When Shadows Convene

Location: Ravenfall Estate, Eastern Tavara

Back at the Ravenfall Estate, the atmosphere was thick with tension. Every corridor was lined with Damien's loyal guards—silent, alert, their weapons loaded with non-standard rounds forged for more than mortal threats.

In the war room, Nora stood beside Yelena, Leo, and the Kane family's most trusted commander, Briggs. A massive digital map projected in the air, glowing red markers tracking irregular troop movement across Tavara.

"They're forming a triangle around us," Briggs said. "Whoever they are, they're organized. This isn't just another corporate power move."

Nora frowned. "No... this is ritualistic."

"Exactly," Leo muttered, eyes narrowed. "They're not trying to strike first. They're building a convergence point. A summoning grid."

The door opened—and Damien entered, his skin pale but his eyes blazing with clarity.

"They've found me," he said. "The ones who've been asleep since the Dominion fell. I saw one of them—or maybe a vision of one. They're older than any family we've ever faced."

"You accessed the Gate?" Yelena asked, a rare flicker of fear in her voice.

Damien nodded. "It opened. Not fully. But enough. I saw... something. Someone. And they saw me."

Briggs spoke, "Sir, if this is what we feared, we need to activate Protocol V—"

"No." Damien cut him off. "Not yet. If we pull that trigger, we ignite a global war. And we need Tavara intact."

Nora stepped closer. "So what do we do?"

He looked at her, then at the rest. "We draw them out. Not with force... with bait. Me."

"Damien—"

"No, listen," he said. "They're not coming for the estate. They're coming for me. And I intend to give them something they can't resist."

Leo chuckled bitterly. "You always did have a taste for theatrics."

Briggs leaned forward. "What's the plan?"

Damien exhaled slowly. "We leak the truth—selective, of course. A broadcast. A coded message that lets the world know Damien Kane is back and carrying something ancient, forbidden. We tempt the curious, the greedy, the vengeful. And while they move toward us... we study their weaknesses."

"And if that wakes more of them?" Yelena asked.

Damien's eyes hardened. "Then we fight fire with fury."

A long silence followed.

Then Nora placed a hand on his arm. "You're not doing this alone."

He looked at her, silently thankful. "I know. That's why we'll win."

Outside the estate, the winds shifted. The skies darkened though no storm was forecast.

In distant mountain ruins, old watchers stirred.

And across the seas, an ancient council reconvened.

The world was about to change.