Location: Tavara — Ravenwatch Private Compound
The storm had passed—or so everyone believed. But within the marble walls of the Ravenwatch estate, where silence held secrets hostage, whispers echoed between the pillars of power.
A circular table gleamed beneath the chandeliers. Around it sat The Inner Circle—the clandestine syndicate older than Tavara's crown itself. Each figure wore a mask crafted from obsidian, etched with symbols of animals—Raven, Serpent, Wolf, and more.
At the head of the table sat a woman cloaked in crimson silk, her voice calm and deliberate.
"Our asset Lucien has been neutralized. Victor Kane has consolidated his control, and public sentiment sides with him," she said.
A tall man with a fox mask leaned forward. "Then we redirect. We've groomed candidates within the military, finance ministry, and Tavaran press. Kane's image can be flipped—hero to tyrant."
Another, the Bear mask, grunted. "And the girl? The doctor. She's gaining international traction. The public adores her."
The woman's fingers tapped the table. "Then we turn her miracle into a weapon. If she doesn't join us, she'll be made to fall... or disappear."
A cold chill passed over the table. No names were spoken, but the decision was sealed.
---
Location: Kane Global R&D Lab – East Tavara
Victor stood inside a new development wing, flanked by digital displays and prototype tech. Nora was reviewing classified surveillance footage.
"There's chatter about you in the darker corners of the web," she said, turning to him. "They're laying a narrative. That you seized control of Tavara through subversion, not strength."
Victor crossed his arms. "Let them. If they want to draw me out, I'll give them a reason to come into the light."
"Then we need to be ready," Nora said. "They know we're united. That makes us powerful... but also a threat."
Victor turned toward a holographic model of Tavara's political network. Several nodes glowed in red. "It's time we expose the Inner Circle. Every rat hole. Every corrupted channel. We burn it all."
Just then, Victor's secure line rang—a voice scrambled but urgent.
"They've made a move. Ambassador Gumo's convoy was hit."
Nora gasped. "Joseph? He was with Tavara's foreign mission!"
Victor's jaw clenched. "Send my unit. If they've declared war, they'll get one."
---
Location: Inner Circle Operations Vault – Unknown
The woman in red turned off the feed.
"Begin the next phase," she said. "Release Project Echofall. Let Tavara drown in its own silence."
A panel opened, revealing vials glowing faintly blue—biotech, ancient and forbidden.