The city archive was dark, its tall shelves dusty under October's dim light.
Tylor slipped inside, Elena's journal open, its spiral code guiding them.
Amaira tiptoed close, pigtails neat, flashlight steady, drawing in her coat.
Kayla held the drive, green eyes bright, dreams flickering with purple sparks.
Elias watched Clara outside, her gray eyes mean, quiet about the Architect.
Old files hid a spiral mark, scratched deep on a metal cabinet.
Amaira's small hands found a lock, "Got it!" her voice a whisper.
The cabinet creaked open, revealing a Collective ledger, names and places.
Kayla scanned it, drive buzzing, "Architect's real—Dr. Hale, mountain lab."
A purple glow pulsed below, a fracture humming through the floor.
Tylor gripped his pipe, heart racing, "They're still making rifts."
Drones buzzed from shadows, red eyes flashing, beams burning Kayla's sleeve.
Amaira threw a book, hitting one, Tylor smashed another fast.
The ledger pointed west, Hale's lab waiting, fracture growing stronger.
They ran, family tight, archive's secret lighting their hunt's new path.