The Integrity Echo was a quiet, subterranean river of influence, but Elian’s world was not yet ready to be governed by whispers alone. The established powers, the ones who built their kingdoms on glossy brochures and backroom deals, required a more public demonstration. They needed to see the specter they feared standing in the light, to test its substance against their own hollow forms.
The invitation arrived on cheap, overly thick cardstock—a deliberate slight disguised as formality. The Lagos Small & Medium Business Alliance was hosting its annual "Progress and Partnerships" forum. The keynote speaker was Obi, the sleek logistics rival whose public challenge had backfired so spectacularly. The agenda included a "spotlight session" on "Emerging Local Consultants." Elian’s name was on th
