The sun dipped low on the horizon, casting a reddish-orange glow over the warehouse district. A small crowd had formed in the alley—informants, investigators, and volunteers—now helping the rescued captives. Blankets were handed out, clean water passed around. The air was heavy with silence, the kind that came only after horror had been uncovered.
Vel and Shin stepped out from the base's ruined entrance.
Dozens of captives sat or lay across the cobblestone ground—men and women, bruised, gaunt, their expressions hollow. Some stared at nothing. Others whimpered quietly. A few clung to the hands of those tending to them, unable to speak.
And then Vel saw them.
Two women in white robes, barely conscious, their faces pale and expressionless. Even in this state, their features were familiar.
Vel's hands clenched at his sides. "…The sisters."
Shin nodded grimly. "It's them. The ones Lady Evelyne asked about."
They were still breathing, but their eyes were glassy and unfocused. Thin tubes trailed from their arms where the last of a sickly green fluid slowly drained from now-empty IV bags. Their bodies twitched faintly, but they made no effort to speak, no sign of recognition.
Violated by forced experiments, their very minds tampered with—they were broken.
Vel took a slow breath, his jaw tight. "They didn't just kidnap them…"
Shin looked away, brows furrowed.
Vel's voice darkened. "I'm going to destroy this whole place."
For once, Shin didn't argue. He didn't fold his arms or remind Vel about protocol or evidence. He simply stepped forward and raised his voice.
"Everyone—move back. Now."
The crowd cleared quickly. Those still conscious were helped away from the base's perimeter. Even the informants gave Vel a wide berth.
Vel walked forward, silent. His right hand sparked, and then fire ignited—wild and furious. It didn't swirl gently or flicker with grace; this flame roared like something alive. It wrapped around his arm, pulsing brighter and hotter as the air shimmered around him.
The flames scorched his sleeve and bit into his skin, but Vel didn't flinch.
He stood before the stone wall of the base, now quiet and empty.
Then, with one mighty punch, he struck.
The point of impact shattered like glass. Flame erupted outward in a violent shockwave, ripping through the stone and timber. A roar of destruction echoed across the district as the building began to collapse in on itself, fire licking up its sides and through its roof. Beams crumbled. Walls buckled. The foundation cracked and groaned under the raw force of Vel's wrath.
Within seconds, the entire hideout was engulfed—an inferno reducing the site of torment to ash.
Vel stood still, breathing hard, arm still smoldering. The fire reflected in his eyes.
Behind him, Shin remained silent.
The others stared in quiet awe and unease—at both the flame and the man who wielded it.
The building fell with one final crash.
The wind picked up, carrying the smoke away.
Scene: The Hidden Table
In the dim light of a stone-walled chamber, six masked figures sat around a circular obsidian table. Each of them wore ornate, unsettling jester masks—mocking grins etched into porcelain faces. At the center of each mask's forehead a star-shaped symbol etched.
Two of them wore tailored noble coats, their bearing calm and powerful. The other four, clad in white lab coats, were researchers.
A lab-coated figure leaned back, his gloved fingers tapping against the table. "In Algora, The guild interfered. They raided my experimental site… The bandits were sloppy."
Another researcher scoffed. "Sloppy? They were reckless. Still, you were lucky to escape."
"I'd hired a decoy," the first replied, his voice low. "They caused enough chaos for me to slip out before anyone knew who I was."
A third researcher, arms folded, hissed in irritation. "In Eldoria, I can't even get started. That damn guild master, she has the whole place locked down tighter than a royal vault. I've had to rely on small village snatchings… inefficient. I'm not getting quality material."
One of the suited nobles spoke at last, his voice deep and commanding. "You were given resources. Connections. Protection under our banner. And yet all we hear are excuses."
The second noble leaned forward, voice even colder. "Progress is taking too long. Our leader grows impatient. And you all know what happens when patience runs out."
The Marina researcher, the only one smiling, nodded. "My operation proceeds well. The church there has shown surprising… cooperation. I've embedded myself nicely. Within a few weeks, I'll have enough data to start second-phase."
The first noble raised a brow. "Marina's clergy, you say? Curious."
"We are close," said the fourth researcher. "We only need a little more time. The Algora setback was unfortunate, but not irreparable."
The nobles stood in unison. The lead one adjusted his coat, glaring at the scientists behind his mask.
"You better deliver results," he said, walking toward the exit. "No more failures. No more delays."
His companion added, "You've cost us more than a coin now. Our networks are exposed. Finish the work. Before we clean the house ourselves."
The heavy door creaked shut behind them, leaving the four lab-coated figures alone.
Silence settled for a moment before one of them muttered, "Let them talk… Once Project Eclipse reaches completion, not even the guild will matter."
Another nodded. "Yes. We'll be done before they can find us again. And by then…" one whispered, "it'll be too late."