Far below the Ascendant Grid, in a chamber lined with massive golden fractal symbols, Ravenous Halo knelt.
Before him, shimmering in the dim golden glow, stood a holographic projection of a man cloaked in radiant gold. Over his head levitated a crown of liquid gold, and his voice dripped with calm authority. On his chest is an emblem with the number 2 engraved.
Ravenous lowered his head.
Ravenous Halo: "The traitor is dead. The outsiders retrieved nothing of value. But two of them… were exceptional."
No. 2 tilted his head slightly, his holographic face unreadable.
No. 2: "Exceptional? Explain."
Ravenous' voice was calm, but there was a faint edge of respect.
Ravenous Halo: "One bore the power of an ancient beast. Brutal and resilient. But the other…"
He paused briefly.
Ravenous Halo: "…Henry Dreherg. His movements were powerful but calculated. He struck with intent beyond human limits. And for a moment… I sensed something else beneath his control. Something far greater, still dormant."
No. 2 went silent for a moment. Then a low, amused hum echoed from the golden projection.
No. 2: "…He indeed carries the Heavenly Awakening."
Ravenous nodded slightly.
Ravenous Halo: "Yes. It's incomplete, but it's there. And it resisted my field longer than any mortal should."
No. 2 raised a single golden-clad hand, dismissing the old plan in one smooth motion.
No. 2: "Then Elion Vaydrin is no longer the prime offering. Replace him. I want Henry Dreherg."
Ravenous Halo froze for a second.
Ravenous Halo: "…And the boy?"
No. 2's voice was calm, almost casual.
No. 2: "We don't need him anymore. He serves his other purpose now—to distract Null from my business, even though Elion doesn't know we are using him. But Henry's awakening… his essence will make the Ascension far purer."
No. 2 stepped closer to the projection's edge, his voice soft but carrying the weight of absolute command.
No. 2: "I want him at all costs. Do not kill him. Do not let Zorath find out about him. Break Henry if you must, but deliver him alive. The rest of the group, I don't care. When the Ascendant Grid is complete… Henry Dreherg will kneel at the heart of my Halo."
Ravenous Halo lowered his head.
Ravenous Halo: "As you command."
The projection flickered once, then faded into darkness.
Ravenous Halo rose slowly, his halo implant spinning faintly.
Ravenous Halo (quietly): "…The Master has chosen his new offering."
Meanwhile, Henry's group finally emerged from the tunnels, battered and silent.
They returned to the safehouse under the neon glow of the city, the weight of Veyra's death heavy on their minds.
Ronnie was already there, waiting by the holo-table. His sharp eyes immediately scanned their faces—and the absence of the informant.
Henry placed the cracked data shard on the table without a word.
Ronnie frowned, his deep voice low.
Ronnie: "…Where's Veyra?"
Henry's tone was calm but edged.
Henry: "Dead. Ravenous Halo killed her. And nearly killed us."
Jack leaned against the wall, still in his ripped, post-battle state, smirking faintly despite his bruises.
Jack: "That 'commander' of theirs? He's not just some lackey. He was toying with us the whole time. Something isn't right with him."
Emilia crossed her arms.
Emilia: "And he let us leave. Which means someone higher gave the order."
Ronnie's jaw tightened slightly.
Ronnie: "Ravenous…"
Henry's eyes flickered at Ronnie's choice of words.
Henry: "… You know him?"
Ronnie hesitated, then nodded slowly.
Ronnie: "Not really… I only know stories of him. He's Zorath Veil's personal hand—the enforcer. Or that's what Veyra said in her encrypted messages."
Ronnie looked at the cracked shard. His expression angered.
Ronnie: "… Did she say anything before she died?"
Henry replied carefully.
Henry: "She said Zorath isn't the one we should fear. There's someone above him, and he's planning something beyond Neoterra."
Ronnie's expression stayed calm, but inside, he felt a cold weight settle in his chest.
Ronnie tapped the holo-table, bringing up a new sector of the city map.
Ronnie: "The Lower Market was just the surface. The Grid's real control hub is in the Neon District. If we want to cripple their plan, that's where we hit next."
Henry nodded slightly.
Henry: "Then we move soon."
Emilia glanced at Henry quietly, her mind already working through the risks.
Jack cracked his knuckles.
Jack: "Good. I owe that preacher a round three."
Outside the safehouse, high above in the neon-lit skyline, an unseen drone flickered faintly, feeding live footage of the group back into the Halo network.
And somewhere unknown, No. 2 watched silently, his golden crown glinting faintly in the dark.
No. 2 (to himself): "Come closer, Henry Dreherg. Your awakening will be the perfect key to my Ascension."
The chamber was vast but dimly lit, carved into the earth like an ancient temple. Golden fractal symbols lined the walls, glinting faintly under low, warm light. At the center sat No. 2, leaning casually on a massive chair made of black alloy streaked with veins of gold.
His face was sharp, regal even, with perfectly combed black hair. But when he smiled faintly, the dim glow caught the row of golden teeth in his mouth, making the gesture both rich and menacing.
He sipped from a crystal glass of amber liquid, his movements calm and slow.
The silence of the room broke with soft, mocking claps echoing from the far end.
Harlekin: "Well, well… the golden king himself. Midas sitting in the dark. Always a dramatic touch."
Harlekin stepped into the light, his painted grin stretched unnaturally wide, bells on his outfit jingling faintly.
Midas didn't flinch. He glanced at Harlekin lazily, his voice calm but laced with quiet power.
King Midas: "And what do you want in my hall, Clown?"
Harlekin twirled his cane, his usual playfulness thinly masking the curiosity in his voice.
Harlekin: "Oh, nothing much. Just a little curiosity. You see, the Black Halo is moving faster than ever. Ravenous is killing informants, the Grid is nearly ready, and yet…"
King Midas: "You have been watching my operation?"
Harlekin (grinning): "I've just been around."
He tilted his head dramatically, staring at Midas.
Harlekin: "… You're not telling the boss what you're really planning, are you?"
Midas chuckled softly, showing the glint of his golden teeth.
King Midas: "And what makes you think I owe Null any explanation?"