Chapter 20–Control And Chaos
The holographic table pulsed again. Malcom turned to Jean with a weariness that didn't match his age.
"You've seen the families, Jean. Now... you'll see what happens when humans other than us try to control what should never be tamed."
Jean leaned forward, arms crossed.
Adrian's voice slipped into his mind, syrupy and smug.
{Oh joy. Bureaucracy and bullets. My favorite cocktail.}
Malcom gestured, and a new set of emblems projected into the air. Logos both ancient and modern—dragon motifs beside government seals.
---
Project Eclipse – United States
Leader: Director Callen Royce
Second-in-command: General Tara Mendoza
An elite ghost division operating under Homeland Security.
Officially, it didn't exist. Unofficially, it operated across fifty states and twenty-one global fronts.
"They treat supernaturals like tech," Tyler said. "They study, dissect, and—when possible—rebuild. Cold minds. Powerful results."
{Americans and their toys. Someone hand them a wand and they'll turn it into a drone.} Adrian quipped.
---
The Black Ministry – United Kingdom
Leader: Lady Evelyn Ashcroft
Second-in-command: Sir Graham Bellamy
A mystical relic from the Elizabethan era. Think old books, darker ink, and colder hearts.
"They bind first. Ask questions later," Malcom added. "Their archives include the soul contracts of dragons."
---
Directive Null-7 – European Union
Leader: Commissioner Amandine Voss
Second-in-command: Field Agent Leo Draeger
Run from Brussels, they manage magical migrants, rogue vampires, and cursed artifacts like a supernatural DMV.
{Ah, the EU. Bringing bureaucracy to spellcraft. Truly revolutionary.}
---
Division Zhenmo (China)
Leader: Grand Marshal Wei Long
Second-in-command: Magistrate Yue Lin
Steeped in ritual, reinforced by ruthless efficiency.
"They believe suppression is mercy," Tyler muttered. "They'll erase an entire bloodline if one kitsune misbehaves."
---
ONMA – Japan
Leader: Director Kuro Tanaka
Second-in-command: Priestess Riko Amari
Based within shrines and server rooms. Their magic binds code and ink in strange, elegant fusion.
"They've started digitizing yōkai," Malcom said grimly. "Not imprisoning. Converting."
---
BOA – South Korea
Leader: Chairwoman Hwang Somin
Second-in-command: Chief Analyst Joon Park
Minimalistic and clean. Think white walls, grey suits, and psychometrics scanning your soul.
"They monitor every leyline across the peninsula," Tyler added. "Even mirror spirits file paperwork."
---
Aegis Bharat – India
Leader: Maharaja Devvrat Khanna
Second-in-command: Seeress Lakshmi Devi
An ancient order revitalized by intelligence networks. Protectors of cosmic law.
"Old souls, older goals," Malcom murmured. "They still believe in dharma—and they enforce it."
---
H.A.L.O. – United Nations
Leader: Secretary Noelle Krane
Second-in-command: Inspector Ezequiel Duarte
The so-called neutral force. Cleanup crew. Historical revisionists with angel blades.
"They decide what the public remembers," Tyler said. "The rest? Buried beneath concrete and forget-me rituals."
---
Malcom gave a tired exhale. "And yet… it's not governments that scare me the most."
He waved again.
Dark crests bloomed. Symbols of rebellion, chaos, and fire.
"These are the ones who don't follow any law. Not even their own."
---
Rogue Organizations
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The Pale Blades – Mercenary
Leader: Commander Ajax Veil
Second-in-command: Echo Unit Leader Sari Lune
Ex-supernatural soldiers turned contract killers. Pricey. Efficient. Deadly.
"They'll kill a demon lord on Monday and babysit a phoenix egg Tuesday," Tyler said. "If you can pay."
---
The Scourge Chain – Anti-Order
Leader: Prophet Malrick the Maw
Second-in-command: The Broken Son
Anarchists with cursed tech and chaos magic. They burn cities to start symphonies.
"Belief? None. Madness? Plenty," Malcom said. "They think chaos is nature's true design."
{Finally, a group with an aesthetic I can respect.}
---
The Seraphless – Anti-Christ
Leader: Reverend Isaiah Grange
Second-in-command: Sister Mercy
Fanatics who hate angels more than demons. They steal relics and twist them into weapons.
"They've crucified witches and set vampire havens ablaze," Tyler muttered. "Religious warfare, supernatural edition."
---
Syndika Chāyā– Criminal
Leader: The Shadow Don ("Nox")
Second-in-command: Lady Vinyl
They run everything illegal and unnatural. Trafficking, cursed auctions, blood sports, and binding rings.
"They've corrupted two families," Malcom said darkly. "No one knows Nox's face. Some think he's not even human."
---
Silence settled over the room. The display dimmed.
Jean's expression remained unreadable.
"So," he said, "they all want control?"
Malcom nodded. "Or chaos. Or money. The world isn't black and white, Jean. It's a war of shadows. And we…"
He leaned forward.
"…we're the kind of flame that makes all those shadows dance."
Jean's fingers tapped the table once, then stopped.
Adrian's voice slid in low, amused.
{This is such an interesting world.}