The alley was completely quiet, save for the distant rumble of the city.
Varian Haldrek, Guildmaster of the Rift Research Division, pinned against the wall with Asher's knife hanging above his throat. His breath came fast, fear glinting in his sharp green eyes.
Seraphine lingered behind Asher, eyes scanning the dim streets for patrols. They didn't have much time.
"L-let's discuss this," Varian stuttered. "You can negotiate for whatever you want."
Asher smirked. "Oh, we will."
He drove the blade a little nearer, enough that the cold steel pinched at Varian's skin.
"I need access to the Vault of Origins. You're going to be part of us opening it."
Varian's eyes widened. "That's impossible. Do you understand what you're asking for? The Vault is—"
Asher cut him off. "Eight layers of security, the last needing your biometric signature. Yeah, I know."
Varian gulped. "Then you also know that once we go in, we can't get back out. "The Guild will hunt you until your final breath."
Asher's silver eyes gleamed. "They already are."
Varian hesitated. He could see it — the utter determination in Asher's eyes. There was no escape.
"Even if I agree, the security system will pick up on unauthorized access," Varian said warily. The instant you step over the line, alarms will —"
Reed's voice came crackling through their earpieces.
"On it already," he whispered. "I just infected the Guild's surveillance feed with a data virus. You'll have a five-minute interval before the system reboots."
Asher smirked. "Seems your excuse just went poof."
Varian swallowed hard. "You're making a mistake."
Seraphine chuckled darkly. "That's the fun part."
Patting the necom that had imprinted on him to follow, they snaked through the outback down darkened back streets until they finally reached the security perimeter around the Guild Headquarters.
The vast edifice loomed over them — steel, magic and surveillance all fused together.
Reed's voice crackled through their earpieces. "The front entrance is a death trap. But there's a venting access point by the east wing. Small, but manageable."
Seraphine smirked. "Thank goodness we're not hauling around a brute like Kael."
Asher glanced at Varian. "Can he fit?"
Varian glared. "I'm not slithering through a vent like some common criminal."
Asher seized him by his collar. "Then I will carry you unconscious."
Varian sighed. "Fine. But if I die, I'm haunting you.'"
They shimmied into the vents, crawling through dark, narrow passageways. The metal creaked with their weight, but they were quick and soundless.
A few turns led them into a chained-off corridor, just outside the Vault access chamber.
Seraphine exhaled. "No turning back now."
Before them loomed the massive vault door — reinforced titanium overlaid with layers of magical glyphs.
Seven security panels lit up in sequence.
Reed's voice came through. "I can switch off the first six locks from afar. But the last one? That's all on Varian."
Varian hesitated.
Asher put a hand on his shoulder. "You open this, and we walk away. No killing. No unnecessary violence."
Varian narrowed his eyes. "I don't believe you."
Seraphine rolled her eyes. "Do you have a choice?"
Breathing heavily, Varian stepped up and placed his palm against the last scanner. It flashed red, then showed green on the system.
Vault access granted.
The door rumbled open, a dark chamber lay beyond.
Asher shared a glance with Seraphine. Then, their lips sealed—they made their way indoors.
The chamber was not at all like they'd imagined.
Wherever the shelves might have been packed with dusty scrolls or records, the room was lined with massive containment pods. Each contained something — something that appeared human, but was not.
Seraphine's breath hitched. "What… the hell?"
Asher moved forward, scanning the faces of the suspended bodies.
And then, he saw it.
A pod deep in the back of the room.
The figure inside was him.
At least, he appeared to be, at least.
Asher froze.
His hands curled into fists. His breath grew sharp.
"What… is this?"
Varian exhaled shakily. "The Vault of Origins is not merely a vault of history."
His voice was grim.
"It's where the failed attempts go."
Asher turned, all dark expression. "Explain. Now."
Varian paused, then he spoke.
"The world is not as you think it is. The Guild…the Rifts…the power struggles — it's all part of a cycle. And you? You're part of it too."
He gestured toward the pod.
"You've existed before. Many times. Whenever it happens, it all resets, and you — whoever you are — become reborn into different lives."
Seraphine's eyes widened. "That's impossible."
Varian shook his head. "It's the truth. And the Guild? They've been attempting to keep it under control. To recreate it. That's what these experiments are."
Asher's stomach twisted.
His recollections of his former existence. The sense of déjà vu.
Had it all been engineered?
His voice was soft but deeply staccato.
"Who created the cycle?"
Varian's eyes darkened.
"No one knows. But those who profit from it? They sit on top of this world."
Silence filled the chamber.
Something boiled inside Asher.
Anger. Disgust. Determination.
"I'm changing that cycle," he said.
Varian let out a breath. "Then you will have to go over the Guild. You'll have to pursue the real rulers of this world."
Seraphine clenched her fists. "Then the Guild, and we work our way up."
Asher smirked. "Agreed."
Then—
A red lights flashed through the chamber.
Reed's voice roared in their earpieces.
"Damn it! The system rebooted early! The Guild's security forces are coming — you have less than two minutes!"
Seraphine cursed. "We need to move!"
Asher reached for Varian and yanked him closer by the collar. "You're coming with us."
Varian scowled. "Like hell I am."
But, before he could object, Asher floored him with a clean blow.
Seraphine smirked. "I was hoping you'd do that."
Asher exhaled. "Let's go."
They faced the exit, prepared to battle their way out.
But then—
A silhouette entered the vault.
A man clad in golden armor, half of his face covered by a mask.
His aura radiated power.
Asher's breath stilled.
Because this man was not just any Guild enforcer.
He was one of the Architects.
And he was smiling.
"Ah," the man mused. "So you finally discovered the truth."
He tilted his head.
"Are we ready to start your next lesson?"
Asher felt the rage burn in his eyes.
This battle… would determine it all.