. Not with my daughter or anyone else. I'll make sure of that."
Williams let out a slow sigh. "And that's exactly the problem, Landon. You're not some type of lone wolf, kid. Every move you make has consequences."
Landon tensed his jaw, pride warring with the truth he couldn't deny.
"You'll get your chance to argue with me after. But not here. Not now. You'll be working with someone new. Not because you're not capable but because even the best of us can benefit from another point of view," Williams stated.
Landon's jaw clenched, but his eyes softened for the briefest moment. "You already have someone in mind, don't you?"
A pause hung in the air. The warehouse seemed to exhale, the clatter of boots and flashing cameras fading into the background.
From the shadowed edge, a pair of heels clicked against the floor. A woman stepped forward. Her dark hair was pulled into a sleek high ponytail that swung like liquid shadow with every movement. Sharp, almond-shaped eyes scanned the warehouse with precise focus, framed by an angular face that carried both elegance and authority. Her deep red coat contrasted against the dull walls all around.
"Detective Landon Bronte, this is Detective Tanaka Yuki from DISTRICT 9: Subsector 4C Investigations Division," Williams stated
Yuki extended her hand. "I look forward to our partnership."
Landon glanced down at her hand, reluctantly shaking it in response. "Likewise."
"This is where your daughter was found," she said, flatly.
"Yes," Landon exhaled through his nose. "That's right."
"And this is where the suspect stood when you confronted him."
Landon's brows furrowed. "So, you've read the report?"
"I read a version of the truth," Yuki replied.
Landon raised an eyebrow at her.
"Well, I'll let you two handle this," Chief Williams said, pivoting toward the warehouse exit.
Yuki was younger than most detectives assigned to violent Conjurer-related cases, but not inexperienced. Her uniform was pristine, her posture straight, and her expression unreadable. Logic itself seemed to walk into the room with her.
"You have something to say?" she asked, calm, almost curious.
"Do you have doubts about what happened here?" Landon asked.
"Plenty. Though I'd like to hear it again, just to be sure I'm not misunderstanding."
Landon sighed heavily.
"The Shade kidnapped my daughter," Landon said flatly. "We received a call and intercepted the scene. Twelve men were knocked out cold before we arrived, while another—Victor Grant—stalled him long enough for us to get there. Unfortunately, the Shade got away."
Yuki nodded once, as if filing the statement away in her mind.
She crouched near an indentation in the concrete, fingers hovering just above the fractured surface.
"So tell me--who is this 'Shade' you speak of?"
Landon frowned. "What?"
"You mentioned a Shade," she clarified. "I'm asking who met that description."
She rose smoothly, eyes scanning the damage trail—cracked stone and warped steel.
"A Shade is firstly an assassin," she continued. "And they don't fight like this."
Landon folded his arms. "So what? Are you saying he held back?"
"That's not how Shades operate," Yuki replied. "They eliminate targets quietly. No witnesses. No prolonged engagement. Many historical records suggest that they have a code they follow." She turned to him. "Twelve armed men confronting one Shade in an open space already breaks precedent."
"And yet," Landon muttered, "twelve men were taken down."
"Taken down," Yuki corrected. "Not killed."
She stepped carefully between chalk outlines.
"Even if he weren't a Shade, any experienced Conjurer could neutralize twelve opponents quickly. This scene suggests neither efficiency nor intent to kill."
Landon's brow furrowed. "Then why was he there?"
Yuki didn't answer immediately. Instead, gesturing toward the warehouse entrance.
"When Enforcers arrived," she paused, "was your daughter screaming for help?"
Landon stiffened. "No? How could she? She was in shock."
"And yet she walked safely to your side without any struggle," Yuki said, voice gentle.
She turned to face him fully.
"If the Shade were her captor, the moment authority arrived, she'd be used as a hostage," she paused. "But he let her go."
Landon exhaled slowly. "You're treading dangerous ground."
"I know," Yuki said calmly. "But follow the sequence with me."
She held up a finger.
"The Shade targets and kidnaps your daughter for reasons unknown."
Another.
"Twelve men somehow follow and engage him."
A third.
"Your daughter is unharmed and not even used as leverage."
A fourth.
"The Shade is injured before you arrive. Badly."
"That doesn't prove innocence," Landon said.
"No," Yuki agreed. "But it proves he wasn't in control."
She stepped closer, lowering her voice.
Landon looked away.
"And yet," she continued, "he stayed long enough for you to arrive. Long enough to ensure she was safe."
Silence pressed in.
"You're saying he wanted to be seen," Landon said.
"I'm saying someone else wanted him blamed," Yuki replied.
Landon's jaw clenched. "But The Concord of Shades—"
"—doesn't operate like this," she finished. "But someone who wants the city to believe they do might. And I believe this 'Victor Grant' knows why."
Landon ran a hand through his hair. "You're asking me to doubt everything."
"I'm asking you to notice what doesn't fit," Yuki said. "That's all."
-----------------------------
Then footsteps echoed sharply from the far entrance.
Both of them turned.
An Enforcer jogged in, helmet tucked under one arm. His face was pale.
"Detectives," he said. "We've got a situation."
Yuki straightened. "What's the matter? Did something happen?"
"The twelve men that were taken into custody," the Enforcer continued, almost breathless. "During intake, our scans confirmed—every one of them was a Conjurer."
Landon's eyes narrowed. "What?"
The Enforcer swallowed. "They were pronounced dead… thirty minutes ago."
Landon froze.
"And witnesses… they reported seeing a man in black fleeing the scene."
Silence hit the warehouse like a sledgehammer.
Yuki's eyes flicked to the floor, drowned in a sea of confusion.
Landon's voice cracked, a mix of anger and disbelief."So... Detective, who is this man in black they speak of?"
Yuki remained calm, letting the words sink in. But beneath it, she felt a tinge of irritance, and a faint click of her tongue escaped.
"Tch."
-----------------------------
ENFORCER INCIDENT REPORT — DISTRICT 15
DATE: 15/02/412
DAY: TUESDAY
ERA: AGE OF STEAM AND STEEL
LOCATION: DISTRICT 15: CARGO YARD, SUBSECTOR 15B, CALDONIA CITY, XIPHONOS
Reporting Officer: Detective Tanaka Yuki, Detective Landon Bronte
Incident Type: Kidnapping / Armed Confrontation / Conjurer Engagement
Involved Parties:
Victim: Kirsty Landon (Human, Female, Age 17)
Suspect(s): Unknown Human/Conjurer, Victor Grant (Male, Human, Unknown Affiliation, Possible Conjurer), 12 armed individuals (Human, Conjurers, presumed gang-affiliated)
Responding Units: DISTRICT 14: Subsector 6D Patrol (deployed to District 15), Detective Landon, Enforcer Unit 8
Action Taken / Notes:
Victim secured and unharmed.
Victor Grant identified himself as assisting in the rescue. Released after initial questioning.
Twelve individuals, initially unconscious upon apprehension, were confirmed as Conjurers during intake and pronounced deceased following admission to District 15 Detention.
Primary suspect, 'Shade of Caldonia', remains at large.
'Victor Grant' to be brought in for further questioning.
Filed By: Detective Tanaka Yuki & Detective Landon Bronte
Time of Filing: 2345 hours