Carter took point as the team moved deeper into the Research Sector, his expression set in grim determination. Helen Marshall followed close behind, issuing quiet orders to the Rangers flanking them. The Oldest House was never truly silent, but tonight, the hush that filled the corridors was different—an anticipation, as though the building itself was holding its breath.

Ash had recently become a far more intimidating presence than Trench or Reyes remembered. He had always been sharp, analytical, but something about his demeanor now had a weight to it. Still, they found some comfort in knowing that, for now, they weren't dealing with Director Northmoor. That was a different kind of battle entirely.

"This place gives me the creeps," one of the younger Rangers muttered under his breath. Carter shot him a sharp look, and he fell silent immediately.

Marshall didn't bother reprimanding the Ranger. "You're not wrong," she said. "But that's not what we're here for."

Trench adjusted his grip on his sidearm. The memory of the earlier encounter still burned in his mind—the way the entity had flickered, how it had distorted space around it. He wasn't sure what they had driven away, but something told him it wasn't gone for good.

They reached a junction, where a broad hallway split into three separate corridors, each leading deeper into the Sector. One path led toward the lab Ash had designated for analysis. Another wound toward storage, where sensitive materials from past Altered World Events were locked away. The third led downward, to areas rarely accessed except by senior researchers.

Carter paused, scanning their options. "Alright. Reyes, Trench—you take the storage wing. Marshall and I will oversee the lab setup. The rest of you, establish a perimeter and hold position."

Marshall nodded in agreement, already moving toward the lab. "Stay sharp," she added. "And don't take unnecessary risks."

Trench smirked. "Define 'unnecessary.'"

Marshall didn't dignify that with a response.

Reyes flicked on her flashlight as she and Trench entered the storage corridor. The overhead lights were dim, casting long shadows that seemed to stretch unnaturally. The air was thick, heavy with the scent of aged paper, metal, and something else—something electric.

"Feel that?" Reyes murmured.

Trench nodded. "Residual energy. This place has seen some shit."

They moved cautiously, stepping past towering shelves of locked crates and classified containers. Each held remnants of past events—artifacts imbued with unexplained properties, objects of power too volatile for field use. Trench had been here before, but something about tonight felt different.

A noise echoed from further down the hall.

Both agents froze.

It was faint, almost imperceptible—a whisper, layered over itself a hundred times. The sound of something trying to speak but failing to form words.

Reyes tightened her grip on her weapon. "Not a fan of that."

Trench took a slow step forward. "Let's see what we're dealing with."

As they rounded the corner, the shadows seemed to pulse. The air shifted, and suddenly, one of the locked containers began to rattle violently. The metal warped, denting outward as though something inside was desperately trying to escape.

Then, all at once, the rattling stopped.

Silence.

A breath later, the container burst open.

A force slammed into Trench, sending him sprawling onto the cold floor. He barely had time to register the movement before Reyes opened fire, her rounds illuminating the darkness in brief flashes.

The entity stood at the center of the corridor now, its form flickering in and out of visibility. It was humanoid, but its features refused to settle—its limbs stretched and twisted, as though reality itself couldn't decide what it was supposed to be.

Trench scrambled to his feet, raising his weapon. "Reyes, move!"

She barely had time to sidestep as the entity lunged, moving with impossible speed. Trench fired, the bullets tearing through it, but the thing barely reacted.

"We need backup," Reyes gritted out, ducking behind a metal crate as the creature turned toward her.

Trench grabbed his radio. "Carter, we've got contact—storage wing, now!"

Static answered him. Then, a distorted voice crackled through, layered and warped.

"–ot alone. It's awake."

Trench exchanged a look with Reyes. That wasn't Carter.

Then, the lights flickered—and the world around them shattered.