The time passed slowly as we waited for the recovery team to arrive.
About fifty minutes passed when we received a message through the intercoms. It was from Hiroshi Zusuki, an Atlas Division agent who worked at the Japan headquarters.
Elena came out of the tent and looked up.
"They're here," she shouted as loudly as she could.
I stood up along with Eleonor, Sophie, and the others.
In the distance, several ships were approaching the camp. At the front was one that was different from the others, completely black.
The ships descended near where we were, and several agents quickly disembarked.
Among them was a black-haired man with a serious expression. He wore the standard Atlas uniform.
He walked directly toward us.
"I'm Hiroshi Zusuki, and my orders are to take you to the Japan headquarters as quickly as possible and make sure everyone returns alive."
"Haruki Minamoto, leader of the Minamoto family, is waiting for you at the mansion in Japan."
Elena shook his hand.
"We appreciate you coming so quickly."
Hiroshi looked around the camp.
"We received the report about the situation. How many casualties did you have?"
Elena remained silent for a few seconds.
"Five dead and two injured."
Hiroshi lowered his gaze slightly.
"I'm sorry."
He then looked at the destroyed vehicles.
"It looks like you had a very intense battle here. I'm glad you managed to make it out safely."
"I was also informed that you found some unusual facilities."
"Yes," Irina replied. "Our agents secured the material we were able to recover. The rest will be recovered by the team of specialists."
"The Atlas specialists are already on their way. They will take care of recovering everything."
One of the agents approached.
"Sir, we can begin."
Hiroshi nodded.
The agents began spreading out around the camp.
One group headed toward the vehicles to inspect and transport all the communications equipment, documents, and recovered materials.
Another group began collecting the bodies of the fallen agents and the agents from the Eagle Faction.
I watched in silence as they carefully placed them into special bags.
I couldn't help but look away.
Hiroshi approached us again.
"Are you Noah? The Bearer?" he asked.
His eyes moved over my bloodstained clothes before stopping at my bracelet.
He said nothing for a few seconds.
"I was informed that you were the one who fought all of them."
Hiroshi looked at Eleonor.
"And you are Eleonor?"
"We also received a report about what happened to you. I'm glad you're all right. I don't think anyone else with an injury like that would have been able to fight Iara. It's clear that you are one of the best Guardians."
Eleonor simply nodded and thanked him for his words.
"How long do you think it will take the specialists to arrive?"
"We don't know exactly. But they have already been sent."
"Then I'll stay with the rest of the group," Kenji said. "They'll stay here until they arrive, so I'll be fine. I want to be in charge of the recovery."
We all agreed.
While the agents continued working, another group began establishing a perimeter around the entrance leading to the laboratory.
They set up surveillance equipment and searched the surrounding area to make sure there were no enemies hiding nearby.
Everything seemed to be under control.
But no one knew that among the men who had arrived with the team, there was one who did not actually belong there.
One of them discreetly moved away from the others and entered one of the ships.
He took out a small communication device.
"We have information."
A voice responded from the other side.
"Speak."
"According to a preliminary report, they found a laboratory after opening the door."
"And what did they find inside?"
"There is research material that, according to the dates, dates back to the era of the Supreme Beings."
"We also found Claimoor bodies inside glass capsules."
"Are you sure? Perfect. Keep investigating and make sure they don't discover you."
The communication ended.
The man put the device away and returned to the other agents as if nothing had happened.
Meanwhile, in Wales:
"Sir, we have information from China."
"According to our man, they found a laboratory. There is very old equipment and documentation. They believe they date back to the era of the Supreme Beings."
"They found Claimoor bodies."
Markus frowned.
Valerius remained silent.
"So, besides guarding one of the relics, there was also a laboratory."
Valerius looked toward the eagle figure.
"This could complicate things."
The entity's voice responded:
"Then we must act before they do and recover the other relics."
Back in China, they finally finished preparing our departure.
The agents had secured all the equipment.
The bodies of our companions would be transported along with us so that their families could receive them.
I looked at the place one last time...
After everything that had happened there, I still felt that there were things we didn't understand.
We all began walking toward the ships.
We boarded what appeared to be the largest one of them all and headed toward Japan.
During the journey, no one spoke much.
We were all exhausted.
I looked out the window as I tried to organize my thoughts.
The First Bearer.
The relics.
The dark figure.
The new powers.
After an hour of travel, we landed at the Minamoto mansion in Japan. Haruki was waiting for us on the runway beside the hangars.
"It's good to see that you're all safe. I know exactly what you went through."
We didn't need to ask him. We all remembered what they had gone through when they were attacked not long ago.
Irina approached me and said:
"We have to inform the families as soon as possible."
Haruki nodded.
"Everything is already prepared. The orders are for you to rest for a couple of hours, and afterward, we will meet so you can give your report and explain everything that happened."
I looked at the bracelet on my left hand.
The six emblems continued to glow faintly.
I didn't know what answer we would find.
But there was one thing I was sure of.
The Orleans must know the truth.