The Draconic System: Rise of To Ascendance

Chapter 43: Lines in the Sand

The tension in the safehouse was thick. Liana sat near the window, her silver hair catching the dim light of the room, while Ayaka leaned against the counter, arms crossed. Raizen stood in the center, deep in thought. House Valen wasn't going to let this go.

The system pulsed.

[New Alert: House Valen's Security Forces Mobilizing]

Raizen exhaled. "We don't have time to rest. They'll be coming for us."

Ayaka sighed, rubbing her temples. "Yeah, well, they're going to have to try a lot harder than sending a few mercs."

Liana finally spoke, her voice calm but firm. "You don't understand. House Valen doesn't lose. When they do, they don't just retaliate—they erase."

Raizen narrowed his eyes. "Then we hit them first."

Ayaka gave him a look. "You're serious?"

Raizen smirked. "Always."

Liana studied him before nodding. "If you want to take the fight to them, I can help. I know how they operate."

The system chimed again.

[New Quest Acquired: Strike First]

Objective: Gather intel on House Valen's primary research lab.

Bonus: Identify any hidden projects.

Raizen met Liana's gaze. "Then we're going hunting."

She smirked. "Good."

The air crackled with anticipation. The real war was about to begin.

Hours later, under the cover of darkness, Raizen, Ayaka, and Liana moved through the industrial district, their footsteps silent on the damp concrete. The research lab was a sprawling facility, its towering security fences humming with energy barriers.

Ayaka pulled up a small holographic map. "This place is locked down tight. If we go in loud, we won't make it out."

Raizen smirked. "Then we don't go in loud."

Liana pointed to a ventilation shaft near the west wing. "That leads to their lower floors. Security is thinner down there, mostly automated turrets and drones."

Raizen nodded. "That's our way in. Let's move."

They approached the fence, staying low. Raizen disabled a section of the barrier using a stolen access key, and they slipped inside. The shadows swallowed them as they moved toward the ventilation shaft.

The moment they entered the facility, the system pulsed.

[Warning: Unidentified Energy Signature Detected]

Raizen frowned. Something was waiting for them.

The research facility loomed before them, a monolithic structure of reinforced steel and energy shielding. The distant hum of security drones echoed through the industrial district as Raizen, Ayaka, and Liana pressed forward under the cover of darkness.

Ayaka adjusted the small holo-display on her wrist. "This place is heavily reinforced. If we screw up, we won't just be running—we'll be erased."

Raizen smirked. "Then we won't screw up."

Liana, crouched beside him, studied the building's perimeter. "We're not the first ones to try breaking in here. House Valen has contingencies. If we trip an alarm, they'll lock this place down in seconds."

Raizen exhaled slowly, checking the stolen security pass he had lifted from one of the mercs earlier. "Then let's not give them a reason to."

They moved fast, sticking to the shadows as they approached the outer fence. Raizen disabled a section of the barrier with practiced efficiency, and the three of them slipped through the gap. The moment they were inside, the system pulsed.

[Warning: Unidentified Energy Signature Detected]

Raizen frowned, scanning the perimeter. "Something's off."

Ayaka gritted her teeth. "I don't like this."

The system pulsed again.

[Alert: Anomaly Detected – Presence Unknown]

Suddenly, the air shifted. A cold, unnatural presence filled the space around them. Liana stiffened, her silver eyes narrowing. "We need to move. Now."

They darted toward the ventilation shaft, slipping inside before whatever was lurking in the shadows could reach them. The passage was tight, the metal walls lined with sensors, but Raizen led the way with measured movements, keeping their presence undetected.

As they emerged into a dimly lit corridor, the security system hummed softly, scanning for intruders. Raizen crouched behind a console, motioning for the others to follow. "We split up from here. Ayaka, find their main control hub and disable security measures. Liana and I will search the lower levels for whatever House Valen is hiding."

Ayaka rolled her eyes. "Of course, you're sticking with the mysterious beauty."

Raizen smirked. "I like to keep things interesting."

Liana merely smirked, adjusting the energy rifle she had taken from the mercs earlier. "Let's go."

As they moved deeper into the facility, Raizen couldn't shake the feeling that they weren't the only ones hunting tonight.