The green glow of Ava's pendant cut through the shadows as she and the men prepared for the incoming attack. Cloaked figures closed in, weapons raised. The hum of the holographic map filled the chamber like a heartbeat, its red coordinate pulsing insistently.
Ethan's eyes narrowed. "We can't hold them here. The red mark… it's calling us. That's the next priority."
Ava gritted her teeth, heart racing. "Then we leave now. No hesitation. The pendant will guide us."
Damien nodded. "Stay close. Trust the path it shows."
With precise coordination, the three moved through a narrow corridor, avoiding the brunt of the attack. Sparks flew as some attackers tried to block their path, but Ava pressed her pendant against the holographic panel, triggering a hidden passage that swung open into darkness.
The passage led to an underground vehicle bay. Sleek, armored cars waited silently. Ava instinctively climbed into the passenger seat of the fastest one, Ethan at the wheel, Damien securing the rear. The pendant pulsed violently, projecting the route directly onto the windshield as a green light guide.
As they drove, rain slick streets reflected neon signs. The city seemed oblivious to the chase happening below its surface, but Ava's instincts screamed that eyes were everywhere. Cameras, drones, and unknown observers likely tracked them.
"Where is it leading us?" Ava asked, gripping the tablet that contained the first secret.
Ethan glanced at her. "To the red mark. Whatever's there is critical. Your mother left it for a reason, and we're about to find out why."
Damien's gaze was fixed on the road ahead. "Stay alert. This isn't a simple retrieval. Whoever controls that location will know we're coming."
The car came to a sudden stop in an abandoned industrial area. Shipping containers loomed like giants in the dim moonlight, some stacked high, creating shadows that seemed alive. The pendant's pulse intensified, directing Ava toward a specific container.
"This one," she whispered. "It's the one we need."
They approached cautiously. Damien's hand hovered near his concealed weapon, Ethan scanning the perimeter, and Ava pressed the pendant against the container's lock. A soft click sounded, and the door swung open.
Inside, the container was filled with crates—but one crate in the center glowed faintly red. Ava's heart raced. This was the first actionable piece of her mother's empire, the key to understanding who their enemies were and who could be trusted.
Before they could examine it, a shadow moved at the edge of the container stacks. A group of masked men emerged, faster and more organized than the attackers in the Citadel.
"Welcome, Miss Cross," a deep voice called. "I see you've found the red mark. Unfortunately… it belongs to me now."
Ava felt the pendant vibrate violently, pulsing against her chest like a warning. Ethan moved forward, weapons drawn. Damien flanked the sides. But Ava realized that this confrontation wasn't just physical—it was a test of wit, instinct, and courage.
She took a deep breath, studying the glowing crate. Its light reflected in her eyes, her heart pounding. "Then we'll have to take it back. No matter what it costs."
The attackers advanced in unison. Sparks flew as weapons clashed, and the pendant's glow illuminated the chaos. Ava darted forward, instincts guiding her to the crate. The green pulses projected the quickest path, avoiding obstacles and highlighting weak points in the attackers' formation.
She reached the crate, hands trembling, and triggered a hidden lock sequence—her mother's codes embedded into the device. The crate's glow shifted from red to a bright green, signaling that it was unlocked.
A voice hissed from the shadows: "Impressive… but don't think this ends here."
Ava turned, realizing the red-mark location was just the beginning. The true challenge—the ones who wanted the empire for themselves—had only just begun.