Chapter 603: The Aftermath
Live Broadcast, National News Network
The news anchor sat at her desk with perfect composure. Her hair was pulled back in a professional twist. Her outfit was subdued in tone, appropriate for the coverage. Behind her, the screen displayed a smoldering aerial view of the arena crater from that morning’s aftermath footage.
"Good evening. A few days have passed since the battle between the Association, the major Groups, and the dark organization took place at the New Avalon tournament grounds. Tonight we bring you a full report on the outcome, the casualties, and the recovery efforts underway across the city."
She paused for a moment before continuing.
"First, the victories. The Association has confirmed the deaths of two dark organization Ascenders during the engagement. Baaron, wanted for years in connection with a chain of attacks across the northern provinces, was killed by our own Ascender Tom Glassy in a coordinated strike with Ascender Farid. And Ian, the same Ian who was responsible for the death of the late hero George Jenkins during the organization’s attack earlier this year, was killed by Ascender Farid in combat."
The screen cut briefly to a memorial image of George Jenkins in his Association uniform.
"George Jenkins, our beloved veteran, has been avenged. And more. His killer has paid the ultimate price for his crimes."
The anchor’s voice hardened.
"In addition to the two Ascenders, the Association reports the deaths of dozens of dark organization Surpassers and hundreds of their elite operatives. This represents a significant portion of the organization’s known field capability, dealt a permanent blow that will take them years to recover from, if they recover at all."
She shifted in her seat before relaying the next information.
"However, tonight we must also report on the disturbing revelations that emerged during the battle. Our field correspondents have confirmed that the dark organization has been operating a soul-draining system against its own members.
Mysterious bones, which the organization has used for decades as identification markers, were revealed during the battle to be draining conduits that funnel their carriers’ life energy to a central figure known only as the master.
Many of the dark organization’s own fighters died on the battlefield yesterday not by our hands, but by their own leadership’s willingness to sacrifice them for a greater goal."
Her tone sharpened further.
"Let this be a warning to any citizen tempted by their recruitment offers. The dark organization does not value its members. It cultivates them like crops and harvests them when the time comes. Anyone who has been approached with promises of power, wealth, or status by this group should report the contact to Association authorities immediately. You are not being offered opportunity. You are being offered slavery, and eventually, execution."
The screen shifted to a slow scroll of names.
"Now for the losses."
Her voice softened.
"Our deepest condolences go out to the families of the Association Surpassers, Evolvers, and support personnel who gave their lives in defense of this city. Our condolences also go to the tournament competitors, many of them young Awakeners with their entire futures ahead of them, who were caught in the attack and did not survive.
And to the civilians across every zone who lost loved ones in the bombings, we extend our sympathies and our promise that these losses will be honored in the reconstruction to come."
She paused.
"The material damage is estimated at approximately ten trillion dollars, making this the most costly single incident in New Avalon’s history. The arena complex, the surrounding commercial districts, and portions of the transportation infrastructure will require reconstruction over the coming weeks."
Her tone lifted.
"However, the Association is not alone in this effort. The major Groups have already committed enormous resources to the recovery. The Sky Group has pledged contributions to civilian assistance funds. The Vale Group has offered its logistics networks free of charge for the transportation of relief supplies. And most notably, the Glassy Group, whose head Tom Glassy played a central role in the victory during the battle itself, has committed the largest single private reconstruction package in the kingdom’s history."
The screen cut to a still image of Tom Glassy in his combat gear, mid-motion during the fight, his golden fire flaring across his gloves. The image had been carefully selected. His grin was visible.
His posture radiated confidence. It looked like a photograph of a hero.
"Tom Glassy personally led the takedown of the Ascender Baaron and provided critical intervention that saved the life of Association Ascender Sierra during an ambush attempt by the dark organization. His leadership on the battlefield has been described by Association officials as, quote, exemplary and instrumental to the ultimate victory. The Glassy Group’s contributions to the reconstruction effort represent both a demonstration of civic responsibility and a testament to the man’s long history of investment in the community."
The anchor smiled slightly.
"We at the network wish to personally thank Mr. Glassy for his service. On behalf of every citizen of New Avalon, thank you, Sir Tom."
♢♢♢♢
Across the city, in the private lounge of the Glassy Group’s main tower, Tom Glassy leaned back in his chair with a massive grin spreading across his face.
He was alone in the room. A glass rested in his hand. His feet were propped up on the low table in front of him. The large screen on the wall was playing the news broadcast at a comfortable volume.
He raised the glass in a small, private toast toward his own image on the screen.
"To me."
He took a slow sip.
The nation-wide good press had been one of the specific things he had requested from the Association during the informal negotiations after the battle. He had provided significant tactical value during the engagement. He had killed an Ascender. He had saved Sierra’s life through Moon’s warning. He had committed his own resources to a fight the Association had been technically responsible for handling. The Association owed him. And Tom, being Tom, had known exactly what he wanted in exchange.
Reputation. Coverage. International-scale positive press that couldn’t be bought at any price, that could only be granted by the state itself. The Association’s endorsement, distributed through every major news channel in the kingdom, would ripple through the business world for years.
His clients would trust him more.
His competitors would fear him more.
New investors would come knocking within the next few hours. Old debts that had been slow to collect would suddenly move faster. Contracts that had been under negotiation for months would close in his favor. The next generation of talented Awakeners would list the Glassy Group as their preferred sponsor before they ever set foot in a real interview.
The money would flow.
Tom watched his own image fade off the screen and grinned wider.
Before he had ever been a fighter, he had been a businessman.
And business, tonight, was very good.
Of course, the negotiations with the Association was not nearly done. There was still plenty of benefits to ask for, especially for the young man.
"I haven’t seen that kid in a few days. He should have been here by now, I’ve already requested one of my good friends to fix his hands." Tom muttered under his breath.
Still, he wasn’t worried.