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In the sprawling megalopolis of Erythra Prime, a city where advanced technology merges with ancient mysticism, a detective named Kael Ardent is thrust into a labyrinthine conspiracy that blurs the boundaries of reality. The sudden murder of a high-ranking diplomat sparks a chain of events that leads Kael to uncover a secret society, a mythical artifact known as the Crimson Nexus, and a shadowy figure who holds the power to rewrite existence itself. As Kael teams up with Nyssa Vahn, a rogue technomancer with her own hidden agenda, they navigate the neon-lit streets, delve into forbidden ruins, and fight against cybernetic assassins and interdimensional entities. With time running out, Kael and Nyssa must unravel the secrets of the Nexus before it falls into the wrong hands and annihilates everything they know.
Chapter 1 A Corpse in the Neon Glow
The rain drummed against the steel canopy of Erythra Prime, a sprawling metropolis that pulsed with the hum of both magic and machinery. Towering skyscrapers reached into the murky clouds, their surfaces alive with holographic advertisements and flickering neon signs. Below, the streets were a maze of cobblestone alleys and polished metal roads, where every shadow seemed to harbor a secret.
Kael Ardent stood in the middle of District 7, a smog-choked sector notorious for its black-market dealings. The district's air buzzed with tension, amplified by the news that had rippled through the city's underbelly mere hours ago-a high-ranking diplomat had been murdered, and the scene was nothing short of bizarre.
Kael adjusted the brim of his rain-slicked fedora, his piercing gray eyes scanning the crime scene. A crowd had gathered beyond the yellow holo-tape, their curiosity barely contained as law enforcement drones hovered overhead, their red lights casting eerie reflections on the wet pavement.
The body lay sprawled in the center of an abandoned marketplace, surrounded by shattered glass and broken crates. Kael knelt beside it, his leather coat brushing against the damp ground. The victim was a man in his late forties, dressed in the kind of tailored suit only those with deep political ties could afford. His chest had been burned clean through, leaving a hole that glowed faintly with an unnatural crimson light.
"Looks like magic," Kael muttered, his voice a gravelly whisper.
"Not just any magic," said a voice behind him.
Kael turned to see Officer Zara Dren, a no-nonsense enforcer from the Department of Unified Policing. She was tall, with short-cropped black hair and a mechanical left arm that hummed faintly whenever she moved. Zara was one of the few officers who didn't openly resent Kael's presence.
"This is arcane-tech," she continued, crouching beside him. "See the residue around the wound? That's from a Nexus Shard."
Kael frowned. Nexus Shards were fragments of the Crimson Nexus, an artifact of legend that had supposedly been destroyed centuries ago. Their use was highly illegal-and unimaginably dangerous.
"How does a diplomat end up on the wrong side of a Nexus Shard?" Kael asked, more to himself than Zara.
"That's what you're here to figure out, detective." Zara stood, crossing her arms. "The department's official line is that this was a botched robbery. But we both know that's a load of crap."
Kael smirked. "Always appreciate your honesty, Zara."
He pulled out his data tablet and began scanning the body. The device emitted a soft blue light as it analyzed the crime scene, but the results were inconclusive. The energy signature around the wound was erratic, almost as if it had been tampered with.
"Who found him?" Kael asked.
"A street vendor," Zara replied. "She's over there." She pointed to a nervous-looking woman standing near one of the drones.
Kael nodded and approached the woman. She was in her mid-thirties, with a weathered face that spoke of hard years in the lower districts. Her hands fidgeted with the hem of her coat as she watched him approach.
"You're the one who found the body?" Kael asked, his tone gentle but firm.
The woman nodded. "I-I was setting up my stall when I saw him lying there. At first, I thought he was just another drunk, but then I saw... the hole." She shuddered, her eyes darting toward the corpse.
"Did you see anyone else around?" Kael pressed.
"No, it was too early. Most people don't come out until the sun's up."
Kael's brow furrowed. "Did you hear anything unusual? Voices, footsteps, maybe even a hum or a crackle?"
The woman hesitated, then nodded. "There was a sound. Like... like metal grinding against metal. And then a flash of red light. It came from the alley over there." She pointed to a narrow passageway between two crumbling buildings.
Kael followed her gaze, his instincts prickling. "Thank you. Stay close to Officer Dren. She'll take your statement."
He turned and made his way toward the alley, his hand resting on the grip of his pulse revolver. The alley was dark, its walls covered in graffiti that pulsed faintly with bioluminescent paint. The air was thick with the stench of decay, but Kael ignored it, his focus razor-sharp.
At the far end of the alley, he found what he was looking for-a faint scorch mark on the ground, surrounded by shards of blackened glass.
"A portal," Kael muttered.
He crouched beside the mark, brushing his fingers against the edge of the burn. The residue was still warm, which meant whoever had opened the portal hadn't gone far. But portal magic required immense power, and only a handful of people in Erythra Prime had the resources to pull it off.
Before he could examine the scene further, a flicker of movement caught his eye. Kael spun around, his revolver drawn, but the alley was empty.
"Show yourself," he called out, his voice echoing off the walls.
For a moment, there was silence. Then, a figure emerged from the shadows. It was a woman, her silhouette outlined by the faint glow of a nearby holo-sign. She was tall and lean, with piercing green eyes and short silver hair that seemed to shimmer in the dim light.
"Detective Ardent," she said, her voice smooth and confident. "We finally meet."
Kael didn't lower his weapon. "You have me at a disadvantage. Who are you?"
The woman smiled. "My name is Nyssa Vahn. Let's just say I have a vested interest in your investigation."
"Is that so?" Kael replied, his tone laced with skepticism. "And what interest would that be?"
Nyssa took a step closer, her hands raised in a gesture of peace. "The man who was killed-he was carrying something important. Something that doesn't belong in this world."
Kael's grip on his revolver tightened. "You mean a Nexus Shard."
Nyssa nodded. "If that shard falls into the wrong hands, Erythra Prime won't survive what comes next."
Kael studied her, his instincts telling him she was both dangerous and truthful. "Why should I trust you?"
"Because," Nyssa said, her expression turning serious, "I'm the only one who can help you find the rest of the shards before it's too late."
The weight of her words hung in the air, and for the first time in years, Kael felt the icy grip of fear in his chest. Whatever game he'd been dragged into, it was bigger than anything he'd faced before.
"Alright," Kael said, holstering his weapon. "You've got my attention. But if you're lying to me-"
"I'm not," Nyssa interrupted, her gaze unwavering. "Trust me, detective. You're going to need all the help you can get."
As the rain continued to fall, Kael knew one thing for certain-this was only the beginning.
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Chapter 1 A Corpse in the Neon Glow
29/12/2024
Chapter 2 Threads of the Past
29/12/2024
Chapter 3 The Shadows of Eon Vex
29/12/2024
Chapter 4 The Red Conspiracy
29/12/2024
Chapter 5 The Nexus Awakens
29/12/2024
Chapter 6 The Echoes of the Shard
29/12/2024
Chapter 7 Corporate Veils
29/12/2024
Chapter 8 Inferno in the Spire
29/12/2024
Chapter 9 Shadows of the Nexus
29/12/2024
Chapter 10 Descent into Darkness
29/12/2024
Chapter 11 The Shard's Whisper
29/12/2024
Chapter 12 Into the Void
29/12/2024
Chapter 13 The Nexus Rift
29/12/2024
Chapter 14 Revenant's Gambit
29/12/2024
Chapter 15 The Balance Restored
29/12/2024
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