Chapter 24: The Mastermind

The safehouse was quiet, but the tension was palpable as Maria and Julia prepared to face the person behind Kentofes. The video of Fendi and Sarah had revealed the moral battle at the heart of Dunnorage’s creation, but it also painted a target on their backs.

Now, armed with the truth, they had one goal: confront Kentofes’ leader and expose the web of lies that had ensnared so many.

Under the cover of night, Maria and Julia made their way to a high-security facility in the city’s outskirts. It was a stark, imposing building—both a fortress and a symbol of Kentofes’ power.

“This is where it ends,” Julia whispered, gripping the stolen access card they had acquired during their escape.

Maria nodded, her jaw set. “We find their leader, we get answers, and we make sure the world knows the truth.”

Inside, the corridors were cold and clinical, their footsteps muffled by the polished floors. Security cameras lined the walls, but Julia’s hacking skills kept them invisible as they navigated deeper into the facility.

Finally, they reached a steel door marked "Executive Operations."

“This is it,” Maria said, her voice steady.

Julia swiped the access card, and the door hissed open, revealing a sprawling office with floor-to-ceiling windows that overlooked the city.

Behind the desk stood a figure they recognized from PRASASTI’s files: Adrian Karmal, the elusive leader of Kentofes.

Adrian turned slowly, his sharp suit and calm demeanor a stark contrast to the chaos his organization had unleashed.

“Maria. Julia,” he said, his voice smooth and measured. “I was wondering when you’d show up.”

Maria stepped forward, her fists clenched. “You know why we’re here. It’s over, Adrian. We have the proof. The world will know what you’ve done.”

Adrian smiled faintly, gesturing for them to sit. “Proof? You mean that little video of Fendi and Sarah? Interesting, but hardly incriminating. A debate between a troubled genius and his alter ego hardly condemns me.”

Julia’s eyes narrowed. “It shows exactly what you’ve done—manipulating Fendi’s brilliance and exploiting his vulnerability. You turned his vision into a weapon.”

Adrian’s expression darkened. “Fendi was a genius, yes. But geniuses often lack the resolve to see their work through. Sarah... she was different. She understood the bigger picture. Without her, Dunnorage wouldn’t exist.”

Maria slammed her hand on the desk. “And you destroyed them both! You turned Fendi against himself and used Sarah to justify your agenda. You’ve ruined lives for your twisted vision of control.”

Adrian leaned back, unshaken by her outburst. “Control is necessary, Maria. The world is falling apart—wars, corruption, inequality. Dunnorage is the solution. Imagine a society where chaos is eradicated, where everyone works toward a common goal. Isn’t that worth a few sacrifices?”

Julia’s voice trembled with anger. “You mean sacrifices like my father? And Fendi? They believed in helping people, not enslaving them.”

Adrian rose from his chair, his calm façade cracking. “Your father knew the stakes. He was weak—like Fendi. They couldn’t see the inevitability of progress. But I can. And so can Kentofes.”

Maria stepped closer, her gaze unwavering. “You’re wrong. People don’t need you or your device to thrive. They need freedom—the right to choose their own paths, even if it means chaos.”

Adrian’s smile returned, cold and menacing. “Freedom is an illusion, Maria. And soon, the world will see that.”

Suddenly, the door burst open, and armed guards flooded the room.

“Take them,” Adrian ordered.

Maria and Julia fought back, their training and quick thinking giving them an edge. Julia used a smoke grenade from her bag to disorient the guards, while Maria disarmed one and used his weapon to cover their retreat.

As they fled the facility, Adrian’s voice echoed through the corridors.

“You can’t stop progress. Dunnorage is inevitable!”

The confrontation left Maria and Julia shaken but more determined than ever. Adrian’s words had revealed the depth of Kentofes’ conviction—and its leader’s willingness to destroy anyone who stood in his way.

But it also exposed a critical weakness: Adrian’s belief in his own invincibility.

As the team regrouped, Maria looked at Julia, her expression resolute.

“We’re not done yet,” she said. “This isn’t just about stopping Dunnorage. It’s about dismantling everything Adrian and Kentofes stand for.”

Julia nodded, her resolve matching Maria’s. “And we’ll make sure Fendi’s story is the one that brings them down.”