The silence of the night was pierced by the ticking of an old clock in the back room of the shop. Hazel, her eyes never leaving the microscope, read the same sentence over and over:

  "You have a new mission. Time is running out. We will find you."

  Before the morning call to prayer had finished echoing, a silhouette appeared in front of the shop window. A man in a long coat, wearing a fedora. Without touching the door’s lock, he entered. The electronic lock system had been disabled... professionally.

  Without turning around, Hazel spoke. “Nice entrance. But your shoes are covered in dust. You’ve clearly come through the Grand Bazaar's underground passage.”

  The man smiled slightly. “Working with someone like you won’t be easy, but it will be interesting.”

  Hazel turned around, locking eyes with him. “Before I hear your offer, something needs to be clear,” she said. “Who are you?”

  If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

  The man pulled a small black envelope from his pocket. On the envelope was only a seal: ?? — an ancient alchemical symbol.

  “It’s not who we are that matters, but what we work for. This mission… could change the fate of humanity.”

  Hazel listened carefully. “And why me?”

  “Because you’re decoding the codes of the past. But what sets you apart is not just that. You… you can understand it. You can feel it.”

  Hazel nodded slightly. “Alright,” she said, stepping forward. “I’m interested in your mission. In fact... I accept.”

  The man raised an eyebrow. “Is it really that easy?”

  Hazel smiled. “I’ve been drowning in the depths of the past for years, trying to find myself. Maybe it’s time to rise to the surface. But I have one condition.”

  The man focused intently.

  “I have an offer too,” Hazel said. “But I’ll only share it with the person at the top of your organization. I’ll begin the mission under this condition. And yes... I’m ready.”

  The man paused for a few seconds. Then, nodding, he said, “Understood. Get ready. Tomorrow night, they’ll come to pick you up. And... you’ll meet that person face to face.”

  Hazel nodded. A stirring sensation rose from the depths of her heart. This was more than just a mission. This was a call.

  And she was ready to answer.