The old mining tunnel seemed to stretch endlessly into darkness, its narrow confines barely illuminated by the blue emergency lighting that pulsed along the floor. Tris's legs ached from the constant forward motion, his lungs burning with the stale, dust-laden air. They had been moving for what felt like hours, though his time sense had grown increasingly unreliable since fleeing the safe house.

  Sarah led the way, her movements precise despite her recent ordeal. The removal of the Anunnaki control nodes had left her visibly changed—her left eye now human, her right still that unsettling void-black—but her capabilities remained undiminished. If anything, she seemed more focused, more present, no longer fighting against internal programming or external control.

  Behind Tris, Eli moved with quiet grace, occasionally reaching forward to touch his shoulder in reassurance. Veldt flowed between them all like living smoke, sometimes stretching ahead to scout, other times compressing to follow directly in Tris's footsteps.

  "The exit should be approximately hundred meters ahead," Sarah announced, her voice echoing slightly against the rough-hewn walls. "It emerges in a maintenance shed near the western edge of Smiths Falls."

  "Smiths Falls?" Tris asked, his voice raspy from thirst. “But that’s east of where we were.”

  "I know. But it’s the closest place we could go. Small town. Population under 10,000. Limited Anunnaki surveillance infrastructure." Sarah paused, tilting her head in that now-familiar listening posture. "We should assume Ereshkigal has alerted all regional assets to search for us."

  "Great," Tris muttered. "How far are we from the safe house?"

  "Approximately 3.7 kilometers," Sarah replied. "But the tunnel system is deliberately circuitous to prevent direct tracking."

  They continued in silence until Sarah raised her hand, signaling a halt. Ahead, the blue lighting ended, replaced by a faint natural light filtering through what appeared to be wooden slats.

  "We've reached the exit point. I'll verify it's clear before we proceed."

  Sarah moved forward alone, her body tensing in anticipation of potential threats. She examined the wooden barrier, then carefully pushed against a specific panel. It swung outward with a faint creak, revealing a sliver of evening light. After a moment of intense observation, she gestured for them to follow.

  "Clear for now. But move quickly."

  They emerged into a dilapidated wooden shed, its walls weathered gray from years of exposure. Farm equipment, long abandoned, gathered dust in corners. Through gaps in the wooden slats, Tris could see open fields stretching toward a small cluster of buildings in the distance—Smiths Falls, presumably.

  "We need to establish priorities," Sarah said once they were all inside the shed, the tunnel entrance concealed once more behind them. "Ereshkigal's agents will have a search perimeter expanding from the safe house. Their primary focus will be major roads and transit points. We are their top priority. Nothing matters more to them than capturing us alive."

  Eli nodded, brushing dust from her clothes. "We need supplies, information, and a direction."

  "And food," Tris added, his stomach punctuating the statement with an audible growl. "I haven't eaten an actual meal since... I don't even know when."

  "Approximately 26 hours," Sarah provided matter-of-factly. "Human caloric intake should be maintained for optimal function."

  Tris gave her a sidelong glance. "Thanks for the reminder that you're not quite human."

  Sarah's mismatched eyes met his briefly before she turned away. "Neither are you, technically speaking. Just more accustomed to the limitations."

  Before Tris could respond to that unsettling reminder, Eli interposed herself between them.

  "Let's focus on immediate needs. Sarah, what's the safest approach to town? We need cash, supplies, and transportation."

  Sarah moved to the shed door, peering through a crack. "We should wait until full darkness. Then approach from the west, using the tree line for cover. The town has a small commercial district—a few stores, restaurants, motels. Limited police presence. No permanent Anunnaki surveillance that I'm aware of."

  "And Veldt needs to maintain minimum manifestation," Eli added, glancing at the shadow entity that had expanded slightly in the larger space of the shed. "Physical shadows only until we're somewhere secure."

  Veldt's featureless face turned toward her, then to Tris, as if seeking confirmation. Tris nodded.

  "Just be my regular shadow for now, okay? No freaking people out."

  The entity compressed itself, flattening against the floor to connect with Tris's feet in a reasonable approximation of a normal shadow. Except—Tris noticed with a mixture of amusement and concern—it didn't quite match his posture, occasionally rippling with independent movement.

  "Better than nothing," Tris muttered.

  They waited in the shed as daylight faded completely, planning their approach to town. Sarah's knowledge of Anunnaki search patterns provided their best advantage, while Eli contributed insights about System Zone manifestation probability in the area.

  "They'll be looking for energy signatures," Sarah explained. "Veldt's primarily, but also the unique frequency of Eli's manifestation."

  "Can they track you too?" Tris asked.

  Sarah touched the back of her neck where the implants had been removed. "Not directly, not anymore. But they'll have visual identification protocols active, and I'm... distinctive."

  Her hand drifted unconsciously to her mismatched eyes, the human white and the alien black creating an asymmetry impossible to miss at close range.

  "Sunglasses after dark. Very subtle," Tris commented dryly.

  "Less conspicuous than heterochromia with black sclera," Sarah countered. "At least until we can establish a cover story."

  When full darkness had descended, they made their way across the open fields toward Smiths Falls, keeping to shadows and avoiding the occasional headlights of passing cars on the distant main road. Veldt performed admirably as Tris's shadow, though Tris caught Eli suppressing a smile when the shadow occasionally extended a tendril to investigate something interesting before remembering its role.

  Smiths Falls revealed itself to be exactly what Sarah had described—a small town with a modest commercial district. A handful of stores, most already closed for the night, a diner with its neon sign flickering, a gas station, and at the far end, a motel with a buzzing vacancy sign. Few people moved about at this hour, making their approach easier but also potentially making them more noticeable.

  They gathered in a narrow space between two buildings, assessing the situation.

  "We need money first," Eli said. "The ATM at the gas station is our best option."

  Sarah nodded. "I'll handle it. My Sentinel training includes financial systems access." She pulled a small device from her pocket—something she must have taken from the safe house before their escape. "This will interface with the ATM's security protocols. Nothing traceable."

  "And while you do that, we need to decide where we're going next," Tris said, running a hand through his dust-streaked hair. "We can't stay in Canada. The border's what, a hundred or so kilometers south?"

  "Approximately 80 kilometers to the nearest crossing point," Sarah confirmed. "But conventional crossing would require documentation."

  "Which we don't have," Tris sighed.

  "We don't need conventional crossing," Sarah replied. "There are alternatives the Anunnaki don't monitor consistently."

  "So we're heading to America?" Tris looked between his companions. "Is that where the other Sovereigns are?"

  Eli nodded. "Several are in the United States. Nukka is in Alaska, but that’s way up north. Maron has a compound in the Cascade Mountains far west from here. The Tokyo trio may also be making their way to North America by now, likely landing in LA. By all means, we should be heading west."

  "Then that's our direction," Tris decided. "But first, food, supplies, and maybe a few hours of actual sleep."

  "I'll get the cash," Sarah said. "You two find somewhere inconspicuous to wait."

  "This feels weird," Tris commented as Sarah slipped away toward the gas station. "Letting her help us. Trusting her."

  "She's changing," Eli said softly. "The Nephilim activation opened doors in her consciousness the Anunnaki never intended. And removing those control nodes gave her true autonomy, perhaps for the first time."

  "Still. She tried to kidnap me like a week ago."

  "And now she's risking everything to help you. People change, Tris. Especially when they start remembering who they truly are."

  Tris glanced down at Veldt, who had formed a perfectly normal shadow beneath him—except for the occasional wiggle that shadows definitely shouldn't do.

  "Speaking of remembering," he said, "what exactly is the plan with my shadow friend here? How am I supposed to integrate with him while we’re on the run?"

  "Through structured work—facing the memories Veldt contains, accepting them, allowing them to become part of you again." Eli touched his arm gently. "It won't be easy, Tris. Those memories were separated for a reason. But I'll be with you through every step."

  Before Tris could respond, Sarah returned, a small stack of bills in her hand.

  "Two thousand Canadian dollars," she reported. "I distributed the withdrawals across multiple accounts to avoid triggering security protocols."

  "Wow, that’s a lot.” Eli widened her eyes for a moment. “ But that should get us supplies and transportation," She said approvingly.

  "What about food?" Tris asked, his stomach protesting again. "I'm seriously about to start gnawing on my own arm."

  "The diner's still open," Sarah observed. "But public exposure increases risk."

  "I'll risk it for a burger," Tris decided. "We can't function if we're starving."

  The diner proved to be nearly empty—just a bored waitress scrolling through her phone and an elderly man nursing coffee at the counter. They took a booth in the back corner, Veldt behaving remarkably well as Tris's shadow beneath the table. Sarah positioned herself facing the door, sunglasses still in place despite the late hour.

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  "Isn't that more suspicious?" Tris whispered, nodding toward her glasses.

  "Less suspicious than the alternative," she replied simply.

  They ordered enough food for three, though Eli insisted she didn't physically require sustenance. "But I enjoy the experience," she added, selecting a slice of pie.

  While they waited for the food, they discussed their next steps in hushed tones.

  "We need backpacks, basic supplies, clothing," Sarah listed. "The general store might still be open, or we can acquire items in the morning."

  "Do we need clothes for Eli?" Tris asked, then immediately felt foolish. "I mean, since you can just... manifest whatever, right?"

  A small smile played across Eli's lips. "I can maintain this form and these clothes indefinitely, yes. But having physical items helps me blend in. People notice when someone travels without luggage."

  "Right. Normal human stuff." Tris nodded his head. "I keep forgetting you’re not human."

  "I am human as well, Tris. I just wasn’t born on Earth." Eli said, her blue eyes meeting his.

  “Right, my bad.” He admitted.

  Sarah cleared her throat. "The store closes in forty minutes. We should finish quickly."

  They ate efficiently, Tris demolishing his burger and fries with the enthusiasm of the truly hungry. Only Eli picked at her pie, more for the experience than sustenance. She decided that the pie would probably taste better when not on the run. But the circumstances they were in gave it a unique vibe. So overall, it was a pass from her.

  Their next stop was Smiths Falls's small general store, where they quickly gathered essentials—three backpacks, basic toiletries, some non-perishable food, water bottles, and changes of clothes. The middle-aged clerk barely glanced at them, more interested in the reality show playing on the small television behind the counter. Veldt continued its impersonation of a normal shadow, though Tris noticed it occasionally stretching when the clerk wasn't looking, as if bored or curious about the surroundings.

  "We need somewhere to rest for a few hours," Eli said as they left the store, supplies distributed among their new backpacks. "Even Sarah needs recovery time after her transformation."

  "The motel's our only option," Sarah replied, though her tone suggested reluctance. "But it's... suboptimal."

  Tris followed her gaze toward the far end of the main street, where the Blue Pine Motel's neon sign buzzed and flickered. Even from this distance, the establishment had a distinctly unsavory appearance—peeling paint, poorly lit parking area, and a collection of vehicles that ranged from battered pickup trucks to expensive SUVs with tinted windows.

  "Doesn't exactly look like the Ritz," Tris commented.

  "It's not the appearance that concerns me," Sarah said. "The vehicle pattern suggests organized criminal activity."

  "You can tell that just from the parking lot?" Tris asked incredulously.

  "Sentinel training includes identification of human trafficking indicators," Sarah replied. "The combination of low-end and high-end vehicles, the strategic positioning for quick departure, the lack of overt security presence despite what appears to be significant activity... classic signs."

  Tris felt a chill that had nothing to do with the November air. "So this is... what, a brothel?"

  "Likely a transitional holding location," Sarah clarified. "But yes, essentially."

  "That's..." Tris struggled for words, a knot of anger forming in his stomach. "We should do something."

  "We can't," Eli said gently. "Not right now. Our priority must be your safety and continued progress. Engaging with local criminal elements would create attention we can't afford."

  "So we just ignore it?" Tris demanded, his voice rising slightly.

  "We find alternative accommodation," Sarah suggested. "Perhaps—"

  "There is no alternative in this town," Eli interrupted. "And we all need rest. We'll take a room, stay completely uninvolved, and leave at first light."

  The decision made, they approached the motel with caution. The office was a small, dingy room with yellowed wallpaper and the pervasive smell of cigarettes. Behind the counter sat a heavy-set man with sweat stains beneath his arms despite the cool evening. His eyes narrowed suspiciously as they entered.

  "One room," Sarah stated, placing cash on the counter. "Just for tonight."

  The man made no move toward the money. "Don't get many visitors this time of year," he said, his gaze moving methodically between them. "What brings you to Smiths Falls?"

  "Just passing through," Sarah replied neutrally.

  "Passing through from where, exactly?"

  Tris felt Veldt stir against his feet, the shadow rippling with what felt like agitation. He silently willed it to remain calm, to maintain its disguise.

  "Does it matter?" Sarah countered, pushing the money closer to the man. "Cash. No names. One night."

  The clerk's expression hardened. "It matters when I don't know who's coming into my establishment. Could be trouble. Could be police. Could be competition. You lot look pretty young. You one of those new recruits?"

  The tension in the room ratcheted up instantly. Outside the office window, Tris noticed movement—two men emerging from one of the motel rooms, their attention drawn by the conversation in the office. One was tall and lanky with a red bandana around his neck, wearing a white sleeveless undershirt despite the cold. The other was shorter, stockier, with elaborate tattoos covering both arms exposed by his tank top. Both had the hard, evaluating gaze of men accustomed to violence.

  Sarah remained impassive. "We're not any of those things. We're paying customers who value privacy. Nothing more."

  The clerk's hand moved beneath the counter—reaching for a weapon, Tris realized with sudden clarity. Beside him, Eli tensed almost imperceptibly.

  The office door opened, and the two men from outside entered, crowding the already small space. Up close, Tris could see the details he'd missed from a distance—the red bandana man had a long scar running from his ear to his collarbone, while the tattooed man wore an excessive amount of gold jewelry that caught the fluorescent lighting.

  "Everything good, Eddie?" the tattooed man asked the clerk, though his eyes remained fixed on the newcomers.

  "Just trying to figure out who our new friends are," the clerk—Eddie—replied. "They're not much for conversation."

  "We just want a room," Tris said, speaking for the first time. "That's it. No questions, no problems."

  The taller man with the bandana laughed, the sound devoid of humor. "Hear that, Marco? No questions, no problems." His accent carried hints of Caribbean inflection. "But that ain't how things work here, friend. This is private property with private rules."

  "We understand," Eli interjected smoothly, her voice carrying a subtle harmonious quality that seemed to capture everyone's attention. "And we respect your territory. We'll be gone by morning, and you'll never see us again."

  For a moment, it seemed to work—the tattooed man Marco's expression softened slightly. But then Veldt chose that precise moment to stretch beyond the confines of Tris's shadow, a small tendril extending curiously toward the newcomers before Tris could mentally call it back.

  Marco's eyes widened, his hand immediately going to his waistband and pulling out a 9mm pistol. "What the fuck was that?"

  "Put that away," Sarah commanded, her posture shifting subtly into a combat stance.

  "Not until you tell me what the fuck that shadow just did," Marco insisted, the gun now pointed directly at Tris. "I saw it move. Like it was alive."

  "You're seeing things," Tris tried, while mentally cursing Veldt's timing.

  "Don't fucking lie to me," Marco snapped, gesturing with the gun. "I know what I saw. What are you people? Feds? Using some new tech?"

  The situation was deteriorating rapidly. Tris could feel Veldt responding to the threat, preparing to manifest more fully to protect him. If that happened, any hope of discretion would be lost.

  "We should leave," Eli said calmly, though Tris could sense the tension beneath her composed exterior. "This is clearly not the right place for us."

  "Nobody's leaving until I get some answers," the taller man stated, moving to block the door. His hand now revealed a knife, the blade catching the light. "Marco thinks he saw something, and Marco's got good eyes."

  Sarah took a half-step forward, placing herself subtly between the armed men and Tris. "This doesn't need to escalate. We'll go, and whatever business you have here can continue undisturbed."

  "Too late for that," Marco replied, his finger tensing on the trigger.

  The standoff might have erupted into violence then and there, but fate—or perhaps something less random—intervened. From outside came a sudden wash of golden light, bright enough to penetrate the dingy office windows and cast everything in a warm yellow glow.

  Marco's attention wavered, his eyes darting to the window. "What the hell?"

  The clerk stood abruptly. "System Zone," he announced, voice tight with sudden concern. "Yellow. ORT1."

  All three men's demeanors changed instantly. The tall one with the knife lowered his blade slightly, while Marco's gun dipped toward the floor.

  "A social one," the tall one muttered. "Not now, man. Not with the shipment coming."

  Tris risked a glance through the window and saw what had captured their attention—a massive translucent yellow bubble descending from the sky, encompassing not just the motel but a significant portion of the surrounding area. On its surface, clearly visible despite the distance, was the Roman numeral I.

  "System Zone," Eli confirmed quietly. "Social category, ORT1 designation."

  The appearance of the Zone had completely shifted the dynamic in the room. The three men were now far more concerned with this development than with their suspicious visitors.

  "We don't want any part of this tonight," Marco said, tucking his gun back into his waistband. "Too much heat. Too much attention."

  He turned his attention back to Tris, Eli, and Sarah. "You people. Whatever you are, whatever that thing was I saw—you take it elsewhere. We got enough complications."

  The clerk pulled their money from the counter and shoved it back toward them. "No room. Get out."

  The tall man stepped aside from the door, though his eyes remained wary. "Watch yourselves," he warned, spitting on the floor near Sarah's feet in a final gesture of disrespect. "Smiths Falls ain't as quiet as it looks."

  Sarah's expression remained impassive, though Tris could sense the calculation behind her mismatched eyes—assessing threats, mapping escape routes, measuring response options. She gave a curt nod and guided Tris and Eli toward the door.

  As they exited, the yellow glow from the descending System Zone bathed everything in its warm light. The motel parking lot was now a flurry of activity—people emerging from rooms, some looking worried, others excited. Most were young women, Tris noticed with a sickening twist in his stomach, accompanied by hard-looking men similar to Marco and his friend.

  "Human trafficking operation," Sarah confirmed in a low voice as they moved quickly away from the motel. "The Zone's appearance has disrupted their schedule."

  "What a convenient coincidence," Tris muttered, glancing up at the massive yellow bubble still descending. "A System Zone appearing right when we needed a distraction."

  "The System responds to energetic patterns," Eli explained as they put distance between themselves and the motel. "Areas with high emotional charge or significant decision points often trigger Zone manifestation. The criminal activity there created the perfect conditions."

  "So what now?" Tris asked, looking back over his shoulder to ensure they weren't being followed. Veldt had resumed its best approximation of a normal shadow, though its edges occasionally rippled with obvious agitation. "We just lost our only accommodation option."

  "We keep moving," Sarah decided. "Cross the town using back streets. Find somewhere to rest briefly, then continue toward the border before dawn."

  They navigated through Smiths Falls's quiet residential areas, keeping to shadows and avoiding the occasional passing car. The System Zone had created a subtle change in the town's energy—more people were out despite the late hour, drawn by the unusual phenomenon. This provided both cover and complication as they worked their way toward the town's southern edge.

  The night had deepened, stars visible in the clear November sky above them. Their breath formed small clouds in the cold air as they moved through a narrow alley between two commercial buildings, planning to cut through to a parallel street.

  They were halfway down the alley when shadows ahead coalesced into human forms—three figures blocking their path. Unlike the crude criminality of Marco and his associates, these men carried themselves with disciplined precision. Their clothes were expensive and understated—long dark leather coats, quality footwear, nothing flashy or unnecessary.

  "Well," said the central figure, his voice cultured and carrying just a hint of Boston accent, "this is an unexpected pleasure."

  Tris tensed, feeling Veldt respond instantly to the perceived threat, the shadow expanding slightly despite his mental commands to remain hidden.

  "I'm afraid I'll need to ask for your identities," the man continued smoothly. His appearance was striking—salt-and-pepper hair styled immaculately, a face that suggested both intelligence and cruelty in equal measure. "Though I suspect I already know."

  "We're just passing through," Sarah replied, her voice neutral but her posture shifting subtly into combat readiness.

  The man smiled, the expression never reaching his eyes. "I'm afraid your shadow gives you away." He gestured toward Veldt, which had now abandoned any pretense of normality, expanding into its childlike form and hovering protectively near Tris. "The Nephilim neotype, the Solar Sovereign, and his mighty twin flame.” He said the last few words with a slower cadence. “An unexpected confluence of assets, right here in insignificant little Smiths Falls."

  "Who are you?" Tris demanded, even as he felt Eli and Sarah moving closer to him, forming a protective triangle.

  "Names are such limited constructs," the man replied. "But for simplicity's sake, you may call me Mr. Kennedy. I have certain... family obligations regarding your disposition."

  The implication hung in the cold night air. Kennedy. One of the Luciferian bloodlines directly connected to the Anunnaki.

  "I'm afraid I have orders to ensure none of you leave this alley tonight," Mr. Kennedy continued conversationally. "Nothing personal, you understand. Just business generations in the making."

  As he spoke, his two companions moved slightly apart, taking flanking positions. They moved with the fluid grace of trained combatants, but there was something else about them—an energy that Tris could almost see, crackling around their forms.

  "System players," Eli whispered, confirming Tris's suspicion. "ORT3 at least."

  Veldt expanded further, its featureless face developing its simple expression—circular eyes and a wide, jagged smile that promised violence. Sarah's hands flexed at her sides, while Eli's form seemed to shimmer slightly with contained power.

  Tris felt his heart hammering in his chest, adrenaline flooding his system. This was no random encounter, no simple criminal confrontation. These men had been sent specifically for them, operatives of an ancient bloodline.

  "Last chance to walk away," Tris warned, surprised by the steadiness in his voice despite his fear.

  Kennedy's smile widened. "Oh, I don't think so. We're just getting started."