Alpha surveyed the wreckage of Berkeley Village, smoke still curling from scorched buildings, villagers standing amidst the ruins of their homes.
His expression softened, though the weight of the situation remained heavy.
"Let's head to Dan Village."
The villagers exchanged uncertain glances before nodding, gathering their few salvaged belongings, falling into step behind him.
Hashima stepped forward, glancing toward Makuto.
"We'll stay behind."
"Investigate the area."
"See if Sector X left anything useful behind."
Makuto nodded firmly beside him, already scanning the scorched street for clues.
Shiro turned toward Saito.
"Let's go."
Saito nodded, falling into step alongside the villagers, offering a reassuring smile to a nearby child clutching her mother's hand.
"Don't worry."
"You'll be safe soon."
The group moved forward together, Alpha leading the way, the displaced villagers following closely, their eyes still wide with the shock of losing their homes.
Behind them, smoke continued rising from Berkeley Village, a somber reminder of what Sector X had done.
Saito glanced back once, jaw tightening with quiet resolve.
"We'll make them pay for this."
Shiro walked beside him, silent for a moment before speaking softly.
"One step at a time, Saito."
"First, let's make sure everyone here is safe."
Saito nodded, turning his attention back toward the villagers as they continued their journey toward Dan Village, the morning sun rising higher over the horizon.
In Dan Village, near Alpha's hotel, the Blue Scarf crew stood watching as more displaced villagers streamed in — tired, frightened, carrying whatever few belongings they'd managed to grab before fleeing.
Kaito stepped forward, brow furrowed with concern, approaching Alpha.
"I take it..."
"They got away."
Alpha nodded grimly, watching the villagers file past.
"They did."
His grip tightened slightly around his cane.
"Barely."
Bomb crossed his arms, surveying the crowd. "How many made it out?"
Alpha's expression darkened. "Most of them."
"Not all."
The weight of those words settled heavily over the group.
Fanny's ears drooped slightly, watching a young mother comfort her crying children nearby.
"...That's still a lot of people who lost everything."
Alya's fingers moved quietly across her tablet, already compiling information. "I'll start organizing supplies and shelter arrangements."
Saito walked over from the back of the group, expression hardened with quiet determination.
"This is exactly why we need to end Sector X."
"For good."
Alpha met his gaze evenly.
"Agreed."
He glanced toward the incoming villagers, voice firm.
"But first..."
"Let's make sure everyone here has somewhere safe to stay tonight."
The crew moved into action, helping guide the displaced villagers toward available shelter, the weight of the day's events settling over Dan Village as evening approached.
An elderly villager approached Alpha, voice trembling with a mix of exhaustion and quiet desperation.
"Sir Alpha..."
"Where is the God of Mind?"
"We've prayed to him for days now..."
"Asking him to protect us from Sector X."
Another villager stepped forward, expression tight with frustration.
"And where were you, Sir Alpha?"
"We thought we were under your protection."
The words hung heavy in the air.
Alpha's expression remained calm, though something flickered behind his eyes — understanding, perhaps regret.
He knelt slightly, meeting the villagers at eye level.
"The God of Mind is still with us."
His voice was steady, reassuring.
"We simply have to keep our faith in him."
"In our Primordeus."
He placed a gentle hand on the elderly villager's shoulder.
"As for me..."
"I promise you — we will not let Sector X harm this territory again."
"Whatever it takes."
The villagers exchanged uncertain glances, but slowly, their tense expressions softened, tension easing from their shoulders.
The elderly man nodded slowly, voice quieter now. "...We'll hold you to that, Sir Alpha."
Alpha nodded firmly. "As you should."
Gradually, the villagers turned, making their way toward the shelters Dan Village had generously provided — homes opened, spare rooms offered, warm meals already being prepared by kind-hearted locals.
Saito watched the exchange quietly from a distance, arms crossed, a thoughtful expression crossing his face.
Kaito glanced at him. "You okay?"
Saito nodded slowly. "Yeah..."
He watched the villagers disappear into the safety of the homes.
"Just thinking about how much responsibility Alpha's really carrying."
"Protecting an entire territory... it's not easy."
Kaito placed a hand on his shoulder. "No. It's not."
"But you're already learning that yourself, aren't you?"
Saito let out a small breath, glancing toward the horizon.
"...Yeah. I guess I am."
Saito turned toward his crew, stretching slightly.
"Let's go rest first, guys."
He took a step toward the hotel entrance—
"Wait, Saito."
Alpha's voice stopped him instantly.
Saito turned back, curious.
"What's up?"
Alpha's expression was calm, though there was a certain weight behind his words.
"Olsen wants to meet you."
Saito blinked.
"Wait—"
He pointed at himself, eyebrows raised.
"The Primordeus himself? Wants to meet me?"
Alpha nodded simply, already turning toward the hotel.
"Come."
Saito hesitated only a moment before hurrying to catch up, glancing back briefly toward his crew.
Kaito gave him a small, encouraging nod.
Fanny waved him off. "Go on! We'll grab you some food for later!"
Saito managed a quick grin before jogging after Alpha, weaving through the hotel's grand entrance, curiosity and nerves mixing in his chest as he followed the older man down the quiet corridor.
"So... any idea why he wants to see me?"
Alpha glanced back, expression unreadable.
"You'll find out soon enough."
Saito swallowed slightly, quickening his pace to keep up, the anticipation building with every step closer to Olsen's chambers.
They stepped into the room where Olsen stood waiting, hands folded calmly behind his back.
"Blue Scarf."
Olsen inclined his head in greeting.
Saito nodded back, straightening slightly under the weight of the old man's presence.
Olsen took a slow step forward, studying him closely.
"Tell me, Saito..."
"What do you believe in?"
He tilted his head.
"Us Primordeus?"
"Or fate?"
Saito hesitated, scratching the back of his neck.
"Uh..."
"Both, probably?"
Olsen let out a soft chuckle, clearly amused by the honest answer.
"A fair response."
He clasped his hands together.
"I take it you already understand how we Primordeus function?"
Saito nodded.
"Yeah. Shiro explained it to me."
"Each of you protects a specific territory."
"And the people pray to you... for guidance, protection, that kind of thing."
Olsen nodded, pleased.
"Precisely."
"Well put."
Saito rubbed the back of his neck, slightly proud of himself.
Olsen's expression grew more serious, his tone shifting.
"But what you must understand..."
He paused, gaze sharpening.
"...is that we are reincarnations."
"And that is vastly different from our true, original forms."
Saito's brow furrowed, curiosity piqued.
"Wait... what do you mean by that?"
Olsen's eyes glimmered faintly, as if weighing how much to reveal.
"The gods you know now..."
"Shiro. Myself."
"We are merely echoes."
"Fragments of something far greater that once existed."
Olsen's expression grew graver.
"And that's precisely why I need your help."
Saito blinked, confusion flickering across his face.
"Wait—my help?"
Olsen nodded slowly.
"Each of us Primordeus..."
"Carries a crystal."
"One that holds our power."
Saito's eyes widened.
"Wait..."
He glanced between Olsen and Alpha.
"Don't tell me—"
"They took yours?"
Olsen let out a heavy breath, nodding grimly.
"It's not that I couldn't retrieve it myself."
His gaze hardened slightly.
"But going there alone..."
"Would be far too great a risk."
Saito nodded slowly, processing the weight of the situation.
Alpha stepped forward, voice steady.
"This is exactly why the Balance Table was created in the first place."
"We serve as consultants in cities that recognize us."
"But our true purpose..."
His grip tightened around his cane.
"...is to protect the Primordeus from those who seek to steal their power."
Saito's jaw tightened.
"So Sector X wants to take your power."
Olsen nodded.
"Yes."
A shadow crossed his expression.
"I fear they intend to use it themselves."
His voice lowered.
"But what terrifies me more..."
"...is the possibility they hand it over to Calamity Table instead."
Saito's breath caught slightly.
"And if that happens..."
He met Olsen's gaze directly.
"...there's no getting it back."
Olsen nodded solemnly, the weight of the truth settling heavily over the room.