She took a drink of water, gathering her thoughts.

"Most awakeners don't have combat abilities. Maybe one in ten can actually fight effectively. The rest have utility powers—enhanced senses, minor telekinesis, the ability to see in the dark, things like that. But the ones who did get combat abilities organized quickly. Formed gangs, claimed territories, and established themselves as the new power structure."

Lizbeth leaned forward, her expression serious.

"The officials who control this city now are all mafia-backed or corporate-backed. They had resources, infrastructure, and the ability to recruit and organize awakeners into effective forces. The Raed Circle I mentioned—they're one of the big three. The other two are the Sapphire Union and the Moorne Corporation."

"Moorne Corporation?" Jorghan repeated.

"The Moorne family was already wealthy before the Convergence, but they became something else entirely after it. They somehow ended up with multiple high-level awakeners in their organization, people with abilities that rival military weapons. And they made connections early with beings from other worlds."

She stood and moved to a cabinet, pulling out a tablet device.

"The government that exists now is basically controlled by the major corporations. The Moorne family has the most influence because of their offworld contacts. They have access to technology and resources that other groups don't."

"What kind of offworld contacts?" Jorghan asked, his interest sharpening.

"I don't know all the details," Lizbeth admitted.

"But there are rumors that the Moorne family made deals with representatives from advanced civilizations. They supposedly have spacecraft and weapons beyond what Earth could produce, even magic or whatever equivalent those other worlds use."

She activated the tablet, pulling up news articles and images.

"They've been holding press conferences, showing off their connections, and demonstrating that they have protection and resources that make them untouchable. Anyone who challenges the Moorne family tends to disappear or end up very publicly destroyed as a warning to others."

Jorghan studied the images on the tablet. Buildings that looked like fortresses, heavily armed guards in advanced armor, and vehicles that seemed to hover rather than roll on wheels.

Before Jorghan could respond, Lizbeth's attention was caught by something on the tablet.

"Wait. There's a live broadcast starting. Major announcement from the Moorne Corporation. This might be relevant."

She turned up the volume and positioned the tablet so they could both see the screen.

The screen showed a large conference room, professionally lit, with a long table at the front where multiple figures sat.

Behind them was a banner displaying the Moorne Corporation logo—a stylized "M" intertwined with what looked like a star or portal symbol.

But it wasn't the humans at the table that made Jorghan lean forward with intense focus.

It was the elves.

Three figures sat among the humans, and they were unmistakably elven. Tall—about seven feet each—with tanned skin that looked almost human except for its perfect smoothness. Their ears were pointed, rising to sharp tips that marked them as definitely not human. They wore formal clothing that blended Earth style with elements that suggested different cultural origins.

Jorghan recognized their characteristics immediately.

Vael'thorian elves.

Specifically, the Faerasa clan.

He knew of them, though not well. The Faerasa was a minor clan, not part of the thirteen major clans that controlled elven politics. They lived in remote territories, rarely participated in Council affairs, and were generally considered insignificant in the larger power structure.

What were they doing here on Earth, sitting in a press conference with the Moorne Corporation?

The broadcast began with a human woman speaking, introducing herself as a representative of the Moorne Corporation.

"Thank you all for joining us today. We're here to announce a historic partnership between the Moorne Corporation and representatives from the Vael'thorian realm."

The camera panned across the elves, who sat with composed dignity.

One of them, a female with long dark hair and golden eyes, nodded slightly in acknowledgment.

"This partnership," the human continued, "represents a new era of cooperation between Earth and the civilizations we've encountered through the Convergence. Our Vael'thorian partners have agreed to share their knowledge of the wider universe, help humanity understand the new reality we face, and provide expertise in areas where Earth technology is insufficient."

Another camera angle showed the broader conference room, revealing more figures seated in the audience.

Jorghan's attention was caught by a group sitting in the second row.

Humans, but not Earth humans. Their clothing, their bearing, and even subtle differences in their facial features marked them as from somewhere else.

From the Empire.

From his world.

Jorghan's blood went cold as recognition hit.

These were Imperial representatives, citizens of the very Empire that had been harvesting elves, experimenting on their people, and sending military forces to destroy clan settlements.

What were they doing here, sitting in a press conference on Earth, apparently allied with the Moorne Corporation and the Faerasa clan?

The broadcast continued.

One of the Faerasa elves stood and approached a microphone. He spoke in accented but clear English.

"We of the Faerasa clan have observed Earth for some time since the Convergence created connections between our worlds. We have seen both the chaos and the potential of humanity. The Moorne Corporation has demonstrated wisdom in their approach to this new reality, and we believe partnership will benefit both our peoples."

The questions from reporters started, and the responses revealed more information. The Faerasa had been teaching humans about the wider universe—the various worlds, the different species, and the basic principles of essence manipulation that humans called "magic."

In return, the Moorne Corporation provided resources and protection for a Faerasa outpost on Earth.

And the Imperial humans, it was explained, were representatives from an advanced civilization that had also made contact through the Convergence. They were sharing technological knowledge in exchange for Earth resources and favorable trade agreements.

It was all very diplomatic, very civilized, and very carefully worded to make it sound like mutually beneficial cooperation.

Jorghan watched it all with a growing understanding of how sophisticated this operation was. The Moorne family wasn't just a wealthy Earth corporation anymore. They'd positioned themselves as the primary intermediary between Earth and multiple offworld civilizations. They controlled access, information, resources, and everything that made them essentially untouchable on this planet.

Jamie, you really did something unexpected.

Then the camera panned across the audience again, and Jorghan saw him.

Sitting in the front row, wearing expensive clothing, his posture radiated smug satisfaction.

Jamie Moorne.

The man who was the reason for his arrival.

He looked prosperous, powerful, and completely comfortable in his position among humans and elves, and Imperial representatives.

Jorghan watched the rest of the broadcast in silence, his expression neutral, but internally his mind was working at tremendous speed.

The Faerasa clan is working with humans. The Empire is establishing trade relationships. The Moorne Corporation is positioning itself as the bridge between worlds. Jamie was sitting at the center of it all, benefiting from connections that should have been impossible.

It was fascinating in a way that made him want to smile.

All these different factions, all these power players, all of them maneuvering and scheming and building alliances. The Faerasa thought they were establishing themselves as important intermediaries. The Empire thought it was exploiting a primitive world for resources. The Moorne Corporation thought they were building an untouchable power base.

And none of them understood how fragile it all was. How easily it could be disrupted by someone who understood the deeper currents of power they were playing with.

They were ants building elaborate structures in the sand, convinced their constructions were permanent, never noticing the tide coming in that would wash it all away.

Jorghan smiled slightly as he watched Jamie speak to a reporter, explaining how the Moorne Corporation's vision for the future involved expanding humanity's reach into the wider universe.

"You find this amusing?" Lizbeth asked, noticing his expression.

"I find it educational," Jorghan replied.

"Your world has changed more than I expected. But the principles remain the same. Power attracts alliances. Alliances create vulnerabilities. And the people who think they're untouchable are usually the easiest to destroy."

Lizbeth looked uncertain about that statement.

"The Moorne Corporation is one of the most powerful organizations on the planet now. They have awakeners, advanced technology, and offworld support.

How could anyone destroy that?"

"By understanding that all of it is built on assumptions," Jorghan said.

"They assume their offworld allies are reliable. They assume their power makes them safe. They assume no one has the capability or will to challenge them directly."

He gestured at the screen where Jamie was still speaking.

"That man sitting in the front row. That's Jamie Moorne, isn't it?"

Lizbeth looked at the screen, then back at Jorghan with surprise. "You know him?"

"I know him."

Before anyone could say more, the sound of vehicles approaching cut through the quiet night.

Multiple engines.

Heavy, powerful, moving fast.

Stopping directly in front of the house.

*

David's voice rang out from upstairs.

"Margaret! We have company! Multiple vehicles, armed men!"

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