Back at the Oldest House, the team reconvened in the Board Room, where Director Northmoor waited with his usual imposing presence. The Resonance Analyzer sat on the table between them, its collected data still processing. Trench leaned back in his chair, exhaustion creeping into every muscle, but his mind refused to settle.
"Report," Northmoor said, his gaze sweeping over the team.
Ryan took the lead. "The anomaly's primary source was a monolith buried in a subterranean chamber. We successfully neutralized it, but the environment…" He paused, choosing his words carefully. "The site was unlike anything we've seen before. It felt alive."
Northmoor's eyes narrowed. "And the entity?"
Reyes exchanged a glance with Trench before speaking. "It's still out there. We contained the monolith, but the echoes and the entity that warned us? They're connected, but they're not contained."
"We'll need further analysis of the data," Northmoor said. "But it's clear this operation isn't over. Agent Trench."
Trench straightened in his seat. "Sir?"
"Your proximity to the anomaly triggered unique reactions," Northmoor continued. "This isn't the first time, is it?"
Trench hesitated, the weight of the Director's gaze pressing down on him. "No, sir. It's not."
"Then I suggest you start digging into why," Northmoor said. "Because whatever this thing is, it's not done with you. And we need to be ready for when it comes back."
The room fell silent as Northmoor's words hung in the air. Trench nodded, a grim determination settling over him. The anomaly was contained, but the battle was far from over. And this time, it felt personal.