Ethiopia – Rock-Hewn Churches, Lalibela
The air in Lalibela was thick with incense and whispered prayers. Carved deep into the earth, the ancient churches stood as both sanctuaries and puzzles—each one rumored to hide keys to something older than religion itself. But Damien and Nora weren't here for faith. They were hunting legacy.
Inside Bete Medhane Alem, the largest of the rock-hewn churches, Nora paced beneath soaring arches, her eyes tracing the ancient Amharic inscriptions etched into the walls.
"This is where Kiyomi's coordinates ended," she said, checking the data chip once more. "But the vault isn't above—it's beneath."
Damien knelt beside a stone altar, pressing on its edge until it clicked. A narrow shaft opened with a gust of stale air.
"After you," he said grimly.
The descent was silent and steep. Ancient stairs spiraled into darkness. But at the bottom, they stepped into a chamber lit by bioluminescent vines, the air buzzing with unseen energy.
In the center stood a sarcophagus.
"She's in there?" Damien asked.
"No," Nora said. "But something she left behind is."
Inside lay not a body, but a crystal disk—etched with codes, maps, and a voiceprint. When activated, a soft voice spoke:
> "My name is Aiko. Daughter of Kiyomi. If you're hearing this, it means they've found me. I am the third Seraphim."
Nora stared in shock. "Her voice… it's familiar."
Damien narrowed his eyes. "You know her?"
A flash of memory hit Nora—a charity gala in Cape Town, a soft-spoken tech prodigy with the same eyes. "She worked with the Accord. Her alias was Rena Wu."
"But she's been missing for two years," Damien muttered. "Which means Archer might already have her."
---
In Johannesburg, South Africa – Underground Syndicate Compound
Elijah Vale's body slammed against the interrogation chair. Blood trailed down his cheek, but his eyes were defiant.
"I'm not giving you anything," he spat.
Lucien loomed over him, grinning. "Oh, you already have. Your face is all the access I need."
He held up a retinal scanner. "Damien thought shielding you would protect his bloodline. But now? I have you, and soon, I'll have her."
---
In Ethiopia – Lalibela – Just Outside the Vault
Nora's phone buzzed. One message. A single image.
Elijah. Bound. Bruised. A gun pressed to his temple.
Her face went cold. "They took your brother."
Damien's jaw clenched. "Then we burn every city they hide in."
But as they moved to exit, a drone dropped through the shaft above, landing beside the sarcophagus. A red light blinked once—then exploded.