Into the Unknown

Nathan's breath came faster as he stood in the stark white room where the sound of his heartbeat seemed to ring in his ears. The decision he had made felt more weighty now, standing in front of the map that sprawled across the large table in the center of the room. This was it—his first real mission. His first real test.

Alexei and Seraphine stood nearby, watching him closely. Nathan glanced at them, trying to read their expressions. He knew that trust was a fragile thing here, and although he had agreed to work with them, he still wasn't sure where their loyalties truly lay. The Fragments were a powerful tool, and everyone seemed to want them for their own purposes. Alexei, with his inscrutable grin, had a hidden agenda that might well have been very different (to say nothing of) from the plan Nathan was thinking.

Alexei's voice broke the silence. "This is where you'll start. We've tracked down a lead on another Fragment—this one's located in an abandoned monastery in the mountains. We suspect it's been there for centuries, hidden away. It won't be easy to get to, but that's why we're sending you. Seraphine will accompany you for backup."

Nathan nodded slowly, still processing the plan. "And what's the catch?"

The twist is that you have to get there in advance. We've already had other groups sniffing around this location. Several of them have learned of the Fragment and some are primarily interested in its potential. You'll need to move quickly."

Seraphine stepped forward, handing him a black duffel bag. "Here's everything you'll need—gear, supplies, and some tools to deal with any surprises. Don't underestimate what you'll find there."

Nathan took the bag from her, his fingers brushing hers for a brief moment. Her gaze met his, and for the first time, Nathan saw something softer in her eyes. Perhaps it was an flicker of empathy, or possibly a matter of professional concern. Regardless, it did not relieve the tightness in his chest. The stakes were higher than ever.

"Is there anything else? Nathan asked, trying to keep his voice steady.

"Don't get too comfortable. The more you handle that Fragment, the more it will grab hold of you. Or how much time you have before it "eats" you up", Alexei said, his tone urgent. Listen, this is a warning sign—once you go into this world, it's not possible to turn back. You're in too deep now."

Nathan's gut clenched, but he tried to keep calm. He had made his choice, and there was no going back.

The journey to the temple was quite arduous, consisting of hours of winding roads and dusty tracks. They traveled in silence, the vehicle bumping and creaking with every turn. Nathan's thoughts were a blur. The weight of the Fragment, the power which he still failed to grasp (understand) came crushing down on him. He would be able to truly control it, or would it just eat him whole as Alexei had been warned?

When they finally reached the foot of the mountain, they had to hike the rest of the way. The cold wind cut through their clothing, making every step a struggle. Seraphine walked in front of him, displaying a grace and coolness that Nathan could not match, yet Nathan walked close behind, not able to otherwise control his nerves.

As they crested a ridge, the monastery came into view. It was an old building decaying with time, but still proud and standing against the mountain storefronts. The stone walls were weathered, covered in creeping vines and moss, but there was something about it that felt alive, as though the place itself was holding its breath.

Pay attention," Seraphine whispered, her voice but a whimper against the gale. "We don't know who's already here."

They got close cautiously employing the shadows to camouflage them. The gate to the monastery was a wooden door, half open, inviting them to go through. Nathan's instincts screamed at him to be wary, but there was no turning back now. This was what he had signed up for.

Inside, the monastery was eerily quiet. The air filled with dust and age, and the only noise was the muffled repeated sound of their steps as they walked further into the building. Corridors curved and looped back, taking them through dimly lit halls with trinkets and lost reliquaries and effigies of the yore. But there was no sign of anyone else.

As they reached the heart of the monastery, Nathan felt it—a pulse, a faint vibration in the air. The Fragment. It was close.

Seraphine stopped abruptly in front of an ornate door, her hand raised in a silent gesture. She motioned for Nathan to move forward. He took a step, and as he did, the ground beneath him seemed to shift, as though something was waking up. The door groaned as it slowly creaked open.

The room beyond was bathed in an eerie glow. At the center stood an altar, and on the altar lay a stone—the Fragment. It was unique from the one Nathan had discovered, but its power was unquestionable. The air around it shimmered, and the faint sound of whispers filled the room.

Nathan's heart raced as he stepped forward. He felt the pull of the Fragment, like an invisible hand drawing him closer. However, just as he got there, a sudden noise came back to the right of him.

He spun around, instinctively reaching for the gun at his side, but Seraphine was already in position, her own weapon drawn and aimed at a shadowy figure standing in the doorway.