The Sanctuary was hidden deep in the woods north of the city. Trees swayed violently in the wind as the helicopter descended. Morgan guided them from the monitor.
"We have a small clearing to the east of the compound. Land there."
John manoeuvred the helicopter through the twisting branches and brought it down gently in the clearing. They stepped out into the bitter wind and cold, rain striking their faces like icy needles.
Rita scanned the perimeter with her flashlight. "Quiet. Too quiet."
John looked toward the dark silhouette of the compound. "He wants us inside."
Morgan typed rapidly on his tablet. "Security is active, but nothing is moving. No guards. No patrols. It is as if the place has been abandoned."
John replied, "Or as if they are watching from somewhere we cannot see."
They approached the compound entrance. The building was a massive structure of reinforced concrete and steel, partially covered by the surrounding forest. The entrance was secured by a biometric lock.
Morgan connected a portable device to the lock. "Give me a moment."
The lock beeped, scanned, then clicked open.
Rita whispered, "That was easy."
Morgan looked uneasy. "Too easy."
The door opened silently, revealing a long corridor illuminated by cold white lights.
John took a step inside.
Rita followed.
Morgan hesitated. "I do not like this."
John looked back at him. "Neither do I. But we go forward."
Together, they entered the Sanctuary.
Inside, the air felt different. Heavy. Still. As if everything within the walls had been waiting for them. They moved down the corridor, passing sealed rooms with dark glass windows.
Morgan kept scanning. "There are power surges deeper inside. The Vault is active."
Rita whispered, "Someone turned it on."
John did not break stride. "Then he is expecting us."
They reached a large steel door marked The Vault.
Morgan stepped forward and scanned the interface. "This lock is different. It requires a code."
As he worked, the lights above them flickered.
A soft click echoed behind the door.
Rita inhaled sharply. "Did it just unlock itself?"
Morgan stepped back. "I did not touch anything."
The steel door slid open slowly.
Cold air seeped out.
John stepped forward with controlled caution and crossed the threshold.
Inside the Vault, lights came to life one by one, revealing a large circular chamber. The walls were lined with screens and data consoles. In the centre of the room stood a glass pod sealed with frost.
Rita approached the pod slowly. "What is that?"
Morgan's tablet beeped. "The Raymond Project. This is it."
John approached the pod, his heart pounding.
Inside the glass chamber was a recorded message screen.
A name appeared on the display.
Harold Raymond
Rita's eyes widened. "Your father?"
John stepped closer. "Play it."
The chamber lights dimmed. The recording began.
Harold Raymond appeared on the screen, older than John remembered him, tired but resolute.
"John," he said. "If you are watching this, then the House of Shadows has reached deep enough to threaten everything I built. This project was never meant for the Benefactor. It was meant for you."
John felt the world close around him.
Rita whispered, "John…"
The recording continued.
"I kept this hidden because I knew the Benefactor would try to control you the way he controlled me. Everything he plans leads to one destination. Your inheritance."
Morgan swallowed hard. "Your father knew about him."
Harold's voice grew deeper.
"The Benefactor is not a man. He is a legacy. One that was passed down long before I entered this world. And now, he seeks to pass it to you."
John froze.
Harold's final words echoed through the vault.
"You must decide if you will break the chain, or continue it."
The screen went dark.
Silence filled the room.
Rita slowly turned toward John. "What does this mean?"
Before John could answer, a voice echoed from the entrance of the Vault.
"It means, John, that your father was the last man who refused the crown."
They spun around.
The Benefactor stood at the doorway.
Calm.
Unshaken.
Waiting.