Location: Dominion Vault – Subterranean Sector 7
The air was thick with metallic frost. Inside the Dominion's most secured facility, alarms pulsed like a heartbeat. A lone scientist trembled as he input the final override.
The containment chamber hissed open.
From within, three figures emerged—tall, expressionless, wearing strange armor that shimmered between dimensions. They looked human… but weren't.
The first spoke, voice like fractured glass. "Victor Kane walks the mortal realm."
The second turned its head with a disturbing crack. "He has inherited what was sealed."
The third simply smiled. "Then we begin again."
Their eyes flared with a violet gleam, and in a single step, they vanished—leaving a mark burned into the chamber wall.
A symbol of the Triad Protocol.
---
Location: Tavara – Central Intelligence Bureau (CIB)
Linda Okello slammed her fist onto the desk.
"I don't care how deep Dominion's ties run! They've just activated three ghost-level assets, and I have zero eyes on their movement."
Her team scrambled across multiple terminals.
Peter Musyoki entered moments later, a file in hand.
"They're not ghost-level," he said darkly. "They're classified beyond Apex. Harbingers—last seen during the collapse of the old Eastern Confederation. They're said to wield technology older than any current civilization."
Linda's breath caught. "Then Victor's in more danger than he knows."
---
Location: Nora's Clinic – Restricted Wing
Nora stood over a young boy, healing energies flowing from her palms. But her mind wasn't on the child—it was on the storm brewing outside.
Zuri entered without knocking. "The Harbingers have landed."
Nora didn't flinch. "Where?"
"Sector 19. They left a message. 'Return the relic or the world burns.'"
Nora's hands paused. Her voice turned cold. "Let them try."
---
Location: Victor's Private War Room – Kane Tower
Victor stood before a digital map pulsing with real-time signals. Each red dot was a known Dominion base. Three were blinking violently.
"They're on the move," he said. "And they're coming straight for Tavara."
His loyal aide, Marcus, stepped forward. "What's the plan?"
Victor's jaw clenched. "We don't run. We fight."
"But these aren't normal enemies—"
"I know," Victor interrupted. "They're the kind you defeat by becoming what they fear."
Marcus hesitated. "And what's that?"
Victor's eyes gleamed. "A force without chains."
---
Location: Unknown Mountains – Hidden Temple of the Ash Warden
Deep in the mountain's heart, an old woman stirred. Her silver hair cascaded over robes etched with forgotten runes.
"The Gate has fractured again," she whispered to the wind. "Balance trembles."
From the shadows, a younger figure emerged—clad in simple robes, yet holding an aura of great power.
"Then the prophecy advances," the figure said. "And Tavara must be defended, even if it costs us everything."
The old woman smiled faintly. "Tell Victor Kane… the Ash Warden lives."