The echo flickered into life, basking the area in a tint of blue light as it's projections shimmered, settling as a faded mask on top of the scene.
"I followed the culprit here, and he seemed to have used some form of cloaking spell, because, he just vanished the moment he walked in" the officer said as he led Malick into the scene. "I didn't have any arcano sensors on me, so I had no way of knowing for sure"
Malick looked to be scanning the area "He did use magic to vanish, an invisibility spell, and a good one at that. Must be adventurers"
"My intel tell me they stole something from the military research lab, the scientists there put together a blueprint for some tech" The officer added as looked around the empty warehouse "The guild has been a little stagnant as of late, and the military has slowly been taking more commissions that used to go to the guild, so I guess they either wanted payback, or to one up them and reclaim some influence they lost"
"Why send me though, it seems rather odd to set loose a lion to chase down a mouse, don't you think?." Malick said as he leaned on to a beam with his hands folded.
"I don't know, your gonna have to ask them that yourself" the officer could almost see Malick's boredom bore a hole through his helmet.
There was a slight vibration in the Echo frame as the intruder suddenly appeared and with one swift blow, knocked the lights out of the officer, in that same breath, he charged forward and went straight for Malick's feet, forcing him to loose balance. The intruder did not hesitate, he seemingly teleported and landed a solid hit to Malick's head forcing him into the ground. The blow was hard enough to shake Malick's consciousness, as the echo shook violently, and once it settled the Intruder and the officer were Gone.
The echo froze in place, flickered and then dissipated "His hubris did this to him" Malcador comment as he bent to pick up the Echoframe.
Close to the city center, inside the Lion's Den, the only place with proper lodging and staff to host a Black Knight.
"Good evening Sir what can I help you with today?" The front desk clerk asked Malcador as he walked into the hall, and stopped by the front desk
"A room. My size, Send the bill to Commander Markson. Tell him it's Malcador of the Black Knights" He answered the clerk as he scanned his surroundings, it was a good habit to be aware of what was happening around him.
"How long will You be staying?" The clerk asked, as she scribbled down Malcador's reply.
"Schedule it for a week, I may stay for less, but put in a week" Malcador replied, then stretched out his hand, waiting for the rooms key.
The clerk seeing his outstretched hand, opened the key drawer under her desk, pulled out a key "Floor number three, room twelve" she said and placed the key on Malcador's waiting palm.
"Thank you" He nodded. Then headed for the stairs leading to the upper floors.
He sat on the bedside table in his room, on the table was a miniature version of the Echo extract from Malick he had just watched, It was frozen in place where the intruder was about to land his final attack on Malick.
The man seems to have scars on his arms. He thought, as he examined the man's portrayed illusion.
They seem like they are identical, why? His thought process continued as he rotated the Echo around, examining it.
Bio-maniacs have rune grafted onto them in a similar pattern. He frowned at the thought that a Bio-maniac had bested one of his brothers in combat.
But no visible runes, only scars where runes should've been. He paused for a moment, refusing to accept the possibility that a Bio-maniac did this.
He turned from the table and stood, walking straight toward the door. Just as he arrived, a soft knock echoed through it.
He opened it without hesitation. A lodge clerk stood on the other side, startled.
"A message, sir. From Markson," the clerk said, holding out a comms pad.
Malcador gave the man a measured look. "What does it say?"
"I—I don't know," the clerk stammered. "I was instructed to deliver it to you directly." Malcador took the pad. "Received." He closed the door and returned to the desk.
The message played.
"Malcador, this is Commander Markson. I understand you're here because of Malick. The objective has changed. Retrieve what was stolen. The culprits can die for all I care." The screen went dark. Sparks flickered from the pad's seams—its final transmission.
Malcador leaned back. So it's a recovery mission now. Simple enough.
But no. Not yet.
That man… how did he do it? Malick was caught off guard, yes—but even then, our training and manna arts should have kicked in. They always do. Unless...
I need answers. And to get them, I need to flush him out. But first... I need to know if he's alone.