Elsewhere — Hero Town Hospital.
Ava stepped into a quiet corridor and dialed Liora.
Liora picked up almost immediately.
"Get ready," Ava said calmly. "We're going to Atliop City."
Minutes later, a Lamborghini Sian rolled out of the hospital parking area.
The engine roared — sharp and powerful.
Ava heard it and stepped outside.
Liora sat behind the wheel, composed as always.
"Nice car," Ava said, raising an eyebrow. "When did you buy it?"
"I stole it," Liora replied flatly.
Ava froze.
"Stole?"
"Not literally," Liora corrected. "I just borrowed it without permission."
Ava stared at her for a second.
"Oh."
She got in.
The car surged forward, merging onto the highway with a growl.
They soon reached a mountain pass.
A large sign stood ahead:
Welcome to Atliop City
The Lamborghini entered the city.
And then—
The sky lit up.
Both of them instinctively looked upward.
"What was that?" Liora asked.
"How would I know?" Ava replied.
A blinding flash followed.
Then a massive cloud of dust rose into the air in the distance.
A shockwave rippled outward.
Nearby windows cracked.
Civilians screamed.
Cars screeched to a halt.
Liora's grip tightened on the steering wheel.
She turned the car toward the source.
"You're going toward it?" Ava asked.
"We need to see what happened."
They stopped at a safe distance.
In the sky—
A figure stood suspended in midair.
Surrounded by several others.
Then suddenly—
More figures materialized out of nowhere and charged into battle.
Ava narrowed her eyes.
"They just appeared… out of thin air."
"Magic," Liora said quietly. "Or advanced tech."
Another explosion echoed through the city.
Dust spread across the skyline.
Ava's voice lowered.
"Remember that research paper we found near the end? The one that helped the organization grow?"
Liora nodded slowly.
Realization dawned on her face.
"No way…"
"Are they power users?" she muttered. "Or Eclipse experiments?"
Another blast shook the air.
Ava stepped back.
"Let's leave."
Liora didn't argue.
They returned to the car.
The engine roared once more.
As they drove toward their place.
Liora and Ava drove past the hotel district and turned into a quieter part of the city.
They stopped in front of a private villa.
A metal plate beside the gate read:
R's House
Behind the property, an old abandoned school stood in silence.
Liora stepped out of the car and took out her remote. Two keys were attached to the chain.
She inserted one into the gate lock and turned it.
Click.
The gates opened.
Instantly, the lighting system activated.
Pathway lights illuminated the driveway. Garden lamps flickered on. Soft lights traced the outline of the garage, the pool area, and the three-floor villa.
Even the street-facing lamps powered on.
Ava stared.
The property was massive.
Something inside her told her not to question it.
To trust Liora.
Liora walked ahead calmly.
Ava followed, taking everything in—
Two swimming pools.
A wide garage area filled with rare and expensive cars.
A strange metallic sphere embedded beneath the central structure of the yard.
And even a private golf stretch.
"Liora…" Ava began.
"Wait," Liora said gently.
Ava nodded.
Liora unlocked the main door and stepped inside. Ava followed.
The interior looked like something out of a dream.
Modern.
Clean.
Spacious.
A fireplace sat in the center of the living area. A massive television was mounted on the wall, with a gaming console attached and two controllers resting neatly below. Shelves filled with game discs lined one side.
Ava looked around slowly.
"Wow… Liora?"
"Do you like it?" Liora asked casually. "Three floors. Two basements. Two secret bunkers stocked with supplies. Two garages — one for cars, one for bikes."
Ava blinked.
"Where did you get this place?"
"My brother gave me the keys," Liora replied. "He said he owns a house in Atliop City and sent me the location. I synced the lock with the car remote."
"Your brother?" Ava frowned slightly. "But outside it says 'R's House.'"
"I was surprised too," Liora admitted. "But the key worked. And Finian told me to only use the ground floor."
Ava slowly nodded.
"It's late," Liora said. "Let's rest. We'll plan tomorrow."
The ground floor had multiple rooms.
Ava chose one and stepped inside.
Her eyes widened.
A water bed.
A study desk.
A wall-mounted TV.
An advanced custom-built PC.
Shelves filled with books.
She stepped closer.
Titles about dark psychology.
Human behavior.
Manipulation theory.
Strategic warfare.
Ava felt a strange chill.
But she pushed the thought aside.
She lay down and fell asleep.
Deep into the night—
Ava's eyes opened.
The room was silent.
She stood up and headed toward the washroom.
Then—
A faint creaking sound.
From upstairs.
Ava froze.
She looked toward the staircase.
Slowly, carefully, she walked toward it.
One step.
Then another.
The second floor hallway was dim.
An open window let in cold wind, causing a cupboard door to swing slightly.
Ava exhaled quietly.
"Just the wind…"
She walked to the window and closed it.
Then she noticed something.
Trophies.
Cups.
Awards.
Displayed neatly across a wall.
She moved toward the cupboard and opened it fully.
Inside—
Drawers.
Files.
Documents.
She pulled one out.
Wulkranoth's Research – Volume I
"Wulkranoth?" she whispered. "What is that?"
She placed it back and reached for another.
The Six Pillars of Foster
Her brows furrowed.
"What…?"
Then she noticed a shirt hanging inside.
She pulled it forward slightly.
Something was embroidered near the top right.
She stretched the fabric.
Her eyes widened.
Rex
Her heartbeat quickened.
She slowly placed the shirt back.
Another file caught her attention.
Eclipse – Complete History (Updated Edition)
Her breath stopped.
Updated?
Footsteps echoed behind her.
Ava's heart jumped.
She quickly shoved everything back into place and rushed toward the stairs.
"Ava."
She froze.
Slowly turned.
Liora stood there.
"Liora…" Ava swallowed. "What are you doing here?"
"I came to use the washroom," Liora replied calmly. "What are you doing?"
"I—I came for the washroom too."
Silence.
Then—
"Okay," Liora said simply, and walked away.
Ava let out a breath she didn't realize she was holding.
She returned to her room and closed the door.
Upstairs—
A shadowed hand reached forward.
And gently closed the cupboard door.
The next morning—
Ava and Liora stepped outside and got into the Lamborghini Sian.
The engine roared to life.
They drove off toward the city for breakfast.