Chapter 62: Ripples in the Undertow

Watcher 27 broke the silence, his voice hesitant yet resolute. "Watcher 17, what should we do next?"

"Our target remains clear," Watcher 25 interjected. "A man with a mutated soul and a woman capable of defending against anything. They are the primary threats. We should rally every Watcher and annihilate them directly!"

"Silence!" Watcher 17's voice cut through the air like a blade, his cold glare sending shivers down Watcher 25's spine. "Do you have any idea how much destruction a full-scale Watcher assault would cause? What about the civilians?"

Watcher 25 gritted his teeth, muttering under his breath but refraining from further argument.

Then Watcher 20, usually calm and composed, smirked darkly. "Actually, that's not a bad idea."

Watcher 17 frowned, his confusion evident. "What are you implying?"

Watcher 20 leaned in slightly, lowering his voice as if savoring the weight of his words. "Hear me out. Haven't you noticed? The number of ability users has been surging lately. More of them are coming out of the shadows. This can't be a coincidence."

Watcher 17 nodded, a sigh escaping his lips. "Exactly. It's as though something is driving them, stirring their restlessness."

"Precisely," Watcher 20 continued, his voice now laced with excitement. "What if this marks the return of an era we thought was long buried—the era of the Ability Wars?"

The room fell into a tense silence, the weight of his statement rippling through the gathered Watchers. Watcher 17's face darkened with the gravity of history, one that all of them knew too well.

Watcher 20 pressed on, sensing the hesitation. "If that's the case, why are we still hiding? The civilians will learn about ability users eventually. Instead of waiting, we should step into the light—make it clear we're the side of justice, the protectors of order."

Watcher 17's silence lingered, his thoughts churning. He couldn't deny that there was logic in Watcher 20's words, but the risks loomed large.

Watcher 20 seized the moment. "Operating in secret only gives ability users more freedom to wreak havoc, while we're shackled by the shadows. How is that fair?"

Watcher 23 added cautiously, "It's true. I've heard whispers that other organizations have started moving as well. They must have noticed something, too."

Watcher 17 took a deep breath, the weight of the decision settling on his shoulders. Finally, he spoke, his voice steady but heavy. "Very well. From this moment on, the Watchers will operate openly. No more hiding."

Applause echoed suddenly from the shadows. The Watchers whipped around, their hands instinctively reaching for their weapons.

A figure emerged, his presence dominating the room. His aura was sharper than any of theirs, his expression a mixture of amusement and menace.

"Watcher 06?" The group immediately bowed, their voices filled with reverence.

Watcher 06 smiled faintly, his sharp gaze sweeping over them. "So, you've finally seen reason. Good. Then let's move forward with my plan. Prepare yourselves—the first battle is upon us."

Watcher 17 straightened but remained wary. Though he bowed respectfully, unease flickered in his eyes. The others, however, were almost in awe of Watcher 06, their usual bravado subdued in his presence. Even Watcher 25, who often pushed boundaries, stayed silent.

Watcher 06 stepped further into the room, his tall frame cloaked in a dark, violet overcoat. His sharp features and piercing gaze felt like daggers, slicing through the room's tense atmosphere. Each step he took seemed to press the air heavier upon them.

"You've finally realized that hiding won't work," he said, his tone low but commanding. "The rise of ability users is inevitable. We can suppress them but never eradicate them. And the greatest mistake would be allowing them to grow in the dark, beyond our control."

Watcher 23 hesitated but dared to speak, "But… wouldn't revealing ourselves lead to more conflict? What if it incites panic among the civilians?"

A cold smile crossed Watcher 06's face. "Panic is necessary. Only when they feel the threat will they understand the importance of our protection. When that happens, the Watchers will not just be a secret organization. We'll become symbols of order."

Watcher 17's brows furrowed. "But isn't this too extreme, 06? If our actions spark war and innocent lives are lost, how are we different from the ability users we aim to control?"

Watcher 06's gaze turned icy, his voice sharp and unforgiving. "17, your compassion makes you weak. Sacrifices must be made for peace and order. Have you forgotten who we are? We are Watchers—not just enforcers but the architects of history."

His eyes shifted to Watcher 21, whose arm had been reduced to skeletal remains. The sight was both haunting and humbling, even for the battle-hardened Watchers.

"You're the perfect example, 21," Watcher 06 said, his voice laced with mockery. "If we can be humiliated by people without abilities, what message does that send to ability users? Respect? No, they'll only grow bolder."

Watcher 21 bowed his head, his face pale but his eyes burning with resentment.

Watcher 06 turned to the rest of the group, his tone rising with fervor. "This is why my plan is already in motion. Ability users and their organizations will be hunted down like the vermin they are. We won't just be observers—we'll be the ones holding the reins. The era of Ability Wars will not return. The future belongs to the Watchers!"

Applause erupted, the room charged with renewed determination. The younger Watchers, in particular, seemed emboldened by his words, their eyes shining with visions of heroism. Yet, Watcher 17 remained tense, the seeds of doubt planted firmly in his mind.

Watcher 06's voice cut through the applause. "As for those lunatics in the ruins… They're irrelevant for now. But if they interfere with our mission, they'll be erased without hesitation."

He gestured dismissively, signaling the end of the meeting. The Watchers dispersed, their minds racing with anticipation and trepidation.

Alone now, Watcher 06 approached a table strewn with maps and documents. His fingers traced the marks and notes, a sinister smile creeping onto his face.

"The game is just beginning," he murmured, his voice low and foreboding.

Pausing, his gaze shifted as if addressing an unseen presence. His tone became commanding. "It's your turn to move, Watcher X."