The deep crimson alert lights of the safehouse's maximum-security lab rotated silently, casting an ominous bloody hue on the cold metal walls. The heavy lead-alloy door was sealed like the jaws of a beast, isolating the space. Only the hum of instruments and Simon's frantic keystrokes broke the silence. He was fused to his console, glasses reflecting cascading data and the twisted bone-and-vine sigil – the mark of the Necro-Alchemical Sect.
The dying moss sample pulsed its feeble grey-white luminescence within its stasis field, a guttering candle flame. Simon's fingers flew across holographic interfaces, scouring the Wardens' vast databases and illicitly tapped darknet streams. His sole focus: pinpoint the exact origin of this unique moss in Epping Forest! Alan's senses and the vampire's warning converged there – Ouroboros's next "garden," the key to stopping their madness!
"Natural Anima spectrum analysis… running… cross-referencing all known Anima nodes database within London perimeter…" Simon muttered, sweat tracing his temples. "Unique fluorescence decay curve… matching vegetation distribution models… validating against historical anomalous energy flux records…"
On the main screen, satellite maps of Epping Forest northeast of London zoomed in. Complex algorithms layered energy heat maps, vegetation cover models, and geological surveys. Areas of high natural Anima concentration glowed like pulsating lights in the forest's veins. Simon's eyes, hawk-like, tracked the projection of the moss sample's dying yet unique energy frequency onto the forest model.
"Exclude… exclude… filter…" He rapidly discarded signatures from common large nodes like oaks and beeches, narrowing the search to older, more hidden power sources. "Heartwood Oak… legendary zone… energy model match 78%… Not precise enough!" He pulled up enhanced scans of the burnt parchment with "Epping Forest" found under Grandfather's bed, its blurred runes clarified by algorithms.
"Parchment runes… contain faint natural harmonizing frequency… resonance points with moss sample's 'distress' frequency!" Simon's eyes lit up. He fed this new parameter into the model. "Pinpoint it! Lock on!"
The forest map flickered violently. Countless points of light winked in and out. Finally, deep within a remote, legend-shrouded area of Epping Forest marked "Heartwood Grove," a tiny but intensely bright point was isolated and magnified! The surrounding energy model, the moss's dying frequency, and the parchment's harmonizing frequency formed a perfect resonance triangle!
"Got it! The 'Heartwood Oak'! The legends are true! It's the absolute core of the forest's natural Anima network!" Simon slammed a fist on the console, rattling equipment. "Source of moss samples confirmed! Energy signature 100% matches 'Heartmoss' endemic to the core zone perimeter! Ouroboros's target! They need this moss, saturated with the purest, most potent natural Life Anima, as 'high-octane fuel' and 'precision guidance' for their vile alchemy!"
He instantly packaged the precise coordinates, energy models, and findings, sending them via top-tier encryption to Lena and Thorne. Simultaneously, another window on the main lab monitor flashed an urgent red alert – the global tracker program hunting the "Spiritual Signature" embedded in the Withering event's alchemical residue!
During the garden circle analysis, Simon had isolated the unique "psychic fingerprint" or "operational habit code" left by the caster within the energy structure – the Spiritual Signature. More elusive than physical traces, harder to fake, it was an invisible mark left at the crime scene.
The program was sifting through the chaotic ocean of darknet data, black-market ledgers, and Warden-monitored anomalous Anima logs. Countless suspicious anonymous IDs, encrypted transactions, and energy spikes were flagged and dismissed.
Suddenly! A ghost ID, lurking deep in the darknet behind multiple proxies and dynamic encryption, was speared by the program's hyper-sensitive probes!
"Code-name: 'The Withering Scholar'!" Simon's voice held the thrill of the hunt mixed with gravity. "Activity: Highly active in darknet forums on forbidden alchemy, life-energy manipulation, entropy applications! Transaction history: Recent frequent purchases of high-purity mercury crystals, star-iron powder, and… Revenant Blood (black market)! Comms node trace… physical location convergence: London Financial District, Canary Wharf, 'Vita Biotech' headquarters tower!"
Vita Biotech's profile flashed up: A surface-level multinational giant in cutting-edge biopharmaceuticals and gene therapy, headquartered in one of Canary Wharf's most expensive skyscrapers, boasting top-tier security, deep pockets, and partnerships with major medical institutions and investment funds. Beneath the glossy tech facade reeked the stench of alchemy!
"Anomalous Anima flux logs cross-verified!" Simon pulled up routine Warden monitoring data for the financial district. "Confirmed! Multiple anomalous energy spikes detected in Vita Tower's upper floors, highly correlating with the Withering circle's Spiritual Signature! Spike timing… perfectly coincides with 'The Withering Scholar's' darknet activity peaks!"
All threads snapped taut! Ouroboros's alchemist, "The Withering Scholar," was hiding within this fortress of technology and capital! Using Vita Biotech's legitimate shell and resources to conduct forbidden Necro-Alchemical experiments! The Withering of Greenhaven was his masterpiece!
"Lena! Target acquired!" Simon barked into the comms, words tumbling out. "'The Withering Scholar'! Location: Canary Wharf, Vita Biotech HQ! Using corporate cover for alchemy! He's the architect of Greenhaven! Spiritual Signature, transaction records, energy spikes – triple confirmation!"
Lena's voice, icy and decisive, came through: "Acknowledged. Prep briefing. Tactical room, ten minutes. Fenrir, Alan, lightweight infiltration gear. Simon, remote support. I need Vita Tower real-time schematics, security vulnerabilities, and predicted target movement zones."
Ten Minutes Later. Tactical Room.
A holographic projection of Vita Biotech Tower's intricate schematics dominated the center. The building stood like a cold steel giant, glass walls reflecting the Thames. Internal structures were complex, the core R&D zone marked in deep red on upper-middle floors.
"Objective: Infiltrate Vita Tower. Locate and identify 'The Withering Scholar.' Gather direct evidence of forbidden alchemical experimentation. Assess threat level. Apprehend or disrupt as situation dictates." Lena stood before the projection, ice-blue eyes scanning the team. "Challenge: Target operates within a high-security public space under legitimate cover. Direct confrontation risks high exposure of the Veiled World."
She highlighted key points. "Simon has marked security weak points and potential blind spots. Infiltration via underground garage maintenance access, bypassing main security. Target's highest probability location: 'Advanced Biomaterials Research Center,' Floor 48. Strongest energy shielding detected, consistent with alchemical work."
Fenrir flexed his shoulders, alloy knuckle-dusters hidden in silenced wrist-guards, a predatory gleam in his eye. "Finally get to skin those hiding rats! Been itching to smash their fancy poison pots!"
Alan adjusted his lightweight, form-fitting infiltration suit. His suppressor cuff was set to minimal-power "Cloak Mode," suppressing his easily detectable Anima bleed. He took a steadying breath. The dead silence of Greenhaven and the dying moss's grey light haunted him. Now, he would face one of its architects.
"Infiltration Strategy:" Lena continued. "Fenrir, handle physical breaches and unexpected combat. Minimal noise. Alan, your priority: Use Harmonizer senses to locate the strongest energy anomalies or alchemical contamination, guiding us to the target. Maintain your own cloaking; expect Anima detection countermeasures. I handle electronic countermeasures (ECM), pathfinding, and potential vampire or Unseen Hand surveillance. Simon, you are 'Warden Eye.' Real-time monitoring of building security, target comms, external environment. Provide early warning and path correction."
She displayed a blurry composite sketch of "The Withering Scholar" based on darknet data: likely middle-aged male, cautious/paranoid personality, fanatical about alchemy, possible physical augmentations (inferred from purchased materials). Threat Level: High (Mastery of efficient life-draining alchemy).
"Remember, 'The Withering Scholar' is just one of Ouroboros's tools. Our goal is evidence and intel to dismantle the entire serpent. Operation Codename: 'Gilded Trap'." Lena's gaze settled finally on Alan. "Alan, your perception is pivotal. The forest's heart calls, but this serpent's fang must be pulled first. Ready?"
Alan met Lena's gaze and nodded firmly. The suppressor cuff's gentle constraint was a reminder. His Harmonizer ability, a suppressed stream within, awaited its guiding purpose. He could almost hear the forbidden alchemical furnace whispering within Vita Tower's cold steel… and the silent lament of the Heartwood.
"Move out."