There were three paths before Alex; the first involved utilizing his Abilities to deal with the problem, only that the members of the task force were all equipped with weapons forged with Quillion.
He may be able to handle one or two, but unless he was planning on killing hundreds, he would have to reconsider that path.
The second path involved accepting the arrest, but he understood that once he was in, leaving would be remarkably difficult.
The third involved fighting, but not with the powers he’d gained during his journey as a Mystic, but rather the combat training he’d undergone during his journey as a special agent back on Earth.
Just as he was pondering his best course of action, an announcement was made.
"Here comes Councilwoman Thera!"
Both Alex and the officers looked back, swiftly catching sight of the approaching carriage flanked by officers deployed from Scholastica, each one donning white and black uniforms.
Taking the chance while the officers were distracted, Alex grabbed Melita’s arm and snapped, swiftly teleporting away from the scene.
By the time the officers looked back, nothing remained.
"Darn it!" The captain cursed under his breath.
Soon, the carriage came to a stop before the entrance to the task force building, and an officer moved to open the door, allowing the lady within to step down.
She was rather dark skinned with a scar underneath her left eye and a rather toned physique.
Dressed in a himation style that would usually be reserved for men, she exuded a domineering aura that left the captain breathless.
With a smile, she inquired. "Why so gloomy, captain?... You seem to have misplaced something."
"Not at all, madam." The captain swiftly replied before proceeding to pay his respects along with his subordinates.
Even as the members of the council that ruled over the city were meant to only serve as a court, later generations of it slowly ensured that power in the city was centered on them, which meant that for anything to happen in Sklaviunt, it had to go through them.
Even the Bookkeeper of recent generations found it difficult to handle the council, which had slowly grown more brazen, turning from merchants and traders to full-blown royals.
Only the fear of Scholastica kept the council from declaring Sklaviunt independent, and even then, most felt that with time, that fear would dwindle.
Thera managed a smile. "No need for that. I am here to see the Commissioner."
"You didn’t have to come, Councilwoman. I’m sure the commissioner would have loved to pay a visit to your manor."
"And yet, here I am. Take me to him, I have been sent by the council to inform him of a certain matter."
"I understand." The captain said. "Please, follow me."
With that, Thera walked up the stairs into the building, with the captain following closely behind.
Meanwhile, Alex and Melita watched everything from the roof of a building close by.
Melita clenched her fist at the sight while Alex pulled away, dragging her along.
Soon, they were back on the street, making their way back to the lower districts with Arwen accompanying them.
"What you did back there was unimaginably foolish." Alex chided Melita, with the latter responding.
"Do you really expect me to sit down and do nothing while my father is nowhere to be found?"
"Why didn’t you come to me?" Alex questioned.
Melita looked away with her arms akimbo, prompting Alex to make a connection.
"Because of the rumors?"
"You helped my Dad set up a textile factory, a dream he has had since he was a boy. I still remember the smile he had on his face." Melita said. "I’d rather not put you at risk."
"You think I can’t handle it?"
Melita shrugged. "I don’t know. You have never clashed with the task force despite their oppression of those in the lower district, and you have almost always avoided any problems that would involve you heading to the upper districts."
"How do you know this?" Alex asked with a raised brow.
"My father..." Melita muttered.
Letting out a sigh, Alex intoned. "The reason I tried not to cause too much chaos before now is something personal. But that doesn’t mean I can’t deal with a minor cult."
"You are just saying that."
"No, I’m not," Alex remarked as he stopped and then turned to face Melita, with the young lady meeting his gaze.
"I promise, I’ll find your father."
"Even if it involves fighting against the cult?"
"First of all, we aren’t sure if the rumors are true, and secondly, if it turns out to be true, then yes, even if it involves that."
Melita took a breath before stepping forward and embracing Alex, catching him momentarily off guard.
Then, letting go, she turned and left, making it clear that she wished to be alone.
Letting out another sigh, Alex regarded her retreating back until Arwen intoned from behind him.
"Why exactly haven’t we ever clashed with the task force and the upper districts?"
Alex glanced at her. "You don’t know?"
"Well, I’m guessing it’s because you didn’t wish to draw too much attention to us, which could end up causing the Beast to come after us."
"Bingo," Alex said as he put his hands in his pockets. "As long as it reduces the chances of the Beast finding us, then we go along with it."
"Let’s hope that my fears were unfounded."
A profound silence dwelt between them for a while before Alex remarked. "So what’s the first thing you think we should do?"
Arwen glanced at him. "Me?"
"Yes, you." Alex nodded. "This isn’t our first investigation, right?... I’d like to see what you are capable of."
"Hmm, fine then," Arwen muttered, taking a moment to gather her thoughts before remarking. "We head to where Sir Theoren was last seen and figure out if we can get a lead on his current whereabouts while also talking with witnesses."
"That’s a start." Alex nodded before adding. "But aren’t you forgetting something?"
Pursing her lips, Arwen pondered for a bit before shaking her head. "I don’t think so."
"Melita." Alex calmly said. "Isn’t she a witness?"
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