Felix’s office towered above the clouded sprawl of Erevale, a fortress of tempered glass and gold-trimmed steel. The city below flickered like a broken circuit, currents of neon and smoke twisting together in restless motion. Up here, silence reigned. Clean air vibrated faintly with the hum of hidden security systems and encrypted communication channels running beneath the marble floor.

Felix stood with his back to the door, hands clasped behind him as he studied the view. His reflection in the window stared back like a ghost of the undercity he once belonged to. Tanned skin, the subtle beard, eyes of polished gold. There was a controlled stillness about him, a patience learned through years of waiting for systems and people alike to reveal their flaws.

A datapad rested on his desk, displaying a name only he knew, information locked behind multilayer encryption. A risk. A gamble. But Felix Vance never played games without advantage.

The lights dimmed for a moment as the access corridor recognized a new presence. Doors slid open with a soft hiss. He did not turn right away. Instead, he let the silence stretch, measuring the weight of footsteps, the hesitation in the air. Another life summoned to the heights where power whispered instead of shouted.

Only then did he pivot, expression calm, unreadable. Gold eyes met his visitor’s gaze with a precise blend of welcome and warning.

“I appreciate your time. Please have a seat.”