Chapter 10: The Heart of the Vortex

The night had not yet fully dissipated, and a thin mist still lingered on the streets. Olivia and Ethan walked silently away from the family's old home, heading towards an uncertain future. The surrounding buildings soared into the sky, their outlines blurred and distant in the early morning light, as if they were traversing a vast maze, each road leading deeper into the darkness.

Olivia's heart was filled with anxiety and unease, the contents of that document weighing on her like a thousand-pound stone, making each step heavy and difficult. The events of that night had made her realize that what she was facing was not just a dark organization, but a vast and profound network of power behind the entire city. She knew that this would change the fate of her and Ethan, and perhaps the fate of the whole family.

"Who do you think the leader of the 'Obsidian Order' is?" Ethan's voice broke the silence, his tone calm, yet laced with a hint of underlying anxiety.

Olivia glanced at him and took a deep breath. "I think the only person we can rely on right now is 'Zero'." Her voice was steady, but the determination in her eyes was unmistakable. In the past, she had always been highly cautious about such secret information, but now, she had little choice. No matter what, they had to find 'Zero' and uncover the truth behind the vortex.

"'Zero's' background is not simple," Ethan frowned. "He was once a member of the 'Obsidian Order.' Are you sure you want to contact him?"

Olivia didn't answer, her gaze fixed on the old underground warehouse ahead. Perhaps in the past, she might have hesitated, but now, there was no turning back. She whispered, "We have no choice."

They walked through the quiet streets, their steps like the ringing of a distant alarm, silent yet heavy. When they entered the abandoned warehouse, Olivia could almost feel the air around them solidifying. The lighting was dim, and the thick layers of dust on the walls and equipment gave off an ancient, oppressive aura.

In a corner that seemed insignificant, Olivia spotted a large computer screen flickering with a cold light. 'Zero' stood before the screen, his fingers rapidly typing on the keyboard, seemingly immersed in his own world.

"You're here," his voice was cold and flat, as if he were not surprised at all.

Olivia and Ethan exchanged a glance, and Olivia spoke first. "'Zero,' we need you to provide us with intelligence and reveal the true nature of the 'Obsidian Order.'"

'Zero' stopped typing, turned around. His deep eyes seemed to pierce through everything, sending a chill down her spine. He smiled slightly, but there was no warmth in it. "What you need is not just intelligence. What you need is an entirely new awakening." He paused, a subtle smile playing on his lips. "You still don't realize it, but you are entering a much bigger game."

Ethan frowned. "What exactly are you trying to say?"

'Zero' didn't respond, instead pointing at the screen. "This is the information you want." He entered a complex string of codes, and a stream of data instantly flashed across the screen. Along with it came a global list, revealing the infiltration scope of the 'Obsidian Order,' and shockingly, even the names of power centers were listed.

Olivia's heart skipped a beat. The list on the screen felt like a sudden thunderstrike, hitting every nerve in her body. She stared in shock, realizing that several prominent political and business figures were included, even people she had once been close to—members of her own family.

"Your family has long become a pawn of the 'Obsidian Order,'" 'Zero's' voice carried a cold edge. "The glory you pursue has long been corrupted by this power."

Olivia's mind went blank, and all her thoughts seemed to freeze in that moment. Her father, grandfather, and even those who once seemed close to her had already made some sort of deal with the 'Obsidian Order,' betraying the family's original ideals. She couldn't believe it, yet she had no choice but to accept this reality.

"Do you really think you can resist all of this?" 'Zero' asked again, his voice low and oppressive.

Ethan glared coldly at 'Zero.' "We have to stop this."

'Zero' glimmered with a hint of mockery. "Stop it? Your resistance is but futile. The 'Obsidian Order' has already infiltrated every cell of your being. Even those around you may be under their control."

Olivia's face went pale, but a newfound determination ignited within her. She and Ethan were not just fighting for themselves, but for the future of their family, to prevent an unimaginable catastrophe.

Just then, the silence outside the warehouse was broken by the sound of hurried footsteps. Olivia quickly grabbed Ethan's arm. "They're here," she said urgently.

The two of them immediately ran towards the other exit, but just as they were about to break through the final door, a figure stepped out of the shadows, blocking their path.

"Olivia, Ethan, looks like you're running fast," a voice sneered as the figure appeared before them. The shadowy figure's eyes gleamed with danger, a cold dagger glinting in her hand.

Olivia clenched her fists, her gaze sharp as a blade. "Phantom, what exactly are you trying to do?"

Phantom chuckled coldly. "What am I trying to do? I just want you to understand that resistance is nothing but a futile struggle."

Her words were like sharp blades, stabbing straight at Olivia's heart.

"Ethan, go!" Olivia suddenly whispered, lunging at Phantom in an attempt to hold her off and buy Ethan some time.

However, Phantom's movements were even faster than Olivia had imagined. The dagger flashed through the air like lightning, and Olivia barely managed to dodge it, only to hear Ethan's furious shout behind her. She turned and saw Ethan already engaged with Phantom. Their figures darted swiftly across the space, the air thick with the scent of confrontation.

Olivia's heart tightened. She knew this battle wouldn't end easily. No matter what, she and Ethan had to win this life-and-death struggle to continue unraveling the deeper mysteries.

In the midst of the fierce battle, Ethan suddenly leapt forward, using his strength to push Phantom back several steps. Phantom's eyes instantly turned complex, as if doubting the outcome of this fight.

At that moment, Olivia suddenly heard the sound of even more hurried footsteps coming from outside the warehouse, and a strong sense of crisis surged in her chest. "Something's wrong, there's someone behind us."

Before her words even finished, Ethan had already pulled her away, and they ran toward another exit. Behind them, Phantom seemed to have stopped moving, her gaze momentarily lost before quickly returning to her cold indifference. "Do you think you can escape?"

Olivia didn't look back. She knew that this escape was far from over. The real storm was only just beginning.