Location: Tavara – Presidential Transition Chamber, High Council Annex
The air was still inside the newly renovated chamber—no longer a den of corruption, but a beacon of change. Gold emblems had been stripped from the walls, replaced by a steel plaque that read: Truth. Strength. Unity.
Damien stood with Nora as the interim council signed off on the official transfer of executive powers. But this moment wasn't about titles—it was about setting a new course for Tavara. One free from the grip of Calloway and his cabal.
"We made it," Nora said, her tone carrying a cautious triumph.
"Not yet," Damien replied, eyes scanning the room. "This is just the surface. The real threats don't always wear uniforms or speak in public."
---
Location: East Asia – Crimson Chamber, Hidden Operations Hall
Thousands of miles away, an aged man with silver hair and eyes like obsidian stared at the Tavaran broadcast on a holographic screen. Behind him, rows of elite operatives stood still, their armor marked with a symbol not seen since the Cold Alliances—The Black Lotus Syndicate.
"Damien Kane," he muttered. "The boy grew teeth."
A younger subordinate bowed. "Should we initiate containment?"
The old man chuckled softly. "No. Let him clean house. That only makes it easier for us to walk in once he thinks he's safe."
A red light blinked on the console beside him—Western Europe, Eastern Bloc, even Tavara's neighboring states. All lighting up.
"Begin Phase Zero. Activate the Sleeper Cells."
---
Location: Tavara – Kane Family Estate, Private Balcony
Nora leaned on the stone railing, watching the sun rise over the city she had helped save. But the weight of victory felt fragile.
Damien joined her in silence.
"Do you think they'll come for us?" she asked quietly.
"They already are," he said. "Ashford intercepted chatter from several old allies of Calloway—international, well-funded, silent until now."
"And you?"
"I'm ready. We didn't come this far to lose the world to ghosts."
A moment passed before Nora whispered, "Then let's kill the shadows before they step into the light."
Damien smiled faintly. "Together."
---
Location: Tavara – Deep Archives, Restricted Level Theta
Ashford moved between ancient data banks and hidden records no one was ever meant to find. He'd unlocked something older than Calloway, something that hinted at a deeper conspiracy tying Tavara to secret experiments, forgotten wars, and an alliance of global elites long assumed dead.
A file marked "Eclipse Protocol" began to load.
Ashford's eyes narrowed. "What the hell were you planning, Calloway…"