The Weave Book 1 - Collision

Chatper 1 - Unfolding of Events

The morning sun filtered through the curtains of Arthur Frey's apartment, casting a soft, golden hue on the sleek, modern interior. His place was situated high above the bustling streets of the city, offering a view of the ever-awake urban landscape. The faint hum of distant traffic was a constant backdrop, yet it felt oddly comforting like a white noise that soothed the quiet chaos within his mind.

Arthur stirred, blinking against the light as he pushed off the covers and sat on the edge of the bed. His apartment was minimalistic but tastefully designed leather furniture, a glass coffee table, shelves lined with books, and a few framed historical prints adorning the walls. Everything had its place, just like the man who owned it. He let out a low groan, rubbing the back of his neck as he stood, feeling the slight stiffness from an unremarkable night's sleep.

His eyes drifted to the large mirror on the adjacent wall, where his reflection stared back at him. A man in his early thirties, dark wavy hair falling messily over deep-set blue eyes. His build was lean but strong, a remnant of something once more. Turning away, he walked into the bathroom, flipping on the cold water to splash his face.

As he leaned forward over the sink, the water dripping from his face, his gaze caught sight of something in the mirror the faint, intricate pattern of a tattoo-like mark on his back, just beneath his shoulder blades. He quickly straightened, rolling his shoulders. That mark had been with him for as long as he could remember, though no one ever asked about it. No need to no one really knew what it was. But Arthur did. It wasn't just a mark. It was... something else. Yet, for now, it remained nothing more than a mystery.

He shook off the thought, continuing with his morning routine. The smell of freshly brewed coffee soon filled the apartment as he sat at the small dining table, glancing over the news on his tablet. A headline caught his attention:

"Craven Corporation Breaks Ground in Ancient Artifact Research."

There was a picture of the familiar company logo alongside a photo of Victor Craven, the CEO who had made headlines time and again for his seemingly endless appetite for historical findings and his ever-growing corporate empire. Arthur frowned.

Just as he was scanning the article, his phone buzzed on the table. It was Finn Stone, his colleague and close friend, whose voice came through the moment Arthur answered.

"Hey, did you see the news?" Finn asked, his voice laced with excitement. "Craven's at it again, digging up ancient stuff. I swear, the guy must have a whole museum's worth of artifacts by now."

Arthur chuckled, shaking his head. "Yeah, I saw. Can't say I'm surprised."

"That's why he was talking about some research team stuff yesterday," Finn continued, his voice light-hearted but serious. "We've got a meeting in an hour about it. Victor's pulling some strings, and apparently."

Arthur raised an eyebrow. "He indeed is gonna make us be in that team. Good for us."

"Be there fast, we are already getting late. See you at the office?"

"Yeah, I'll be there."

Arthur ended the call, grabbing his jacket as he finished the last sip of coffee. He headed down to the parking garage, the sound of his shoes echoing off the concrete walls. His car a sleek Porsche 911 Carrera sat parked in his usual spot, a touch of luxury in an otherwise modest life. As he climbed in, the familiar hum of the engine filled the space, and he smoothly pulled out onto the road. Finn's words about Craven Corporation and their latest artifact discoveries played in his mind, but to Arthur, it felt like just another job. There was no reason for concern at least, not yet.

The drive to the office was uneventful, the city's pulse beating steadily around him. Arthur pulled into the underground parking of the historical museum, where he worked as a senior historian. The building was an impressive structure both a museum and the headquarters for Craven Corporation's historical division. It was a mix of modern architecture and classical design, the kind of place that felt timeless in its purpose.