Broken Oaths, Burning World

The clock on the wall read 10:25 PM. The grand office of Madam Di-Xian was dimly lit, the warm glow of a solitary desk lamp casting long shadows across the room as crimson lotus bloom. Madam Di-Xian sat behind her expansive mahogany desk, her piercing eyes fixed on Alvi, who stood at attention on the other side.

The faint sound of rain tapping against the windows added an eerie stillness to the atmosphere. A stack of folders and reports lay open on the desk, each marked with cases of missing children and stamped with SSCBF's logo.

Madam Di-Xian folded her hands and leaned forward, her voice sharp yet composed.

"Alvi," she began, her tone carrying the weight of authority, "the recent findings have made one thing clear: this crisis is deeper than we ever imagined. The Global Gazette incident, the discovery at Stormclash Cove, and the operations at Poppies Playtime are connected. And yet…" She tapped a finger on a report. "Thirty-five thousand children are still unaccounted for."

Alvi nodded, her face betraying a mix of determination and unease.

"You've proven yourself adept with data analysis," Madam Di-Xian continued, her eyes narrowing. "I want you to dig deeper. Use every resource available—encryption-breaking software, surveillance records, dark web trails. Whatever it takes to find out what happened to these children."

Alvi straightened. "Understood, Madam. I'll focus on tracing their last known locations and cross-referencing them with criminal networks and human trafficking patterns. I'll need clearance for restricted databases."

Madam Di-Xian gestured to a folder on her desk, sliding it toward Alvi. "You have it. This file contains clearance codes for every resource SSCBF has access to. I expect results—if there's a pattern or location, find it. If there's a network of culprits, identify them. And if there are remains…" She paused, her jaw tightening. "We need to know where they are and who's responsible for this atrocity."

"Yes, Madam."

Madam Di-Xian's expression softened, just for a moment, as she added, "This is not just about the numbers, Alvi. It's about the lives of these children and the families left in the dark. Every detail matters. Every clue is a step closer to justice."

Alvi clenched her fists, determination shining in her eyes. "I won't let you down. Whoever is behind this, I'll find them."

Madam Di-Xian leaned back in her chair, her gaze never leaving Alvi. "Good. Time is of the essence. Dismissed."

As Alvi left the room, she clutched the folder tightly, her mind already racing with possibilities and strategies. Back in the operations hub, the glow of countless screens awaited her. With a deep breath, she sat at her workstation, ready to tackle the enormous task ahead.

She muttered to herself as she began.

"Thirty-five thousand children… Someone out there knows where they are. And I'll find them."

The soft hum of her computer booting up filled the room, and Alvi's fingers danced across the keyboard. The hunt for the truth had begun.

At the moment Roy enters then Madam Di-Xian ask while seeing the reports "When Robert gives you the copy of files no one suspect. Right?!" in serious tone,

"No, Madam!" answer Roy he keep his position like the army soldier

Flashback shows, the rain fell steadily, its rhythmic patter on the pavement blending with the faint hum of the city at night. Captain Robert moved cautiously, the hood of his coat pulled low over his face. The dim glow of a flickering streetlamp cast long shadows in the narrow alleyway, where puddles reflected the silvery light of the moon. He stopped against a wet brick wall, scanning his surroundings to ensure no one had followed him.

Across the alley, leaning casually against the opposite wall, was Agent Roy, a cigarette between his lips, the ember glowing faintly in the darkness. He exhaled slowly, the smoke curling up into the night before the rain washed it away.

Robert broke the silence. "I've got what Madam Di-Xian wanted." He slipped a thick envelope from his coat, the corner of a photocopied files visible inside, stamped with the unmistakable SSCBF logo. He held it tightly, hesitating before crossing the gap between them. "This better not blow back on me, Roy."

Roy raised an eyebrow, flicking his cigarette to the ground and grinding it out with his heel. "You think she'd set you up? Relax, Captain. You're playing on the right team."

Robert frowned, his jaw tightening. "You'd better be sure about that. These files…" He glanced at the envelope in his hand. "This isn't just about a missing kid here and there. It's thirty-five thousand lives. Families. Futures. And I still don't know why Gonda is so deep into this mess."

Roy's expression darkened as he stepped forward, his boots splashing in a shallow puddle. "You're not the only one asking questions about Gonda. I've got orders not to dig, so I don't. But if I were you? I'd keep my head down and stay out of it."

Robert's gaze sharpened. "That's all you've got? 'Stay out of it'? You think that's an answer? Gonda's the only informant close enough to the source. If we lose him, we lose everything."

Roy crossed his arms, his face unreadable. "You think you can trust him?"

Robert paused, the tension thick in the air. Finally, he muttered, "No. But I don't have a choice, do I?"

Roy chuckled dryly, the sound devoid of humor. "That's the thing about this line of work, Captain. Trust is a luxury we don't have. All I know is, Gonda's still alive because he knows something. And that means he's useful to someone. Question is… to who?"

Robert's grip on the envelope tightened as he stared at Roy. "If this turns out to be a dead end… or worse, a trap… I won't just be taking the fall for it. The kids, Roy. It's always about the kids."

Roy nodded, his tone softening for the first time. "I get it. Believe me, I do. But this isn't the kind of game where you win by playing fair. You keep your head in the game, Captain. Do your part, and let Madam Di-Xian handle the rest."

The rain intensified, the sound drowning out the faint city noise. Robert handed over the envelope, his eyes narrowing. "Make sure this gets to her. No detours."

Roy took it, tucking it into his coat with a curt nod. "You worry too much." He smirked faintly before turning to walk away, his silhouette vanishing into the shadows.

Robert remained for a moment, staring at the now-empty alleyway. He leaned back against the wall, rain dripping from the edge of his hood, his mind racing. Who could he trust?

And somewhere in the distance, thunder rumbled ominously.

The golden rays of the rising sun spilled into Chief Wen-Li's office, casting an ironic warmth against the grim shadows of the room. The light flickered faintly as it reflected off the thin film of dust on the blinds and the cold surface of her desk. Wen-Li sat in silence, her hands clasped together on the desk, surrounded by a mountain of files. Her eyes were rimmed with exhaustion, deep shadows betraying her sleeplessness, as the black coffee beside her sat untouched, now long cold.

The soft buzz of a malfunctioning light hummed in the background. Wen-Li barely noticed. Her mind was racing, flipping through fragments of evidence and incidents, desperate to find the thread that tied everything together.

A soft knock at the door snapped her out of her spiraling thoughts.

"Chief, may I come in?" came the voice of Lingaong Xuein from the hallway.

Wen-Li straightened slightly, though her fatigue was evident in her reply, "Please, come in." Her voice was hoarse, carrying the weight of endless hours spent on these cases.

Lingaong entered cautiously, her own expression grave as she clutched a thick folder against her chest. As she stepped into the room, her eyes landed on Wen-Li's bloodshot gaze. She hesitated but then placed the folder on the desk.

"Chief…" Lingaong Xuein began, her voice soft but tense, "...we've received new reports."

Wen-Li tilted her head slightly, her eyes narrowing. "What reports?"

Lingaong Xuein took a deep breath, her voice faltering as she spoke. "The bodies… they're everywhere." She opened the folder, revealing the grim details.

"The little girl, whose body was thrown from Obsidian Run… her face was completely damaged, and her body was covered in bruises." Lingaong's voice trembled.

Wen-Li closed her eyes for a moment, clenching her jaw as her hands tightened into fists.

"There's more. A 7-year-old boy's corpse was found in the abandoned factory at Obsidian Reach. A 16-year-old girl's dismembered body was discovered in the Duo-Chen Warehouse—"

Wen-Li's eyes snapped open, her bloodshot gaze sharpening. "Duo-Chen? That's where…"

Lingaong Xuein nodded solemnly, "Where Agent-90 eliminated Fen Gohxian, the cannibal."

Wen-Li leaned back in her chair, her fingers pressing against her temples. Lingaong continued, flipping through the reports.

"70 children from the Bluebloom Kindergarten… their corpses were found in the Duskhaven Warehouse."

Wen-Li flinched slightly. "The same warehouse where Lan Qian and I faced the loan sharks…"

"Five decomposed bodies of boys were found in the Ravehollow Alleyway," Lingaong Xuein added, her voice dropping. "The same place you first met Gonda about the Haneul Park case."

Wen-Li's breathing grew heavier as Lingaong flipped to another page, her hands shaking.

"70 children's burned remains were discovered on the hillside of Eclipse Point in Eclipsed City."

"And?" Wen-Li asked, her voice like a dagger.

Lingaong Xuein hesitated but continued, "In Veilmoor, at the Mourningrise Hillside… 1,000 children and infants' bodies were unearthed."

Wen-Li's chair scraped against the floor as she abruptly stood, pacing the room with clenched fists.

Lingaong Xuein's voice cracked as she delivered the final blow. "At the Crimson Forge, in Ashenfort, Wraithfall, and Voidmarch… we've found barrels containing the remains of 3,600 girls and 2,600 boys. Most of them were tortured and assaulted, Chief."

Wen-Li turned sharply, her eyes blazing. "And the connection to Poppies Playtime?"

Lingaong Xuein nodded grimly. "Some were part of their experiments. Others… were victims of horrors we can't yet explain."

For a moment, the room was suffocating in silence, broken only by the hum of the lights and the steady pounding of Wen-Li's heart in her ears. She finally spoke, her voice trembling but resolute:

"We're not stopping until every single one of these monsters is brought down. Every. Single. One."

Wen-Li strode through the dimly lit corridors of the SSCBF Headquarters, her resolve solidified as her mind replayed the horrors of the case. She had just ordered Lingaong Xuein to prepare the team for action when Sakim, her trusted subordinate, approached her in haste.

"Chief Wen-Li, the President has summoned you to the meeting room."

Wen-Li stopped, her brow furrowing. "Why now? We're on the brink of taking action."

Sakim hesitated, then added, "It's urgent. The Chairmen and Chairwomen are already there."

Wen-Li's lips thinned as she adjusted her uniform. "Very well. I'll handle this."

The meeting room was cold and sterile, illuminated by pale, flickering lights. Around the long rectangular table sat several Chairmen and Chairwomen, their faces shadowed by the tension in the air.

Zhang Wei, a tall and stern man with a sharp gaze, sat with his arms crossed.

Fahad Al-Farsi, his neatly trimmed beard and traditional attire marking him as a man of tradition, whispered with his neighbor.

Elizabeth Carter, a composed yet commanding presence with a piercing glare, tapped her manicured nails on the table.

Selim Kaya, his dark eyes holding suspicion, leaned forward, his hands clasped tightly.

Andreas Karalis, a portly man with a booming voice, grumbled under his breath.

Kim Ji-Soo, a middle-aged woman in a sleek suit, adjusted her glasses and sighed impatiently.

Hiroto Nakamura, his face a mask of neutrality, observed silently from his seat.

Aarav Sharma, a lean man with an air of authority, shook his head in disapproval.

Rahim Ahmed, a soft-spoken but firm man, exchanged glances with others, visibly uncomfortable.

At the head of the table stood the President, arms crossed, his brow heavy with worry. Wen-Li entered, her commanding presence cutting through the tense atmosphere.

The President exhaled slowly, breaking the silence. "Chief Wen-Li, we've reviewed the case of the missing children. I'm here to inform you… that you need to drop it."

Wen-Li's eyes widened in shock, then narrowed in anger. "Drop it?" Her voice was steady but laced with fury. "Why would I do that? Thousands of children have been missing, brutalized, tortured, and murdered! Are you asking me to abandon justice?"

The President looked away, his face strained. "It's not my choice."

Before Wen-Li could respond, the Chairmen and Chairwomen began speaking over each other, their voices rising in discord.

"This investigation is attracting too much attention," said Zhang Wei.

"The implications could destabilize the government," added Fahad Al-Farsi.

"This is a matter of national security, Wen-Li!" snapped Elizabeth Carter.

"You're overstepping your boundaries, Chief," said Selim Kaya.

"Do you know how many organizations are involved? You'll start a war," grumbled Andreas Karalis.

"It's a political quagmire we can't afford," said Kim Ji-Soo, her tone icy.

Wen-Li's fists clenched at her sides as she listened, her anger building. "Do any of you care about the lives of these children? Or are you too busy protecting your own interests?"

Rahim Ahmed hesitated, his expression pained. "It's not that simple, Chief. These matters go deeper than we can control."

Wen-Li slammed her hands on the table, silencing the room. "I don't care how deep it goes. These are children we're talking about—innocent lives, stolen and destroyed! And you want me to just walk away?"

"Chief Wen-Li!" Aarav Sharma barked. "This is not up for debate. You have your orders. Close the case."

The President, who had remained silent, finally spoke, his voice low and pained. "Wen-Li… I can't protect you if you defy this decision."

Wen-Li's gaze snapped to him, her voice trembling with controlled rage. "You're the President. You swore to protect the people. And now you're telling me to abandon the most vulnerable among us?"

The President didn't reply, his silence speaking volumes.

Wen-Li straightened, her face a mask of defiance. "I won't drop this case. You can strip me of my badge, my title—but I'll find these monsters and bring them to justice. With or without your support."

The room erupted in protests, but Wen-Li ignored them, turning sharply and walking out. Her heart burned with determination, the voices of the children echoing in her mind.

The heavy wooden door of the meeting room closed behind Wen-Li, leaving the President and the Chairmen and Chairwomen in a tense silence. The faint sound of her sharp, determined steps faded away down the hallway.

The President let out a weary sigh, running a hand through his hair. "She won't back down. She's too stubborn, too driven."

Zhang Wei leaned back in his chair, his fingers steepled. "She's a liability now. A Chief who doesn't follow orders is dangerous."

Elizabeth Carter sneered, her voice dripping with disdain. "She's blinded by idealism. The bigger picture eludes her. We can't allow one woman's morals to destabilize everything we've built."

"We need leverage, something to force her hand," added Kim Ji-Soo, her tone calculating.

"And what about Agent-90?" interjected Hiroto Nakamura, his neutral expression darkening. "He's already a wildcard. If Wen-Li stirs the pot, he'll only make things worse."

"Agent-90 is a killing machine, a ghost with no allegiance," said Andreas Karalis, his voice heavy with disdain. "If he decides to interfere, we'll have a bloodbath on our hands."

Selim Kaya tapped his finger on the table, a malicious smile curling his lips. "We know his history, his past. Every monster has a weakness. We just need to exploit it."

"But what about Wen-Li?" Rahim Ahmed asked hesitantly. "If we're too forceful, she might go rogue. We've seen what she's capable of when cornered."

The President finally spoke, his voice low and strained. "We'll give her no choice. We remind her what happens when someone tries to defy us."

Elizabeth Carter's lips curved into a sinister grin. "We have access to her history, her family. Her brother works at the FACU (Federal Army Corporation Unit) , does he not?"

"Yes, Wen Liao. Very close to her," Zhang Wei mused. "We will kill him. Subtly at first. If she resists, we escalate."

Kim Ji-Soo added coldly, "And her team—Nightingale, Robert, Tao-Ren, Lan Qian, Lingaong Xuein and her troops. They're loyal, but loyalty can be broken. Threaten their careers, their families. She'll cave under enough pressure."

The President's face tightened, his conscience visibly battling with the cold pragmatism of the group. "And if that doesn't work?"

"Then we release the skeletons in her closet," said Aarav Sharma with a dark tone. "Her decisions, her mistakes—they all have consequences. Public backlash will dismantle her credibility. She'll be a pariah before she even realizes what's happening."

The room fell silent for a moment as the group's cruel intentions took shape.

"And Agent-90?" asked Fahad Al-Farsi. "He's a greater threat. If he intervenes, he'll expose everything."

Selim Kaya smirked. "We bait him out. Make him the enemy. Use the media to spin his actions as rogue terrorism. A scapegoat. People will believe what they're told."

Elizabeth Carter added, "He thrives in the shadows, but even shadows can't hide from coordinated action. We deploy specialized teams. He's powerful, but he's not invincible."

"We leaked just enough information to lure him into a trap," said Andreas Karalis. "He's methodical. He'll come for us, but we'll be waiting."

The President exhaled deeply, his eyes hollow. "Do what you must, but remember: no loose ends. If this goes wrong, it will destroy us all."

Lightning flashed outside the tall windows, illuminating the room in stark, cold light. The rain tapped against the glass as the conspirators exchanged cold, calculating glances. Their sinister plan was set in motion, a web of manipulation and deceit designed to silence Wen-Li and eliminate Agent-90.

The President stood slowly. "I'll speak with her. For now, ensure no traces of our involvement remain."

As he left the room, the whispers resumed, plotting the next moves to crush the rebellion against their power and ensure that the truth would never see the light of day.

The dim glow of the computer screen bathed Alvi's face as she leaned closer, her fingers flying over the keyboard. Her eyes were ringed with exhaustion, dark bags a testament to her sleepless nights. The room was silent except for the soft hum of her computer's fan, and the occasional click of her mouse.

Jun stepped into the room quietly, only to freeze mid-step. He gawked at Alvi, whose eyes looked more intense and shadowed than he had ever seen before. Her disheveled hair and unwavering gaze made her look almost otherworldly.

"Hey, zombie," Jun teased, a mischievous grin spreading across his face. "When's the last time you blinked? Or—"

Before he could finish, a low groan sounded from behind him. Jun turned his head slowly, only to come face-to-face with Farhan, who had donned a grotesque ghost mask.

"BOO!" Farhan bellowed.

Jun yelped, jumping back, nearly toppling over. "What the—! Farhan, you idiot!" he shouted, clutching his chest. Alvi, momentarily startled, smirked faintly but didn't shift her focus from her computer screen.

"You should've seen your face!" Farhan laughed, pulling off the mask. "Classic. Worth every second."

"Yeah, yeah. Laugh it up," Jun muttered. "What's got you so glued to the screen, Alvi?"

She didn't answer immediately. Instead, her fingers moved faster, her brows knitting together. After a few moments, she finally spoke, her voice tense. "I'm... following a lead."

Jun and Farhan exchanged puzzled looks. Jun leaned closer. "A lead? What kind of lead?"

"I think I found them," she said, her voice barely above a whisper. "The people responsible."

"For what?" Jun asked, but before Alvi could reply, she clicked a few keys, her screen changing to display a shadowy, encrypted chat interface.

After hours of searching through forums and bypassing layers of encryption, Alvi had stumbled into contact with someone known only as Hacker-569/#. His reputation preceded him—a digital phantom known for exposing the darkest corners of the web. Alvi's message to him was brief, desperate, and to the point.

Alvi: I need information on a group connected to child-abuse content and trafficking. Can you help?

For what felt like an eternity, the chat remained still. Then, a single message appeared.

Hacker-569/#: I'll need 10 minutes.

Alvi's hands trembled slightly as she waited. The others watched in silence, the tension in the room thickening with each passing second. Finally, the hacker responded.

Hacker-569/#: Found them. Same location. Noctum Hollow.

"Noctum Hollow?" Farhan repeated, his voice low. "That place sounds... like something out of a horror story."

"It is," Alvi said grimly. She read on.

Hacker-569/#: They're running an operation out of the city. Rapists, pedophiles, predators. They also manage a site—sending links now. Caution: Dark Web access required.

A link blinked on the screen. Alvi's stomach turned as she clicked it, revealing the evidence: an underground website dedicated to unimaginable horrors. Images, videos, forums—proof of a network that thrived on exploitation.

Farhan's face hardened. "We need to take this to Madam Di-Xian."

Alvi shook her head. "Not yet. If we alert them too soon, these people will scatter, and they'll just rebuild elsewhere. We need to be smart about this."

Jun swallowed hard, his playful demeanor completely gone. "What's the plan?"

Alvi closed the computer, her resolve firm. "We end this. Once and for all.

"Where Agent-90?" ask Jun in furrowed

"Madam Di-Xian gives him the mission at the Silentedge Orphanage" reply Farhan styling his hair,

Wen-Li stormed out of the meeting room, her footsteps echoing in the silent corridor. Her clenched fists and the fire in her eyes betrayed her simmering anger. As she turned a corner, she came face-to-face with Krieg, the stoic SSCBF operative who had been waiting nearby.

"Commander Krieg," Wen-Li said sharply, her tone laced with frustration. "What's going on in there? What happened?"

Krieg's expression was unreadable, but a flicker of unease crossed his eyes. "Chief," he replied, his voice low and careful, "I don't know the full extent. Whatever it is, it's above my clearance."

"Above your clearance?" Wen-Li scoffed, crossing her arms. "This isn't just about clearance. This is about children's lives. And yet, they're trying to bury it!"

Before Krieg could respond, a measured voice interrupted from behind.

"Krieg," said the President, his tone calm yet commanding. "Give us some space. I need a moment with Chief Wen-Li."

Krieg hesitated, his eyes darting between Wen-Li and the President. He gave a curt nod, stepped aside, and leaned against the wall a short distance away, his posture tense as he strained to hear what he could.

The President approached Wen-Li, his hands clasped behind his back. He exhaled slowly, as if gathering his thoughts.

"Chief Wen-Li," he began, his tone unusually soft. "I understand your frustration. Truly, I do."

"Do you?" Wen-Li retorted, her voice sharp. "Because it doesn't seem that way. You're letting them—those Chairmen and Chairwomen—dictate the fate of thousands of innocent children! How can you stand there and do nothing?"

The President's gaze dropped momentarily, his expression clouded. "You think I don't care? You think this isn't tearing me apart?" He looked back up, his voice growing firmer. "This isn't a simple case of justice. This is a battlefield where every step has consequences beyond what you see."

"I don't care about the consequences," Wen-Li snapped. "If it means exposing those responsible, I'll face them head-on."

The President sighed deeply. "Wen-Li, this is bigger than SSCBF. There are forces at play here—political, financial, and... darker forces. If you push too hard, you won't just endanger yourself but everyone around you. I don't want to lose you, too."

Wen-Li stared at him, her jaw tightening. "Lose me? That's your concern? Not the thousands of children who have already been lost?"

The President hesitated, his eyes betraying a flicker of guilt. "You don't know what they're capable of," he said finally.

"Then let me find out," she said coldly. "If you're too afraid to act, step aside and let me do what you won't."

The President's face hardened, but he said nothing. Wen-Li took his silence as an answer and turned on her heel, walking away with resolute determination.

From his position against the wall, Krieg watched her retreating figure and then glanced at the President, whose shoulders seemed to sag under an invisible weight.

As the President turned and walked back toward the meeting room, Krieg's brow furrowed. Whatever had been said, it was clear the storm brewing was far from over.