Chapter 15: Into the Heart of Florence

Chapter 15: Into the Heart of Florence

The air wavered as the team exploded out of the time vortex, setting feet softly onto cobblestone streets in 15th-century Florence. The golden glow of the Italian sun bathed the city; the soft pealing of church bells contrasted with the incessant drone of merchants touting wares in the commotion-filled piazzas.

Eli tugged at his doublet, the stiff material resisting. "Well, this is a far cry from plague-ridden London," he said, drinking in the colorful streets.

Samara snorted. "Enjoy it while it lasts. The Syndicate doesn't leave beauty untouched for long."

Graves pulled his hood up, eyes scanning the crowd. "Stay sharp. The Syndicate's already here, and they're not sightseeing.

Blending In

They wove their way through the teeming market square, taking in the sights and sounds of Renaissance Florence: artisans displaying intricate tapestries and sculptures, bakers offering fresh bread and pastries, and street performers entertaining passersby, adding a lively rhythm to the scene.

Samara halted before a painter's stall; her eyes latched onto the vibrant colors of an unfinished portrait. "It wasn't just a rebirth to art-it was a rebirth to ideas," she breathed.

Eli laid a hand on her shoulder. "Which is, of course, exactly why the Syndicate's here. They want to corrupt that rebirth before it can take root.

Graves, a few paces ahead, waved them over. "Less admiration, more action. Let's find a base of operations before someone notices we don't belong.".

Securing an Ally

The first stop was a small apothecary nestled in a quiet alleyway. The owner, a slender, older man with sharp eyes, was a contact with the Initiative-one of the few locals aware of the brewing temporal conflict in his city.

"I have been expecting you," he whispered, his head darting around to make sure they were not overheard. "The Syndicate has been active here for weeks. They have forged alliances with dangerous men—Salviati, the Pazzi family. They are planning something big."

Samara leaned forward. "Do you know where they're operating?"

The apothecary nodded. "They've been seen near the catacombs beneath the city. And there's talk of strange devices—things that don't belong in this time."

Eli exchanged a glance with Samara. "That's our lead. We'll need a map of the catacombs."

"I can provide one," the apothecary said, "but be cautious. The Syndicate has eyes everywhere."

Visiting the Cathedral

The next stop would be the Santa Maria del Fiore cathedral, a looming masterpiece of Gothic architecture that dominates the skyline of Florence. Pushing their way through the crowd in awe of the huge dome and the detailed façade this cathedral had to offer, this was a place to take in.

Whispering, Samara said, "If the Syndicate have placed a temporal anchor here, the repercussions could destabilize the whole city. This is the very heart of Florence's cultural identity.". 

Graves eyed the guards standing at the entrance. "We are going to need a distraction to get inside."

Eli nodded. "Let's split up. Samara and I will cause a diversion while Graves searches for the anchor."

Soon enough there was a loud commotion down near the market, as Eli and Samara started a fight that quickly gained the notice of guards. Graves slipped by them, into the cathedral, the sound of his feet loud through the great, empty hall.

Finding the Anchor

In, Graves hastened his pace as his tracker honed in on the crypt of the cathedral. It began to grow chill as he headed down the stone steps, and with each step, the very faint hum of the Syndicate technology grew louder.

There, in the crypt, he found it—a sleekly modern device embedded into the ancient stonework. A faint blue light pulsed across its surface, casting eerie shadows on the walls.

Graves squatted down beside it, peering into its configuration. "This has to be one of their time anchors," he said to himself, tugging a disruptor device from his belt. "Time someone sent it back whence it came."

As he was working, footsteps behind him echoed off the walls. Graves froze, his hand instinctively going to his dagger.

"Tampering with our work, are we?" a voice drawled.

Graves turned to find Seraphina Vale standing in the doorway, flanked by two Syndicate operatives. Her smirk was as sharp as the blade she carried at her side.

A Narrow Escape

Graves straightened, his hand still on the disruptor. "Nice setup you've got here. Shame it's about to be ruined."

Seraphina chuckled. "You're bold, I'll give you that. But boldness won't save you."

With a flick of her wrist, she signaled her operatives to attack. Graves darted to the side, narrowly avoiding a blade. He countered with a swift strike, disabling one of the operatives before tossing the disruptor toward the anchor.

The device emitted a high-pitched whine before exploding in a burst of blue light. The anchor dissolved, leaving only scorched stone behind.

Seraphina snarled, "You'll pay for that."

Graves smirked. "Not today." He flung a smoke bomb, and thick, acidic fog filled the room. In its cover, he eased out of the crypt and into the roaring streets above.

Regrouping

Back in their temporary hideout, Graves relayed his encounter with Seraphina and the anchor's destruction.

Eli frowned. "If they have placed one anchor, then there will likely be more. We have to find them before they destabilize the timeline."

Samara chimed in, "And we need to determine their endgame. Florence isn't just a target; it is a test bed for something bigger.

Graves nodded. "Whatever they're planning, we need to stop it. The Syndicate's not just rewriting history-they're erasing it."

Eli's jaw tightened. "Then we make sure they don't get the chance.