The air in Anya’s studio crackled with a nervous energy, a stark contrast to the usual calm of her creative process. The city lights, usually a source of inspiration, now felt like a cold, judging eye. Tonight, the hum of Neo-London was punctuated by a different rhythm – the frantic beat of her own heart. Elias Thorne, a name whispered in hushed tones amongst the Naturals, sat across from her, his eyes, the color of a stormy sea, holding a depth of experience that belied his youthful appearance.

He wasn't like the others who frequented her studio, drawn in by the raw emotion in her sculptures. Elias carried himself with a quiet intensity, a coiled spring ready to unleash its power. He spoke in measured tones, his words carefully chosen, each syllable carrying the weight of a hidden agenda. He spoke of ‘The Genesis Project,’ a phrase that sent a shiver down Anya’s spine.