The building's alarms shrieked as Mira, Draven, and Lira raced from the server room, the Shadow Protocol disabled but the Veil's operatives closing in. Emergency lights painted the corridors in pulsing red, and every shadow seemed to move with menace.
They burst into the Spire's top floor—a vast control room walled with screens showing every corner of Novaris. At its center stood Director Veylan, composed and immaculate, his eyes cold with calculation.
"Congratulations," Veylan said, his voice echoing through the chamber. "You've proven resourceful—almost worthy adversaries."
Draven raised his weapon. "It's over, Veylan. The Protocol is destroyed. Surrender."
Veylan smiled, unafraid. "Destroyed? You misunderstand. The Protocol was never just code. It was a test—to see who would rise, who would fall. And you, Draven, have always been predictable."
From the shadows, another figure emerged—Elara, Draven's sister, alive but changed. Her eyes were hard, her posture rigid in a Veil uniform. Draven's resolve faltered.
"Elara?" he whispered.
She hesitated, torn between loyalty and the years spent under Veylan's influence. "You don't understand, Draven. The Veil saved me. Gave me purpose when the world abandoned us."
Mira stepped forward. "He used you, Elara. Just like he's used everyone."
Veylan watched, amused. "This city needs order. Sacrifice. You can join me, Mira—help shape Novaris's future. Or you can expose the truth and watch it burn."
Lira, working quietly at a side terminal, began uploading the evidence of the Veil's crimes to every news channel in Novaris. "It's too late, Veylan. The world will know."
Veylan's calm cracked for the first time. "You think chaos will bring justice? You're children playing with fire."
Draven lowered his weapon, turning to Elara. "You have to choose. Him—or us."
Tears welled in Elara's eyes. In a heartbeat, she moved—knocking Veylan off balance, giving Draven the opening to disarm him.
As security forces stormed the floor, Veylan was finally subdued. Elara collapsed into Draven's arms, sobbing. Mira helped Lira finish the upload, the city's screens lighting up with the truth at last.
The Veil's reign was over. But the cost had been high.