new fragment of the enigma of the emerald building by e.black who has given us the pleasure of gradually publishing parts of the story.
The sound of Álvaro Méndez’s footsteps echoed through the chamber, merging with the thick silence that hung in the air. His silhouette stretched long across the walls, which were covered in mysterious symbols, as he moved with an unsettling calm.
Leo and Lucía stood between him and the empty pedestal at the room’s center, tense and alert. Teodora, standing off to the side, watched him with a cautious but determined gaze.
"How did you find us?" Teodora finally asked, breaking the heavy silence.
Méndez smiled faintly, tilting his head as if amused.
"This place is steeped in the history of the Esmeralda Building," he said. "The real question isn't how I got here—but how you managed to beat me to it."
Lucía’s fists clenched as she stepped forward. "It doesn’t matter how we got here. You’re not getting away with whatever it is you’re planning."
Méndez let out a low, cold chuckle.
"And what exactly do you think I'm planning?"
"It’s not hard to figure out," Leo said, lifting his flashlight and shining it straight at Méndez. "You want to use the artifact—maybe even this whole room."
"Sharp kid," Méndez replied, his eyes fixed on them. "But you’re missing the bigger picture. This place wasn’t designed as a weapon. It’s a tool—for enlightenment."
"Enlightenment?" Teodora repeated skeptically, one brow raised.
Méndez began to pace slowly around the pedestal, hands clasped behind his back.
"The artifact doesn’t just reveal secrets. It can connect people to truths most wouldn’t even be able to comprehend. This room was built to harness that energy."
"And what’s the cost?" Teodora asked, her voice firm and steady.
Méndez paused, then looked straight at them.
"The cost depends on who’s in control. My foundation understands what this place truly is. We intend to use it—to recover what humanity has forgotten."
Lucía crossed her arms. "And the destruction you’ll leave behind? That’s just… collateral damage?"
"There’s no progress without sacrifice," Méndez said, his tone as cold as the room around them.
Leo stepped forward, cutting in. "Then why come now? You don’t have the artifact—or the key."
Méndez’s expression didn’t change, but there was something smug in his eyes.
"I don’t need them," he said. "You already did the hard part by bringing them here."
Before anyone could react, he pulled a compact device from his coat pocket. With a click, a low buzzing filled the chamber. The symbols on the walls began to glow faintly, and the pedestal gave off a subtle hum.
"What are you doing?" Lucía yelled, stepping back.
"Activating the base systems," Méndez replied. "Even without the artifact, this room retains residual energy from it. That’s all I need to begin."
Teodora made a move toward him, but Méndez quickly held up a small controller, his thumb hovering over a second button.
"I wouldn’t rush things if I were you. One wrong move, and this whole room could come down."
Leo and Lucía exchanged a quick glance, their hearts pounding.
"What do you mean by ‘come down’?" Leo asked, voice tight.
Méndez looked up at the ceiling.
"This chamber is built to contain massive amounts of energy. If it overloads… let’s just say the Esmeralda Building won’t be the only thing at risk."
Lucía took a step forward despite the rising fear in her chest.
"Why are you doing this?" she asked, voice cracking slightly. "What could you possibly gain by tearing everything down?"
