"Ashes of the Unseen."

The silence in the chamber was deafening after the last shot faded. Riven's heart still pounded as his eyes remained locked on the screen where his father's image had just disappeared. The words Subject 14 – Status: Active echoed in his mind like a haunting reminder.

He was alive. Captive—but alive.

Lirian wiped blood off his knuckles, his breath steadying. "We need to get out of here before more of them show up."

Seren remained focused on the console. "Wait. If I can access their internal database, I might find where they're holding your father." Her fingers flew across the keyboard, urgency in every keystroke.

Riven's hand trembled slightly as he gripped his sword, but his voice remained cold. "Do it."

Seconds ticked by like hours before Seren finally spoke. "Got it. There's a transport log—weekly cargo shipments from this base to a facility… underground. Coordinates are here." She turned to Riven. "It's not far."

Riven exhaled, a burning determination settling in his gut. "Then we go now."

---

They navigated the remaining tunnels, staying low and avoiding any more operatives. Their pace was fast—Riven leading the charge, his mind consumed by thoughts of his father.

"What if it's a trap?" Lirian questioned as they moved.

"Doesn't matter," Riven answered coldly. "If he's there, I'm not leaving without him."

The weight of his words hung heavy in the air. Lirian didn't argue.

---

Finally, they emerged from the tunnels and found themselves in an abandoned industrial district. Rusted shipping containers lined the area, and an eerie silence loomed.

"That facility should be under one of these warehouses," Seren said, glancing at the map. "We find the entrance, we find your father."

Riven moved without hesitation. His body was sore, his muscles screaming for rest, but he ignored it. Nothing mattered except getting to his father.

The group spread out, searching for any sign of an underground facility. Minutes felt like an eternity until Lirian's voice rang out.

"Over here!"

Riven sprinted toward him. Lirian had found a large metal hatch, heavily secured. Without waiting, Riven unsheathed his sword and brought it down on the lock, sparks flying. After a few precise strikes, the lock shattered.

Seren whistled. "You could've let me hack it."

Riven didn't respond. He grabbed the handle and yanked the hatch open, revealing a descending metal staircase.

"No turning back now," Lirian muttered.

Riven didn't hesitate. He descended first.

---

The underground facility was vast, filled with flickering lights and humming machines. The walls were lined with containment chambers, each one holding something—people, creatures, experiments. The stench of sterile chemicals burned their noses.

Riven's jaw tightened. What the hell is this place?

Seren accessed a nearby terminal. "I'm searching for Subject 14."

"Hurry," Riven urged, his voice strained.

A few agonizing moments passed before Seren found it. "There! Sector D, containment chamber 6."

Riven bolted down the hallway without waiting. Lirian cursed under his breath and ran after him. Seren followed close behind.

---

The heavy steel door marked Chamber 6 loomed ahead. Without thinking, Riven kicked it open.

And there he was.

His father. Shackled, restrained in a reinforced glass chamber. His body looked malnourished, but his eyes… those same fierce green eyes like Riven's… still burned with life.

"Dad…" Riven's voice cracked.

His father's gaze snapped toward him. His expression shifted from confusion to disbelief. "…Riven?"

A surge of emotions hit Riven like a tidal wave, but he kept his composure. "I'm getting you out of here."

Suddenly, alarms blared throughout the facility. Red lights flashed, and an automated voice announced: Security breach detected. All personnel respond.

"Damn it," Seren cursed. "They're coming."

Riven's father's voice rasped. "Leave… now. They won't let you—"

"Not without you," Riven interrupted, shattering the glass chamber with his sword. His father slumped, weak but conscious. Riven caught him.

Heavy footsteps echoed in the distance. Lirian turned. "We've got incoming!"

Riven lifted his father, gritting his teeth. "We fight our way out."

His father's hoarse voice came again. "…You've gotten stronger."

Riven's gaze hardened. "I had to."

And as the first wave of Echelon guards stormed in, Riven drew his sword, his father in one arm, his rage burning brighter than ever.

He wasn't just fighting for survival anymore.

He was fighting for family.