The next day dawned pale, the city shrouded in drizzle. Elric's cane clicked steadily as he made his way toward the Iron Barracks, where soldiers drilled in endless precision. He knew of only one man who might help face the threat they now hunted — and even that man was burdened with dangerous secrets.
Captain Armand Hollis emerged from the training yard, a towering figure in brass-buckled uniform, his jaw set like stone. Scars ran across his arms, though none ever lingered long — for Hollis bore a gift he hid with discipline: wounds closed on his flesh almost before they were made.
"Haven't seen you since the Tregoran Riots," Hollis said, clasping Elric's hand. "And I hoped never to."
"I bring ill tidings," Elric replied. "Someone hunts Anomalists. Not with blades or bullets — with science. With machines. And he's winning."
Hollis's eyes darkened. "And you want me to reveal what I am. To fight in the open."
"Not for me," Elric said. "For every one of your kind who'll die if you do not."
From the shadows, Selene stepped forward. "We can't fight him alone. We need soldiers. We need you."
For a long moment, Hollis said nothing, the drizzle dripping from his cap. At last, he nodded grimly."Then Brasswick has a war it doesn't yet know it's fighting. And I will not sit it out."
But even as he spoke, the gears of the Phantom Engineer were already turning, calculating every step ahead.