In the underbelly of Drevala, beneath the glittering towers of Aeris Holdings, a secret chamber hummed with power. Lit only by flickering crimson runes and the soft crackle of dark energy, the room felt ancient… wrong.
And at the center of it stood Milo Varn—flawless in a charcoal-gray suit, hair slicked back, and eyes that held the calm cruelty of a seasoned killer.
He didn't speak. He didn't need to.
The room bowed to him.
🩸 Blood Over Shadow
An old man in ceremonial robes finished tracing a glyph into the air.
"The last seal is weakening. Aegros stirs beneath the bones of the old world."
Milo gave a half-smile, untouched by the weight of prophecy.
"Then it's time to prepare Velmora for his awakening."
Another figure stepped forward, cloaked and faceless.
"And the Golding boy?"
"Still hiding," Milo said, sipping his wine. "Still playing human."
He set the glass down.
"But not for long."
🧊 Enter: The Obsidian Circle
The chamber shifted—walls parting to reveal a large round table where seven cloaked figures appeared via projection.
This was the Obsidian Circle—a cabal of ancient wealth, corrupted sects, and immortal ambition.
Each voice came filtered and modulated.
"You've moved too soon, Varn."
"The world is not ready."
"Chess Golding still breathes."
Milo smiled thinly.
"Exactly why we must strike before he remembers who he really is."
A different voice responded, curious and cold.
"And Elsa Jefferson?"
Milo's smile curved sharper.
"She's the key. And she doesn't even know it."
🕷 Silas Returns to the Fold
Suddenly, the chamber door opened, and in walked Silas Kade—dressed in sleek navy, smirking like he owned the air.
He bowed slightly to Milo.
"You summoned me."
"You failed, Silas."
"Elsa's walls are higher than we thought," Silas said, jaw tight. "She's getting smarter."
Milo stood slowly, walking toward him with measured grace.
"She's not getting smarter. She's being protected. By something ancient."
"You mean Chess?"
"No," Milo said, voice colder now. "I mean the bloodline inside her. She's not just a Jefferson. She's marked."
Silas blinked. "What?"
Milo's hand flared briefly, revealing a ghostly sigil that hovered in the air between them.
"Her lineage traces back to the Celestial Keepers. She's a conduit. And if we control her, we control the Gates."
"And if we kill her?"
"Then everything collapses. Including the Gate you want opened."
☠️ Dark Deals and Shadow Markets
Milo turned to the holographic council again.
"I'll send Ash-born assassins to Drevala. Let them pressure Jefferson Global. Squeeze their banks. Poison their partnerships."
"And the Golding boy?" one asked.
"Let him remain in the shadows," Milo said smoothly. "Let him think he's still in control."
A dark chuckle swept through the chamber.
"You're playing with dragons, Varn."
"Good," Milo said. "Let them come."
He snapped his fingers.
The runes flared.
The earth trembled beneath them.
"This time, we don't just awaken the old gods… we become them."