Location; Swiss Alps – Council of Eight Fortress
The air inside the fortress thickened with tension as Damien stepped through the mirrored corridor, each footstep echoing like a countdown. His pulse thrummed in his ears, not from fear, but from the avalanche of betrayal that had just taken human form—his Uncle Sebastian.
The council members turned in alarm as Damien entered the chamber uninvited. Security didn't stop him—because half of them worked for him. Archer's betrayal had taught him one thing: loyalty must be cultivated, but control must be absolute.
Sebastian O'Connor stood at the ninth chair, clothed in obsidian robes with a pendant that mirrored Damien's own—only older, deeper in hue, like a relic that had witnessed empires crumble.
"I wondered when you'd show up," Sebastian said coolly. "Blood always returns to the root."
Damien's jaw clenched. "You faked your death. Hid behind my father's back. Manipulated the Council. Why?"
Sebastian's laugh was quiet, sorrowful even. "Because Tavara was never the endgame, Damien. It was just a seed. The real roots run through Cairo, Moscow, Seoul, São Paulo, and Nairobi. You think this war started with Archer?"
The Council erupted in whispers.
"I've read the journals," Damien snapped. "The Ninth Bloodline. Genetic keys. You're using the Council to unlock a prophecy."
Sebastian stepped closer, his eyes burning like lit coals. "Not a prophecy—an obligation. We were chosen. Before even birth. Look around, nephew. The world is aligning. The twins under the dying moon have been born."
Damien's blood ran cold. He remembered the cryptic warning from his mother's dream. Two lights, destined to either heal or tear the world asunder.
Could it be Nora and... Jun?
Before he could react, the chamber's emergency sirens flared red.
"Security breach!" a guard yelled. "Multiple inbound choppers—unmarked!"
Location; Tokyo, Japan – Underground Archives
Nora stared at Jun. His resemblance to her mother wasn't coincidental. The data drive he'd handed her revealed encrypted blood charts, dates, and DNA simulations showing a shared maternal ancestor. They were cousins. And Jun wasn't just a kid—he was a living backup of the Divina Genome Project.
"The prophecy talks about the twins," Jun said, pointing to an illuminated scroll. "But it was never clear which generation. All we know is that the key to peace or destruction lies in those born during the Eclipse Moon."
Nora's fingers hovered over a map. "I was born that night."
Jun nodded. "So was I."
Suddenly, Nora felt a searing pain in her head. Memories—not hers—rushed in. Needles. Chanting. Fires. Her mother screaming her name.
"We're being watched," Jun whispered. "They've activated a neural beacon from inside your pendant."
Nora yanked the pendant off and smashed it. The room's ambient lights shifted.
"Now they can't trace us," Jun said. "But we only have hours before they shut this whole bunker down."
Nora loaded her weapon. "Then let's take what we need and burn the rest."
Location; Tavara – Valemont Estate
While Damien and Nora fought in different parts of the world, their allies were beginning to question the balance of power.
At the Valemont Estate, Damien's cousin, Celeste O'Connor—a former Interpol analyst turned corporate strategist—reviewed encrypted Council intel stolen by Layla's team.
"What if Damien isn't the key?" she asked, turning to Damian's younger sister, Alina.
"What do you mean?" Alina asked cautiously.
Celeste's eyes were grave. "What if the bloodline prophecy was a misdirection… and the real danger isn't in unlocking the prophecy, but in fulfilling it?"