Rain fell lightly over the metal rooftops of Vahrin—a city that never truly slept. Neon lights bled into puddles. Crowds moved, unaware that far above, something had stirred.
Inside a crumbling observatory at the edge of Sector Nine, the hooded figure stared at the glowing screen again.
"He's awake."
A second voice crackled through the comm.
"That's not possible. The Memory Code was sealed."
"Sealed, yes. But not erased. The obelisk interfered."
The hooded figure lifted their head, revealing a silver eye implant. Mechanical, ancient, but still functional.
They zoomed into the screen. Lengaza's image frozen mid-frame, walking into the forest.
"He's heading east. Toward the Hollow District. The girl is with him."
"Then activate the sleep cycle. We can't have him reaching the city."
"No. Let him come."
Silence.
"Why?"
"Because he doesn't remember me."
They shut the screen off.
Pulled off the hood.
It was a girl. Young. Eyes cold. But her voice—her voice trembled as she whispered his name.
"Lengaza…"
She looked down at her palm where a scar shaped like an ancient crest burned faintly.
She had the same mark he did.
Meanwhile…
Deep in the forest, Lengaza stopped walking.
His head turned sharply. He didn't know why—but it felt like something far away just said his name.
"Nyra… did you hear that?"
"Hear what?"
He looked back through the trees.
"Nothing. Just… thought I did."
The game had just begun.
And pieces long buried were starting to move.