"However, a known terrorist faction—operating outside our borders—interfered with an extraction mission involving one of our wardens."
The side feed blurred in again. Not edited. No jump cuts. Just a tight camera angle showing the moment everything went wrong.
"They used a shard in a way we hadn't seen before. It distorted perception—amplified panic. The civilians you saw weren't hostile until it was too late."
Murmurs built behind the reporters.
"You expect us to believe that?"
"You're saying they were manipulated by some kind of psychic effect?"
"Who gave them access to a shard in the first place?"
Elias clenched his jaw.
The Commandant didn't flinch. "We are investigating all sources of unauthorized shard appearance. That includes internal reviews. No one is above it."
He let the feed go quiet again before speaking.
"Our goal hasn't changed. Those who've trained, who've mastered their Ikona, will become something this world needs—strength. Resolve. Leadership."
