The air in the lair was thick with quiet focus, only broken by the soft hum of computers and the distant sound of movement from the guards stationed outside. Eagle sat cross-legged in front of a bank of screens, their sharp eyes scanning the feeds from strategically placed cameras in the surrounding city streets. Dressed in a dark tactical suit, their features were set in concentration, and their fingers flicked quickly over the keyboard, flipping between different camera angles.
Eagle's real name was Dominique Harris, though almost no one used it anymore. In this organization they were known as Eagle, their cape name as sharp and precise as the gaze that never missed a thing. As one of the thinkers in the organization, Eagle had earned their place not just through intellect, but through an innate gift for observation.
Their Thinker ability was a heightened visual perception, which allowed them to notice details and movements at vast distances with incredible clarity. Paired with the advanced surveillance equipment the boss had set up across their shared territory with the ABB, Eagle could see everything happening within miles.
Today, though, something caught their eye that made them pause. One of the feeds showed a nondescript white van parked a few blocks away from a store, right at the edge of the neutral zone. At first glance, it looked like any other civilian vehicle, but something about the way it was positioned, and the subtle figures moving around it, made Eagle's instincts scream.
They zoomed in, the camera focusing on a figure stepping out of the van. A man in a sleek, polished costume—blue and silver armor with a familiar halberd strapped to his back.
Armsmaster.
Eagle's heart thudded once before they calmed themselves. They reached up to their earpiece, fingers brushing lightly over the device as they activated the secure line to the boss.
"Eagle to Boss," they said, their voice steady and quiet, as if they were discussing nothing more serious than the weather. "We've got a PRT surveillance team in the area. Just spotted
Armsmaster coming out of a van near the neutral zone. They're staying low, but the van's here, and I'm counting at least six others dressed in civilian clothing. Likely PRT troopers, blending in."
A moment of silence passed on the other end before the man's calm voice responded.
"Thank you, Eagle," The boss's tone was serene, as always, even though the news was less than ideal. "Please inform all members currently patrolling to be advised of the PRT surveillance team. However, do not engage. We do not want to escalate the situation."
Eagle nodded, though they knew that the boss couldn't see. "Understood."
The boss's voice continued, soothing in its control. "Armsmaster's presence may indicate they're assessing us, but for now, it's best we remain neutral. Especially since the PRT troops that are blending into civilian crowds, as they often do. Our members should keep a low profile today. The treaty with Lung must be maintained, and we don't want to draw unnecessary attention with some of our more rowdier members, along with the civilians too, I don't want them panicking. Let our members know to proceed with caution."
Eagle's fingers hovered over the keys as they processed the calm authority in the man's words.
No panic, no sudden directives—just careful, calculated response. It wasn't surprising that the PRT would send a surveillance team.
"I'll pass it along," Eagle said, their voice sharp with focus now. "No engagement, just vigilance."
The man's final words came soft, like a guiding hand. "Thank you, Eagle. You do well by us."
The line went silent, leaving Eagle alone with the hum of the surveillance feeds. They took a deep breath, then quickly switched the channel on their earpiece, opening a direct line to the rest of the patrolling members in the field. The lair's quiet walls seemed to close in as they prepared to inform the others.
"All members, this is Eagle. Be advised, we've got a PRT surveillance team in the area. Do not engage. I repeat, do not engage. We don't want to start any problems. Armsmaster was spotted coming out of one of the vans, so they're likely assessing the territory. The rest of the team are blending in as civilians. Stay sharp, and keep low profiles."
Their fingers danced over the keyboard, relaying the information to patrolling members through secure messaging systems as well. One by one, responses came back.
"Acknowledged."
"Understood."
"No engagement."
"You got it Eagle."
"I'll try. Don't expect much from me though."
Eagle exhaled slowly, leaning back in their chair. They watched the feeds carefully, keeping their eyes trained on the movements of the surveillance team. The PRT was being cautious, and that much was clear. The fact that they'd sent Armsmaster only confirmed that they were gathering intel, not looking to make an immediate move. Though that wasn't reassuring at all.
As Eagle continued to observe, they thought of the boss's composed demeanor. The man had always been like a calming presence in the storm of the world, leading their organization with wisdom that ran deeper than any conflict. And today, in the face of a potential threat, he remained unshaken.
This is just the beginning, Eagle thought, watching as Armsmaster spoke quietly to another civilian-dressed agent before climbing back into the van.
In a realm far removed from the confines of time and space, the Entities watched.
They had seen countless worlds rise and fall, countless civilizations struggle against the trials they placed before them. Earth Bet had become one such petri dish, the epicenter of their current experiment, and while the chaos was amusing, there was something about the them—the Demon Slayer Corps—that had begun to frustrate them.
The Hashira, their leadership, their actions as a whole. It was all too controlled. Too focused.
The Corps had adapted far too well to this world. Their neutrality, their calculated approach, their patience—it was admirable, but it was also…dull.
One Entity, twisting and formless in thought and shape, considered the ebb and flow of information it had gathered. They had expected the Demon Slayer Corps to fall into conflict, to embrace the chaos, but instead, they had chosen to merely observe, to gather intelligence. The game, it seemed, needed to be adjusted. However, they were going to give them five more days, to see if something of interest happened.
It didn't.
On the seventh day, as they conferred in the void of their existence, the lead Entity—a swirling mass of shimmering colors—spoke, its voice reverberating like thunder through the vast emptiness. "This is not what we desired. They are stagnant, merely gathering information while the world around them begins to spiral into turmoil."
Another Entity, embodying the essence of chaos, responded, its tone mischievous yet stern. "Let us remind them of the nature of their existence. They were brought here to fight, to shake things up—not to sit idly by. It is time for them to act."
"Indeed," a third Entity chimed in, its form flickering with the light of distant stars. "A message must be sent, a catalyst for action."
With their decision made, the Entities combined their powers, crafting a message that would reach the leader of the Corps, Kagaya Ubuyashiki. They used their influence to weave the words into existence, infusing them with a sense of urgency and impending consequence.
Kagaya was sitting in his office, poring over reports from his members about recent patrols and
interactions with the local gangs. The atmosphere was calm, but he could sense the underlying tension. Then, without warning, the temperature in the room dropped, a chill creeping into the air. He glanced around, curioisity creeping into his mind about what the problem could be that would cause the temperature to change.
A slip of parchment appeared before him, hovering momentarily before landing softly on his desk. Kagaya picked it up, his heart still steady as he read the elegantly penned message.
'You have been given time to settle and gather intelligence. That time is over. Your continued neutrality is an affront to the chaos that surrounds you. If you do not act soon, we will intervene on our terms."
"Do not underestimate the consequences of inaction."
Kagaya felt a chill settle deep within him as he processed the implications. The warning was clear: they were no longer merely observers. The Entities were watching, and they wanted to see action, not passive observation.
Well, luckily for them they would get the action they wanted to see very soon.
A pity that he'd have to start so soon.
"Serpent, Phantom, gather a small group of both of your divisions and go to the area I've discussed with the both of you, it seems like our benefactors want some action now rather than later. Go and…ignite a little conflict." Kagaya spoke calmly as he sat the parchment back down on his desk, his smile never leaving his face, he didn't have to look to see where his two children were, he already knew where they sat.
"Of course Master."
"It will be done."