MEMELAND

Deep beneath Asphyxia—

Far from the city lights.

Far from the crowded streets.

A hidden chamber remained silent.

The room was simple.

Stone walls.

Crates.

Supplies.

A single lantern hanging from the ceiling.

And at the center—

A cheap white plastic chair.

A man sat upon it.

One leg crossed over the other.

Waiting.

The room's only entrance opened.

Several hooded figures entered.

They bowed slightly.

"We've located the target."

The seated man nodded.

"Good."

One of them stepped forward.

"The architect wasn't difficult to track."

"Expected."

"The blueprints should be ours by tomorrow."

The seated man grinned.

"Excellent."

The cultists soon departed.

Leaving him alone once more.

Several minutes passed.

Then a second presence entered.

No footsteps.

No sound.

Just a figure emerging from the darkness itself.

The lantern illuminated nothing beyond a silhouette.

A cloak.

A hood.

A shadow standing among shadows.

The seated man sighed.

"You're late."

The figure didn't respond.

The silence lingered.

Then finally—

"The operation?"

A calm voice.

Neither friendly nor hostile.

The seated man leaned back.

"Going smoothly."

Another pause.

"The blueprint?"

"We'll have it soon."

The shadow remained motionless.

"As planned?"

"As planned."

The seated man smiled.

"You worry too much."

The figure ignored the remark.

"The blueprint is important."

"I know."

"You said that three times."

"And I'll say it again."

The seated man's smile faded slightly.

For a moment the atmosphere grew colder.

Not dangerous.

But tense.

Like two coworkers forced to work together despite disliking each other.

Eventually the shadow spoke again.

"When."

The seated man understood immediately.

"The delivery?"

A nod.

"Tomorrow."

The figure remained silent.

The seated man continued.

"My thieves are retrieving it."

"When they return, I'll hand it over."

The shadow seemed satisfied.

"Location?"

"The manufacturing district."

The lantern flickered.

"The old warehouse sector."

Another nod.

"I'll be there."

The seated man smirked.

"You trust me that much?"

"No."

The answer came instantly.

The seated man laughed.

"Fair enough."

The room fell silent once more.

Then the shadow turned.

Preparing to leave.

Before disappearing, the figure spoke one final sentence.

"Don't fail."

The seated man rested his chin on one hand.

Watching the darkness swallow the figure.

Then the room became empty again.

Several moments passed.

The man finally stood from the plastic chair.

Stretching his shoulders.

The lantern's light revealed more of him.

A shaved head.

A muscular build.

Metal gauntlets resting nearby.

He looked toward the tunnel where the shadow had vanished.

Then smiled.

"Bossing people around."

"Must be nice."

The man picked up one of the metal gauntlets.

Sliding it onto his arm.

The metal clicked into place.

Outside the chamber—

Far above the sewers—

The city of Asphyxia continued as normal.

Unaware that multiple plans were already moving beneath its foundations.

And that by tomorrow—

Everything would begin accelerating toward Phase Two.