Miles away, hidden in her safe cave, Elena stared at the silent, unyielding Eclipse Codex book. Days had passed, each one filled with growing worry for Kiran. She had tried everything to open the book—prying, pushing, even heating it gently—but it remained a sealed block of ancient secrets. The frustration was a hot, bitter taste in her mouth. She knew the answers were inside, but they were locked away.
She pulled out her most secure comms device, the one she used for "The Oracle's Eye" network, her secret contacts in the hidden corners of the online world. She knew a few people who dealt in rare knowledge, who understood forgotten languages and ancient texts. Her best bet was an old, mysterious contact named 'Cipher', who usually worked with the most impossible historical puzzles.
She sent a coded message, describing the book, its strange feel, the symbols. Hours later, a reply came. It was short, stark, and full of warnings. Cipher confirmed that the Eclipse Codex was legendary, whispered about only in the darkest circles. "Its physical form is a myth. If true, its existence is known to less than a handful of individuals in the highest echelons of power. It's not a key; it's the master plan. And it holds secrets that can unmake worlds." The message also warned of extreme danger to anyone who possessed it. "They will kill to get it back."
Elena's blood ran cold. Less than a handful. That meant the "3 high-ranking individuals" were real. Dr. Koval must be one of them. The book wasn't just a puzzle; it was a target on her back. And Kiran... if Koval was one of the few who knew about the book, and she had him, then he was in unimaginable danger. He was Code X, the "prime vessel." Elena realized then that understanding the book wasn't just about stopping the Great Eclipse. It was about saving Kiran. She had to find a way to read it, to unlock its power, and to use its secrets to break him free. The weight of the world, and Kiran's life, rested heavily in her hands.