The night was quiet again.
Too quiet.
Even the forest seemed to hold its breath after Dorian's departure.
Rivan stood with his back to the ruined wall, hand pressed over his chest. His system core pulsed steadily beneath his skin, the residual energy from the Core Flare still humming like a quiet storm.
Selina didn't speak. She stayed close, one hand on his shoulder—not to comfort, but to remind him he wasn't alone.
Kael was pacing, his expression darker than usual. "That wasn't just a visit," he said. "That was a warning."
Rivan nodded. "A test. He wanted to see if I'd bend."
"And you didn't," Selina added.
"I almost did," he whispered.
[System Diagnostic Running… Flame Stability 86%. Emotional Sync Holding.]
[New Memory Trigger Detected – Vault 17 Residual Data Sync Incomplete]
Rivan's brows furrowed. "I'm getting a system ping… tied to Vault 17. Something hidden."
Kael turned sharply. "That facility was scrubbed. Wiped of all archives."
"Not all," Rivan muttered.
