The company, with the imposing figure of the High Inquisitor at its helm, took a moment to bid a formal farewell to Captain Qivion and his men. Without further delay, they proceeded down the boarding bridge with purposeful strides, heading towards a grand, rectangular hall that awaited them at the bridge’s end.
This hall was an impressive sight, its walls climbing twenty meters high to support a lofty observation tower. From this vantage point, a handful of sentries gazed down, their curiosity piqued by the bustling activity below. The hall itself served as one of the airport's many waiting rooms for regular passengers, and on this particular occasion, it was filled to the brim with people anxiously anticipating their flight. The air was thick with impatience, as the passengers had been informed by the staff that the bridge was currently reserved for another aircraft. No concrete reason had been provided for the delay; instead, the passengers were given a series of vague and hurried excuses. The staff delivered these apologies with a nervous edge, their voices betraying an underlying tension.
Whispers and furtive glances passed among the staff members, who seemed to share a collective sense of unease. The passengers, though confused, sensed the gravity of the situation. The constant movement of guards and patrolling officers suggested that something significant was afoot. The fleeting presence of several inquisitors, who had earlier crossed the hall only to disappear onto the boarding bridge, added to the mounting tension. The atmosphere grew increasingly charged, reaching a fever pitch as the seated passengers began to stir and murmur, while the staff struggled to maintain order.
Then, as if on cue, an almost eerie silence fell over the hall. The three inquisitors who had disappeared earlier now re-emerged, their stern expressions unwavering. Behind them, a contingent of elite guards escorted two individuals who stood out starkly against the familiar backdrop. These newcomers were dressed in an entirely foreign fashion, their attire unlike anything the gathered onlookers had ever seen. The company moved swiftly through the room, leaving a trail of astonishment in their wake. As the last guard exited the hall, the initial silence gave way to a cacophony of confused cries.
"Who were they?" a voice called out from the crowd.
"They were foreigners!" another exclaimed.
"They've captured spies!" shouted someone else.
The hall, once brimming with restless anticipation, now buzzed with a different kind of energy. The passengers, left to ponder the identity and fate of the mysterious figures, could only speculate about the unfolding events.
