The hotel suite exuded luxury, its sleek furniture and floor-to-ceiling windows offering a view of the sprawling forest surrounding the clan's estate. Despite the calm, the tension in the room was palpable as we sat together, the weight of our mission settling over us.
Zach leaned against the wall, absently fiddling with his glowing cufflinks, his expression serious. "The domain's energy is growing more erratic. The essence flow is so unstable it's hard to pinpoint its origin. This isn't just a sleeping domain—it's a mess."
I adjusted my tie, my gaze fixed on the distant lights of the clan's compound. "It makes sense. Level three domains—awakened domains—are rare. There are probably only a few hundred on Earth right now. When a clan awakens one, it's usually huge news. But this clan? They kept it a secret. That's what doesn't sit right with me."
Amir raised an eyebrow from where he lounged on the sofa. "What are you saying? That they're hiding something?"
I nodded. "Exactly. A level three domain is a big deal. For them to keep it quiet means either they were planning something, or something went wrong. If the Organization or the Fortune Clan had known about a level three user here—let alone one dying with their domain active—we'd have heard about it."
Nel, standing near the window, crossed her arms. "You're implying they didn't trust the Organization enough to report it. Or worse—they didn't want anyone interfering."
"Guys, it's just a technique. There are like 700 weapons out there that are also at level three," Amir muttered from the corner, double-checking his weapon bag.
Zach pushed off the wall, his voice calm but carrying a weight of knowledge. "Do you know how rare it is to even create a level three domain? When a level two user reaches the pinnacle of their domain—when they can effortlessly manipulate the world's essence inside it—they start to mix in their own essence. It fundamentally changes the domain and the way it interacts with the world. That's what makes it awakened. It's no longer just a reflection of the user's power; it's a piece of them."
Deya's voice cut in, her tone thoughtful as she leaned against the table. "And if that piece of them dies while the domain is active, it leaves behind an unstable fragment—a sleeping domain. Dangerous and almost impossible to dismantle."
"Exactly," Zach said, his cufflinks glowing faintly. "But even reaching that level is rare. It takes precision, mastery, and generations of work. For a clan like this to have someone awaken a domain and keep it hidden? That's… unusual."
Amir whistled low, shaking his head. "So, what? They thought they could handle it on their own and failed?"
"Maybe," I said, my voice low. "Or maybe they didn't want anyone to know they had someone capable of awakening a domain in the first place."
Nel glanced at me, her expression unreadable. "Then why call us now? If they wanted to keep this under wraps, why reach out to the Organization at all?"
"Because they're desperate," I said, my voice level. "They don't have a choice anymore. If this domain collapses, it won't just take their clan with it—it'll take everything around them. That's why we're here."
The room went quiet as my words settled over the group. Finally, Zach broke the silence, his voice steady. "If the clan doesn't tell us everything, we're walking in blind. They need to start talking, or we'll have to figure it out the hard way."
Amir stretched, a grin creeping back onto his face. "If we're doing this the hard way, I just hope they let us keep the suits. Might as well look sharp while risking our necks."
Nel shot him a sharp look, though a faint smile tugged at her lips. "Focus, Amir. This isn't just about looking good. If this goes wrong, it's not just the clan that pays the price—it's the entire area."
I stood, straightening my suit and meeting the gazes of my team. "Then we make sure it doesn't go wrong. Tomorrow, we confront the clan leader. If they're hiding anything, we'll get it out of them. We'll stabilize the domain, figure out what really happened here, and leave no loose ends. Agreed?"
"Agreed," Zach said firmly, the glow of his cufflinks dimming as he crossed his arms.
Deya nodded, her expression unreadable but resolute.
Amir gave a casual salute. "Captain's orders."
Nel stepped forward, her tone calm but commanding. "This mission is for Team One. Remember that. You've all proven you belong here, but this is just the beginning. Stay sharp."
I looked out the window one last time, my reflection staring back at me. This wasn't just about stabilizing a domain or saving a clan. This was about proving that I could lead—proving that we were ready for whatever came next.
"Get some rest," I said, turning back to the team. "Tomorrow, we get answers."