Chapter 15: Unearthed Secrets
The following weeks passed in a blur of research, meetings, and sleepless nights. Kara and Reed barely had time to process everything they were learning. The more they uncovered, the more questions they had. The Lazarus Foundation's downfall was only the tip of the iceberg; the deeper they dug, the darker the revelations became.
Evelyn Carter had proven to be an invaluable ally, though her connections in the intelligence world often put them at odds with law enforcement. Kara had always prided herself on operating within the rules, but as they ventured further into the unknown, the rules seemed more like guidelines that couldn't possibly apply to what they were facing.
Evelyn's cryptic warnings echoed in Kara's mind as they sat in Kara's office one evening, going over the latest batch of data they had gathered.
"There's something more," Evelyn said, leaning forward, her eyes scanning a series of encrypted documents. "The Lazarus Foundation wasn't just studying the Veil—it was actively trying to manipulate it. And they weren't the only ones. A group called The Order of the Abyss—sounds like a cult, right?—has been tracking the Veil's manifestations for decades."
Reed sat up straighter, his eyes narrowing. "The Order of the Abyss? Never heard of them."
"Not surprising," Evelyn replied. "They're a shadow organization. They operate under the radar. But their research goes back to ancient texts—ones that discuss the Veil in ways the Foundation could never have understood. They believe that the Veil is not just a barrier, but a gateway to ultimate power. And they think that if they can control it, they can manipulate time, space, and life itself."
Kara frowned. "So, what? The Lazarus Foundation wasn't the only one experimenting with the Veil? These people have been trying to open it for centuries?"
Evelyn nodded. "Yes. And here's the real problem—The Order isn't trying to close it, they're trying to break it wide open. The Foundation was just a means to an end."
Kara rubbed her temples, the weight of everything pressing down on her. "Do they have it? Do they have the power to open the Veil?"
Evelyn glanced at her laptop screen, her fingers typing furiously as she searched through the encrypted documents. "Not yet. But they're getting close. The Lazarus Foundation had a key—a ritual that needed specific items, specific conditions. The Watcher was just one part of it. But they needed something else to open the Veil fully."
Kara's heart skipped a beat. "What do they need?"
Evelyn paused, her expression darkening. "An artifact. A key of sorts. It's called the Heart of the Void. It's said to be the catalyst—the final piece needed to tear down the Veil completely."
Reed exchanged a look with Kara. "Where is it?"
"That's the problem. It's been hidden for centuries. But there are rumors—whispers in the dark—that it's somewhere in the city, hidden away in the last place anyone would think to look."
Kara stood up abruptly, feeling the cold weight of urgency settle over her. "We can't wait. We need to find it before they do."
---
The next few days were a whirlwind of investigations, ancient texts, and trips to obscure locations throughout the city. They combed through archives, spoke to historians, and followed every lead that came their way. Evelyn's sources were invaluable, but they had little time. Every clue they found seemed to lead to another dead end or a trail that had been erased from history.
Late one night, Kara found herself staring at an old, crumbling map in the city's historical archives. It was a map of underground tunnels that had been abandoned centuries ago, long before the city had expanded. There was a place marked on the map—The Vault of the Forgotten.
She could feel her pulse quicken. This was it. The last remaining clue.
"They're close," Kara muttered to herself.
Reed, who had been reading over her shoulder, straightened up. "The Vault of the Forgotten. That sounds like it could be where the Heart of the Void is hidden."
"Exactly. We need to get there before they do."
---
They arrived at the location the next morning, early enough to avoid too many people but late enough that the air was thick with anticipation. The Vault of the Forgotten was an old church that had been abandoned and largely forgotten by time. A web of ivy covered the structure, making it blend in with the rest of the crumbling buildings around it.
Kara felt uneasy as they walked through the heavy iron doors, her hand resting on the grip of her gun. They had no idea what they would find inside. But they couldn't afford to let fear stop them.
The interior of the church was dark, the only light coming from the faint glow of sunlight filtering through the stained glass windows. Dust hung in the air, disturbed only by their footsteps. At the far end of the building stood an altar, the marble cracked and chipped with age.
"This is it," Reed said quietly, his voice filled with awe. "The heart must be here."
Kara moved cautiously forward, scanning every corner. "Stay alert. We don't know what we're walking into."
As they approached the altar, a sound like a hiss echoed through the room. The walls began to tremble as an unseen force stirred the air.
Suddenly, the ground beneath them split open, and the altar shifted, revealing a hidden chamber below.
Kara didn't hesitate. She dropped into the chamber first, followed closely by Reed. Inside, the air was thick with power, and there, in the center of the room, sat an ancient pedestal. On it rested a gleaming black stone—smooth and polished, its surface catching the dim light.
The Heart of the Void.
As Kara reached for it, a voice echoed through the chamber.
"You're too late."
Kara whipped around to find herself face-to-face with a tall, shadowy figure. The Collector.
"You've done well to find this place," he continued, his voice cold and deliberate. "But now that you're here, you can't stop what's coming."
Reed stepped in front of Kara, his hand on his gun. "We're not leaving here without that heart."
The Collector smiled, a cruel twist of his lips. "Oh, I'm afraid you don't have a choice."