Melody (Callista) POV
Felix let out a deep, heavy sigh before speaking, "I know this might sound insane… but it all started right after the fall of LUMENN—around seven months ago."
Seven months ago... That was the same time VARAK shattered everything. Our lives, our home, our people. I felt a tightness in my chest. My heart pounded, my thoughts spiraled. I couldn't even breathe properly. Why would Aurelius take his father's place now? Why was he—of all people—leading VARAK?
Felix continued, "Some of our hacker units, the ones who managed to survive, started tracing everything—every movement, every order. We didn't get much. VARAK's security system is nearly impenetrable. But the root of it all… the catalyst behind this betrayal…"
He looked at me. "Was you."
I choked on my breath. "Me…?"
Mia stepped in, her expression grim but composed. "We dug deeper. Victor Valemont had issued global orders. Armies were sent across borders. Anyone who resembled you—anyone who might've harbored you—was either taken or eliminated. It was a witch hunt… and you were the target."
Zack added solemnly, "And that's what haunts us. Why? Why would Victor go that far just for you? What did you mean to him—or threaten—to provoke that kind of madness?"
I said nothing. My lips trembled. My baby stirred within me.
He continued, "Even among the survivors… many refused to return. Some lost their entire families. They couldn't risk more, even for you. Some blamed you. Some feared you. But still… we couldn't stop digging. And finally, we found the reason."
He paused, then spoke the truth that shattered me:
"Victor Valemont discovered the encrypted files left by your mother and aunt. Documents tied to the origin of LUMENN. Turns out… you weren't just a member. You were always meant to be its successor. The next Head. You are the last blood heir of its founders. That made you his greatest threat."
My heart skipped a beat. I clenched the edge of the table, trying to steady myself.
Felix leaned forward, his tone serious. "Victor feared the revival of LUMENN through you. He saw it coming. And in his paranoia… he became obsessed. He believed that by wiping you out, he'd kill the soul of LUMENN itself."
Zack finished, "But Aurelius... he killed Victor. The man who raised him. We don't know the full story yet, but all we know is... he's not the same Aurelius anymore."
And that's when everything went cold again.
I blinked at the scene before me—Felix, Mia, and Zack were still standing like statues while Xavier, or rather Laurence, was lounging lazily on the sofa like this was just another casual day. It ticked me off. I was already in an awkward emotional state, and his nonchalance didn't help.
"Enough with the dramatic posture," I snapped. "Sit down, all of you."
They blinked, startled. I pointed at the chairs. "And you," I turned to Xavier with a glare, "serve our guests. Tea, coffee, chocolate milk—whatever we have. And grab some snacks too. You were trained better than this."
Xavier huffed lightly but got up. Mia giggled behind her hand, "She's still as commanding as ever."
Zack chuckled and slouched into the armchair. "Can you blame us? We've been tailing you for days. I think my legs forgot what rest means."
I wasn't prepared for what came next.
Felix cleared his throat and looked at me, his face suddenly grim. "Callista… Victor Valemont didn't just search for you. He bribed politicians, infiltrated several governments across countries, and set fire to entire underground networks. Anyone who didn't bend to his will was either threatened or removed."
My blood turned cold.
"He used VARAK's power to manipulate justice systems. Judges, military generals, elite security forces—they were either bought, silenced, or killed. All of this... because he believed you knew the location of a classified document."
I stared at him, stunned.
Felix continued, voice low and dangerous, "Your mother and aunt left behind a file. One that contains unfiltered, unredacted records—not only about VARAK's origin and operations—but also a list of powerful political figures around the world who are drug traffickers, murderers, child abusers… monsters hiding behind law and titles."
My hands trembled slightly as I sank into the couch.
Mia, now leaning back with a warm mug of chocolate milk, added, "The DTY—our version of the FBI—has been investigating fragments of this. They've stumbled upon the same names and trails we have. They lost agents in the process. When they discovered a pattern matching our losses, some of their directors realized they were being played too."
She looked at me, eyes serious now. "A few LUMENN survivors voted. Some still distrust the system, but many believe we should form a covert alliance with the DTY. It's risky—but it might be the only way we stand a chance."
Zack nodded. "VARAK's no longer just a rogue organization. It's a plague infecting the highest pillars of power. And you, Callista… you hold the legacy they fear the most."
Zack took a slow sip of his coffee and glanced at me over the rim of his mug. "What do you say, Callista? Or should I say… Melody? Do you want to team up with the DTY?"
Mia chimed in gently, "If you could, the documents would be secured—guarded in a way we can't do alone. But…" she trailed off with a deep sigh, "we're not entirely sure we can trust them yet. It's a gamble."
Felix, still munching loudly on a chocolate cookie like it was just another lazy afternoon, spoke up, "Actually… I received a message while I was digging through VARAK's intel caches."
The room went quiet.
He swallowed. "It was from the DTY. They're asking for our cooperation. According to their report, VARAK is evolving—faster, darker, more ruthless than ever before. Especially now that Aurelius has taken over."
My heart clenched.
Felix continued, this time softer, more cautious, "They say… Aurelius is no longer the same. He's not the Aurelius you knew, Callista."
The name hung in the air like a ghost.
All of us turned to Felix in sync—me, Xavier, Zack, and Mia—as if he had just announced the sky was falling. Zack almost choked on his coffee, coughing dramatically.
"You got a message from DTY?!" he snapped. "And you just now decided to tell us?!"
Before Felix could even open his mouth, Mia leapt across the room, tackling him by the collar. "Hey! What the hell, Felix?! Why didn't you say anything sooner?!"
I couldn't help it. A chuckle escaped my lips. Their chaotic energy made something heavy in my chest lighten, even if just for a moment. I leaned back and smirked. "I knew something was going on between you two. You're way too close to be 'just friends'. Invite me to your wedding, alright?"
Mia's face flushed a deep red as she fumbled and loosened her grip on Felix. "N-No! We're not like that! We're just friends! Real friends!"
Felix cleared his throat, avoiding eye contact. "Exactly! Friends. Nothing more!"
Zack leaned back, grinning like the devil. "Tell you what, Callista? I once caught them sleeping peacefully together. Just friends, huh?"
Mia gasped. "Zack!! That was during a stakeout! We were exhausted!"
"Sure, sure," Zack teased, raising his hands. "We all believe you… totally."
Even Xavier cracked a smile.
Despite everything—the danger, the tension, the lingering ache in my heart—I found myself laughing with them. For a moment, the world didn't seem quite so broken.
I let out a soft sigh, gently resting my hand on my belly. "As you can see… I'm pregnant with Aurelius' child."
Mia's jaw dropped like I'd just announced I was an alien. "What?! I thought it was Xavier's!" she exclaimed, recoiling as if I'd grown horns. Xavier, mid-sip of water, choked and coughed violently. His ears turned beet red.
Felix leaned back, blinking in surprise. "Wait, seriously? Yeah, I thought the same thing. You two look so… lovey-dovey together."
Xavier abruptly stood up, his chair screeching. He slammed a hand on the table, startling all of us. "Watch what you say, Mia," he growled, voice low and controlled. "Callista is Aurelius' fiancée. And it looks like all three of you were fooled by our act, huh? Guess we were pretty convincing. Right, Melody?"
I scoffed and rolled my eyes, "Well, we did do the thing before the fall of LUMENN."
Zack blinked, confusion spreading across his innocent face. "What thing?"
There was a beat of silence.
Mia burst into laughter while Felix tried—and failed—to keep a straight face. "The thing, Zack," he said slowly, as if explaining to a child. "Making babies, man. You know… that thing."
Zack's face turned three shades paler as realization hit him. "Oh. Ohh." He sank a little deeper into the couch, muttering, "Right. Okay. Got it. No further details needed."
Mia was still snorting. "You poor thing. Zack's got no clue about love or relationships."
I chuckled, a little embarrassed, but glad for the lightness they brought into this otherwise heavy conversation. Even Xavier cracked a half-smile again, sitting back down with a sigh.
The mood was lighter for a moment—but the storm was still outside, waiting.
I turned to Felix as Mia finally let go of him and sank back into the couch. "Fine," I said with a breath, "I'll cooperate with DTY. But we test them first. We don't know if they're genuinely trying to help or if they're manipulating us. For all we know, they might be on VARAK's side."
Felix nodded in agreement, munching on a chocolate cookie. "Fair enough. Can I borrow a laptop, Callista?"
I stared at him.
And I kept staring.
Way too long.
The silence stretched for what felt like fifteen minutes, and the awkwardness thickened the air like fog. I finally cleared my throat.
"Felix… I'm broke," I confessed flatly. "I'm really sorry, but I'm dead broke. As you can see, Xavier—Laurence—is working part-time just to keep us afloat. And I can't exactly land a job in this state." I gestured at my visibly pregnant belly. "If I had a laptop, I would've known you three were alive months ago. I'm your team leader. And a hacker. You think I wouldn't have tracked you down already?"
Felix sighed dramatically, flopping backward like the world had betrayed him. Mia, on the other hand, burst into a loud, wheezing laugh.
Xavier chuckled too and leaned back. "Well, there's a PC café nearby," he offered. "Not far from here."
Zack added with a sheepish smile, "Yeah, we know. We've… kind of been stalking you for a few days, remember?"
I groaned and covered my face. "I should've changed my curtains."
Everyone laughed—and just for a moment, it felt like LUMENN hadn't fallen. Like we were still a team. Still a family.
But deep inside, I knew this was just the calm before the real storm.
Zack added casually, "I do have a phone, but honestly, laptops are better for this kind of thing."
Before he could blink, Felix snatched the phone right out of his hand and began typing furiously, fingers flying like lightning across the screen.
I scoffed, not impressed. "Please. I can do that faster—if I had a device to use."
Then, just as suddenly, Felix jumped to his feet like he'd hit the jackpot. "We got another message from DTY!" he shouted, shoving the screen in our faces. "They said they want to meet the new leader of LUMENN."
I squinted at the message and sighed. "Are we sure it's not a scam? You know, like a kill-the-leader-on-sight kind of trap?"
Felix didn't answer. Of course. Typical Felix.
Zack scowled, glaring at him. "Dude. That's my phone, not your tech toy, broker."
I choked on my tea, laughing. "Ouch, Zack. That hit a little too close. I'm broke too, remember?"
Mia snorted, brushing cookie crumbs from her shirt. "Well, we've still got gear stashed in our hidden base—courtesy of LUMENN's tech engineers before the fall. Want some?"
Xavier's eyes sparkled so hard, I thought he might cry. "Are you kidding? Of course!"
I sighed again, pressing my palm to my forehead. "We've been living broke for so long, I swear Xavier's about to marry the first phone he sees."
Everyone chuckled.
"Maybe we should go to the base first before deciding whether to meet with DTY," I suggested. "Make sure we're prepared in case it's a trap."
They all nodded in agreement.
And just like that, it was decided.
Time to return to the shadows and rebuild.
A few hours had passed. We took a taxi—like any normal citizen would. I was still heavy with child, seven months pregnant, and waddling wasn't an option. Meanwhile, Felix, Zack, and Mia? They sprinted on foot like maniacs, navigating side streets and alleys like they owned the city.
Xavier stayed with me, playing the role of a caring husband. In public, we were just another happy couple. It was convincing—too convincing. The taxi driver even gave us a discount, mumbling something about "young love" and "making it last." Xavier blushed, awkward but polite. I just sighed. This act was getting exhausting.
We finally arrived at our destination: a library.
Yeah. A simple, quiet, unassuming library tucked between worn-down shops and gray apartment blocks. But this library wasn't just for books. It was the hidden base of LUMENN.
Once the taxi pulled away, Mia, Felix, and Zack arrived moments later, barely breaking a sweat. They immediately went into action. Zack shoved an old bookshelf aside like he knew it by heart, revealing what looked like a concrete wall. Mia pressed her palm to a smooth panel on it—what I'd assumed was just aging plaster.
The biometric scanner beeped softly. Then, the wall slid open.
Behind it was a dim stairwell, coiling downward into shadows. As we descended, the door sealed itself shut with a hiss, and lights slowly lit up along the walls, illuminating the steps in a warm, golden glow.
Beautiful, in a secret-lair kind of way.
Still holding Xavier's hand, I tried not to trip on the narrow stairs. He steadied me the whole way, gently guiding with quiet strength. By the time we reached the bottom, the corridor opened into a vast underground hall.
And just like that... silence.
Every eye in the room turned to me.
I froze.
They were all faces I knew—people I once fought beside, laughed with, trained with. Survivors of the chaos. LUMENN's fragments—alive.
Tears welled up instantly. I couldn't hold them in. Relief, joy, grief—all crashing down at once. I cried freely, ugly sobs and snot and all, not caring how I looked. They were alive. My people were alive.
Then, as if rehearsed, they all moved in unison.
Each of them bowed deeply—then straightened and gave me a formal salute.
And there I sat, stunned in silence, hand resting on my belly, surrounded by those who once followed my mother... now saluting me.
Xavier chuckled softly beside me, then stood up straighter and gave me a crisp salute. Felix, Mia, and Zack followed without hesitation. It was surreal—watching the people I once saw as equals now looking at me like I was their last hope.
They waited—silent, expectant—for my command.
But my heart was trembling. My throat tightened as I stood there, still brushing away the last of my tears.
"Sit," I finally said, voice barely louder than a whisper. "Please."
They obeyed instantly, like a wave rippling across the room. Dozens of them took their seats, eyes still locked on me, waiting.
I cleared my throat, trying to steady myself. My fingers grazed the swell of my belly, grounding me. Then I turned to Felix, gave him a nod. He stood up, walked to the center, and faced the others.
"Everyone," he began, his tone sharp but respectful. "While we were gathering intel, I received a message. Not just any message—it's from DTY. They're requesting a meeting."
A low murmur swept through the room.
"They said they want to meet with the new head of LUMENN," Felix added, then glanced back at me.
I took a deep breath.
"There's no guarantee they can be trusted," I said, voice growing stronger. "They could be allies… or spies planted by VARAK. That's why we'll test them first. Cautiously. Carefully."
I paused, scanning their faces.
"This isn't just about me anymore. It's about all of us. About those we've lost. And about what we still have. LUMENN didn't die. We survived. And now... we rise."
They didn't cheer. They didn't shout.
But their eyes lit up with something far more powerful.
Hope.
Just as the room settled, Felix's device buzzed. He checked it, eyes narrowing. "Message from DTY," he announced, voice taut. "They want to meet tomorrow. 12 p.m. sharp. At a restaurant downtown. They'll bring agents."
The room tensed instantly.
I sighed, brushing a strand of hair behind my ear. "Alright," I said, turning to face the LUMENN survivors. "Get ready."
Like clockwork, they moved. Each one preparing—checking weapons, adjusting disguises, syncing devices. It was like old times, but sharper. Heavier.
Mia grinned, flipping through an outfit catalog on her tablet. "You're going to have to look the part," she teased. "Elegant, powerful… rich. We'll make you look like the heiress you were born to be. And you—" she turned to Xavier, "—you're the loving husband. Still."
Xavier rolled his eyes with a smirk. "As long as I don't have to wear a bowtie again."
I chuckled, though something in my chest tightened. I was born with a silver spoon, daughter of a powerful chairman. But now, I wasn't just his daughter. I was a fugitive, a mother-to-be, and a leader of a resistance.
And still… something felt off.
I was about to speak when Felix's device buzzed again. He froze. His smile faded.
"…What is it?" I asked.
He turned the screen to me.
Another message had arrived.
"Be warned. Someone among you is not who they claim to be."
The room went silent.
My breath caught.
And the screen blinked again—this time, with coordinates.
To our base.
(End of Chapter 34)