The day before stepping into the game felt eerily calm.
Too calm.
Seraphina woke early, her mind already cycling through every possible scenario. Expect everything. Expect nothing. Ezrin's words from the night before echoed in her head.
She spent the morning reviewing every file again, ensuring each detail was imprinted in her mind. Names, locations, past cases—nothing could be left to chance.
By noon, she had memorized enough.
But the feeling wouldn't go away.
A storm was coming.
And she wasn't sure whether they were walking into it—or if it was barreling straight toward them.
Across the city, Ezrin stood in his penthouse, staring out at the skyline.
He had always been a man of control.
But this?
This was different.
They were about to walk into unknown territory.
And for the first time in years, a small part of him hated it.
Not because of the danger. That was expected.
But because, for once, he wasn't just calculating the risk for himself.
Seraphina's face flickered in his mind.
His jaw clenched.
It was just a mission.
That's all it was.
And yet, he found himself gripping the glass in his hand a little tighter.
Tomorrow, everything would change.
He just hoped they'd all make it out alive.
Seraphina's phone vibrated against the desk. A message from their secure group chat.
Kieran: Fake identity is finalized. Check the details.
She unlocked her phone and scanned the file. A new name. A new background. A carefully crafted history that didn't exist yesterday—but would be real enough tomorrow.
Ezrin, seated in his office, saw the same message appear on his screen. His eyes skimmed the details. Everything was flawless. It had to be.
A new passport. Fake employment records. A life on paper.
But his gaze lingered.
Valerie Blackwood.
He smirked slightly. It suited her.
Across the city, Seraphina leaned back, exhaling as she absorbed every detail of her new identity.
She wasn't Seraphina Elowen Vail anymore.
Not in this game.
She was Valerie Blackwood now.
And tomorrow, she would become her.
Name: Valerie BlackwoodAge: 26Nationality: British-IcelandicBackground: A data analyst and corporate consultant specializing in high-level security systems. Has worked with several multinational companies, making her expertise valuable in elite business circles.Current Employment: Consultant for Horizon Initiative, assigned to evaluate cybersecurity and internal operations.
It was perfect.
Enough truth to make it believable. Enough mystery to make others hesitant to question her.
A message popped up.
Kieran: Memorized?
She smirked and typed back:Seraphina: Give me five minutes, and I'll convince you I've been Valerie my whole life.
Kieran: Good. Because after tomorrow, you won't just be convincing me.
Just then, a new email notification blinked on her screen:
"Congratulations. You are now officially employed as a Security and Intelligence Consultant at Horizon Initiative. Your first day begins tomorrow at 9:00 AM. Please arrive promptly."
Seraphina smirked. Kieran is fast.
She typed in the group chat:
Seraphina: You're fast. Just got the confirmation email. Thanks for telling me.
Kieran: What can I say? Efficiency is my charm.
Ezrin: You didn't need to be told. You should've expected it.
Seraphina rolled her eyes. Typical.
Kieran: Well, now you know. Be ready, 'Valerie.' Tomorrow's going to be interesting.
Seraphina tapped her fingers against the desk.Interesting was an understatement.
Tomorrow, she would walk into Horizon Initiative—a place of deception, manipulation, and hidden agendas.
A place where the Manipulator was watching.
And she?She was walking straight into the fire.
Seraphina stood and stretched before heading to her closet. Her fingers skimmed across the familiar fabrics—sleek, structured, comfortable.
None of them belonged to Valerie Blackwood.
Valerie wasn't just a name. She was an identity.
And Seraphina didn't own a single outfit that fit her.
She grabbed her purse, smirking.Time for a shopping trip.
Three hours and several boutiques later, she had what she needed.
A wardrobe that screamed power, precision, and secrecy.Valerie's wardrobe.
As she headed for the exit, she suddenly craved something sweet.
Ice cream.
She turned toward the stand—and walked straight into a solid chest.
A quiet gasp left her lips.
She stepped back, looking up into a pair of striking, amused eyes.
"Sorry," the man said, his voice deep and pleasant.
"It's fine," she replied coolly.
He held her gaze for a moment—longer than most would—then offered a polite smile and stepped aside.
She turned back toward the stand.
It was nothing.
Just a moment.
Still… something about it lingered.
Later that night, Seraphina stepped into her apartment, finishing the last bite of earl grey and lavender ice cream. The cold sweetness grounded her for a moment.
She tossed the empty cup in the trash, eyes shifting to the pile of shopping bags near her closet.
Valerie's wardrobe.
With quiet focus, she arranged every outfit inside—seamless, subtle. Nothing that would raise suspicion.
No sharp changes. No obvious transformation.
But the difference was real.
She shut the closet, dimmed the lights, and crawled into bed.
Tomorrow, Valerie Blackwood would wake up.
The alarm buzzed at 7 AM.
But Seraphina was already awake.
Her mind had adjusted to the rhythm of someone else's life.
She moved through her morning routine with precision—breakfast, hair, final review.
By 8:15, she stood before the mirror.
But the woman staring back wasn't Seraphina.
Not anymore.
She wore a white silk blouse tucked into high-waisted black trousers—practical, powerful. Over it, a slim-fit black blazer added edge without excess.
Her heels clicked softly on the floor. Subtle power.
A platinum watch. Silver stud earrings. Nothing loud. Everything deliberate.
Her hair fell sleek and straight, tucked behind one ear. Controlled. Effortless.
She tilted her chin, smirking.
Valerie Blackwood.
Not just dressed for the part.
She was the part.
She grabbed her laptop and documents and stepped out the door.
The car ride was smooth. The city passed in a blur.
By the time she arrived at the towering Horizon Initiative building, she was fully in character.
Steel and glass. Sharp edges. No cracks.
The kind of place built to hide secrets.
She stepped out, heels clicking against the pavement, her posture immaculate.
Inside, the air was cool and clean, the lobby vast and humming with quiet efficiency. People in suits moved with direction; no one lingered.
She approached the reception desk.
"Valerie Blackwood," she said. "Security and Intelligence Consultant. I'm expected."
The receptionist looked up, then smiled. "Welcome, Ms. Blackwood. Your ID and clearance are ready."
She handed over a black access card.
"You'll report to Director Elias Carter, Intelligence Division. Office is on the 35th floor."
"I won't need an escort," Seraphina said smoothly.
The receptionist paused, then nodded.
"Elevators are to your left."
The elevator doors slid shut behind her, enclosing her in sleek mirrors and silence.
She checked her reflection, smoothed her lapel, and breathed.
Valerie Blackwood. No room for doubt.
When the doors opened, she stepped out, her heels echoing in the corridor.
The Director's office was at the end.
She was almost there when a voice interrupted her.
"Ah, I knew today would be interesting."
She turned.
Elias Carter.
And she recognized him instantly—the man from last night.
He stood with casual charm, a smirk tugging at his lips.
She kept her face neutral. "Director Carter."
"So you do know who I am," he said, stepping forward. "Valerie Blackwood. Consultant."
"You knew that already," she replied. "So why pretend otherwise?"
He chuckled. "It's fun watching people react."
She didn't flinch. "Then I'm sure this is disappointing for you."
"Oh, I wouldn't say that." He gestured to his office. "After you, Ms. Blackwood."
She walked past him without hesitation.
The office was pure authority—floor-to-ceiling windows, books, and strategy in every design.
She was about to sit when he said, "I must admit… you're more intriguing than I expected."
"Should I be flattered or concerned?"
"Should I be?"
"I'm here for my job," she said dryly. "If this is some initiation, I'd rather skip the theatrics."
He laughed. "I like you already."
He slid a black folder across the desk.
"Minor security breach. Our team patched it. I want a second opinion."
She didn't take the folder immediately.
"You want to see if they actually fixed it—or just made it look like they did?"
His grin widened. "Exactly."
She finally opened the file. Short. Too short.
Too clean.
"Deadline?"
"End of the week."
She stood. "I'll finish it sooner."
As she walked away—
"I liked that dress yesterday," he called. "But this suit? Just as distracting."
She didn't pause. "I'll report you to HR."
He laughed.
She mentally labeled him: Idiot.
Outside, a tall woman waited—sharp posture, sharper eyes.
"This is Celeste Vaughn, my assistant," Elias said lazily. "She'll take you to your office."
Celeste turned. "Follow me."
Seraphina did, matching her pace easily.
"You're on the west wing. Third floor. End of the hall. Let me know if you need anything."
Seraphina took it all in—the layout, the cameras, the control.
Just like Oblivion Division.
When they arrived, Celeste opened a sleek glass door.
"Everything's set."
"Thanks," Seraphina said.
Celeste hesitated, then added, "Mr. Carter doesn't usually take personal interest in newcomers."
Seraphina met her gaze, blank. "Good to know."
Celeste left.
Seraphina walked to the black desk, placed the folder down, and sat.
Her expression didn't change.
But her mind?
Already working.