The night outside Sterling Tower was colder than usual, the wind whipping along the skyline, rattling windows. Inside, the mansion was tense, silent except for the hum of electronics and the occasional creak of floorboards that seemed to echo louder than they should. Every shadow felt alive. Every corner seemed a potential threat.

Ares stood in the study, fists clenched, jaw tight. Atlas leaned against the wall, eyes scanning surveillance feeds with a hawk-like precision, the gun in his hand ...