The ARGUS interface flickered to life on the central holo-table, bathing the Ravenfall team in pale blue light. Lines of encrypted data scrolled across the projection, intersecting with 3D models of locations, crime scenes, and faces.
Luce stood at the edge of the table, arms crossed, eyes fixed on a rotating hologram of the three murdered heads and Elior, Kaia, and the Valgrave professor. The others could feel the tension radiating off him, but no one dared to break his focus.
Sayaka finally spoke. “ARGUS, give us an updated timeline based on our current leads.”
The AI’s calm, synthetic voice responded immediately.
ARGUS: “The murders occurred within a 72-hour window. All victims exhibited precise organ extraction, consistent with the bio-weapon prototype designation Sleeping Gate. Probability of Valken involvement: 87%.”
Raiden’s expression darkened. “So we’re chasing a failed weapon that likes eating hearts. Great.”
Erik, leaning on the table beside him, smirked slightly. “You’ve fought worse.”
Avni ignored the banter, scrolling through the bio-data. “This doesn’t match the Seraph Falk Draganov profile we have on record. Our ‘Seraph’ is not Luce. I think luce is not the Seraph Falk Draganov. Different genetics. Different biometrics.” She tapped the projection and an image appeared — golden hair, golden eyes. The resemblance to Luce was uncanny.
Everyone understood. But lev and Erik came close to luce," Seraph or not, You are our brother by blood or not we don't care".
Damien’s gaze slid to Luce. “You’re not reacting.”
“I’ve seen too many masks to be surprised,” Luce said flatly. But inside, something twisted.
Splitting Up
Elda’s orders were clear: one month to solve the murders, or COMA leadership would change hands.
Avni assigned the teams.
Team One: Luce, Sayaka, Damien, and Veer — tasked with tracking Sleeping Gate’s movement patterns.
Team Two: Raiden, Erik, Ishaan, and Saira — investigating the bio-labs tied to Valken’s earlier operations.
Team Three: Avni, Dev, isolde and Lev — data analysis and ARGUS coordination.
Avni: “Stay in communication. If Sleeping Gate engages, abort unless absolutely necessary. This thing’s killed elite operatives.”
Raiden gave a short nod. “And if it’s not necessary?”
Lev didn’t look up from the console. “Then make it necessary.”
Luce & Damien – Uneasy Allies
In the transport shuttle, Damien glanced sideways at Luce. “You hate me.”
Luce didn’t answer immediately. “I don’t trust you. That’s different.”
Damien smirked faintly. “Fair. But if Sleeping Gate comes for us, you’ll be glad I’m here.”
Sayaka, from the pilot seat, cut in. “If Sleeping Gate comes for us, I’m not relying on anyone’s ego to keep us alive.”
Veer leaned back, arms behind his head. “Relax. We’ll bag this thing before it knows we’re here.”
Luce’s gaze flicked to the window. “It will know. The question is — what will it do when it does?”
Raiden & Erik – Ghosts in the Lab
The abandoned bioweapon facility reeked of mold and rust. ARGUS’s drones hovered ahead, scanning corridors lit only by their own red sensors.
Saira crouched near a broken containment pod. “These cracks aren’t from age. Something broke out.”
Ishaan glanced at Raiden. “Guessing it wasn’t a raccoon.”
Erik’s hand brushed against Raiden’s as they moved forward. “Stay close.”
Raiden: “I thought you liked danger.”60Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ3o1jqDLh9a
Erik: “I like you alive.”
They reached the main chamber — and stopped. A large claw mark scored deep into the steel wall, the grooves still sharp, as if made recently.
Avni & Lev – The Pattern Emerges
Back at base, Avni stood over the data stream, eyes darting over coordinates. “Lev… the attacks form a spiral.”
Lev leaned in, adjusting his glasses. “Spiral towards what?”
Avni enlarged the map. The center point glowed red — an unmarked sector beneath an abandoned Valgrave research wing.
Lev: “…That’s not just an old wing. That’s where Valken was stored before the project failed.”
Avni’s stomach dropped. “Meaning Sleeping Gate isn’t hunting randomly. It’s heading home.”
Cutaway – The Dungeon
Far away, beneath an undisclosed Valgrave safehouse, Gianluca sat in silence, staring at the wall. His lips moved soundlessly. Adrian sat opposite him, sipping tea, as if they were two old friends having a quiet conversation.
Adrian: “The funny thing about monsters is… sometimes they wear crowns. Sometimes they wear your face in the mirror.”
Gianluca blinked slowly. He no longer seemed to understand the words.
Closing Beat
Back in the shuttle, ARGUS’s voice cut through the comms.
ARGUS: “All units — Sleeping Gate sighted. Coordinates transmitting now. Caution advised.”
Luce looked at Sayaka. She was already turning the shuttle.
ns216.73.216.33da2Sayaka: “Strap in. Things are about to get interesting.”
and then Add to home screen.