Blades of the Night

Chapter 8 - Part 3

The fluorescent lights flickered above the long table in the dimly lit conference room at Dawnlight Inc. A wall-mounted screen displayed a map of Abasha, marked with various pinpoints. All eyes turned toward Sean, whose expression barely masked his anticipation.

"Dan," Sean commanded, his voice slicing through the quiet.

Dan stepped forward, holding a tablet, his brow furrowed. "I've compiled the latest intelligence. Several students from Cedar Grove Academy—Tyler, Leo, Sheena, Victoria, John, Henry, and Harry—are exhibiting unusual activity." He scrolled through data, revealing patterns and anomalies that caught Sean's keen interest.

"Unusual how?" Sean leaned closer, hands clasped tightly in front of him.

"They've been training in a secluded park, attempting to harness some form of power. This just surfaced on my radar." Dan's monotone voice masked the gravity of the situation.

The air thickened with unspoken implications. Sean remained silent as he absorbed the intelligence, his mind racing through potential strategies.

"Are they aware of the real threat?" Sean's voice turned cold, slicing through the tension.

"Unclear," Dan replied, shifting uneasily. "But their actions pose a risk. If they gain control of their abilities without supervision, they could become formidable opponents or... liabilities."

Sean's expression hardened. "Gather the leaders. This requires immediate attention." He turned to Dan, numbering the students in his head. "Seven fledglings, each brimming with unexplored power. We must evaluate them, and control the narrative before news spreads. Their potential could be in our favor... or against it."

Julia, still fresh from the union of the Weavers and The Fallen, leaned against the wall. Her dark hair fell around her shoulders like cascading shadows. "You're suggesting we approach them, aren't you?" Her voice was steady.

"Of course," Sean's lips curled slightly. "But not with open arms. We engage them in a way that keeps our advantage."

"What's the strategy?" Julia pushed off the wall, crossing her arms.

"Observation first," Sean replied. "We identify their strengths and weaknesses. Then... we instill loyalty, if possible."

"So we're becoming puppeteers to these students?" Julia's brow arched, and her tone was sharp.

Sean smirked, amusement dancing in his eyes. "They will be our pawns only if they see us as allies, not threats. They will follow if we offer them something greater than themselves."

Nearby, Emma's fingers tight against the table, she studied the map. "And what do we do if they refuse?"

"We persuade them," Sean's voice dropped, an ominous weight hanging in the air. "For their own good. They're still unaware of the Gorgon menace stalking Abasha."

Dan tapped his tablet excitedly. "With their powers, they could become essential in our battle against the Gorgons. We just need to guide them."

"What if they turn against us?" Emma remained skeptical.

"Let them," Sean said, an icy resolve in his voice. "Better we nurture them than leave them to the chaos that awaits."

Julia exchanged glances with Emma, the unspoken contemplation simmering.

"How soon can we approach?" Julia broke the pause.

"Not yet, let's ask Sunny to observe them first and let her evaluate their power," Sean said.

Julia nodded, understanding the implications. "Sunny's perspective could offer valuable insight."

Dan scanned the data on his tablet, glancing up, "We'll need her to report back. If she feels they're trainable, we might move forward sooner."

"It seems that Sunny is their classmate at school, she can see what their potential is firsthand," Dan said. "She can inform us about their focus and temperament without alarming them."

"Sunny's insights will be invaluable. Let's arrange a meeting with her," Sean instructed, his voice sharp, cutting through any further dissent.

Julia pushed off the wall, determined. "I'll speak with her. With her connection, she might influence their perceptions in our favor, especially if they see her as a mentor rather than an overseer."

"Good. Make sure she understands the mission's sensitivity," Sean warned, his eyes narrowing slightly. "We can't afford any surprises."

Julia nodded, firm in her resolve. "Understood. I'll emphasize the importance of discretion."

With a slight smile, Sean added, "Excellent. Inform her of the Gorgon threat as well. Their ignorance of the dangers lurking could cost us dearly if they don't realize what they're capable of fighting against."

Julia straightened, determination glinting in her eyes. "I'll make sure she understands the stakes involved. After all, we can't let them become our enemies inadvertently."

Dan watched as she left the conference room, his face displaying a tinge of admiration mixed with concern. "You think she'll convince Sunny to cooperate?" he asked Sean, glancing back at the data on his tablet.

Sean shrugged, his eyes fixed on the map. "If anyone can reach Sunny, it's Julia. But she must tread carefully; the connection between Sunny and those students could backfire if mishandled."

Dan nodded, the worry deepening on his brow. "Sunny has her own loyalties," Dan murmured, tapping his pen against the tablet, "and they might cloud her judgment if she feels compelled to protect them."

"Which is precisely why we must keep a close watch on her," Sean replied, his voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "If she wavers, we risk losing her interest or worse—her loyalty."

Dan nodded, the concern deepening in his eyes. "What's the backup plan if she refuses to cooperate? This connection with the students adds another layer of risk."

Sean's lips pressed into a thin line, his gaze unwavering. "We pivot. If she resists, we can still use the students for our purpose. They're malleable yet powerful. Disillusion them with the truth of the Gorgons threat, and they might turn to us for guidance. Fear can be a compelling motivator."

The heaviness of Sean's words lingered in the air, and Dan shifted uneasily in his seat, the weight of Sean's ambition settling on his shoulders like a cloak of shadows.

"Fear can be a weapon," Dan replied quietly, his gaze flickering to the map, the pinpoints of potential conflict glinting like stars in the dark night. "But it can also backfire."

Sean allowed a brief silence to settle among them, evaluating Dan's caution.