The heavenly sun peered through the windows of a high-rise building.

  A sleek round table decorated with flower patterns centered the space. Multiple individuals were seated, either organizing files or scrolling through messages on their laptops. One stood by the window, his well-designed formal attire trimmed with gold edges.

  "He's late," he firmly stated, skimming through a few photos he held.

  One of the deskmen couldn't stop drumming his fingers, shooting several glances at the door, sweating.

  "You're not looking so hot, Dynas. Are you perhaps worried about something?" A man in a black hat spoke, gauging the man with curiosity.

  Dynas wiped his brow, meeting Heramon's gaze. "Do you have to ask?" He crossed his legs, tapping his foot. "Let's just wait until he arrives."

  Although everyone was occupied with their own matters, they weren't oblivious to their exchange of words. In fact, some were hardly getting any work done at all.

  One was reading a message on one of their laptops. His eyes widened, and he slammed the screen down with a displeased expression.

  "This meeting better not be a waste of time. How long are we going to tolerate this disrespect?" A man with glasses voiced.

  "Let me guess, they're asking too many questions again?" someone replied.

  The man with glasses fixed his tie. "They weren't always like this. Even with separate matters they're being difficult. This would all be easier if we ju—"

  "Enough," the man by the window interrupted. "It's my mistake for allowing a ruling to go unchecked. That's what this meeting is for. As Head of Sunset Garden, I apologize."

  The man with glasses remained silent, flicking his laptop with an annoyed breath as he shot Dynas a glare.

  The door handle clicked, snatching everyone's attention. A man with a silver mask walked through. His white dress shirt was clean and sharp—not even a wrinkle could be seen.

  Dynas's posture slightly eased, but the air remained stiff. There was no greeting; only a slight bow was given.

  "Take off that mask," the man with glasses demanded.

  Dynas was about to respond but was halted by the Head's gesture.

  "Yes, sir." He gently removed the mask. The man's eyes were a deep blue and piercing. The same eyes that Hezekiah saw before his death.

  "I believe this is the first time we've met, isn't it, Kiann?" the Head mentioned, steadily making his way to him.

  "That is indeed the case, Mr. Urimah."

  "Then let's hope this is the last." He took a cup of coffee from off the table, taking a brief sip before setting it back on the coaster.

  "Report what you found."

  A brief gap of silence permeated before he answered. "The body wasn't there, but—"

  The man with glasses scrunched his face. "Now you decide to confess? And here I thought you'd try to hide it."

  "Don't be so quick to accuse, Konathan. Let him explain himself," Dynas suggested. He rested his arms on stacks of documents filled with details about the most recent traitors.

  "Sticking up for your nephew again? Has family blinded you too?"

  Dynas raised his brows, leaning across the table. "What are you trying to say?"

  Konathan slightly chuckled. "Don't act dumb. Everyone can see you're acting just like Hezek—"

  "I believe Kiann wasn't finished speaking, Konathan."

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  Konathan perked his head at Urimah before slouching on the armrest, frustrated.

  "Excuse his rashness. Finish what you need to say."

  Kiann cleared his throat, selecting his choice of words. "Of course. The body wasn't there, but something strange has taken its place."

  "I'm listening."

  "Well, you see, when I returned, the grass around the corpse was no more. It was like a forest fire had happened—but worse."

  A woman with dark red hair blew on her nails after coating them with black nail polish. "So the body's gone, but some grass is burnt. That's it?" She swung her chair to the towering windows. "I think most of us have made up our minds about what to do with you, so—anything else you'd like to say?"

  A cold tingle pricked Kiann's spine. He shot a look at Dynas, who kept looking past him. Urimah waited with an indecipherable expression, firmly locking his hands.

  Is she serious? They're going to get rid of me anyway? For doing my job?!

  "To be more accurate, I have something to show." He withdrew his smartphone, displaying several photos of what he encountered in the forest. From the large black circle left behind upon Hezekiah's resurrection, to massive chunks of a tree missing—or entirely gone. Even a massive trail with scorched ground was among the photos, completely void of any vegetation.

  Urimah flipped his hand out. Kiann, understanding him, handed him his smartphone. As he swiped through, he paused on the one where Hezekiah's body was missing but replaced by a charred black circle.

  "Kiann, I have a simple question for you," Heramon finally stated.

  "What do you wish to know?"

  "I won't mince my words. No matter what you show, can't you agree it's far more likely that you spared Hezekiah, and this imposter ploy is a poor attempt to hide your blunder?"

  "Yes," he quickly responded.

  Of course I know that! But how else can I explain this!? I made sure he died that day. The only explanation is that it can't be him.

  Heramon raised his brow. "And you still showed up? I must admit, that would be kind of foolish on your part. I don't know about all of you, but I think my opinion might sway south a little."

  Dynas's expression softened after his response. He focused again on Urimah, who was comparing the photos on the device with the ones he presently had.

  "From what I’ve heard about you, it's doubtful you'd be that dumb. Even more so if you truly forged both sets of photos and expected to get away with it," Urimah added, taking another sip of coffee.

  "Can I request that you verify the findings yourself?" Kiann asked.

  "No need to ask." Urimah set aside his personal phone after a few taps. "I’ve already sent a team of Black Flowers to the location. They'll confirm the validity of your claims."

  "Which reminds me—Aluzara, your unit should've located this 'Hezekiah' by now. Why haven't I received word?"

  Aluzara quickly turned back in her seat. "An accident happened at the location he was staying at, but it's unclear what it was."

  "How incompetent," Konathan replied. "Do I need to send my unit over there since yours is taking too long?"

  Aluzara shot him a dark smile. "Sure, go ahead. Have fun breaching through multiple police vehicles. It's not like you have a history of your Flowers being arrested or anything."

  Konathan's mouth curled. He shook his head before typing away on his keyboard.

  Urimah shook his head at the two before switching his attention to Dynas.

  "Given this new potential evidence, and that your nephew didn't try to escape, I won't retract the mission you dispatched regarding this Hezekiah. Nor will I make Kiann the next public example."

  Both Kiann and Dynas shared a relaxed look.

  "That quickly? Shouldn't we wait for all the facts and decide in unison?" Heramon inquired.

  "That's unnecessary. I already decided."

  "I appreciate your understanding, Mr. Urimah." Dynas lightly bowed, Kiann following along with him.

  "It's only fair. But understand this—if it's discovered that those anomalies are bogus, or that man is indeed Hezekiah, then both you and your nephew will be executed."

  Their stomachs dropped.

  "Wha—what do you mean? We never betrayed Sunset Garden!" Dynas argued, slamming his hands on the desk.

  "You may be correct. If Kiann did as he claimed, then rest easy. But let's not forget that he also wasn't supposed to kill Hezekiah, but to bring him to the live execution."

  Kiann's shoulders twitched, remaining silent.

  "Since Kiann can openly acknowledge that this whole plight is silly, you should’ve recognized the same when he first brought it to you. Instead, you sent an assignment to multiple units in search of this individual—so that only leaves me with two choices."

  Dynas's chest tensed, clinging to his last bit of composure.

  "You're either lazy, or scheming. And I don't need either."

  Dynas's skin froze. He alternated between Kiann and the other members. His fingers trembled against the table as he met the others’ gaze—like they wouldn't care if he dropped right this second.

  Urimah gently approached Dynas, patting his shoulder before walking away. "Relax. Loved ones can cloud judgment and lead to errors. So be more vigilant next time—and not expect luck to bail you out."

  He then leaned against the clear window, viewing the hospital far in the distance. Red and blue lights flashed as a long line of cars piled up.

  "It's a shame not all of you participated in this discussion. Then I expect no questions if something like this befalls us again. Meeting is dismissed."