What is Project Obsidian?

The storm had dissipated by morning, leaving the air heavy with the scent of wet asphalt and the faint hum of a world returning to its rhythm. But inside Luminex's labyrinthine halls, the tension was anything but settled.

Ethan leaned against the counter in his small kitchen, sipping on a rapidly cooling cup of black coffee. His mind churned with the revelations from the archives, the bolded words "Primary Test Subject: Victoria Lane" etched into his memory.

Why her?

The question looped incessantly, dragging with it a dozen more. Victoria's control over Luminex had always been absolute—unshakable. Yet the documents suggested a vulnerability he hadn't anticipated. If the seal was tied to her on such an intrinsic level, what would happen if it failed? Or worse, if someone forced it to fail?

His phone vibrated on the countertop, pulling him from his thoughts. He picked it up, half-expecting another cryptic warning. Instead, it was a message from an unknown number:

"We need to talk. 2 p.m. The Atrium."

Ethan stared at the message, his grip tightening on the phone. The Atrium was a public cafe nestled in the heart of the Luminex tower, a place where employees often gathered for informal meetings. Whoever sent this wanted to ensure their conversation couldn't be traced—or interrupted.

The Atrium was bustling with mid-morning energy when Ethan arrived. The hum of conversation mingled with the hiss of espresso machines, creating a din that made eavesdropping nearly impossible. He scanned the room, his gaze settling on a lone figure seated by the large windows.

It was Anna.

She wore her usual composed expression, her hands wrapped around a steaming cup of tea. When her eyes met his, there was no trace of surprise—only a faint smile that didn't quite reach her eyes.

"Mr. Ward," she greeted as he slid into the seat opposite her.

"Anna," he replied, keeping his tone neutral.

She took a sip of her tea before leaning forward slightly, her voice low. "You found the file, didn't you?"

Ethan's expression didn't falter, but his silence was answer enough.

Anna exhaled softly, setting her cup down. "Then you know Victoria's connection to the seal isn't just symbolic. It's physical. Her family has been tied to it for generations, but she's the first to… actively engage with it."

Ethan's eyes narrowed. "Engage how?"

Anna hesitated, her gaze drifting to the window. For a moment, she seemed almost vulnerable, as if weighing how much she could reveal.

"You've seen the shard she keeps locked away, haven't you?" she asked finally.

Ethan stiffened. He hadn't expected her to know about the shard, let alone mention it so directly.

Anna continued, her voice soft but steady. "That shard is a fragment of the seal itself. Victoria uses it to stabilize the balance—but every time she interacts with it, the bond strengthens. Her body, her mind… they're becoming extensions of the seal. If it breaks, so does she."

The words hit Ethan like a blow, though he kept his expression neutral. He leaned back slightly, crossing his arms. "And you're telling me this because?"

Anna's faint smile returned, tinged with something almost sad. "Because you're not the only one who needs to understand what's at stake. If Victoria's plan fails, the consequences won't just affect her. They'll ripple through everything—and everyone."

Victoria paced the length of her office, her heels clicking sharply against the floor. The shard sat locked away in its case, but she could still feel its pull, like a distant hum vibrating through her bones.

Her mind churned with the weight of her family's legacy and the growing threat posed by Ethan—and now, the Veilwatchers. She had underestimated the scope of their interference, but she wouldn't make the same mistake twice.

Her intercom buzzed, breaking her train of thought.

"Ms. Lane, the board is waiting for your update on Project Obsidian," Anna's voice came through, calm and professional.

Victoria exhaled sharply, straightening her blazer. "I'll be right there."

As she left her office and strode toward the conference room, her mind sharpened, discarding the doubts and distractions. Whatever challenges lay ahead, she would face them on her terms.

Ethan remained in the Atrium long after Anna had left, her words echoing in his mind. The connection between Victoria and the seal was more intricate—and dangerous—than he had imagined.

As he stared into his coffee, his phone buzzed again. This time, the message was shorter, but no less ominous:

"They're moving. Watch the sublevels."

Ethan pocketed his phone, his jaw tightening. Whoever "they" were, their actions were drawing closer to the heart of the game. And if the sublevels were involved, then the stakes had just been raised.

He rose from his seat, his mind racing. It was time to dig deeper—into Luminex, into Victoria, and into the secrets buried in the depths of the tower.