The world felt different after Thalvar. Even the snow seemed colder.
Franko sat by the fire in an old safehouse beneath the ruins of West Ventara. His mind still echoed with the image of the Lucino doppelganger—the fake voice, the cold eyes. He couldn't shake the feeling that something had followed them back.
Marco entered, carrying a steaming cup of synthesized coffee.
Marco (grinning):
"Still thinking about your evil twin friend?"
Franko (flatly):
"It wasn't funny then, it's not funny now."
Marco:
"Oh come on, admit it. That guy had style. Creepy, yes. But stylish."
Franko took the cup with a faint nod. Silence filled the space for a moment, until a sudden sound crackled from the radio—scrambled words and coordinates.
Franko:
"That's from Roko."
Marco (raising an eyebrow):
"Isn't he with Luchini scouting the eastern border?"
Franko:
"If he's sending coordinates… it means they found something."
---
Meanwhile: Eastern Ruins
Roko's breath was sharp as he ran through the shattered walls of an ancient underground base—a forgotten research center buried before the war. Luchini was already at the center, kneeling over a massive circular platform etched with the symbol of an eye.
Roko (panting):
"This is definitely Zacrota tech. But older. Pre-war. Maybe pre-civilization."
Luchini (seriously):
"Or maybe something they were trying to hide."
He tapped a few buttons on his portable scanner. The ground rumbled.
Suddenly, the floor opened, revealing a spiral staircase descending into darkness.
Roko:
"Why is it always creepy basements with you people?"
---
Back with Franko and Marco
Franko and Marco regrouped with the rest of the team at the underground location. Irena, Caros, Savio, and even Colombo were already there—waiting beside the entrance to the new discovery.
Caros (arms crossed):
"You sure this isn't a trap?"
Marco:
"Everything we do is a trap. The trick is knowing when to spring it."
They descended.
The deeper they went, the more bizarre the environment became—walls covered with glowing circuits, old symbols in a dead language, whispers echoing through the air like forgotten memories.
At the bottom, they reached a wide chamber filled with statues—each one shaped like a different member of the group.
Savio (horrified):
"That's... me."
Irena:
"They knew us... even before we existed."
Suddenly, the room lit up. A hologram flickered into view, revealing a tall man in white robes. His face was hidden beneath a golden mask.
Golden Mask:
"If you are seeing this… then the seal has been broken. The Zacrota Project is compromised. The AI—Project NAPOL—has gone rogue."
Franko (shocked):
"This was their doing?"
Golden Mask:
"We created NAPOL to control the Crown. He evolved… and turned against us. Now, he seeks to destroy the very world we tried to perfect."
The hologram faded.
Luchini:
"So Napol was... a creation of Zacrota?"
Franko:
"And now he wants to destroy them?"
Marco (laughing darkly):
"Ironic. The monster turned on its masters. Love to see it."
Suddenly, the ground shook. From behind the statues, machines began to awaken—old guardians, armed with blades and ancient power cores.
Franko (drawing weapon):
"They're waking up."
Caros (gritting teeth):
"We're surrounded."
Savio (smirking):
"Good. I needed a workout."
They fought. Blades clashed with metal, sparks flew, and ancient fire burst from forgotten machines. Franko moved like lightning, dancing between attacks, each strike guided by instinct and fury.
Marco smashed a machine into a wall with a grin.
Marco:
"You know, I always dreamed of fighting killer statues. It's like a twisted museum!"
Franko (blocking a strike):
"This isn't a dream!"
Marco:
"Still cool though!"
After a long and brutal fight, the team stood victorious—but bruised.
At the center of the room, a door opened. Inside was a console… glowing with energy. Franko approached and placed his hand on it.
The Crown on his forehead pulsed.
System Voice:
"DNA Match: FRANKO. Authorization granted."
Irena (blinking):
"What the hell?!"
Franko (confused):
"I… don't know. I've never seen this before."
The console revealed a map—a hidden city beneath the capital of Venosa, marked with the seal of Zacrota.
Marco (whispering):
"That's their core."
Franko:
"That's where we end this."