Kiev's Saint Sophia Cathedral rose like a watchful sentinel over the city—its onion domes green with age, its bones ancient with secrets.
Mikhail had not come for worship.
Beneath the cathedral, in catacombs forgotten by most, a meeting was being held. Not by priests, but by conspirators. He moved through the tunnel slowly, lantern in hand, boots echoing against centuries-old stone.
The message had come encoded in a familiar cipher—one he'd used during his former life's work with intelligence dossiers. Someone from his past… or someone trying to use it against him?
[System Alert: Hidden Event Discovered – Cathedral Conclave] [Difficulty: High | Potential Rewards: Strategic Intel, Faction Clarity, Legacy Points]
He turned the final corner and entered the old crypt.
A dozen men and women sat in a rough circle, lit by a ring of candles. Maps lay scattered. Documents, manifestos, wanted posters. Some faces were familiar—reformists, industrialists, even a rogue Orthodox bishop.
But one froze him.
General Fyodor Sokolov.
Once declared dead in the Turkish front. Once part of a secret war council Mikhail remembered vividly from his past life. A brilliant strategist—and an opportunist with no loyalty to anyone.
"Sokolov," Mikhail said evenly. "Resurrected?"
The man smiled like a jackal. "So are you, boy."
[System Alert: Unstable Variable Detected – General Fyodor Sokolov | Status: Unknown Allegiance]
They let Mikhail speak. He proposed a pact of influence—he would provide intelligence, resources, and soft power. They would remain silent, help stabilize the southern provinces, and act only when the timing was right.
Most agreed.
Except one.
An agent named Anya Vetrova. Catherine's lieutenant. Sharp eyes. Quiet fury.
"Why should we trust you?" she asked. "You're not one of us. You speak like a noble. You plan like a tyrant."
"I plan like someone who knows what's coming," Mikhail said coldly. "Steam. Gunpowder. The printing press. If we don't take the reins now, Russia will be trampled by the world."
He let silence fall.
"If you won't follow me, fine. But do not get in my way."
Sokolov laughed, impressed. "The boy's got iron."
[Faction Standing Updated – Slavic Reformist Coalition: Trusted] [System Upgrade: Strategic Network I Unlocked – Access Coordinated Multi-City Operations]
Later, as Mikhail stepped from the cathedral and into the swirling snow, he paused.
There, across the square, stood Catherine. She'd followed him.
"You met the ghosts," she said softly.
"And one of them smiled," he replied.
"Then be careful. Ghosts haunt for a reason."
They walked into the storm together.
But in the shadows, Anya Vetrova lit a match.
And began writing a letter to a rival faction.