Ethan—now Caleb Raine—stepped into the next phase of the game. The identity change was more than just a name; it was a complete transformation. His past no longer mattered. From this moment forward, he was one of them. The first real test was waiting. The syndicate had arranged a meeting with one of their top enforcers, someone who would assess his worth and determine whether he could be trusted. If he failed this initial interaction, it wouldn't just mean rejection—it would mean elimination. The instructions were precise. He was to meet at a private club, a place reserved for the market's elite, a location where only those with real influence could enter. The club itself was hidden within an unmarked high-rise, accessible only through biometric clearance. Caleb walked toward the entrance, his heart steady but his mind racing. As he reached the door, a sleek scanner glowed blue before a robotic voice spoke. "Identity confirmed. Welcome, Caleb Raine." He stepped inside.
The club was unlike anything he had ever seen. A sprawling, futuristic lounge filled with figures dressed in tailored suits and dark attire, all of them powerful players in the Time Market. The air was thick with tension, with whispered deals being made in every corner. But Caleb knew the real danger wasn't in the open. It was in the shadows, where the true decision-makers watched. He spotted his contact almost immediately. A man sat in a private booth near the back, dressed in all black, his silver watch glinting under the dim lights. Dante Voss. The syndicate's executioner. The man responsible for keeping the organization clean—by any means necessary.
Caleb approached, keeping his posture confident but not arrogant. This was a delicate balance. He had to appear valuable but not threatening. Dante's eyes flicked up, scanning him with unreadable intensity. "Sit," Dante said, his voice smooth but carrying an edge of warning. Caleb slid into the seat across from him, feeling the weight of the moment. "You made quite the impression at the auction," Dante continued, swirling a drink in his glass. "Enough that people are talking. That can be dangerous." Caleb didn't flinch. "I didn't come here to be invisible," he said. Dante smirked slightly, but there was no humor in his eyes. "Good. We don't need ghosts. We need people who understand the stakes." He leaned forward, his expression darkening. "So tell me, Caleb, if someone came to you with a deal too good to be true, would you take it?"
Caleb held his gaze. He knew this was a test. A trick question. The syndicate didn't respect desperation. They respected calculation. "Depends who's offering," Caleb said evenly. "And whether they understand what they're actually selling." Dante watched him for a long moment before exhaling in amusement. "Smart answer." He took a sip of his drink, eyes still locked on Caleb. "You're here because people think you can handle the real game. But words are cheap. So let's see what you can really do." He pulled a small device from his pocket and slid it across the table. A time transaction ledger. Encrypted. And locked. "There's a deal happening tomorrow," Dante said. "A shipment of time credits—biggest transfer in months. But there's a problem. Someone's trying to steal it before it reaches the market. We want to know who." Caleb glanced down at the device. This wasn't just an initiation. This was a trap. If he failed, he'd be disposable. If he succeeded, he'd prove he belonged. He picked up the ledger, feeling the weight of his decision. "I'll get you what you need," he said. Dante's smirk widened slightly. "Good. Then let's see if you're worth keeping." Caleb stood, pocketing the device as he walked toward the exit. He could feel Dante's gaze still on him, watching, assessing. This was only the beginning. The real test was still ahead. And in this game, failure meant death.