This is part of an original serialized fiction project written and edited by the author. All story elements and characters are fictional.

Leo charged at the guard without hesitation, swinging the metal bar with force. The hit made the man stumble, but he recovered quickly and shoved Leo back against one of the attic’s steel beams.

“Leo!” Lucía shouted, as Méndez advanced toward her.

“Don’t come any closer,” she warned, grabbing a rusty tool and raising it defensively.

Méndez didn’t stop. His eyes were locked on the panel.
“You don’t understand what you’re protecting. This is bigger than you, your brother, or even this building.”

“The only thing I understand is that you’re not getting it,” Lucía shot back, blocking his path.

While Méndez and Lucía faced off, Leo landed a solid blow to the guard’s legs, sending him crashing to the floor with a heavy thud.

“Lucía, activate the seal!” Leo shouted, grabbing the interference device from the guard and hurling it into a dark corner of the attic.

Lucía quickly turned the remaining two levers. The panel responded with a powerful hum, and the inscriptions lit up, filling the room with a warm, pulsing glow.

“It’s working!” she cried, though her voice trembled with tension.

Realizing he was losing, Méndez made a move toward the panel — but Leo stepped in again, pushing him back.

“Not happening,” Leo said, holding his ground.

The panel’s light reached its peak, and a deep rumble surged through the building — the unmistakable signal that all three seals were now in sync. The attic walls shook, and for a brief moment, a strange calm settled over the space.

“It’s sealed!” Lucía shouted, stepping back as the panel slowly dimmed.

Méndez, breathing heavily, glared at them with restrained fury.
“You think this is over? You have no idea what you’ve just done.”

Leo stepped forward, still gripping the metal bar.
“All that matters is that you can’t do any more damage.”

Méndez looked at him with contempt, then turned toward the attic door.
“I’ll be back. And when I am, there won’t be any place left for you to hide.”

With those words, he disappeared down the stairs, leaving behind a heavy silence.

Lucía dropped to the floor, completely drained, while Leo checked the panel one last time.

“Do you think it’ll be enough?” she whispered.

Leo nodded slowly, though uncertainty showed on his face.
“I don’t know. But for now, we’ve bought ourselves some time.”

Teodora and Gregorio arrived minutes later, their faces a mix of relief and concern.

“You did it?” Teodora asked, looking at the panel.

Lucía nodded.
“The seal is active. But Méndez got away.”

Gregorio crossed his arms, eyes on the door.
“He got away… but he won’t stop. This isn’t over.”

Teodora placed a hand on Lucía’s shoulder, her gaze full of pride.
“You did great. Now we need to reinforce everything we can.”

Leo looked at the panel, already thinking ahead.
“This was just one battle. The war’s still coming.”