Deep beneath Asphyxia—
Far from the city lights.
Far from the crowded streets.
A hidden chamber remained silent.
The room was simple.
Stone walls.
Crates.
Supplies.
A single lantern hanging from the ceiling.
And at the center—
A cheap white plastic chair.
A man sat upon it.
One leg crossed over the other.
Waiting.
The room's only entrance opened.
Several hooded figures entered.
They bowed slightly.
"We've located the target."
The seated man nodded.
"Good."
One of them stepped forward.
"The architect wasn't difficult to track."
"Expected."
"The blueprints should be ours by tomorrow."
The seated man grinned.
"Excellent."
The cultists soon departed.
Leaving him alone once more.
Several minutes passed.
Then a second presence entered.
No footsteps.
No sound.
Just a figure emerging from the darkness itself.
The lantern illuminated nothing beyond a silhouette.
A cloak.
A hood.
A shadow standing among shadows.
The seated man sighed.
"You're late."
The figure didn't respond.
The silence lingered.
Then finally—
"The operation?"
A calm voice.
Neither friendly nor hostile.
The seated man leaned back.
"Going smoothly."
Another pause.
"The blueprint?"
"We'll have it soon."