The reinforced vault chamber seemed impossibly vast, even in the low industrial light. Holographic projections flickered across the walls, displaying decades of secrets, debts, and hidden alliances—an archive of power that Valerian wielded like a weapon.

Ares stepped forward, gun steady, eyes locked on the man who had taken his sister. “Step away from her.” His voice was steel, unyielding.

Valerian turned slowly, his coat sweeping the floor like shadow, and smiled faintly. “You ...