Chapter 11

After a moment of silence, Jaren finally spoke, his voice quiet but determined. "So... the school's administration is really trying to figure out what happened in the shower. They think it was either a prank or someone's powers just went wild, but they've been talking about calling in experts if things get worse."

Issac, leaning casually against the door frame, nodded. "Yeah, it won't be long before they start putting pressure on you. You should probably talk to your dad. He's military, right?"

Jaren's expression darkened slightly as he considered it. His father, General Zarek, was a powerful and respected figure in the army, known for his no-nonsense attitude. It wasn't like Jaren to lean on his dad for things like this, but the situation was different. This wasn't just about his powers. It was about the whole college finding out, and possibly a lot of unnecessary attention that could make everything worse.

Jaren looked at Issac, who gave him an encouraging nod. "Yeah," he murmured, pulling out his phone. He hesitated for a moment before dialing his father's number. The line rang a few times before it clicked open.

"Jaren?" came the stern voice on the other end. "What is it?"

"Hey, Dad," Jaren replied, trying to sound casual. "Uh, there's something I need to talk to you about. Something... well, kind of personal. And it might get messy."

The General's voice was calm, but there was a sharpness beneath it. "What's going on?"

Jaren hesitated, glancing over at Issac. "It's about my powers. They… awakened last night."

There was a pause on the other end. "I see," the General said finally. "How are you feeling?"

"Confused," Jaren admitted, running a hand through his wet hair. "The school's been talking about it, and they're trying to figure out what happened. I don't want anyone making a big deal out of it."

The General sighed. "You know what this means, Jaren. It's not something to hide. If you don't deal with it properly, it will cause more problems than it solves. I'll call the Dean of the college myself. I'll let them know you've already been cleansed."

Jaren's stomach sank, the weight of the conversation settling in. "Thanks, Dad," he said quietly. "I just—"

"No need to explain, son," the General cut him off, his voice firm. "I'll take care of everything on my end. Just stay focused. This surge in dungeons and monsters... we need to get ahead of it. It's only going to get worse."

Jaren's mind raced, but he didn't ask more questions. He simply nodded, even though his father couldn't see it. "I will," he replied. "Thanks."

The General hung up without any further words, and Jaren slowly lowered the phone, feeling the weight of everything coming down on him.

Issac, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, now stepped forward, breaking the silence. "That's good. At least you don't have to worry about the college. They'll likely drop it now."

Jaren nodded, but something still lingered in the back of his mind. He wanted to ask about Issac's thoughts on the whole situation, but he knew it wasn't the right time. The government's labs, the experiments, and the treatment of Espers were all in the back of his head, but Jaren had learned long ago that some things were better left unsaid.

"Thanks for being here, Issac," Jaren said quietly. "I think I'd be a little lost without you."

Issac smiled, a knowing look in his eyes. "Don't mention it. We've got each other's backs, right?"

Jaren smiled back, his thoughts swirling as he prepared for whatever came next. This wasn't just about his powers. It was about the future, the world he was now a part of, and the choices he would have to make. And as much as he wanted to ignore the darker side of things—the government's influence, the labs, the manipulation—he knew it would catch up with him eventually.

But for now, he had to focus on staying one step ahead, starting with the college and the people who already knew too much.

And, in the back of his mind, the thought of his father's protective influence hung over him. General Zarek had always kept the truth close to his chest. But Jaren couldn't shake the feeling that this time, something was different. And the silence between them spoke volumes.

General Zarek sat at the head of the large table in the dimly lit war room, the weight of his uniform pressing down on him like the thick air of a storm. His hands were steepled in front of him, fingers tapping rhythmically as the reports of recent dungeon activity scrolled across the holographic screen in front of him.

"Another surge," he muttered under his breath, his voice low but filled with a palpable sense of frustration. The others around the table nodded solemnly, acknowledging the severity of the situation.

The military advisors, high-ranking officials, and Esper specialists that surrounded him were visibly tense. The monster activity was increasing, especially near the larger dungeons, and reports indicated that certain regions were becoming almost impossible to secure. But it wasn't just the surge in dungeon and monster activity that weighed on Zarek's mind. It was what was happening inside their ranks. Corruption, hidden agendas, and whispers of illegal experiments.

"We need to prioritize," Zarek said firmly. His tone was sharp as he looked each man and woman in the room in the eye. "The surges are one thing, but what's happening within the government is worse. I've seen the files. People are pushing for experiments on Espers that go far beyond what we've authorized. We can't afford to let this spiral out of control."

Admiral Rowen, seated to his left, crossed his arms and leaned forward, speaking in his gravelly voice. "We've been getting reports of unauthorized Esper tests. It's bad enough the monsters are tearing through the borders, but now we have to deal with some people in our own ranks trying to exploit our own people—Espers who've been recruited, then thrown into labs."

Zarek's eyes darkened. "We've lost too many good soldiers to those programs. Espers aren't weapons to be dissected. They're people. We need to stamp out this corruption before it festers any further."

General Hartman, a high-ranking Esper liaison seated on the opposite side of the table, nodded slowly. He looked down at the report in front of him, brows furrowed. "There's a growing network of these... facilities, hidden under the guise of research centers. They claim they're developing new technologies to counter the surge of monsters, but we both know the truth. They're testing Espers and trying to control them."

"We've had our suspicions about this for a while," Zarek said, standing up slowly, his voice commanding attention. "But it's more than just rogue facilities. It's in the very heart of the government. Certain officials are looking the other way while these experiments continue. We need to get ahead of it before it spills over into the public eye."

His words hung heavy in the air. The others exchanged looks, the reality of the situation sinking in.

Zarek turned to the young aide standing by the door. "Have the intelligence units prepare the dossiers. We need everything we have on the compromised officials. I want to know who's funding this. Who's been greenlighting the lab experiments."

"Yes, sir," the aide replied quickly, leaving the room.

Zarek continued, his gaze focused on the maps now projected on the wall, highlighting dungeons with abnormal activity. "We can't allow the situation with the monsters to be an excuse to ignore the corruption. If we're not careful, we'll be fighting a two-front war. One against the monsters, and one against the people within our own government who think they can control these Espers for their own gains."

Admiral Rowen grunted, leaning back in his chair, clearly troubled. "The last thing we need is for people to start thinking Espers are expendable. If word gets out that we're experimenting on them, it could cause a full-blown revolt. The people won't stand for it."

"Exactly," Zarek replied. "If we don't root out the corruption now, there will be more Jaren's—more children who awaken and don't even understand what they're capable of or how to handle it. They'll be pushed into these programs without choice, and eventually, they'll be disposed of like so many before them."

The room fell silent as the gravity of his words settled in. The fight against monsters was nothing compared to the long-standing issues within their ranks. There was a rot growing from within, and Zarek was determined to put a stop to it, even if it meant going against some of his closest colleagues.

"I don't care how high up the chain it goes," Zarek said, voice firm. "We clean this mess up, or I will start naming names." He looked around the room, the steely resolve in his eyes evident. "We're going to protect the Espers, even if it means fighting the very system we've been a part of for so long."

There was a murmur of agreement around the table as the officials nodded, their hands clenched in determination. The monsters were a clear and present threat, but now they had a new enemy to face: the internal corruption that had been festering in the shadows. And Zarek was prepared to take it head-on.

"Let's get to work," he said, his voice final.The atmosphere in the war room shifted as Zarek's words ignited a renewed sense of purpose among the assembled officials. Each understood the gravity of the situation; they were not just dealing with external threats but also battling for their society's moral integrity.

"First order of business," Zarek stated, gesturing to the intelligence maps, "is to establish secure communication with our Espers in the field. They will serve as our eyes and ears, and we must ensure they know the truth."

General Hartman nodded in agreement. "We can set up a covert channel that bypasses the main networks. If there's a leak, we can't afford to lose their trust."

"Good. Next, I want a thorough audit of every facility reported for unauthorized experiments," Zarek continued, pacing the length of the table. "I need to know who's funding these operations and who's responsible for approving the budgets. We'll need concrete evidence to take down the individuals behind this."

Admiral Rowen leaned forward, a grim expression on his face. "We also need to ensure our own ranks are clear of any corrupt individuals. Anyone complicit in these operations must be dealt with quickly. We can't risk having weak links in our chain."

As discussions intensified, ideas flew across the table about tackling the escalating threats. Zarek took in the faces of his colleagues, noting the mixture of determination and concern etched on each one. They all understood that failure was not an option; countless lives were at stake.

As the meeting progressed, Zarek's thoughts drifted momentarily to his son, Jaren. He had been so focused on external dangers that he hadn't fully considered the implications of Jaren's recent awakening. What did it mean for him amidst all this chaos?

Just then, the aide returned, a stack of documents in his hands. "Sir, the latest intelligence reports are in. There have been new sightings of unusual monster activity near Whitmore College. The surge is becoming more pronounced there."

Zarek's brow furrowed. "Whitmore College? That's where Jaren is. We need to keep a close eye on that situation."

He gestured for the aide to place the reports on the table. "Is there any connection to the recent dungeon surges?"

The aide shook his head. "Not yet, sir, but the timing seems suspicious. We need to send a team to investigate immediately. If Jaren is involved, we can't risk losing him."

"Agreed," Zarek replied, his voice firm. "We cannot allow anything to happen to him. He is still learning to manage his powers, and with the government's suspicious intentions, he could easily become a target."

"Sir, we will dispatch a covert team to Whitmore," the aide confirmed, making notes. "They will operate under the radar."

Zarek's heart raced at the thought of Jaren being in such uncertainty. He wanted to check on him, but he knew acting impulsively could backfire. The last thing he wanted was to place his son in danger by attracting too much attention.

"Make sure they keep me informed," Zarek instructed. "I expect immediate updates on any unusual occurrences. If there's a spike in monster activity near the college, we need to understand the cause before it spirals out of control."

As the meeting continued, Zarek steeled himself for the challenges ahead. He was prepared to confront the corruption within the government and protect the Espers, but the worry for Jaren lingered in the back of his mind. The lines between their battle against external threats and internal betrayals were increasingly blurred, and the stakes had never been higher.

Finally, after hours of strategizing, Zarek rose to address the room one last time. "We each have our roles in this fight. Protecting the Espers goes beyond confronting monsters. It involves ensuring their rights are respected and their lives valued. We must be their shield, ready to do whatever it takes to safeguard them from those who would exploit them."

Murmurs of agreement filled the room, bolstering the officials' resolve. As they began to disperse, Zarek felt a renewed sense of purpose. This was more than just a job; it was a calling, one that would shape the future of their society.

As Zarek stepped into the cool evening air, the weight of the day's discussions lingered in his mind. His heart raced with a mix of worry for Jaren and the urgency of the situation surrounding the Espers. The city's skyline loomed ahead, a mix of gleaming buildings and dark shadows, each one a reminder of the corruption that lay within.

He pulled out his phone, contemplating whether to call Jaren or not. But he quickly dismissed the idea. It was best for his son to remain unaware of the growing dangers, at least until Zarek could ascertain the situation at Whitmore College. Instead, he focused on the pressing matters ahead, determined to rally the right resources to protect Jaren and others like him.

As he drove towards military headquarters, his mind raced with potential plans of action. His team would need to move quickly and discreetly to monitor the college and surrounding areas. There was no time to waste. If there were any signs of trouble, they would have to act before the situation escalated further.

Once at headquarters, Zarek gathered his most trusted officers and laid out the details of their findings regarding the government's illicit experiments on Espers. The room fell silent as he recounted the disturbing intel they had uncovered. "We are fighting two battles," he emphasized. "One against the monsters that threaten our cities and another against those within our own ranks who seek to exploit our own. We must protect our Espers and ensure they are not used as pawns in a larger game."

His officers exchanged worried glances but nodded in agreement. General Hartman stepped forward, a fire in his eyes. "What do you need from us, General?"

"We need eyes on the ground at Whitmore College," Zarek replied. "We'll need surveillance set up discreetly, and I want a team ready to deploy at a moment's notice. If anything goes wrong, we need to act fast."

As they made their plans, Zarek felt the burden of leadership weighing down on him. He had seen the toll this fight took on those around him and the sacrifices made in the name of justice. He couldn't allow his son to become a casualty of this war, nor could he let Jaren's awakening become a source of exploitation.

Hours passed as they hammered out the details, but Zarek's mind remained restless. He knew he needed to reach out to his contacts, those who could provide intel on the college's operations. As the meeting concluded, he felt a mix of resolve and anxiety.

Back at his home, Zarek paced the living room, glancing at the clock. It was late, and he was still no closer to finding peace. He thought about Jaren, how proud he was of him, and how much he longed to protect him from the chaos of the world. Jaren had always been resilient, but with new powers awakening, Zarek felt a knot in his stomach. His son was now at the mercy of forces he could barely understand.

Finally, unable to wait any longer, Zarek settled down in his office and began drafting a message to the Dean of Whitmore College. He knew the administration would be on high alert due to the destruction in the communal showers. This was the perfect opportunity to leverage his influence and ensure Jaren's safety without drawing too much attention.

Subject: Urgent Matters Regarding Student Welfare at Whitmore College

Subject: Urgent: Student Safety and Recent Incidents

Dear Dean Thompson,

I am writing to address the recent incidents on campus, particularly concerning the awakening of students' powers. I want to emphasize the critical importance of ensuring the safety and well-being of all students during this time.

I must inform you that one of the students involved is my son, Jaren. He has already undergone cleansing and is in a stable condition. I urge you to treat this situation with the utmost care and discretion, as the implications could extend far beyond the campus.

It is essential that we work together to support our students, especially those discovering their abilities. I trust you understand the gravity of this situation and the need for a proactive approach to safeguard our students from any potential exploitation.

Thank you for your immediate attention to this matter.

Best regards,

General Zarek

He went on to detail the importance of ensuring that students who might possess powers felt safe and supported within the educational environment. Zarek stressed the need for discretion and care when handling cases of awakened Espers. He also subtly indicated that he would be monitoring the situation closely.

After sending the email, he leaned back in his chair, tension still coiling within him. He couldn't shake the feeling that time was running out. With monster activity on the rise and government corruption festering beneath the surface, every moment mattered.

Zarek picked up his phone and began scrolling through his contacts. He needed to reach out to a few trusted allies in the military and the Esper community, people who could help him navigate this treacherous landscape. He could feel the pressure mounting, but there was no turning back now. He was committed to this fight, not just for Jaren but for all the Espers who had been victimized by the system.

As he settled in for a long night of strategizing and planning, Zarek reaffirmed his resolve. No matter what challenges lay ahead, he would face them head-on, ready to protect his son and fight for justice in a world that seemed increasingly intent on chaos.