"Ashes of the Unseen."

The cold night air hung heavy as Riven and his team approached the outskirts of the city, where the underground tunnels lay hidden. The city lights behind them seemed distant now, swallowed by the impending darkness ahead. They were heading straight into the lion's den—Echelon's rumored base.

Seren adjusted her weapon belt, her gaze locked on Riven. "You sure about this?" she asked quietly.

Riven didn't hesitate. "If there's a chance my father's name is tied to this, I need to know."

Lirian exhaled sharply. "Yeah, well… let's just hope it doesn't get us all killed."

They moved swiftly through the abandoned district, weaving between crumbling buildings and shattered streets. The silence felt unnatural, like the city itself was holding its breath.

Eventually, they reached a rusted metal grate embedded in the ground. Seren knelt, working to bypass the lock with her tools. "Give me a minute."

Riven crouched beside her, eyes scanning the perimeter. His mind was a storm of questions—how was his father's name tied to Echelon? Was he still alive? Or worse… was he involved with them?

The lock clicked open.

"Got it," Seren said, pushing the grate aside. A narrow tunnel stretched downward, steep and dark. Without a word, Riven grabbed a flashlight from his belt and descended first.

---

The tunnel reeked of rust and decay. Their footsteps echoed faintly as they navigated the winding path. Pipes lined the walls, dripping water, while old cables hung like dead vines. The tension was palpable.

After walking for what felt like hours, Seren stopped abruptly. "Hold up."

Riven turned, his hand resting on his sword's hilt. "What is it?"

Seren pointed to faint markings on the wall. Strange symbols etched in black paint. "These are Echelon's symbols. We're close."

Lirian cracked his knuckles, his usual grin returning. "Good. I was getting bored."

They pressed on until the tunnel opened into a massive underground chamber. It was unlike anything they had expected—rows of high-tech containers, weapon crates, and surveillance systems. The entire place buzzed with quiet energy, a hidden operation concealed beneath the city.

"Jackpot," Lirian muttered.

But Riven's eyes were fixed on something else. Across the room, beyond the crates, was a large holographic display. On it was a list of known Echelon associates—and once again, his father's name glowed on the screen.

His heart clenched. "There."

They moved swiftly toward the screen, but just as they neared it—

"Stop right there."

A group of heavily armed Echelon operatives emerged from the shadows, weapons raised. The team froze, tension crackling in the air.

"Looks like we've got ourselves some uninvited guests," one of the operatives sneered.

Riven's hand tightened on his sword. "We don't want trouble. We just need information."

The operative laughed. "You broke into our base. Trouble's already here."

Without hesitation, Riven drew his sword. The room erupted into chaos.

Lirian dashed forward, his fists slamming into the nearest guard with bone-crushing force. Seren darted sideways, firing quick, precise shots from her modified pistol. Riven moved like a shadow, his sword carving through Echelon's defenses.

The fight was brutal, but they held their ground. Riven's mind remained focused—he needed to reach that display, needed to understand why his father's name was here.

Finally, they subdued the last of the operatives. Riven rushed to the holographic display, frantically scrolling through the files.

Then he found it.

A video file labeled: Subject 14 – Status: Active.

His pulse hammered. He clicked it. The screen flickered to life, showing a dimly lit room. A man stood there, restrained but alive. His face was obscured by shadows, but Riven would recognize that posture anywhere.

It was his father.

"Subject 14 is stable," a voice off-screen stated. "We will continue testing his unique abilities. Progress has been… promising."

The video cut off.

Riven's breath hitched. His father was alive. Captive—but alive.

"We have to find him," Riven said, his voice like steel.

Lirian walked up beside him. "Then let's burn this place to the ground and get him back."

Riven's grip on his sword tightened. For years, he thought his father was gone. But now he knew the truth.

And he was ready to tear through Echelon to bring him home.