Chapter 73: Victor

The first time Victor had ever failed to answer a direct question, Markus assumed he was being deliberately difficult.

He had entered his father’s office carrying a stack of reports from the lower laboratories. The security team had recovered several damaged files, but the information was incomplete, and the researchers responsible for reconstructing the database wanted authorisation to access a restricted archive.

Markus had come to ask whether Victor would approve the request. Instead, he found his father standing beside the desk, one hand pressed against its surface.

"Father?"

Victor looked up. "What is it?"

"The researchers need permission to access the archive. The surviving records are incomplete, and they believe the missing files might explain some of the anomalies."

"Then they can continue working with the information they have."

"That won’t answer the number of questions they have," Markus argued.

"Not every question needs to be answered immediately."

Markus stared at him. "You keep saying that."

"Because you keep asking the same questions."

"Perhaps because you keep refusing to give me a proper answer."

Victor’s expression tightened. He moved away from the desk and reached for a folder, but his fingers failed to grip its edge properly. The folder slipped from his hand and fell onto the floor.

Both men looked down.

For a moment, Victor did not move. Then he bent to retrieve it, his movements controlled but noticeably slower than usual. Markus stepped forward instinctively, but Victor straightened before he could reach him.

"I can manage," Victor said.

"I didn’t say you couldn’t."

"You were about to."

"I was about to pick up the folder."

Victor placed it on the desk. "Then there was no need to interrupt my work."

The conversation should have ended there, but Markus remained where he was.

He had noticed the stiffness in his father’s movements, and the exchange had unsettled him in a way he could not explain.

Victor had always been precise, even when tired or irritated. Seeing him struggle with something so ordinary felt more disturbing than any of the secrets Markus had discovered beneath the Foundation.

"Are you ill?" Markus asked.

Victor’s eyes settled on him. "No."

The answer came too quickly. Markus glanced at his father’s covered wrist. "You don’t look well."

"I have been working."

"So have I."

"Then you should understand that exhaustion is not a medical emergency."

Markus wanted to argue, but Victor had already turned towards the reports.

He collected the folder Victor had dropped and placed it beside the others.

"Fine. I’ll tell the researchers to continue with what they have."

"Good."

Markus turned towards the door, then paused.

"You know, you don’t have to make everything a test."

Victor looked up. "What makes you think this is a test?"

"Because I can never tell whether you’re answering a question or trying to teach me something."

For a moment, Victor appeared to consider the remark.

"Perhaps you should learn to recognise the difference."

Markus shook his head and left the office.

Victor watched the door close behind him. Only after the corridor had fallen silent did he allow his shoulders to sag.

He gripped the edge of the desk and waited for the stiffness in his hand to pass.

The infection had progressed beyond the point where he could comfortably ignore it.

His latest private examination had revealed crystalline growth extending through his forearm, with further abnormalities appearing in the surrounding tissue.

The process was no longer confined to a single area, and the periods during which his hand failed to respond were becoming more frequent.

He had found no treatment, and the available records offered no reliable indication of how much time remained.

He had considered telling Markus that morning.

Now, after seeing the suspicion in his son’s eyes, he decided against it.

Markus was already struggling to reconcile the Foundation’s official principles with the things he had witnessed.

Learning that Victor had been infected would give him another reason to question the organisation, and Victor would not allow that to interfere with his remaining investigations.

He returned to the private medical room and initiated another examination.

The results appeared on the screen.

For several seconds, he remained completely still. The crystalline growth had advanced significantly since the previous scan.

The diagnostic system identified multiple areas of abnormality, but its projections could not establish how quickly the condition would progress or whether it could be contained.

Victor searched the restricted medical archive again, narrowing the results to cases involving exposure to the complete crystal.

The information remained frustratingly incomplete. Several subjects had deteriorated before the Foundation could finish examining them, while others had been lost before their conditions could be properly documented.

The few surviving records offered no treatment, only observations of the infection’s progression.

Victor closed the archive, ’There is no cure.’ Victor thought.

The following morning, Markus entered his father’s office shortly after eight.

He expected to find Victor reviewing reports or speaking with one of the senior researchers. Instead, the office was unusually quiet.

"Father?"

Victor was seated behind his desk, examining several documents.

"You’re here early," he remarked.

"I could say the same about you."

Victor placed the documents down, "Is there something you need?"

Markus approached the desk, but stopped when he noticed something unusual.

His father’s right hand was resting on the table. It was completely crystallized.

Blue crystalline formations covered his fingers and extended beyond his wrist, making the original appearance of his hand almost unrecognisable.

Markus stared, "Father..."

Victor followed his gaze, "I suppose there is no point hiding it anymore."

"What happened?"

"You already know." Victor said.

"Mark 8?"

Victor nodded.

"How long?" Markus questioned.

"Several days."

Markus looked at him with disbelief.

"Several days? And you never thought to tell me?"

"I had other matters to attend to."

"Other matters? Your entire hand is crystallized!"

Victor remained composed, "Markus, there are things that must continue regardless of what happens to the people responsible for them."

"The Foundation." Markus asked.

"Exactly."

Victor opened a drawer and retrieved several documents, placing them on the desk.

Markus examined the first page. It contained official arrangements concerning the transfer of authority within the Cain Foundation.

He looked up, "What is this?"

"My succession arrangements."

"You’re appointing me?" Markus replied.

"I am."

Victor explained that the Foundation required a stable leader.

Its military divisions, researchers, financial departments and regional commanders could not remain without someone capable of making decisions.

"You will take control of the Cain Foundation," Victor continued. "Every department will answer to you.

Every operation currently under my authority will become your responsibility."

Markus looked down at the documents, "Father, I don’t know if I’m ready for that."

"Readiness is rarely something that arrives before responsibility."

Victor studied his son, "You have questioned my decisions, challenged my methods and investigated things I would have preferred you never discovered.

However, you have also demonstrated that you can recognise problems within this organisation."

"And what happens to everything you’ve built?" Markus asked.

"It continues. That is your responsibility now."

Victor activated the secure terminal on his desk.

A communication channel opened, connecting him to representatives of several major foundations. Their faces appeared across the screen.

One of them spoke, "Victor. We weren’t expecting this meeting."

"It will be brief." Victor adjusted the terminal, "I have called you here to inform you of a change in the leadership of the Cain Foundation.

My son, Markus, will be assuming my position as head of the organisation, effective immediately."

The representatives exchanged glances.

"Are you stepping down?" another asked.

"My decision is final." Victor added. Victor glanced towards Markus.

"All existing agreements and responsibilities will remain intact unless my successor decides otherwise.

Any matters concerning the Cain Foundation will now be addressed to him. I expect every one of you to recognise his authority as you recognised mine."

The representatives acknowledged the announcement, and Victor ended the transmission.

Markus remained beside the desk, "You just handed me the entire organisation."

"I handed you the responsibility of keeping it alive."

Victor slowly stood, "Come. There is somewhere I would like to visit."

"Where?" Markus questioned.

"The crystal."

The journey towards the lower laboratories was considerably quieter than their previous visits.

Victor walked slowly, occasionally resting his crystallized hand against the railing. Markus noticed the difficulty but decided against offering assistance.

When they reached the restricted chamber, Victor entered first.

The enormous crystalline structure remained suspended within its containment system, its blue surface reflecting the laboratory lights.

Markus followed him inside, "You wanted to see this again?"

Victor approached the containment barrier, "Yes."

He studied the crystal for several seconds.

"Everything began here, Markus. Everything we have built, everything we have lost and everything we believed we could accomplish."

"You spent your entire life trying to understand it."

"And I spent the final part of that life trying to control it."

Victor slowly raised his right hand.

The crystalline formations covering his fingers began spreading.

Markus noticed immediately, "Father?"

The blue growth moved beyond his wrist, travelling beneath his sleeve and extending towards his elbow.

Victor’s breathing became uneven, "Interesting."

"What’s happening?" Markus barked.

Victor did not answer.

The infection accelerated. His fingers locked into place as additional crystalline formations spread across his forearm and towards his shoulder.

Markus stepped forward, "Father!"

Victor attempted to steady himself against the containment barrier.

"It’s already over," he said weakly.

"What?"

"There is no cure, Markus. I knew that before we came here."

"Then why did you bring yourself down here?"

Victor looked towards the enormous crystal, "Because I wanted to see it once more."

The infection continued spreading. His other hand began changing, while crystalline structures emerged across his chest and travelled towards his neck.

Markus watched helplessly, "Father, we can still find something. There has to be another way."

Victor slowly turned towards him, "Markus, listen to me."

His son moved closer.

"You are no longer responsible for saving me. You are responsible for what happens after I am gone."

Victor’s chest became completely covered, "Do not allow this organisation to become nothing more than a collection of people protecting their own interests.

You have seen what happens when power becomes more important than the people who possess it."

His head tilted slightly.

"Make your own decisions, even if they are different from mine."

Markus struggled to maintain his composure, "I don’t want the Foundation. I don’t want any of this."

Victor’s expression softened, "Unfortunately, you already have it."

A faint smile appeared on his face, "For once, try not to disappoint me."

The crystalline growth finally reached Victor’s face.

Within seconds, his entire body became covered in blue crystal.

His expression remained fixed as the final formations spread across his head, leaving him completely motionless.

Victor was gone.

A low cracking sound echoed throughout the chamber.

A thin fracture appeared across his chest. Then another, followed by several more.

The fractures spread rapidly, travelling through his shoulders, arms and legs. The crystalline structure holding his body together began breaking apart.

The first pieces fell to the floor, then Victor’s entire body collapsed.

His crystallized remains shattered into countless fragments before gradually breaking down into a fine blue-grey dust that settled across the laboratory floor.

There was no movement.

Markus stood there for a long time.

Eventually, he knelt beside the remains. He retrieved a small containment case from one of the laboratory cabinets and carefully began collecting the dust.

He made sure none of it was left behind.

When he finished, he closed the case and held it against his chest.

For several moments, he remained where he was.

Then he stood and walked out of the chamber.

The journey away from the Foundation took several hours.

Markus travelled without an escort, carrying the small containment case on the passenger seat beside him.

He ignored the messages appearing on his terminal and did not contact the security department.

Eventually, he reached the coastline. The sea stretched endlessly before him, its surface moving beneath the afternoon sky.

Markus stepped out of the vehicle and walked towards the water.

He held the containment case in both hands. For a moment, he simply stared at it.

His father had spent his entire life building something that would outlive him.

He had controlled people, concealed secrets and made decisions that had affected countless lives.

Yet, in the end, none of those things had been enough to save him.

Markus opened the case.

The remains of Victor’s crystallized body rested inside.

He slowly tilted the container, allowing the fine dust to fall into the water.

The wind carried some of it away before the waves could reach it, while the rest disappeared beneath the surface.

Markus watched until the final particles were gone.

He closed the empty case, "Goodbye, Father."

He turned away from the sea and returned to his vehicle.

By the time Markus arrived at the Cain Foundation, evening had settled over the surrounding buildings.

The security personnel immediately recognised him and stepped aside as he entered the headquarters.

Several researchers were moving between the laboratories, while senior officials gathered in the central administrative hall.

One of them approached, "Sir, we were informed that Director Victor would be attending the scheduled meeting."

Markus stopped, "He won’t be attending."

The official hesitated, "Is there a problem?"

Markus looked towards the upper floors, where his father’s office remained untouched, "From now on, all matters concerning the Cain Foundation come through me."

The official straightened, "Understood, sir."

Markus continued walking.

He passed the offices, laboratories and corridors he had known for most of his life. Everything remained exactly where it had been that morning.

Yet something was different. His father was no longer there.

For the first time, Markus returned to the Foundation without him.

He entered Victor’s former office, closed the door and stood behind the desk.

The succession documents were still there.

Markus looked at them before slowly taking his seat.

The Cain Foundation had a new leader and he was now entirely on his own.