Elias sat on the edge of his bed, staring at his trembling hands. The silence around him was oppressive, suffocating even. He could still hear the echo of Emma's scream in his ears, her betrayal still fresh in his mind. The task was completed — the target eliminated. But the cost of it weighed more heavily than any reward he'd received.
His watch buzzed.
Task Update:
Reward: Increased Intelligence (Level 2).
"Use this wisely. You've made a decision. Now make it count."
Elias stared at the message. Intelligence. He could feel it coursing through him, the sharpness of his thoughts cutting through the fog of guilt and shame that had settled in his mind.
Character Spotlight: Glitch
Name: Glitch
Age: 28
Profession: Hacker, intelligence strategist
Appearance: Medium-height, with messy black hair, a pale face, and sharp eyes hidden behind a pair of round, thick-rimmed glasses. Always seen in casual, dark clothes.
Attitude: Focused, calm, and strategic. Believes in the power of information but holds a deep-seated mistrust of authority.
Flaws: Has a tendency to act impulsively when emotionally invested, often relying on logic over empathy.
Fate: Currently acting as Elias's ally, though his true intentions remain a mystery.
---
The next morning, Elias made his way to Kane's headquarters, a towering structure in the heart of the city. It loomed over everything, casting long shadows on the streets below. Inside, everything was sleek, cold, and unforgiving.
He approached Kane's office, his footsteps echoing in the empty hallway. As he reached the door, he hesitated. The watch on his wrist buzzed again, and he took a deep breath, bracing himself.
Task Update:
New Ability Unlocked: Emotional Detachment (Level 1).
"Survive the next task, and you'll learn more. Don't let emotions cloud your judgment."
Elias clenched his fists. Emotional detachment? Was that really who he was becoming? He opened the door and stepped inside.
Kane was sitting behind his desk, his back to Elias, as usual. The room was dimly lit, the only light coming from the city skyline outside the windows.
"Good morning, Elias," Kane's voice boomed. "I trust everything went according to plan?"
Elias nodded, his mind a whirl of confusion. "It's done."
Kane turned to face him, a slight smirk on his face. "Good. Very good. You've earned your place here."
Elias's heart pounded in his chest. "What's next?"
---
In real life, emotional detachment can be a dangerous tool. Some individuals use it to survive in high-stakes environments, but over time, it can lead to an erosion of personal connections and a loss of one's humanity. Elias was now learning that the watch, Kane, and this new life were demanding a price. The question was — how much would he be willing to pay?
---
Just as Elias was about to leave Kane's office, his phone buzzed. It was a text from Glitch.
Text from Glitch:
There's something you need to see. Meet me at the alley behind the old bakery. Don't trust Kane.
Elias's stomach dropped. Something was wrong. He knew it. His mind flashed to the image of Emma lying motionless, the gun still in his hand. What had he done?
He made his way to the alley, glancing over his shoulder as if expecting someone to be following him.
When he arrived, Glitch was waiting, leaning against the brick wall. He stepped forward, his expression tense.
"What's going on?" Elias asked, his voice barely a whisper.
Glitch hesitated before pulling out a small USB drive. "I've been digging into Kane's past. There's something you need to know — something about your family."
Elias frowned. "My family? What does Kane have to do with them?"
"You'll see," Glitch replied, his voice low. "You can't trust him, Elias. He's been playing you from the start."
Elias took the USB drive, his fingers trembling. He could feel the walls closing in on him. This was bigger than he ever imagined. What had he gotten himself into?
---
Character Spotlight: Elias
Name: Elias
Age: 26
Profession: Former soldier, now an operative for Kane's organization
Appearance: Tall, athletic build, short dark hair, sharp jawline, and intense green eyes. Wears black tactical clothing for most of his missions.
Attitude: Quiet, determined, and often brooding. He has a strong moral compass but is conflicted by the tasks he's been assigned.
Flaws: Struggles with guilt, loyalty, and his moral compass, especially as the stakes continue to rise.
Fate: Torn between loyalty to Kane and his growing suspicions about the organization, Elias is on the edge of a dangerous revelation.
---
Back in his apartment, Elias sat at his desk, inserting the USB drive into his computer. The screen flickered to life, and he watched as files upon files of encrypted information unfolded before him. His heart raced as he clicked on one labeled "Family History."
The document was brief, but it was all he needed to see.
"Subject: Elias' Family — Classified"
Details:
Elias's father, Victor, had been involved with Kane's organization many years ago. He had been one of Kane's most trusted operatives before mysteriously disappearing. The file revealed that Kane had orchestrated his father's fall from grace, leading to his death.
The revelation hit Elias like a punch to the gut. His father's death had not been an accident, not a random act of violence — it had been a deliberate act. By Kane.
Elias's hands shook as he closed the file. The walls around him felt like they were crumbling. He'd been used. His father had been used.
---
Elias stared at the screen, the weight of the truth sinking in. He wasn't just a pawn in Kane's game. He was part of a much larger plan, one that involved his family, his past, and his future.
He had to make a choice now — stay loyal to Kane and complete the tasks, or break free and seek justice for his father.
The decision was clear.
---