Serex arrived at his boss' building, feeling tense and nervous. While on the road, he had countless thoughts that raced through his mind.Should he go ahead? Or not?Questions like these made him uneasy about the action he was about to take. But despite contemplating severally, he still found himself at the doorstep.Serex paused for a moment, trying to catch his breath as his heart thudded in his chest, making it difficult to focus.He was already at Jace's apartment with nothing but the knowledge that what he was about to do would surely damage his conscience.However, there was no turning back.He took in a deep breath and reached for the door's lock, praying that his boss had not dared to have the passcode changed.On his first attempt, he felt his hands shaking as he imputed the code and waited.[WRONG CODE]“I must have made a mistake.” Jace told himself as he attempted to try again.On his second trial, the door clicked open and Serex let out a heavy sigh. When he entered, he d

Jace arrived at Velmora Institute later than expected. He had to devise a way in after mapping out the building. He decided that sneaking in was preferable and would keep his identity unknown.When he got near, he did not rush but observed.He noticed the security rotations and entry patterns, things he was not expecting to see in a medical institute, and he mapped them all. Then with a heave of breath, he approached, not the door, but the maintenance wing. He had noticed that it was the oldest section of the structure and that it had barely been used.Jace brought out a pair of gloves he had taken before coming out, since he wanted perfect action; that was what he needed to hide his trace. He slid his hand across the panel near the side entrance, and it unlocked. The institute did not smell like the usual antiseptic he was expecting it to smell like. It was something else, but Jace could not dwell his mind on that. He has something important to do. To rescue Serex's brother and even

Nova sat alone in the dark room. The only thing she could make out of the room was a tiny window, a stack of broken-down machinery she had not noticed earlier, and a chair.It has been hours since Ryker told her he would be back, and she was already tired of waiting. The whole place seemed eerie, and she did not think she would stay there for so long. What was even scarier to her was that she was hearing things like the cry of a child begging to be saved.It was terrifying.Suddenly, she stood up without a reason and approached the door. Her brother's voice echoed in her head to not leave the room, but she could not stay again.“If I stay for another hour, I might begin to question my mental state,” she said to herself as she walked out.When she got to the corridor, it was empty, so she heaved a sigh and began to take a cautious stroll.“No one comes here,” she told herself as she navigated the dark path. After some minutes of endless walking, she came to a halt at the beginning of a

After Serex had been taken away, a bodyguard arrived and bowed.“Mr. President is on his way,” the man told him.Lazik's jaws tightened.“He thinks because he is of high social status he can waltz in here and get out as he likes,” he muttered to himself.Just then Ryker entered and bowed.“You sent for me, sir.”Lazik nodded.“You are aware we have Jace in our custody, right?”“Yes, sir.”“Right now, his powers are being suppressed, but we have no idea what he can do later on.”Ryker did not say anything; he only stood, listening. As long as it wasn't concerning Nova, he was good.“Jace is strong; the system confirmed it, and we are unable to access his abilities due to a bridged wall between his core and that of Crowe's.”“Does that mean Crowe's core is overshadowing that of Jace?” Ryker dared to ask.Lazik shot him a look.“Yes, but it is only like that because this building had the ability to weaken and control Crowe's core. He was built here, so we have the ability to control him.

After Ryker had gone, Lazik entered his office and took a deep breath. The president had arrived; that was even more pressure on him. The specimens had failed, leaving barely a few. Even the conditions of these few were not yet certain. But at least he had Jace Riven. That was more than an accomplishment. “Good day, Mr. President." Lazik said as soon as he entered. The president said nothing as he walked to the desk. Then he took a chair and sat. With a hand, he ordered his bodyguards out. “The specimens?” “They–they–” “They what?” “We tried to sustain them, but their systems kept on failing.” “You told me you needed them, and I made them available to you. So what is this I'm hearing from you?" the man said in a calm yet stern tone. “Draxion is a poor town with people dealing with malnutrition. Their health is so poor to match up to the standards of the operation.” Lazik explained. “So it was a pure failure?” “Not really. We are still testing the remaining two wit