Yuki holds the Ember crystal in both hands. It glows faintly. Cold and light. Like holding a memory.
> Yuki
You said I synced with her. My mom. What does that even mean
> Kairi
You connected with an Ember without any training. That should not be possible. Most people get erased by the memory inside. You survived
> Yuki
It looked like her. It sounded like her. That was real
Kairi walks over and drops a cracked shard in his palm. It pulses once.
> Kairi
That's what remains of her. An awakened Ember. Yours now. Use it or lose it
> Yuki
She was my mom. I am not using her like a weapon
> Kairi
You do not get to choose how this works
Silence.
Yuki stares at the glowing shard. His hand tightens.
> Yuki
Then explain. Everything. Why did she vanish five years ago. Why was that masked guy after me. Why the hell can I still hear her voice
Kairi exhales. No jokes. No pocky. Just truth.
> Kairi
Five years ago a lab called Kurogane tried to digitize memories. Store them. Control them. Something went wrong. The memories escaped. Became Embers. Some pure. Some twisted
> Yuki
Revenants
> Kairi
Yeah. Memory gone rotten. They kill without thinking. But your mom was the lead scientist. She did something nobody else could. She bonded with an Ember. That kind of sync was only theory. Until now
> Yuki
So you're saying I inherited it. This ability
> Kairi
Not just ability. Legacy. Your mom sealed something inside you. Something people are willing to kill for
Yuki's grip tightens. The crystal pulses.
> Yuki
Then I want to know what it is
---
Scene cut: A dark temple underground. Walls lined with burning candles. Stone tablets carved with names.
The masked man kneels in front of a glowing altar. He speaks to a cloaked woman behind him.
> Masked Man
The boy has awakened the Ember. The Catalyst lives
> Cloaked Woman
Then the Archive can be opened. The Ash-Code is within him
> Masked Man
I will bring him here. Alive
---
Scene cut: Back to the rooftop. Yuki stands under the night sky. Wind brushes his hair. The city stretches out below.
He holds the crystal up. Light flickers inside it like fire.
> Yuki's thoughts
If she left something in me. If she is still in there. Then I am done running
Kairi steps beside him. She throws him a small dagger. Silver edge. Engraved handle.
> Kairi
Welcome to the Ashwalkers. Do not die
Yuki catches it. Looks down at the Ember one last time. It whispers.
> Ember Voice
I am still with you Yuki