The revelation that Magistrate Lian was a sentient fragment of Arthan's failed proto-Ledger experiment, and that the Guild's resonance bomb was a terrifying rediscovery of an ancient weapon, shook Elias to his core. The stakes were higher than ever, rooted in a history far more sinister than he could have imagined.
Just as he was processing this, a new, unexpected communication breached his secure channels. It wasn't the Observer. It was Master Veyra, the true Phantom User, the Guild's secret leader, contacting him directly through a subtly compromised Sutra AI terminal within the Bureau itself. Her message was stark, devoid of pleasantries.
"Analyst Thorne," Veyra's voice, though digitally synthesized, carried an icy authority. "Your recent actions have been... noted. You have proven yourself capable, a disruptive force. You understand the true nature of the Ledger, its power, and its flaws. Your talents are wasted on a dying system and its blind guardians."
A holographic projection of Veyra, sharp and imperious, flickered into existence on his screen. Her eyes, unlike Lian's, glowed with cold calculation, not fragmented wisdom. "The Grand Council's grip is weakening. The Sage's vision will reshape the Realm, and the Alchemists' Guild will be at the forefront of this new order. We offer you a choice, Analyst. Join us. Your unique abilities will be invaluable in ushering in the new age. Your karmic debts will be cleansed. Your future secured. Refuse, and you will be karmically erased. No trace, no memory, no existence. You will become nothing."
Elias's mind raced. Veyra had underestimated him. She thought he was a mercenary, easily bought or intimidated. But he knew her true master, Sage Arthan, and the horrific legacy of his experiments. He couldn't join them. But he couldn't openly defy her either, not yet. He needed to buy more time, to pit his enemies against each other.
He decided on a desperate bluff. He activated his comm, his voice calm, even slightly amused. "Master Veyra," Elias replied, "your offer is... intriguing. However, you seem to be operating under a misconception. I am already allied. Your 'Observer,' Magistrate Lian, has already extended her hand. We are working together to address the systemic imbalances you speak of."
He paused, letting the implication hang in the air: You are late. I have already chosen a side, and it's against you.
"In fact," Elias continued, leaning into the lie, "my recent actions against the Guild were part of our joint strategy. A necessary step to expose deeper flaws, to force certain hands. My loyalty is already pledged."
He watched Veyra's holographic image. Her expression, usually unreadable, flickered with a brief, almost imperceptible surge of anger. The synthesized voice took on a sharper edge. "You lie, Thorne. The Observer is a fragment, a broken tool. It serves no master but its own flawed programming. Its agenda is against the true vision. You have chosen poorly."
The projection vanished, severing the connection. Elias had succeeded in his bluff. He had not only rejected her, but he had also injected a powerful wedge between Veyra and the Observer, creating a false narrative of allegiance that would force Veyra to act.
The result was immediate and terrifying. Minutes later, a series of panicked reports flooded the Bureau's network. Surveillance images from the Guild's hidden facilities showed a flurry of intense activity. Construction teams, elemental technicians, and high-ranking alchemists were moving with unprecedented speed. The resonance bomb, Elias realized with a sickening lurch, was being rushed to completion. His bluff had not bought him time; it had accelerated the timeline. Veyra, infuriated by his perceived alliance with the Observer, was unleashing the weapon early.