"Ashes of the Unseen."

Riven, Lirian, and Seren learned about Cain Avelore—a man presumed dead but whose name resurfaced in Echelon's operations. With the lead pointing toward Crimson Abyss, they prepared to dive deeper into the heart of the conspiracy.

---

The cold night wind howled as the three of them stood at the edge of Crimson Abyss. A vast, ruined district that once thrived but was now swallowed by decay and silence. Buildings crumbled, and roads cracked like bones beneath the dirt.

Lirian (grinning): "Lovely place. I can see why no one comes here."

Riven didn't respond. His eyes were locked ahead, his thoughts still haunted by the name Cain Avelore.

Seren pulled up her digital map.

Seren: "The coordinates lead to an underground facility beneath that old refinery."

Riven finally spoke.

Riven: "Then we move fast. We don't want to be noticed."

Lirian: "Too late for that, mate."

Riven snapped his head around. From the ruined buildings, masked figures emerged—silent and armed. They carried high-tech rifles with no insignia, but their presence screamed Echelon.

Seren (whispering): "They knew we'd come."

Riven: "Then we fight."

Without hesitation, the first shot rang out. Riven dashed forward, drawing his dagger, his movements sharp and lethal. He closed the distance before the nearest guard could react, driving his knee into the man's stomach and slamming his dagger's hilt into his jaw.

Lirian drew his katana, grinning as he met two guards head-on.

Lirian (laughing): "Finally, some fun!"

Seren stayed back, her gunfire precise, taking down two guards before they could flank Riven.

The battle was intense. Riven moved like a phantom, his green eyes burning with resolve. But his mind was elsewhere—Cain Avelore. The name echoed in his head like a curse.

Riven (gritting teeth): "Why is his name here…?"

Another guard lunged at him, but Riven flipped, using his dagger to disarm the man before driving him to the ground.

Lirian: "Riven! Focus!"

Snapping out of his daze, Riven turned to see Seren struggling against a sniper perched atop a crumbling tower. Without thinking, Riven grabbed a discarded revolver, aimed, and fired. The sniper dropped instantly.

Seren (breathless): "Nice shot."

Riven: "Keep moving."

They finally reached the refinery entrance. Seren hacked the rusted panel, unlocking the subterranean door. The moment it creaked open, the heavy stench of oil and rust filled the air.

Lirian: "Smells like death."

Riven: "It might as well be."

Descending the stairwell, the atmosphere grew colder. The walls bore old scratches—signs of struggle from a distant time. As they entered a vast underground chamber, Riven stopped abruptly.

On the wall, painted in blood-like crimson, was a single name.

> CAIN AVELORE

Riven's breath hitched. His mind screamed questions, but his mouth remained shut. Seren and Lirian noticed his reaction.

Seren: "Riven…?"

Before he could respond, a slow, deliberate clap echoed from the darkness. A figure emerged, shrouded in a long black coat, face masked, but his presence… unnerving.

Unknown Figure: "You shouldn't have come."

Riven instinctively drew his dagger.

Riven: "Who are you?"

The figure's voice was cold.

Unknown Figure: "The last warning you'll get. Turn back or die here."

Lirian smirked, gripping his katana.

Lirian: "We don't do 'turning back.'"

The figure sighed.

Unknown Figure: "Then so be it."

Suddenly, the chamber came alive with automated turrets and heavily armored guards emerging from hidden passages.

Riven (gritting teeth): "It's a trap—!"

The battle exploded once again, but in Riven's mind, only one thought burned.

"Why is Cain Avelore's name here…?"

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