Chapter 11: Threads of a Conspiracy

Maria and Ikran moved quickly through the dimly lit streets of Pasadianka, their destination set: Julia’s apartment. The weight of what Maria had seen on the video—Fendi and Sarah’s clash over Dunnorage—lingered heavily in her mind. Each revelation felt like another piece of a puzzle that painted an increasingly grim picture of Kentofes’ intentions.

“We need to be careful,” Ikran said as they approached the apartment building. “Kentofes will have eyes everywhere.”

Maria nodded, her focus sharpening. The weight of responsibility pressed on her shoulders. Julia might not know it yet, but she was now a target.

The elevator ride to Julia’s floor was tense, every creak and groan of the machinery amplifying their unease. When they reached her door, Maria knocked sharply.

“Julia? It’s me, Maria,” she called out.

For a moment, there was no response. Then the sound of locks being undone echoed from the other side. The door opened just enough for Julia’s face to appear, her expression a mix of relief and suspicion.

“Maria? What are you doing here? And who’s he?” Julia asked, eyeing Ikran warily.

“It’s a long story,” Maria said, stepping inside without waiting for an invitation. “But you’re in danger. We need to talk.”

Julia hesitated before closing the door, her gaze flicking between Maria and Ikran. “What kind of danger?”

Ikran spoke up, his voice calm but firm. “The kind that ends with you disappearing if we don’t act now.”

Julia’s expression hardened. “You think I don’t know that? I’ve been watching my back ever since I found my father’s files. But I can’t just stop. If Kentofes is as powerful as you say, someone has to fight back.”

“That’s why we’re here,” Maria said, placing a hand on Julia’s shoulder. “We can fight back. But we need to do it together.”

Julia seemed to consider this for a moment before nodding. “Okay. What’s the plan?”

Ikran set his bag on the table and pulled out a map of the city, marked with red circles and lines connecting various locations.

“These are Kentofes’ known bases of operation,” he explained. “They’re not just a shadow organization—they’re embedded in Pasadianka’s infrastructure. PRASASTI is their crown jewel, but their influence spreads far beyond that.”

Julia frowned, leaning over the map. “And what about Dunnorage? How does it fit into all of this?”

Maria exchanged a glance with Ikran before pulling out her laptop and opening the video of Fendi and Sarah. “You need to see this.”

The three of them sat in silence as the video played, the tension in the room growing with each word exchanged between Fendi and Sarah.

“This is what we’re dealing with,” Maria said when the video ended. “Kentofes took something that was meant to connect people and turned it into a weapon of control. Fendi and Sarah tried to stop them, but...”

Julia’s hands balled into fists. “But they couldn’t. And now it’s up to us.”

“Exactly,” Ikran said. “We need to expose Kentofes, bring their operations into the light. But to do that, we need evidence—proof that ties them to Dunnorage and their plans for mass control.”

Julia’s eyes narrowed as she studied the map. “Then we hit them where it hurts. PRASASTI.”

Maria and Ikran exchanged a look.

“It won’t be easy,” Ikran warned. “Kentofes has PRASASTI locked down. But if we can get inside, access their central servers...”

Julia nodded. “We’ll find the proof we need.”

Maria took a deep breath, the weight of the mission settling in her chest. “Then we do it. Together.”

The plan was set, but as the trio began their preparations, none of them could shake the feeling that Kentofes was already a step ahead.