Chapter 5

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Merodach's eyes blazed with intensity, his smile a thin-lipped whisper.

"The time for patience is over," he declared, voice low and deadly.

Victor Martinez, his loyal right-hand man, stood attentive.

"Sir, the operation was a success," Victor reported, cautious.

Merodach's gaze snapped to Victor.

"The agent?" he demanded.

Victor hesitated.

"She escaped, sir."

Merodach's expression turned glacial.

"No matter," he said, voice dripping with calculation.

"We've planted the seeds. Erebus will soon be within our grasp."

Victor nodded.

"The Phoenix protocol, sir?"

Merodach's eyes flashed.

"Initiate the sequence. We can't afford to wait."

Victor's eyes widened.

"Already, sir? But—"

Merodach's voice cut him off.

"The agent's interference is unforeseen. We must adapt."

Victor's face set.

"Understood, sir."

The room fell silent, heavy with anticipation.

Merodach's mind raced, calculating probabilities.

Anticipating counter-moves.

The game was far from over.

Merodach's next step would change everything.

Victor's phone beeped, shattering the tension.

"Sir, the package is ready."

Merodach's gaze never wavered.

"Proceed."

The wheels were in motion.

Merodach's plan unfolded.

In the shadows, a figure watched.

Waiting.

The Phoenix had risen.

And with it, the stakes.

The package, a nondescript briefcase, was handed to a courier.

"Delivery to the Atlas Building," Victor instructed.

The courier nodded, already moving.

Merodach's eyes never left the briefcase.

"Erebus's key," he whispered.

Victor's gaze met Merodach's.

"Sir, are you certain?"

Merodach's smile returned.

"Certainty is for the weak, Victor."

The courier vanished into the night.

Merodach's phone buzzed.

"Victor, track the package."

Victor nodded, already working.

Merodach's eyes gleamed.

"The Phoenix rises."

Suddenly, Victor's expression changed.

"Sir, we have a problem."

Merodach's gaze snapped to Victor.

"What?"

"The courier's phone just went dark."

Merodach's face hardened.

"Find him."

Victor's fingers flew across his keyboard.

"Tracking..."

Merodach's patience wore thin.

"Victor?"

"Got him, sir."

The courier's phone flickered back to life.

"Package delivered," the courier texted.

Victor's tension eased.

"Sir, package delivered safely," Victor reported.

Merodach's gaze never wavered.

"Confirm authenticity," Merodach ordered.

Victor nodded, already working.

The seconds ticked by.

"Authentication confirmed, sir," Victor said.

Merodach's smile returned.

"Erebus, within reach," he whispered.

The room fell silent.

Anticipation hung heavy.

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