The Command Base was wrapped in its usual midnight silence.
The lights in the surveillance sector blinked in soft tones.
Everything seemed in order.
—
But then, the Base's radar—an ancient hybrid system of League technology and local engineering—emitted an unusual sound.
It wasn't an alarm.
It was a discreet call.
Like a pulse in the void.
—
Patricia was the first to notice.
She quickly crossed the Monitoring Room and amplified the sensors.
— Anomalous detection, western sector of Brussels... — she murmured.
The reading didn't indicate physical movement.
But there was a strange energy pattern, appearing and disappearing irregularly.
It wasn't a signal from ordinary profanos.
And it didn't match known Abyssal interferences.
It was something new.
Or too ancient to be easily identified.
—
Patricia activated the communicator:
— Kael. We have an abnormal energy pulse.
— Not aggressive. But... persistent.
Kael responded immediately:
— Gather the analysis team.
— I want eyes on this in five minutes.
—
Soon, Amina and Samantha were at the main consoles, deciphering the detected waves.
Helena, Claudia, and Camila stood ready, armed in case of need.
Marie and Nikita monitored external channels and possible approach routes.
Kael arrived and reviewed the data.
—
Amina pointed:
— It's not a transmission.
— It feels like... a presence signature. Like an echo trapped between temporal layers.
Samantha added:
— And it always occurs at the same location in the city.
— Near the old central market.
—
Kael frowned.
That place had history.
Too much history.
Ancient portals had once manifested there centuries ago.
It might be an invitation.
Or a warning.
—
Kael looked at the group.
— We'll go there at dawn.
— No direct action.
— Reconnaissance and assessment only.
The witches nodded.
The Abyss might be a constant threat.
But not every signal came from the shadows.
Some came from time itself.
And perhaps... from forgotten allies.