NXT_MARVEL

In a city where shadows hold more power than light, Detective Marcus Trent is drawn into a web of deceit, manipulation, and a chilling game that threatens to unravel everything he knows. When he receives an anonymous message promising disaster, Marcus finds himself chasing a series of cryptic clues that lead him to a mysterious figure known only as The Shadow—a mastermind pulling the strings from behind the scenes.

The clues are sinister: coordinates, encrypted messages, and cryptic warnings, all leading Marcus to a chilling truth—someone is always one step ahead. As the puzzle pieces fall into place, Marcus discovers that the game is more than just about tracking a criminal. It’s a countdown to a terrifying revelation—the endgame has already begun.

As the stakes rise and more lives are threatened, Marcus is forced to confront his own demons and question the trust he places in his colleagues. With no allies, no clear path forward, and the shadow of the mastermind looming closer, Marcus must navigate a treacherous maze of false identities, hidden motives, and twisted alliances.

The question is no longer just who is behind the chaos, but how far will they go before Marcus becomes the next pawn in a game where no one wins?

The Silent Veil: Code of Shadows

That was the first thing Marcus felt — an endless, suffocating cold. It wrapped around him like chains, dragging him deeper into the void. He tried to move, but his limbs felt distant, his body heavy and unresponsive.

"No," whispered a voice — not his own, but familiar. Dark. Seductive.

"You've only just begun to see the truth."

The void rippled. Shapes moved in the darkness — faces, distorted and twisted, their mouths stretched in silent screams. Marcus's heart pounded, fear clawing its way up his throat.

"Who… are you?" he forced out, his voice barely a whisper.

The shadows shivered. From them emerged a figure — his own reflection, but… wrong. The face was his, the eyes too bright and wild, the smile a razor's edge.

"I'm you," the reflection said. "The part you've always denied. The part that hungers for power."

"No," Marcus growled. "You're not me."

The reflection laughed. "Aren't I? Who was it that unleashed the darkness? Who was it that wanted to destroy Vale — no matter the cost?" It stepped closer, eyes gleaming. "You chose me. And now, there's no turning back."

"No!" Marcus pushed against the cold, trying to stand — but the darkness pulled tighter.

"Stop fighting," the reflection whispered. "Embrace me. Together, we can save Emily. We can destroy Vale. We can be unstoppable."

He saw Emily, her face streaked with tears, screaming his name. Vale loomed over her, his hand raised — and Marcus felt something snap inside him.

"Then stop holding back," the reflection urged. "Let me in. Let me help you."

The cold surged. Marcus gasped as the darkness poured into him, filling every corner of his mind. The pain disappeared, replaced by an intoxicating rush of strength.

When Marcus opened his eyes, the room was chaos. The stone walls cracked and crumbled, the air thick with the scent of fire and blood. Vale stood in the center, his face calm despite the destruction around him.

Emily lay behind him, barely conscious.

He rose slowly. The wound in his chest was gone, his body thrumming with power. The shadows coiled around him like living things, their whispers now a steady pulse in his mind.

Vale turned, eyes narrowing. "So," he said quietly, "you've finally made your choice."

Marcus's lips curved into a cold, dangerous smile. "No more games."

Descent