The morning light filtered through the grimy windows of the old tenement, casting long, broken shadows across the floor. The city was stirring, but inside, Max, Rachel, and Evelyn were planning their next move. The air was thick with the scent of dampness and decay, a fitting backdrop for the dark machinations they were up against.
Max stared at the map Leo had given them, tracing the network of tunnels with his finger. "The financial district," he muttered, "that's where we need to go next. We stopped the immediate threat, but The Serpent's lair is there. We need to strike at the heart."
Rachel, her face drawn with exhaustion but eyes sharp with determination, leaned over the map. "If we can get inside, we might find something to lead us to this mysterious puppet master. The one pulling The Serpent's strings."
