Chapter 12: The Gamble of Gods
Evelyn entered Lance's hastily organized hideout which was basically an old room within a dilapidated industrial site. Swiftly her eye hunted over the peeling paint, the cracked walls, and the makeshift table in the middle of the room. Of all the gloomy things in the surrounding, one thing stood out- the artifact.
It had been sitting there on the table and vaguely pulsing with an unnatural light. Alive with itself, almost sentient; the presence made the air feel heavy, as though the entire room was holding its breath.
Evelyn crossed her arms and leaned against the wall while studying Lance. He was sitting across from the artifact, in a strangely relaxed posture, but she knew and saw the tension in his clenched jaw and the flicker of something unreadable in his eyes.
"Care to explain why I had to dodge bullets to come and see you?" she requested, in her sharpest tone.
Lance did not say anything for a moment, just reached out to the artifact and drew his fingers lightly across its surface. The glow brightened for a moment, and Evelyn was certain that she heard whispers below- their low, mournful murmur gave her chills.
"Do you know what this is?" At last, Lance said, with that level, but razor's edge tone that invited attention.
Evelyn hesitated. "A death trap, if you ask me."
A ghost of a smile floated over Lance's lips. "It's power. Raw, unfiltered, and it is the reason we are still alive."
Evelyn pushed off from the wall, brows furrowed. "Alive? Lance, this thing nearly killed us last time. Whatever power it holds, it's not worth dying for."
"That's where you're wrong," Lance replied, his eyes locking onto hers. "It's not just about surviving anymore, Evelyn. It's about control. If we can figure out how to unlock this thing's full potential, we won't just live—we'll dominate."
Before Evelyn could respond, the door creaked open, and Vex strode in, shaking off the rain that clung to his leather jacket. He looked as disheveled as ever, but his sharp eyes missed nothing.
"Got your favor done," he said gruffly, tossing a damp envelope onto the table. "But you're not going to like this."
Lance opened the envelope, his gaze flicking over the contents. For the briefest moment, his calm demeanor cracked, and Evelyn caught a glimpse of genuine concern.
"What is it?" she asked, stepping closer.
"The Syndicate isn't done yet," Lance muttered, tossing the paper back onto the table. "They're shifting their operations. West side of the city. And they're not just after us anymore—they're targeting the other families."
"Why would they do that?" Evelyn asked, her voice tinged with alarm.
Lance stood, his mind already racing. "Because they think I'll join them. And if I don't, they want to burn down my options."
Evelyn felt a knot form in her stomach. "So what's the plan?"
Lance's smirk returned, sharper than before. "We use the chaos to our advantage. They think they're hunting us, they just don't know what's gonna hit them."
Later that night, as Evelyn tried to rest in the corner of the hideout, Lance sat alone with the artifact. The faint glow bathed his face, and the whispers grew louder the longer he held it.
"Unrivaled power" the voice murmured. "The path to godhood begins with a single step."
Lance's grip tightened. He didn't trust the artifact—not fully—but there was no denying its allure. It was as if it spoke directly to the darkest corners of his ambition, offering a promise he couldn't ignore.
A sudden thought struck him: the artifact wasn't just a tool; it was a test. If he could unlock its secrets, he wouldn't just be feared. He would be unstoppable.
But the artifact's power came with a price. Lance could feel it, a subtle pull at the edges of his mind, as though it demanded something in return.
"I'll play your game," Lance muttered under his breath, his eyes narrowing. "But on my terms."
The next morning, Lance gathered Evelyn and Vex around the table.
"There's no point hiding anymore," Lance announced. "The Syndicate is moving, and the families will be scrambling to protect their turf. We're going to use the chaos to our advantage."
"And do what?" Evelyn asked, her skepticism evident.
Lance's smirk widened. "We're going to steal something even they don't know they're guarding—an artifact linked to this one. Something that will make the Syndicate's operations look like child's play."
Evelyn's eyes widened. "You're serious."
"Dead serious," Lance replied.
Vex let out a low whistle. "You've got a death wish, boss."
"No," Lance said, his tone calm but resolute. "I've got a godhood wish."
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