Soran continued configuring the next parameters.
[Military combat armor project…
Code Name: PLT-01
Construction Status: 80% (Incomplete)
Authorization: Soran Altarez >>> Elenor Altarez
Key: Biological signature >>> L.Y.R.A]
He kept adding new modules, but not being able to reach his granddaughter was driving him mad. On the third attempt, the call finally connected. Elenor sounded clearly displeased at being woken up.
"Mhmm… Hello? Grandpa? Do you have any idea what time it is?"
"Elenor, we don't have much time. Listen to me carefully!"
"Is something wrong?"
"DON'T TALK! Just listen! Take Amanda, Jacob, and Ada immediately and go to my hidden laboratory in the mountains as fast as you can! Take as much food as you can carry—focus on dried goods and canned food! Also take as many seeds as possible for planting! There's a greenhouse in the lab, you'll be able to sustain yourselves for a long time!"
"Grandpa, what are you talking about? I don't understand! Explain it properly!"
Soran exhaled deeply and began to explain.
"Listen carefully, little one…"
He quickly explained the current crisis and its uncertain duration. Elenor listened without interrupting. Finally, she spoke calmly.
"What about you?"
"…I need to stay here and find a solution with the Emperor. We'll most likely head to the Phantom Base. I can't come to you in time—and I can't turn my back on the people here. I have to stay and save as many lives as I can. Do you understand?"
"…Yes. That's why I've always been proud of you…"
Soran smiled proudly—almost narcissistically.
"I've always been perfect!"
"…Please stop talking like that! It's embarrassing!"
At that moment, alarms began blaring. The underground city protocol had been activated across the empire. Understanding what that meant, Elenor sighed.
"Grandpa… Amanda and the kids aren't here. They went to Azera. I'm home alone."
Soran froze in shock. He remembered—this week was Amanda's sister's birthday. His precious granddaughter was alone.
Soran grabbed his hair and tugged at it.
"AAAH! WHY DID THIS HAVE TO HAPPEN NOW?! MY PRECIOUS LITTLE GRANDDAUGHTER IS ALL ALONE!"
"Hey! I'm not a kid! I can take care of myself! Stop being so dramatic!"
Soran sighed and continued—this time, his tone was serious.
"Elenor, in approximately 1 hour and 42 minutes, fractures will begin in your region—but it could be earlier. Don't waste time. Go to the laboratory and activate the shelter protocol. And don't take anyone with you. Anyone. There's information there about some very special projects of mine. The lab isn't very large, but it's secure—you can live there for a long time. It generates its own electricity and is connected to underground spring water. There's also a private armory Omar built for himself there. You can defend yourself now. Go immediately! The lab recognizes Omar's SUV—take it! You remember where the lab is, right?"
When Elenor confirmed, Soran smiled and continued.
"Oh, and I left a special gift there just for you. I was going to give it to you on your birthday. You'll be very surprised when you see it!"
Elenor chuckled, then spoke in a cold, dark tone as unpleasant memories surfaced.
"I hope it's not something absurd like the previous gifts… Is there anything else?"
Ignoring the gloom in his granddaughter's voice, Soran spoke seriously.
"Yes. I was working on a new device—it's for you. You'll learn the details once you use it. I'll send it to the lab via cargo drone now. Take it and use it once you arrive—but don't use it until you're sure the lab is locked down…"
Soran's voice trembled for a brief moment, then softened.
"Don't forget to brush your teeth. Eat properly. Work hard. And don't go outside until you've grown stronger. Don't let anyone into the lab. If you're ever forced to abandon it, destroy all my research—or destroy the lab entirely. Stay away from men! Good luck, my little rabbit… I don't know when we'll see each other again."
Elenor didn't speak for a moment. She understood now. She wasn't a small child anymore—she had matured early after watching her family die before her eyes that night. And now, she was saying goodbye to her last blood relative.
She took a deep breath and spoke with a slightly trembling voice.
"You take care of yourself too. Don't forget to eat and rest while focusing on your work… See you later, Grandpa…"
[Connection terminated.]
Soran stared at the screen for a brief moment, then let out a long, deep, sorrowful sigh. Slowly, he turned and picked up the small box containing LYRA, opened it, and looked inside. To an outside observer, the silver device looked like an ordinary smartwatch—but it was one of the most advanced devices in the world, and Soran's greatest creation.
Holding the box, Soran walked toward a section of the laboratory. Passing through a door, he entered a vast hangar filled with drones of various sizes.
Ignoring most of them, Soran walked forward and stopped. In front of him stood a gray drone, one meter tall, equipped with four rocket thrusters and glowing blue neon lines—an advanced machine of cutting-edge design. It was the fastest drone he had ever developed.
Soran opened the drone, placed the box into its compartment, entered the coordinates, and stepped back. Seconds later, the drone slowly lifted off and exited the hangar. Soran watched it disappear and let out another deep sigh.
Turning back toward the laboratory, he began calling another person.
From this day forward, everything would be different…
…
At the same hours, far to the east, in the heart of a dense forest rising right beside the Azera border, a luxurious residence stood hidden among the trees. This structure was a futuristic and minimalist architectural masterpiece, blending the wild green of nature with the sharp lines of human ingenuity. The contrast of black and white on its exterior façade, harmonized in flawless geometric order, gave the house the imposing air of a modern fortress.
This three-story structure was not merely a home, but a meticulously designed living complex. In the expansive garden encircling the outer perimeter of the house, carefully cultivated fruit and vegetable trees stood in neat rows, while between the garden and the main entrance stretched an enchanting resting area. Here, a gently winding path paved with fine stone craftsmanship passed through vibrant flowerbeds, leading to a small, crystal-clear pond where exotic fish glided peacefully beneath the surface. Right beside the pond rose a large pergola, welcoming the cool relief of summer nights.
The interior layout of the house was just as functional as its exterior design. The first floor had been transformed into the heart of daily life, featuring a spacious living room, a technologically advanced kitchen, a comprehensive training area, a study, and a library that extended all the way up to the ceiling. The upper two floors were devoted entirely to privacy, consisting of bedrooms and guest rooms.
It was well past midnight now, and the forest had fallen into a deep, suffocating silence; yet the dim light leaking from a few of the house's windows was the only proof that someone inside was still awake.
This house belonged to Omar and his family. Usually, his wife, their two children, and Elenor stayed here, though at times Omar's parents would also come and remain for weeks. It was the home of a warm, close-knit family. At the moment, however, there was only one person inside. Elenor had chosen to stay behind alone for the week.
Elenor was twenty-four years old, a woman who drew attention the moment she entered any room. Her waist-length, snow-white hair and sharp ruby-red eyes, combined with her slim yet well-defined facial features, gave her a striking presence. Standing at 1.75 meters tall, her body bore the athletic, lightly muscular build shaped by regular training. With a narrow waist contrasted by notably wide hips and exceptionally full, eye-catching breasts for her height, she possessed a curvaceous yet powerful physique. Despite this physical dominance, every movement she made carried a sense of natural elegance.
As a reflection of the events she had lived through in the past, she kept her emotions sealed off from the outside world. To strangers, her cold and distant demeanor made her resemble an untouchable queen. She revealed her true self and feelings only to a very small circle within the house and to her grandfather—and even then, with great restraint. Quiet on the surface, she analyzed everything in the background down to the finest detail; she was highly intelligent and capable of adapting rapidly to any situation.
At that moment, Elenor was moving rapidly around her room, the countdown she had set on the smart watch around her wrist steadily ticking down. She needed to finish preparing and get to the laboratory as soon as possible. She grabbed a large suitcase, placed it on the bed, and opened it, stuffing in every piece of clothing from her wardrobe—anything she could possibly wear. Then she rushed to the garage.
Inside the garage stood a silver sports motorcycle and a blood-red SUV. Elenor quickly opened the SUV's trunk and placed the suitcase inside, then folded down the middle seats, adjusted the position of the luggage, and ran back into the house. She headed straight for the kitchen and began gathering all the food.
"For now, we'll take everything. The distance between here and the laboratory is forty-two minutes and thirty-two seconds; if I drive at full speed, I can make it in thirty-seven minutes and twelve seconds."
As she placed the packages, she glanced at her smart watch.
[1 hour 34 minutes 23 seconds]
"I need to be on the road within forty minutes. Any later would be far too risky."
After filling the first bag with legumes, Elenor carried it toward the garage.
"Collecting everything in the kitchen and pantry will take approximately twenty-one minutes and thirteen seconds. Packing the bathroom supplies will take three minutes. Gathering vegetables from the garden will take twelve minutes and twenty-three seconds. Taking all the medicine in the house will take seven minutes and six seconds… That's a total of forty-three minutes and forty-two seconds… Damn it, there's not enough time! I need to move faster!"
After placing the package in the SUV, Elenor ran back into the kitchen and began emptying the refrigerator. At that moment, she felt a vibration on her left wrist. Glancing sideways, she saw that Amanda was calling. She tapped the screen with her finger, accepted the incoming call, and heard Amanda's anxious voice.
"Sweetheart!"
"Aunt Amanda, I really don't have any time to waste right now—I need to get ready!"
"I understand. I spoke with the old man. What's the situation?"
"I'm preparing. I'm going to load everything useful I can into Uncle Omar's SUV and head to my grandfather's hidden laboratory in the mountains."
"That's a smart decision. Elenor, now go to my safe and take everything inside. The code is 6479928. Also take all the jewelry in the house. Even if the rift collapses continue, surviving people will use either currency or a barter system! These may help you. I know you, my girl—you won't be able to stay in that laboratory forever. Sooner or later, you'll have to go outside."
After taping the box shut, Elenor lifted it to carry it to the car, speaking while running.
"Understood."
Amanda continued.
"Most importantly, you need to take weapons with you for self-defense! The code to the armory is BlackHunter 763567. Take as many weapons and as much ammunition as you can, then put the room into heavy security mode and lock it down completely. I don't want the weapons falling into the wrong hands. Put the house into emergency security mode as well—if monsters don't destroy it, no one should be able to get inside. I'm hanging up now. Don't forget what I taught you. Train plenty before going outside, but don't stray too far from the laboratory or take risks. You are not an Awakened."
After placing the third box into the SUV, Elenor ran back to the kitchen.
"I know, Auntie. I'll be careful. I'll be safe in my grandfather's laboratory. I'll call you once I arrive."
"I love you, sweetheart."
"Love you too."