As night fell, Barkley was still walking in the abandoned industrial area. After passing through the secret passage of the warehouse, the complex emotions in his heart were like accumulated dark clouds, covering the surface of every thought. He recalled the words his father said in the video countless times, and felt the rope of fate tightening little by little. The genes in his body, the cracks in time and space, these words kept interweaving in his mind, and the sacrifice of his parents and the pursuit of the Shadow Council made him feel powerless.
After walking through several blocks, Barkley finally arrived at the next location indicated by Blake. The building in front of him was obviously an abandoned subway station. The entrance was blocked by rusty iron fences, but there was enough space between the iron fences for him to barely squeeze through.
Standing at the entrance of the subway station, Barkley was full of doubts. What is this abandoned subway station? Why did Blake give him such a coordinate? He still remembered that Blake said that there were more clues hidden here, and there might even be further instructions left by his parents.
Barkley walked down the stairs step by step, and the abandoned lights flickered, like the light of dying struggle, illuminating the dilapidated walls and the dust on the ground. As the footsteps echoed in the empty space, he felt a chill creep up his spine. This place had obviously been abandoned for many years, but it seemed that people still moved around here from time to time.
The underground platform was empty, without a trace of people. The remnants of past advertisements could still be seen on the surrounding walls, but these advertisements had long been blurred by the erosion of time. Barkley glanced around and found no obvious guidance, or even any signs to tell him what to do next.
Standing on the edge of the subway track, Barkley felt confused again. He looked down at the electronic card left by his father, his heart full of questions. Why is this abandoned subway station so important? What information did his parents hide?
Just as he hesitated, he suddenly heard footsteps behind him. Barkley turned around abruptly, his heartbeat accelerated, and his hand involuntarily touched the tools prepared for self-defense at his waist. Who is coming? A pursuer of the Shadow Council, or an enemy who has been lurking for a long time?
As the footsteps gradually approached, a tall figure walked out from the dark corner of the subway station. Barkley saw clearly that it was a woman, wearing a dark windbreaker, with messy hair but with a sense of power. Her face was partially obscured by the dim light, but her eyes were as sharp as a knife, as if she could see through everything.
"Are you Barkley Bolton?" The woman stood a few meters away, her voice calm and low.
Barkley did not answer immediately, but looked at her vigilantly. Who is this woman? Why is she here? Is she an enemy or a friend?
"Who are you?" Barkley did not respond to her question, but asked back.
The woman smiled slightly, with a bit of irony and indifference in her smile. "My name is Lena, an old friend of your father." She said, and took out a metal badge from the inside of the windbreaker, engraved with a complex symbol. Barkley did not recognize this symbol, but subconsciously felt that it seemed to represent some kind of organization.
"Your parents and I once fought side by side." Lena said slowly, "Before they were targeted by the Shadow Council, we had been fighting against that evil organization together. Their research touched the core interests of the Council, so they were forced to separate. Your parents were forced to hide, and I had to hide my identity, but our goal has never changed-stop the Shadow Council."
Barkley was shocked when he heard her mention her parents. Is this mysterious woman really an ally of her parents? Who is the "we" she mentioned? Does her understanding of her parents mean that she knows more of the truth?
"How do you prove that what you said is true?" Buckley's tone was still full of defense. Years of tax evasion made him extremely skeptical of anything involving conspiracy and secrets.
Lena sighed softly, then took out an old photo from her pocket and handed it to Buckley. Buckley hesitated, took the photo, looked at it carefully, and was shocked and speechless.
The photo shows his parents in their youth, standing in a background similar to a laboratory, and standing side by side with them is Lena in front of him. She looked much younger than she does now, smiling and full of youthful vigor. Buckley recognized the photo because he had seen similar photos among his parents' old things, but he had never seen this strange woman at that time.
"This photo was taken when we were working together on a key research project," Lena said lightly, "That was your parents' most glorious moment, and it was also the starting point of our confrontation with the Shadow Council."
Buckley's defenses weakened a little, but the doubts in his heart still existed. "What exactly is your research? Why is the Shadow Council hunting us?"
Lena took a deep breath and leaned against the stone pillar of the subway station, her eyes becoming profound and complex. "We are studying a technology that can change the laws of the universe." She whispered, as if every word carried a huge weight. "This technology can manipulate the power of time and space, and establish a connection with the space-time rift through special genetic coding. We originally thought that this was a step for mankind to move towards the future, but when we discovered its potential harm, it was too late."
Buckley's mind flashed quickly through the words in his father's video. His genes resonate with the space-time rift. Does this mean that some kind of power in his body can activate this technology?
"You mean, the genes in my body are the key to this technology?" Barkley asked, with uncontrollable doubt and fear in his voice.
Lena nodded, her eyes full of sadness. "Yes, your parents implanted this technology into your genes, trying to block it so that the Shadow Council cannot find a complete solution. But now, as you gradually discover these secrets, the Shadow Council is already hunting you down. They know you are the only key." Lena's voice was low and firm, and her eyes were locked on Barkley, as if weighing whether he was ready to face this storm.
Barkley felt his chest oppressed, and an invisible pressure made it difficult for him to breathe. His parents' last wishes, the secrets in his genes, the pursuit of the Shadow Council - all of this was gradually approaching, and he realized that he could no longer escape.
"So what should I do?" Barkley asked, with anxiety and helplessness in his voice. He never thought that he would become the core of such a complex conspiracy. Although his life was not perfect, it was at least simple. Now everything has become so chaotic.
Lena did not answer immediately, but looked up at the worn-out lamps on the ceiling, as if thinking about something. After a while, she slowly said: "First, you need to find your true allies. Although the Shadow Council is powerful, not everyone is willing to obey their will. Before your parents left, we had established some resistance forces, and they are still active in the dark."
Barkley was stunned for a moment, and a glimmer of hope suddenly rose in his heart. "You mean, there are other people who can help us fight the Shadow Council?"
Lena nodded. "Yes, you are not fighting alone." She took out a small data card from her windbreaker and handed it to Buckley. "There are some of our contact points on it, which is also your next destination. Find them, and they will help you unlock the technology left by your parents. We need time to make a more comprehensive plan, but the genetic information in your body is the key."
Barkley took the data card, and mixed emotions surged in his heart. He didn't know if he could trust Lena, but her words at least provided a new path. Even though the road ahead was still unclear, he had no way to retreat.
"One more thing." Lena's tone suddenly became more serious. "I don't know if you realize that the leader of the Shadow Council, the 'Dark Eye', has a strong interest in you. He not only wants to control the genetic technology in your body, but he also has a certain obsession with your existence itself."
"Dark Eye?" Barkley frowned. He had never heard of this name, but it sounded chilling.
Lena nodded. "He is the soul of the Shadow Council and the manipulator behind the entire organization. His research on space-time rifts has long surpassed the understanding of conventional science. He believes that he can change the fate of the universe by manipulating space-time. You may not only be a tool to him, but also an...unsolved mystery."
Barkley's heart suddenly felt cold. If what he said was true, then he was not only the target of the Shadow Council, but also part of a more terrible plan. His existence may have far exceeded the scope of technology for the Shadow Council, and even related to the order of the universe.
"So I have to find these resistance forces next?" Barkley asked subconsciously, trying to sort out his thoughts.
"Yes." Lena said firmly, "This is the last clue your parents left you. Find them and unlock the lock in your genes. Only in this way can you confront the Shadow Council head-on."
Barkley was silent for a moment. He knew he had no choice. The sacrifice of his parents, the power of the space-time rift, and even the threat of the Shadow Council were constantly pushing him forward. Whether he wanted to or not, he had been involved in this earth-shaking conspiracy.
"Okay, I'll find them." Barkley finally made up his mind and said, with a hint of determination in his eyes.
Lena nodded with satisfaction, then took out a hand-drawn map from her windbreaker pocket, with several locations marked on it. "This is your first stop, an abandoned research institute not far from here. We once hid a lot of important information and supplies there. Maybe you can find some clues there."
Barkley took the map and looked at the marks on it carefully. He had never been to that place, but the map clearly indicated the direction to go. This abandoned research institute may be the key starting point for him to explore the truth. Buckley held the map tightly, and had already decided on the next move in his mind.
"Is there anything else I should know?" He asked Lena, wanting to make sure he was well prepared.
Lena frowned slightly, as if thinking about something. She raised her head and looked at Buckley seriously: "You must remember that not everyone in the resistance is completely trustworthy. There may be traitors among us, or people infiltrated by the Shadow Council. So, stay alert and pay attention to everything around you at all times."
Buckley nodded, he knew that Lena was right. After a career in tax evasion, he always had a high standard for trust. Now, he must be more cautious, because every misjudgment may lead to fatal consequences.
"Okay." Barkley turned around and prepared to leave, but before he took a step, he turned back and asked, "Lena, why are you still here? Why don't you go with me to find these clues?"
Lena's eyes flashed with a trace of heaviness that was difficult to conceal. She paused for a moment and whispered, "I still have some things of my own to deal with... but I will keep up with you. You need to understand that I am the number one target of the Shadow Council, just like you. We can't be exposed at the same time, which will put us all in a more dangerous situation."
Barkley didn't fully understand her reasons, but he knew that at this moment he could only rely on the clues in his hand and his own judgment to act. He nodded, then turned and walked out of the abandoned subway station, with Lena gradually disappearing in the darkness behind him.
Standing in the cold night wind, Barkley felt a sense of inexplicable loneliness. Although he had just met his parents' old friends and obtained some new clues, all this did not seem to make him feel more at ease. On the contrary, as more secrets were revealed, he felt that the danger around him was getting stronger. Behind every clue, there seemed to be more puzzles and crises lurking.
Barkley confirmed the direction from the map, quickly crossed the block, and headed towards the location of the abandoned institute.
The street lights on both sides of the road flickered intermittently, as if silently watching him move forward. The abandoned city seemed to have been asleep for many years, and only the occasional alarm in the distance reminded him that the city was still tightly controlled by the Shadow Council. He had to act quickly, otherwise there would be pursuers soon.
A few hours later, Barkley finally arrived at the outskirts of the institute. This is a deserted industrial area, with rust-covered fences and dilapidated factory buildings that look like no one has been here for a long time. Although the building of the institute is dilapidated, it still retains a unique atmosphere. It is more solid than the surrounding buildings, as if it was once some kind of highly confidential experimental site.
Barkley looked around and confirmed that he was not being followed. He carefully drilled through the gap in the fence and entered the scope of the institute.
After stepping into the ruins of the institute, a pungent chemical smell hit his face. Obviously, a large number of experiments had been carried out here. Various broken equipment and documents were scattered on the ground, which had been eroded by wind and rain and were almost unrecognizable. Buckley quickly walked through the messy laboratory, trying to find the hidden supplies and clues mentioned by Lena.
In the corner of a room with a broken wall, Buckley found a hidden entrance to an underground passage. The passage was blocked by a heavy steel plate, and it seemed that a specific password or key was required to open it. Buckley thought to himself, maybe this is the "clue" mentioned by Lena.
He fumbled with the electronic card left by his father, and suddenly remembered a string of numbers that his father mentioned in the video that day. Maybe that was the password to open this door?
He entered the string of numbers his father said, the screen flashed a few times, and then the steel plate slowly opened, revealing a deep underground passage. Buckley was shocked, took a deep breath, and walked in.
The underground passage was narrower than he thought, and the walls around were full of rusty pipes, and the air was filled with damp and decayed smells. There was no lighting in the passage, and Buckley could only rely on the weak light of the flashlight to barely move forward.
After a tortuous road, he came to a huge metal door. The door was engraved with complex symbols that looked like some kind of ancient language. Buckley didn't understand the meaning of these symbols, but he knew that behind this door might be hidden the secrets that his parents had studied in the past, or even the technology that could change the fate of the universe.
He stood in front of the door, his heartbeat speeding up involuntarily. When his hand was on the door handle, he felt an indescribable tension and expectation. Buckley knew that once this door was opened, his life would be completely changed.
He took a deep breath and turned the door handle hard.
The door slowly opened, and dazzling light shot out from behind the door, illuminating Buckley's face. He squinted his eyes, trying to see the scene behind the door clearly.
A huge laboratory appeared in front of him, like a scene from a science fiction movie. In the center of the laboratory stood a complex device, flashing a faint blue light, and seemed to be operating weakly.
Buckley stood at the door and felt a sense of urgency that he had never felt before. Is this the secret left by his parents? He stepped into the laboratory, and the air around him seemed to be still.
However, just as he approached the device, footsteps suddenly came from behind him. Barkley turned his head suddenly and saw a tall, blurry figure standing at the entrance of the passage, slowly walking towards him.
"Finally found you, Barkley Bolton." The deep voice was chilling.
Barkley's heart instantly rose to his throat - he had heard this voice before, it belonged to the leader of the Shadow Council, the man known as the "Eye of Darkness".
The pursuit finally reached him.