"Ashes of the Unseen."

Riven, Seren, and Lirian decrypted the stolen drive, discovering classified records of a secret organization called Echelon. Among the files, Riven found his father's name—long thought to be dead. With a new lead pointing to a warehouse in the old district, the group prepared to uncover the truth.

---

The night was colder than usual. A sharp wind howled through the skeletal remains of the old district, carrying the scent of rust and damp concrete. Riven pulled his coat tighter around him, his green eyes scanning the decayed streets ahead.

The warehouse wasn't far.

Seren walked beside him, her hood up, while Lirian strode a few steps ahead, stretching his arms.

Lirian (grinning): "I hope they put up a fight. It's been too quiet lately."

Seren (flatly): "You got shot last week."

Lirian: "And I lived. That's what matters."

Riven didn't respond. His mind was elsewhere, trapped between anticipation and unease. His father's name on that file—it wasn't just a coincidence. There was a reason Echelon had it.

They reached the edge of the warehouse district, where rusted fences and abandoned buildings cast long shadows under the dim streetlights. The air felt heavier here.

Seren (whispering): "Cameras. They know we're coming."

Riven: "Good."

They weren't here to hide. They were here for answers.

The Warehouse Ambush

Lirian kicked open the side door. The moment they stepped inside, floodlights flared to life, blinding them for a split second—

Then, gunfire.

SFX: BANG! BANG! BANG!

Riven dove behind a crate, pulling Seren with him. Lirian had already dashed forward, weaving through the bullets like a blur.

Their attackers were heavily armed—mercenaries. Echelon's foot soldiers.

Lirian (grinning): "Now this is fun!"

Riven peeked over cover, spotting five enemies. He pulled a dagger from his coat, exhaling slowly before throwing it. The blade found its mark, striking one shooter in the shoulder, forcing them to drop their weapon.

Seren raised a compact device, pressing a button—suddenly, the lights burst with a loud pop, plunging the warehouse into darkness.

Riven moved.

In the shadows, he was faster. He weaved through the chaos, disarming one opponent with a sharp strike to the wrist. Another swung a metal pipe at him, but he ducked, countering with a swift elbow to the gut.

The room erupted into a brutal, close-quarters battle.

The Name That Shouldn't Exist

As the last mercenary collapsed, coughing, Riven grabbed him by the collar, shoving him against the crate.

Riven (coldly): "Who do you work for?"

Mercenary (spitting blood): "You already know."

Riven tightened his grip.

Riven: "Where is Echelon?"

Mercenary (grinning despite the pain): "Everywhere. Watching."

Seren crouched by a terminal, typing rapidly. "I'm in their logs. There's something here—shipment routes, contact lists… but one name keeps appearing."

She hesitated before reading it aloud.

Seren: "Kael Veyne."

The name sent a chill down Riven's spine. His fingers clenched against the mercenary's collar.

Riven (whispering): "That's my father."

Seren's hands hovered over the keyboard. "Riven… if this data is right, he's still alive."

Lirian's grin vanished. "What?"

Riven let go of the mercenary, stepping back. His father—missing for years, presumed dead—was alive?

A flood of emotions crashed over him, but there was no time to process them.

Because the moment Seren accessed that file, an automated warning flashed across the screen.

Seren (panicked): "They know we're here."

Outside, the distant hum of engines filled the night air.

More were coming.

The truth about his father was within reach—but first, they had to survive.