Cael sat in a dark room, dim light brushing across his serious expression. He spoke quietly to someone on the other end of the line.
"You understand what we're trying to achieve," Cael said coldly. "F-E-R-O-M 9…"
"There are four variants, each with its own purpose. Alpha – Ignis, Beta – Flux, Gamma – Vail, and Omega – Sereon. I want all of these pheroms shipped to the ports in Russia and Switzerland within two days."
"Yes, sir."
He ended the call and took a long breath. Outside, the Italian night remained calm and silent. Inside Cael's mind, however, every piece of his plan was falling perfectly into place.
---
The morning sun rose over a small Italian town, soft light reflecting off old stone walls. Eric walked along a narrow street, his eyes constantly scanning his surroundings. Noah and Liam moved with him in silence, watching every corner. This mission mattered. They had to stop F-E-R-O-M 9 from falling into the wrong hands and being sold across multiple countries.
"We need to move fast," Liam whispered as he checked a digital map. "Our target's in an old warehouse at the end of this street. According to intel Jay sent… the owner of F-E-R-O-M 9 isn't ordinary." He paused briefly before finishing the sentence.
Eric nodded. Clara's memory tugged at his thoughts, but this wasn't the time. He took a steady breath, forcing the emotional noise down.
Noah glanced at him. "Focus on the mission, Eric. Whatever happened before… set it aside. We have a job to do."
They reached the warehouse. The rusted metal door looked old, but solid. Liam tapped a few commands into a scanner. The small screen lit up with three heat signatures. One confirmed the presence of F-E-R-O-M 9.
"All variants are here," Liam whispered, pointing at the display. "Alpha – Ignis, Beta – Flux, Gamma – Vail, and Omega – Sereon. All four."
Eric swallowed. "Four variants… if even one falls into the wrong hands, the consequences would be massive."
They slipped in through the back entrance. Cold air wrapped around them, thick with the smell of old metal and oil. The warehouse was empty, silent except for water dripping from a leaking roof.
Then, from the shadows, a man stepped forward.
Tall. Broad-shouldered. Confident.
C-A-E-L.
He stood with his arms crossed, eyes calmly assessing them. "Ah… looks like we have guests," he said, his voice smooth but threatening.
"Cael," Eric said quietly, his heart racing. "You're the one controlling F-E-R-O-M 9?"
Cael smirked. "I'm the one keeping everything in order. These four variants… only I understand their true value. And anyone who interferes will pay the price."
Noah stepped forward, positioning himself beside Eric. "We're not letting F-E-R-O-M 9 go anywhere."
Cael chuckled softly and clapped his hands once. "Brave… but naive. Everything's already planned. Don't expect to walk out alive if you try to stop me."
Eric exchanged a glance with Liam and Noah. No words were needed. They all understood. They had to secure F-E-R-O-M 9 and get out alive.
Cael moved toward a metal rack, reaching for a reinforced container. The light caught its label.
Alpha – Ignis.
His smile widened, but his eyes drifted toward another box.
Omega – Sereon.
Eric's chest tightened. "We have to take all of them," Noah whispered close to him. "If even one stays here… we don't know what could happen."
The silent battle began.
They moved through shadows, slipping between steel racks, hearts pounding with every step Cael took closer. One thing became clear fast. Cael wasn't just bold. He was smart. And he was watching everything.
At the far end of the warehouse, Cael reached for F-E-R-O-M 9 Omega – Sereon. Eric locked eyes with him, suspicion creeping in.
Something about this man felt wrong. Too composed. Too controlled.
This wasn't just the start of a mission.
It was the beginning of something darker.
---
Eric, Noah, and Liam moved quickly between the metal shelves, adrenaline surging. The warehouse smelled of rust and oil, flickering neon lights sharpening the tension. Cael was only a few steps ahead, still holding the Omega – Sereon container.
"We need to break his defense," Liam whispered, motioning Eric and Noah toward the shadows. "If we chase him head-on, we get nothing."
Eric nodded, forcing his focus back where it belonged. Clara, emotions, doubts — all of it had to wait.
Noah activated a small device. Thick smoke poured out near the racks. Cael raised an eyebrow, momentarily surprised, but his smile never faded.
"Clever," he said calmly. "But not enough."
The sound of his voice sent a chill through Eric.
In the chaos, Liam reached the rack holding Alpha – Ignis and Beta – Flux, pulling both containers toward their position. Eric and Noah moved for Gamma – Vail, but Cael was fast. He slammed his hand against the rack, the Gamma container slipping dangerously close to the edge.
"Careful!" Eric snapped. "Don't damage the variant!"
Too late.
Cael caught the rack effortlessly and smirked. "If you want it," he said quietly, "you'll have to take it from me."
The silent fight continued — footsteps, swift movements, the hiss of gadgets echoing through the warehouse. Eric kicked the rack, knocking Gamma – Vail toward Noah. Liam had already secured Alpha and Beta.
Just as they were about to finish, Cael moved again — quick, calculated. He tapped the Omega container in his hand, eyes locked on them.
"So," he said softly, "you really are brave. But is bravery enough to get you out alive?"
Eric paused, studying him. Everything about Cael felt intentional. Trained. Prepared. Like he had been waiting for them.
Liam raised his hand in signal. "One chance. Now."
Eric and Noah moved in perfect sync, flooding the area with smoke again. In the confusion, they secured Gamma – Vail and Omega – Sereon.
Cael shouted, lunging forward — too late.
They burst out of the warehouse, breathing hard, hearts racing. When Eric looked back, Cael stood in the doorway, watching them with a slow, knowing smile.
"You haven't seen what's coming," Cael said quietly, his voice heavy with threat.
Eric looked at Noah and Liam. Relief mixed with unease. They had all four F-E-R-O-M 9 variants — but something felt wrong.
Cael wasn't finished.
The mission was a success, but his shadow lingered. Whatever lay ahead would be far more dangerous.
This was only the beginning.
F-E-R-O-M 9 was just one piece of a much larger puzzle.