"I swear," Rin whispered, brushing her fingers over Ari's bandaged hand, "if I knew who did this to you…"
Her voice trembled. "If I knew…"
A sudden heat burned behind her eyes. Her chest tightened, her fists clenched.
"…I'd make them pay."
"You might get your chance," came a voice from behind.
Rin turned sharply, startled.
Standing in the entrance, flanked by soft golden light from the hallway, was Raj—impeccable as ever in his sleek black and gold suit. His signature mask hung behind him like a symbol of authority and silence, yet his gaze now held none of that stoicism. Only quiet resolve.
Behind him stood Vcorvex, arms crossed but clearly uneasy, and Athena, her expression unreadable.
"Raj?" Rin stood slowly. "What… what do you mean?"
"Captain," Vcorvex interjected. "This is against protocol. She's not cleared—"
Raj held up a hand without looking. "She deserves to know."
He stepped inside, his voice low but unwavering.
"Ammit didn't act alone. This wasn't some rogue terrorist attack or a one-man vendetta. There's an organization behind him. Ancient. Powerful. Hidden from most of the world. We call them The Eidolon Order."
Rin blinked. The name felt cold. Distant. Like a warning etched into history.
"What do they want?"
"I can't give you specifics," Raj said, "but they orchestrated the attack on the city. And they wanted Ari out of the way."
Rin's voice darkened. "Where can I find them?"
Athena immediately stepped forward. "Rin, don't. I advise against that. This goes far deeper than you can imagine—"
Just then, the door burst open.
"Captain," Newt panted, stepping in. "Something's happening."
He paused as he saw Rin. A moment of tension passed before Raj nodded once in permission. Without another word, Raj followed Newt out into the hallway. Vcorvex and Athena exchanged glances, then trailed behind, leaving Rin alone for only a second.
But that second was all she needed.
She slipped after them silently.
They entered the debriefing room, a space humming with energy. Screens flickered, holograms rotated midair, tactical maps bloomed across glass surfaces.
Raj stood at the head of the room like a storm waiting to break.
"Continue," he said.
Newt swallowed. "We have a confirmed sighting. Typhon. The current wielder of the Typhon Protocol. Spotted just five miles west of the city. Near Sector W."
Vcorvex slammed a hand on the console. "Damn it. That was their plan. Drain Raj's energy with Ammit. Keep him distracted and weak. It's a layered attack."
A quiet voice came from the door.
"Is this Typhon… part of the Eidolon Order?"
Heads turned.
Rin stood there.
Stunned silence.
"How long has she—" Newt muttered.
Raj didn't flinch. "Yes."
Rin's eyes sharpened. "Then I'm going after them."
"Wait—" Illumina stepped forward, reaching out. "Rin—where are you going?!"
She didn't answer. Just turned and bolted out the room.
Illumina shouted again, but the door had already slid shut behind her.
The rest of the team stood in stunned stillness.
Newt blinked. "What the hell just happened?"
Athena turned toward Raj.
Her eyes narrowed.
"You left the door unlocked," she said slowly. "You knew she was there. You wanted her to hear."
Raj didn't deny it.
"Why?" she asked again, more quietly this time.
He turned to the far wall, where Ari's vitals were being remotely monitored. A soft hum pulsed from her life support graph.
"She's special," Raj said. "She's in pain. And something stirred in my Resonance when I felt her enter that room."
Athena's jaw tightened. "You're gambling on emotion. That's not like you."
"I'm gambling on instinct," he corrected. "Something ancient is waking in her. The world needs more than the old guard now. It needs sparks."
Athena exhaled, frustration written all over her.
"Let's just hope you didn't send a grieving girl to her own funeral," she murmured. "Because war is coming, Captain. And this time…"
She looked toward the door Rin had disappeared through.
"…we might not survive it."
---