The fresh air of Geneva hit Ethan's face as he walked toward the CERN facilities, carrying a suitcase filled with forged documents and technological devices provided by Spectro. He knew this place was a nest of dangerous secrets, but he also knew that here he would find answers about the mist, the creatures, and perhaps the fate of his sister.
Before crossing the main gates, he reviewed the documents one last time. His fake identity presented him as an independent researcher interested in collaborating on particle physics projects. It was a weak cover, but enough to go unnoticed… at least for now.
Upon entering, Ethan felt a tightness in his chest. The security guards were watching him too closely, their eyes scanning him from head to toe. He tried to stay calm as he headed to the reception area.
"Good morning," Ethan said to the receptionist, forcing a polite smile. "I'm Dr. Liam Carter. I'm here to review some files related to advanced experiments in particle physics and dimensions. I've read reports about how certain phenomena could influence our understanding of the universe."
The receptionist nodded without raising suspicion, but Ethan noticed how one of the guards exchanged a quick glance with another nearby employee. "Too soon," Ethan thought. They were already on alert.
Once inside, Ethan began to move cautiously. While pretending to be interested in informational panels about particle colliders, his eyes searched for cameras and blind spots in the hallways. He knew he didn't have much time before someone discovered his true intention.
As he moved forward, he casually mentioned more general terms during a brief conversation with a local scientist.
"I've been reading about how certain physical phenomena might have implications in other dimensions. Something about how particles interact under extreme conditions. Have you worked on anything like that here?"
The reaction was immediate: the man paled and quickly changed the subject.
"I don't know anything about that," the scientist replied, avoiding eye contact. "Here we only study standard particle physics."
Ethan smiled inwardly. He had struck a nerve.
"Are you sure?" Ethan insisted, feigning innocent curiosity. "I've read reports about experiments related to dimensional rifts. Something about opening portals to other realities. I thought maybe you'd have more information here."
The scientist swallowed, visibly uncomfortable.
"Those rumors are exaggerations. There's no proof that anything like that has happened here. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have work to do."
The man quickly walked away, leaving Ethan alone in the hallway. He pressed his lips together, realizing he had hit the mark. CERN was hiding something big.
Using the hacked device Spectro had provided, Ethan managed to access restricted areas of CERN. The heavy doors opened silently in front of him, revealing dark, damp hallways. The air smelled of old metal and electricity.
Finally, he reached a hidden underground room. In the center, a holographic map floated above a circular platform. Ethan approached slowly, his heart pounding as he examined the displayed coordinates.
The map highlighted several points of anomalous activity around the world: Silver Ridge, Kango, Zandara… and Geneva. He recognized each of those places. They were sites where the creatures had appeared, where entire families had been destroyed, and Zandara was where his sister had disappeared. But what chilled his blood the most was seeing that the Geneva coordinates matched exactly with CERN.
"This can't be a coincidence," Ethan muttered to himself.
Among the classified files, he found documents confirming his worst fears. For decades, CERN had been studying dimensional anomalies, attempting to open stable portals to other realities. One project that caught his attention was called the "Threshold Project." According to the reports, this project hadn't been created by them but was the name they gave to the initial appearance of the mist, a phenomenon that had covered the entire southern hemisphere and brought hostile creatures with it.
CERN scientists believed the mist had been caused by an artificially created dimensional rift, though they didn't know who or what had opened it. Some theorized it could have been an extraterrestrial civilization or even a superior intelligence from another dimension. What they did know was that anomalies associated with the mist always occurred near its boundary—until now.
One file in particular caught his attention. It contained notes about a recent event at CERN: they had successfully opened a stable dimensional rift, although they still didn't know if it belonged to the same dimension as the mist or to a completely different one.
As he continued reviewing the files, Ethan found a journal written by one of the scientists involved in studying dimensional rifts:
"The creatures that come from the mist are different from the aberrations. Creatures often appear during anomalies, also called threshold events, but aberrations are rare. No one knows exactly what causes them, but when they appear, they leave destruction in their wake…"
Ethan closed the journal with a shiver. He knew he was treading dangerous ground, but he couldn't stop now. He needed to know more.
While Ethan was still reviewing the files, he heard footsteps approaching. Quickly, he hid behind a column, holding his breath. Two scientists entered the room, speaking in low voices.
"Are you sure they detected activity near the city?" asked one of them, nervous.
"Yes," the other replied. "A recent threshold event might occur. It's the first time it would happen outside the mist's boundary. If we don't act soon, another incident like Silver Ridge or Kango could happen."
Ethan strained to catch every word.
"What can we do?" asked the first, his tone full of desperation.
"We can't stop it," the second replied, his voice barely a whisper. "All we can do is contain it if it opens and wait for reinforcements. If those portals fully open, it'll be the end."
The two men remained silent for a moment, staring at the holographic map with somber expressions. Ethan felt a chill run down his spine. Not only was he in danger; the entire world was at risk if these portals weren't closed.
When the scientists finally left, Ethan emerged from his hiding spot. He knew he had to act fast. He took pictures of the documents and the holographic map before storing the hacked device in his pocket.
Before he could leave the room, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a tall, thin man dressed in an impeccable black suit. His eyes glowed with a cold, calculating light.
"Dr. Carter, I presume," the man said, his voice soft but threatening. "Or should I say… Ethan."
Ethan tensed but maintained his composure.
"Who are you?" he asked, though he already suspected the answer.
"Let's just say I'm someone who has been expecting your arrival," the man replied, taking a step forward. "We knew sooner or later you'd come here. Spectro sent you, didn't he?"
Ethan didn't respond. Instead, he pulled out his weapon, pointing it directly at the man.
"Don't move," Ethan warned, his tone firm but tense.
The man smiled slightly, as if the threat didn't affect him.
"You don't need to do this, Ethan. We both want the same thing: answers. And I can give you something Spectro never could."
"And what would that be?" Ethan asked, not lowering his weapon.
"The truth," the man replied, extending a hand toward him. "The truth about your sister. About what really happened in Zandara."
Ethan hesitated for a moment, then shook his head.
"I don't trust you," he said, slowly backing toward the exit.
The man sighed, as if regretting Ethan's decision.
"Pity you feel that way. But remember this: you can't escape what's coming. The barrier will fall, and when it does, all of us will have to choose a side."
Before Ethan could respond, the man disappeared into the shadows, leaving him alone in the room.
Ethan ran toward a side exit, but just as he thought he was safe, an alarm began to blare. The lights flickered, and a robotic voice echoed through the hallways:
"Intruder detected in Sector 12. Seal all exits."
His heart pounded in his chest as he ran through the hallways now illuminated by flashing red lights. He heard distant shouts and heavy footsteps behind him. He knew the guards wouldn't take long to catch up.
Suddenly, he felt something following him in the shadows. He turned sharply, but saw nothing. Only darkness.
He kept running, but then he saw it: a blurry figure moving quickly between the hallways. He couldn't tell if it was human or something else. The creature seemed to glide, almost float, without making a sound.
Ethan drew his weapon, aiming at the darkness.
"Show yourself!" he shouted, though his voice trembled slightly.
The figure stopped for a moment, turning its head toward him. Its eyes glowed with a sickly light before disappearing back into the shadows.
Ethan realized then that he wasn't alone at CERN. Something else had been waiting… and now it was hunting him.