Location: Eastern Tavara – Obsidian Forest Outpost
The moon hung low, veiled by wisps of icy clouds as a convoy of matte-black vehicles wound through the shadows of the Obsidian Forest. The convoy stopped before an ancient, ivy-draped manor built into the cliffside. Soldiers stepped out silently. At the center, she emerged.
Tall. Pale. Barefoot. Her body was lean but deadly, eyes glowing faintly violet.
She was the Widow's Vessel.
Inside the manor, an assembly of international mercenaries, rogue scientists, and former Watch operatives waited in disciplined silence.
The White Widow descended the spiral staircase like a phantom. All eyes turned to her.
"She's ready," the Widow said, gesturing to the girl.
Dr. Myles, head of the Weaponization Division, hesitated. "But she's only eighteen—barely trained."
"She's not meant to be trained," the Widow said. "She's meant to remember."
With a flick of her fingers, the girl knelt and began whispering in an ancient dialect none could decipher. Her body trembled as dark tendrils of aura curled from her spine, wrapping around her like smoke.
Then… a flash of power.
Myles stumbled back. "What the hell was that?"
The Widow smiled. "Her first memory."
---
Location: Tavara – Blackthorne Estate, War Room
Victor slammed the file onto the glass table. "She's alive. The Vessel."
Damien's jaw clenched. Nora narrowed her eyes at the surveillance footage showing the girl vaporizing a tree just by touching it.
"How's that possible?" Damien muttered.
"She's not just a vessel. She's a memory host," Victor explained. "They fed her the residual consciousness of the first Ascendant—an ancient warrior sealed centuries ago."
Dr. Elijah added, "This isn't just biotech anymore. We're dealing with memory-based possession. Every ability she has—every instinct—is inherited from something inhuman."
Nora turned toward Damien. "She's a walking time bomb."
"She's a message," Damien said grimly. "And it's meant for me."
---
Location: Grand Colline Estate – Widow's Private Chamber
The Vessel sat in silence, meditating in mid-air.
"You feel him, don't you?" the White Widow asked, pouring a glass of aged wine.
The girl opened her eyes. "He's afraid of himself."
The Widow grinned. "That makes him vulnerable. You'll face him soon. But not to kill him."
"Then why?"
"To awaken what he buried."
The girl tilted her head. "What did he bury?"
The White Widow's smile faded. "The truth."
---
Location: Blackthorne Estate – Secret Garden
That night, Nora stood in the moonlit garden, staring at the stars. Damien found her there, his eyes soft but shadowed.
"She's just a child," Nora whispered.
"She's a weapon," Damien replied.
Nora turned to him. "So were you. Once."
Damien looked away.
She stepped closer. "Don't forget who you are while trying to stop what you fear. Because I won't let you lose yourself. Not again."
He pulled her into his arms, holding her tightly.
"I'm fighting for you, Nora. And for the world our daughter will grow up in."
"And I'll be right here. No matter how dark it gets."