Elsewhere...

“You moved too hastily and weakly. You failed to capture either target. Unacceptable.”

The quiet voice manages to carry a weight of threat, somehow filling the dimly lit room. The speaker sits in a throne-like chair, face shrouded by a hood, and gloved hands folded in their lap.

“I’m sorry, lord magus, we underestimated the creatures in the house.”

“Unacceptable. You must not fail again. The primary target must not learn their true nature. If the AWIO investigates them, they will grow in power to rival our own. Fortunate for you the assets you lost are expendable and know little.”

A second hooded figure steps from the shadows of the room. They carry what appears to be a large green gemstone.

The so called ‘lord magus’ points at the gem. “Use this. They will leave AWIO protection after a few days. This will ensure you do not fail again.”

The shadows deepen, and the voice grows more threatening. A blue glow illuminates the inside of the hood, revealing a feminine face with glowing blue eyes.

“Fail again and I will feed you to the rejects, understood?”

The man cowers, taking the gem and bowing. “Of course, lord magus!”