Far beyond Blackwood territory, a man stood before an enormous window.
His phone vibrated.
He opened the message.
PHASE TWO CONFIRMED.
Another followed.
SUBJECT BROKE ALPHA COMMAND.
Then—
ENERGY MANIFESTATION OBSERVED.
A photograph appeared.
Lara.
Standing in a shattered corridor.
White-golden light surrounding her.
The man's expression slowly changed.
For the first time in years—
he smiled.
Behind him, another figure spoke.
"So the stories were true."
"Some of them."
"Can she open the Heart?"
The man looked at Lara's photograph.
"Not yet."
"And when she can?"
He placed the phone on the table.
"She'll lead us straight to it."
The second figure hesitated.
"What if she learns the truth first?"
The smile disappeared.
"Then we remind her what happened the last time a
