-Hell on Earth-

The library felt colder now, the faint hum of overhead lights barely cutting through the tension that gripped the trio. Jacob's voice echoed softly in the silence, still ringing with the weight of his discovery.

"This isn't just about politics anymore," Jacob said, staring at the classified file before him. "There's something buried here, something that could change everything."

Ryan's gaze drifted away from Jacob to the strange book they had uncovered earlier in the archives. It rested ominously on the table, its leather cover cracked and ancient, marked with symbols neither of them could decipher.

"What about that thing?" Ryan asked, pointing to the book.

Jacob frowned. "I don't know. It doesn't match anything in MIRA's database. I ran scans earlier. It's like it's… outside our history."

Jean shifted uneasily. "Maybe we should leave it alone. It gives me the creeps."

But Ryan stepped closer. He felt a strange pull toward the book, as if it were whispering to him, calling out in a voice just beyond comprehension.

"I just want to see," Ryan said, hesitating as his fingers hovered over the cover.

"Ryan, don't—" Jacob began, but it was too late.

The moment Ryan's hand touched the book, the world tilted.

--

Darkness enveloped Ryan, a suffocating void that pressed against him from all sides. For a moment, he thought he was falling, tumbling endlessly through nothingness. Then came the flashes—scenes and images that blurred together like a dream on the verge of breaking.

A bustling marketplace filled with beings unlike anything he'd ever seen, their faces obscured but their laughter echoing in his ears.

A corridor, the air thick with smoke and screams, where a towering figure loomed in the distance. It moved with deadly precision, its navy blue skin glinting faintly in the dim light.

Then, a face—weathered and scarred, eyes glowing faintly with streaks of power. It was Ninja, older, his beard streaked with gray, his features hardened. He was screaming, his voice raw with betrayal.

"Traitor!" Ninja's voice roared, a sound that tore through Ryan's soul.

Ryan stumbled backward, but the visions didn't stop.

A man he didn't know—a stranger with dark eyes filled with malice. His features were a hollow shadow of humanity, and he moved with an unnatural grace. Ryan somehow knew this man had once been Aiden, though whatever humanity had once existed in him was now consumed by something darker.

The visions shifted again. A webbed figure swung through an alien skyline, the sound of wind rushing past.

Another image—a sniper perched in the distance, their rifle trained on him, though he couldn't make out their face.

Finally, the world dissolved, and Ryan found himself in the void again. But this time, he wasn't alone.

The shadows around him pulsed, alive with something malevolent. A voice spoke—deep, resonant, and terrifying.

"You think you have seen enough to understand what's coming? You haven't even begun to suffer."

Ryan tried to scream, but his voice was lost.

--

Ryan gasped as he was yanked back to the library, his hand jerking away from the book as if it had burned him. His body trembled, sweat dripping down his brow.

"Ryan!" Jean cried, grabbing his shoulders. "What happened? Are you okay?"

"I-I don't know," Ryan stammered. "I saw things… things I can't explain."

Jacob stepped forward, slamming the book shut and pulling it away. "We're done with this. Whatever this thing is, it's not something we can handle."

Ryan nodded weakly, his heart still racing. "Yeah… let's get out of here."

The three of them left the library quickly, the eerie weight of the book following them even as they stepped into the open air.

--

The city was alive with the buzz of politics. Holographic billboards projected Commander Dietrich's confident face, accompanied by slogans promising stability and prosperity. The Iron Vanguard, not to be outdone, countered with their own displays, emphasizing freedom and a "new vision for humanity."

Dietrich's campaign headquarters bustled with activity. Strategists debated over charts and graphs, while volunteers distributed propaganda. In a private office, Dietrich reviewed his upcoming speech with General Ross.

"We need to address the rumors about that island," Ross said, tapping on a data pad.

"The Iron Vanguard is framing it as an issue of wasted resources."

Dietrich leaned back, his expression calm but cold. "We can't let them control the narrative. Spin it as a necessary precaution—an investment in safety."

"And Jacob?" Ross asked. "He's attending the hospital event with you?"

Dietrich nodded. "The boy's presence will solidify my message. He represents the future."

--

Across town, Jacob, Ryan, and Jean entered the hospital. The sterile halls smelled faintly of antiseptic, a sharp contrast to the warmth they hoped to bring.

They stopped outside Max's room, peering through the glass. Inside, Max lay on the bed, his body wrapped in bandages, his breathing steady but shallow. The once-vibrant captain now seemed smaller, diminished by his injuries.

Jacob hesitated at the door.

"Go on," Jean said gently.

Jacob stepped inside, his friends following. He stood by the bed, unsure of what to say.

"Hey, Dad," Jacob finally whispered. "It's me."

Max's eyes fluttered open, focusing slowly on his son. A faint smile crossed his lips.

"Jacob," Max said weakly. "You came."

"Of course I did," Jacob replied, his voice thick with emotion. "How are you feeling?"

Max chuckled softly, though it turned into a cough. "Like I've been hit by a torpedo."

The room fell into a comfortable silence as the trio sat with Max, sharing stories and updates. For a brief moment, the weight of their worries lifted.

--

As the day ended, the city lights came alive, illuminating the streets with a vibrant glow. Dietrich's campaign rally drew a massive crowd, his voice carrying over the speakers with practiced confidence.

"For the past 9 years, we've built a world of stability and progress," Dietrich declared. "But there are those who would tear it down, who would risk everything for the sake of reckless change. I ask you—will we let them?"

The crowd roared in response, their cheers echoing through the night.

Jacob watched from the sidelines, feeling a strange mix of pride and unease. He knew the stakes were high, but the secrets he had uncovered weighed heavily on him.

As the rally continued, Ryan leaned over to Jacob. "Do you think he's right?"

Jacob didn't answer immediately. "I think he believes he is. And maybe that's enough for now."

But in the back of his mind, Ryan couldn't shake the visions he had seen. The dark voice still echoed faintly, a haunting reminder that the future was anything but certain.