She didn't remove her mask fully.
Just enough to show one eye—bright gold, like sunlight trapped in glass.
> "I'm not here to hurt you," she said. "But if they find you first… they won't be as kind."
I swallowed hard. "Who's 'they'?"
She hesitated.
Then pointed up—to the sky.
No… beyond the sky.
> "The Arc Sentinels. The ones who think the Grid belongs to them."
The name meant nothing to me. But the way she said it chilled me.
> "And you?" I asked. "What are you?"
She turned toward the water, where her reflection wavered like a memory.
> "A mistake," she whispered.
I didn't speak. I let her continue.
> "They called me a Shaper. Last of my kind. Someone who could bend the Grid... not break it."
Her hand moved slightly—and the water rippled upward, twisting into a perfect sphere before falling back silently.
> "But I lost control once. And now, they hunt me too."
---
I stepped forward.
For once, I wasn't afraid.
> "Teach me," I said.
She looked at me sharply.
> "Why?"
> "Because I don't want to die before I understand who I am."
She was silent for a long time.
Then finally… she nodded.
> "Then follow me, Kael Rivenhart."
> "And pray you're ready for the truth."