Chapter 56: Liam’s Resolve

That godforsaken night ended, and morning came soon after.

sfx: BOOM!

The was the sound of Liam’s impact across the compound as he struck the soil of USOV with devastating force. The entire ground beneath his feet cratered so violently that the shockwaves spiraled nearly a hundred meters in all directions. The main facility building trembled, as if an earthquake was happening in the next block.

Inside, agents froze mid-task as the thunderous impact reverberated through the walls. It was really that bad as everyone had to abandon their duties and rush toward the entrance to assess the situation.

Lucien and Grey had been seated across from each other on the leather sofas in Grey’s office when the building shuddered. Their eyes darted around the room for a moment, papers fluttering slightly from Grey’s desk, before Lucien’s steely gaze locked onto Grey’s.

“He’s here,” Lucien said simply.

Grey nodded without a word and rose from his sofa, striding away from his office to go check what was unfolding outside. The raging figure of Liam walked through the facility’s entrance. He looked sleep deprived, with carved dark hollows beneath his eyes—of course he hadn’t slept.

Someone had taken Yaela right from under his nose, and there wasn’t a corner of Detroit he hadn’t torn through in his desperate search. His appearance told the story of his anguish: white shirt untucked and wrinkled, black pants looking cluttered with shoes scuffed from running through every alley and street he could find.

As Liam entered the lobby, every agent instinctively stepped aside, parting away as they could sense the barely contained fury radiating from him, and none wanted to become the target of that anger right now.

Elaine and Amir stood at the far end of the lobby, watching the entrance with growing concern, especially as people gathered around it. Then they saw Liam approaching with an entirely lack of composure.

“We need to talk to him,” Elaine whispered urgently to Amir. They quickened their pace toward him, but when they got close, within five meters, Liam’s gaze shifted to them in such a way that both agents froze mid-step, suddenly uncertain whether approaching was wise or safe.

In over a week working alongside Liam, they had never witnessed him like this. Never. Liam’s attention returned to the staircase, dismissing them entirely as he continued his march upward.

Director Grey positioned himself at the upper-level railing, looking down to assess the situation. He watched as Liam ascended the stairs, taking in the disheveled appearance and the dangerous energy that seemed to crackle around him.

Grey’s expression remained neutral and without a word, he turned and walked back into his office, knowing Liam would follow. The assembled agents below exchanged uncertain glances as Liam disappeared into the director’s office, then slowly began dispersing back to their duties, though whispered conversations continued throughout the lobby.

“I have never seen him like that before,” Elaine murmured to Amir as they remained rooted in place.

“It felt like approaching a nuclear bomb that could detonate at any second,” Amir replied, still shaken by the brief encounter with Liam’s fury.

The moment Liam entered Grey’s office, the director closed the door behind him, and Lucien rose from his seat, opening his mouth to speak. “What hap—”

“They took her.” Liam’s voice cut through the air, resonant with barely controlled rage. “Whoever the hell these people are, they took my sister.”

Lucien leaned forward slightly. “Explain what happened.”

“Someone approached me in my dreams, it was a woman. She knew my full name, called me by it.” Liam’s hands clenched into fists at his sides. “She told me I couldn’t hide from them anymore, that they would take everyone I care about.” He paused, the memory clearly torturing him. “I woke up immediately, and Yaela was gone. I’ve searched everywhere I can think of in Detroit, every street, every building, every possible hiding place, and not a single trace.”

Lucien’s expression darkened. “Somnahira,” he said quietly. “The Goddess of Dreams. She’s one of the thirteen family heads.”

Liam’s eyes widened, shock momentarily replacing his fury.

“What are you trying to say?” Grey stepped forward, his voice heavy with regret. “I thought we had more time.”

Lucien turned to face the director. “It doesn’t look like we do anymore. They know about him now.”

“What the fuck are you both talking about?!” Liam’s voice exploded through the room. He needed answers, not cryptic exchanges between the two men who seemed to be speaking in code.

Lucien met his gaze directly. “I’m saying your existence has been exposed, Liam. The family heads have discovered what you are, and they’re coming for you.”

“But I was powerless in that dream,” Liam protested, confusion mixing with his anger. “She could have killed me in my sleep if she wanted to. Why take Yaela instead?”

“Because this is all entertainment to beings like them,” Lucien explained, his voice was cold. “They want to watch you lose everything slowly, piece by piece, before they finally claim your life. This is exactly what I feared would happen.”

He continued, “For all we know, your sister might already be dead. But they want to see you fight, want to watch you struggle and claw your way to their doorstep. Then, right when you’re within reach of saving her, they’ll snuff the life out of you.”

Lightning energy erupted across Liam’s body in response to Lucien’s words. His aura surged so powerfully that both men had to step back and steady themselves against the overwhelming force. Throughout the USOV facility, every person felt the crushing intensity of that energy pressing against them, making it difficult to draw breath.

Lucien however, stepped closer to Liam despite the dangerous energy crackling around him. “Good. Now take all that anger, all that frustration, and channel it exactly where it belongs—at them.”

Liam raised his head, lightning dancing in his eyes as he spoke in a terrifying voice. “I will kill every single one of them.” Then in that instant, he transformed into a streak of pure lightning, traveling through the building’s electrical systems, bulbs and wires, before materializing outside the facility.

A second later, he vanished out of sight

…

Several minutes after Liam’s dramatic departure, Grey sat in his chair behind the desk, his face etched with deep concern and doubt. “Was there really a need to go that far?” he asked, looking directly at Lucien.

Lucien, who had remained standing near the sofa, moved closer to Grey’s desk. “After so many years of waiting, we finally have even the smallest chance at success, and you think we should do what? Let it slip away because some stupid kid couldn’t separate fantasy from reality?”

Grey sighed deeply, searching for words that wouldn’t come. His discomfort with the situation was evident in every line of his face.

“What we just forced him to confront is the reality he will face,” Lucien continued, his voice hardening. “In fact, it would have probably been worse if he didn’t buckle himself up right now to understand who the real enemies are.”

Lucien turned toward the door, straightening his jacket. “I have to leave for New York immediately. At least now I know what to tell the President about our situation. I’ll keep in touch.”

With that, he walked out of Grey’s office, closing the door behind him.

Grey rubbed his forehead as frustration and guilt warred within him, knowing that a motion events that could save or damn them all, had just been set.

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