Ashval is very close now… We’ll find a solution there.

  In the dense forests of Verdantiz, where ancient trees intertwined like ancient sentinels guarding forgotten secrets, a figure stood clad in a camouflage coat, a small earpiece fitted into his right ear. The air was cold; the damp breath of the forest seeped into bone and marrow, and the faint crunch of leaves beneath unseen feet echoed like concealed footsteps in the dark.

  “Ilio… there aren’t many of them left in the surveillance zone. The mechanical units are retreating slowly, but they’re still maintaining formation.”

  Ilio’s voice came through the earpiece—calm, precise.

  “That’s good… well done. Change nothing.”

  Alex replied, a thin thread of tension woven into his tone,

  “Do we move in now? They seem weakened.”

  “No,” Ilio said firmly. “That’s exactly what they want. There could be a rigged bomb waiting for you. Stay outside the perimeter and keep exchanging fire from a safe distance. Do not enter under any circumstances. Wait until you’re certain they’ve all fallen—then wait longer. I’ll send reinforcements immediately.”

  “Reinforcements? From who? You’re the only one left who hasn’t shown up,” Alex shot back, then raised his voice so the other units could hear through the comms.

  “All units: hold your positions. Maintain formation. We remain outside the perimeter and continue suppressive fire until backup arrives. Repeat.”

  At another forward point in the forest, Unit One—a young woman and a young man—took cover behind the trunk of a colossal tree. The girl, Lina, whispered with restrained anger,

  “My God… what is Ilio thinking? Are we going to sit here until we run out of ammunition or until support arrives hours from now?”

  The young man tightened his grip on his rifle, eyes locked on the distant industrial building.

  “They might sacrifice themselves just to take us down. One nuclear device, and we’re finished. So we keep our distance. It makes sense.”

  “This is all because of Louis… Where is that idiot now? If he were here, he’d storm the place alone and end this already.”

  “You’re right… I don’t understand why Ilio insisted on sending them to Norvana at this exact moment. It’s too strange. As if he’s planning something far bigger than what we can see.”

  “Wait… did you hear that?”

  “You’re imagining it. Focus on the mission.”

  ---

  At the massive, weather-worn gates of Ashval, a guard named Edgard stood watching the entrance. When he saw Hamilton’s car approaching at high speed, relief softened his features.

  “Thank God you’re back… we need you here.”

  Hamilton stepped out quickly, urgency carved into his face.

  Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

  “No time, Edgard. We have someone injured. We need to get him inside immediately.”

  “Injured? That’s bad… but no one’s inside. Everyone went to Verdantiz. We’re trying to reclaim it.”

  “What?!” Hamilton snapped. “And we’re the last to know? Who made that decision?”

  “Ilio.”

  “Ilio… and what does that boy think he knows? This is a disaster! Louis, get him back in the car. We’re going in and finding a solution ourselves.”

  “Alright,” Louis replied calmly, helping the unconscious Victor back into the rear seat.

  The car sped through the secret tunnels leading to the vast underground garage beneath the city. The space was crammed with battered vehicles and scattered military equipment; the heavy scent of oil and cold metal filled the air.

  “Help me carry him,” Hamilton said, opening the rear door. “We’ll put him in the recovery machine until he regains consciousness.”

  “Okay… but won’t this cause problems?” Louis asked carefully.

  “The problems have already begun, my boy. That bastard Ilio… how dare he send everyone to Verdantiz without consulting me? I need answers. Hold him a moment while I open the room.”

  Hamilton unlocked a heavy metal door. Beyond it stretched a wide chamber crowded with strange, advanced machinery arranged in chaotic disorder—tangled wires, glowing screens, devices that looked salvaged or stolen. At the center stood a large glass vessel shaped to contain a human body, filled with a faintly glowing green viscous substance.

  “Come on, Louis. Let’s place him here.”

  They laid Victor carefully inside. The glass lid sealed automatically. The green liquid shimmered brighter, rings of light circling the submerged body.

  Louis held Victor’s satchel—the one taken from the old man. He set it on the floor.

  “Whose bag is this?” Hamilton asked.

  “His.”

  “Did you check what’s inside?”

  “No… we can’t invade his privacy like that.”

  “Then we wait until he wakes.”

  “I’ll hide it.”

  Louis reached for the bag—but another hand snatched it from behind him. A voice followed.

  “You’re back, Louis… thank God. But didn’t you think practically? It might contain something dangerous. It should be examined.”

  Hamilton turned, fury igniting instantly.

  “You bastard! Get away from my son! And who told you to send everyone to Verdantiz? Answer me, Ilio!”

  He grabbed Ilio by the collar and slammed him against the wall.

  “Answer!”

  Ilio replied with eerie calm despite the pressure on his throat.

  “Don’t worry… everything is under control there. Only the Verdantiz center remains—the industrial building. I planned to go once you arrived. But I see you’ve brought something unusual… and I suspect it’s unauthorized.”

  “Unauthorized? Since when do you have authority over me?”

  “I don’t. I respect you deeply, Mr. Hamilton. And now that you’re back, you may take command again… Commander.”

  “You respect me? I’ve never trusted you. Not once.”

  “But this time, you must. You brought in an injured man… I specialize in these matters. I should examine him, shouldn’t I, Louis?”

  Louis intervened softly.

  “Father… I think he’s right. We don’t have time. We should check his condition first, then go help.”

  Hamilton exhaled heavily and released Ilio.

  “Fine… you’re right. I lost my temper.”

  Ilio approached the recovery machine, holding the satchel. He gazed at Victor inside the glass vessel with a strange intensity—as if recognizing something unspoken. He opened the bag slowly. A pack of food. He set it aside. Then a mask labeled “Synced.” Then a broken device glowing red.

  He fell silent for a long moment.

  “It’s the Link.”

  “The Link… and it’s glowing red!” Louis exclaimed. “Father… shouldn’t it be green?”

  “You’re right…” Hamilton murmured, eyes widening. “Where did he get it? Did he steal it from one of the workers? Ilio, why are you silent? Answer me!”

  Ilio’s gaze drifted to the side of the machine. The printed number: 307.

  “Number 307… That explains it.”

  He stood and handed the Link to Hamilton.

  “Wait here.”

  Ilio moved to the wall and pressed a concealed button. A hidden compartment slid open, revealing rows of neatly arranged black capsules. He searched swiftly, took one, and the compartment withdrew back into place. He retrieved the Link from Hamilton’s hand.

  “Ilio… what does this mean?”

  “You read it, didn’t you? 307. Doesn’t that remind you of something?”

  “You mean… he was a worker? Only workers carry numbers.”

  “We won’t know until he wakes. I also want to understand why it’s red. Honestly, I don’t know how to wake him—but I’ll try this.”

  Ilio opened the glass lid. Gently, he lifted Victor’s head and placed the broken, red-glowing Link back around his neck. Then, into a narrow slot within it, he inserted the black capsule.

  Hamilton lunged forward and struck Ilio with a heavy punch, sending him to the ground.

  “What are you doing? Are you trying to kill him?”

  “I’m helping him… can’t you see?”

  “Helping? You put the Link back on him! Do you want to send him back to hell? You know exactly what that means, don’t you?”

  “Do I? Your son’s expression says otherwise.”

  Hamilton turned. Louis stood frozen, eyes fixed on the machine.

  Victor… had awakened.

  He rose slowly, exhaustion weighing heavily on him. He remained silent for a moment, staring around in confusion.

  Ilio spoke.

  “You see, Mr. Hamilton? He’s awake. Young man… can you hear me?”

  Victor felt a crushing weight at the back of his neck. Where am I? What am I doing here? he thought dimly. The sounds around him seemed muffled, distant. He reached behind his neck and slowly removed the Link.

  Louis hurried to him and gently shook him.

  “You… do you remember anything?”

  Victor looked at him strangely.

  “It’s you… I’m not in the mood for your questions.”

  Ilio gently moved between them and spoke evenly,

  “My name is Ilio. I am human… like you.”

  “Human?” Victor echoed, puzzled. “I am too… I think.”

  “A pleasure to meet you.”

  “And who are you? What’s your name?”

  “My name… is Victor.”

  To be continued…