The clouds churned as Damian moved along the fractured overpass, his new trait humming faintly beneath his skin. Phase Dash gave him speed; Static Veil gave him presence. The world couldn't pin him down anymore—not entirely. Still, the land felt more volatile than ever.
[5:12:18 UNTIL CYCLE ONE]
Then came the alert:
New Entity Detected Classification: Echo-Bound Identity: Unknown Status: Inactive Stasis - Pod Containment Detected
Damian followed the coordinates until he found it—tucked inside the hollow of a toppled tower segment. A containment pod, partially buried in moss and tech-wreckage. Its glass was cracked. Faint breathing fogged the inside.
Initiate Pod Override? Y/N
He didn't hesitate. He pressed Y.
Steam hissed. The locks disengaged. The pod slid open—and out slumped a girl, unconscious, but alive.
She looked about his age. Ashen skin, streaked hair dyed with some faint neon coloring, and a faint implant socket behind her right ear.
Biometric Scan Complete Echo-Bound Companion Registered Name: Kira Subclass: Signal Diver Trait: Neural Interlink / Passive: Data Pulse
Damian checked the readout. Her presence alone reduced cooldowns of allied abilities by 10%. That was just passive. If she ever got access to her own functions...
Kira stirred. Her eyes flickered open—bright, electric blue.
"Who are you?" she rasped.
"Someone surviving. You were in stasis. Your pod's been dormant since the Collapse."
She sat up slowly, clutching her temple. "The Cycle didn't reset… did it?"
He hesitated. "No. It's just beginning."
A long silence passed.
Kira's gaze hardened. "Then we're already too late."
Before he could ask what she meant, a shriek tore through the air.
Aberrant Pack Incoming Classification: Phase Howlers (x6) Estimated Arrival: 90 Seconds
Damian cursed. He pulled Kira up. "Can you run?"
"Try me."
They bolted.
Down through rubble corridors, into a forgotten service tunnel. The Howlers weren't just beasts—they phased, skipping across matter. One blinked into the corridor ahead.
Damian dashed, blinking mid-air with Phase Dash, and clipped it with a shock-strike from his machete.
Kira moved fast—slipping behind him, hand raised.
Companion Skill Unlocked: Pulse Jammer (Active) Function: Disrupt Phase-based Entities. Range: 10m. Duration: 6s. CD: 45s
She slammed her palm to the wall. A pulse radiated. The Howlers screeched, destabilized, and flickered mid-phase.
Damian grinned. "Now that's useful."
Predictive Counter Triggered
He moved through them like a ghost with teeth. Steel and light and perfect angles. When the last Howler dissolved, the system sang.
Level Up: Player Rank Increased New Function: Echo Mantle - Cloak self for 4s after phase-based ability
He turned to Kira. She leaned against the wall, panting.
"You're not bad for a backup file," she said, smirking.
Damian raised an eyebrow. "You were waiting on someone better?"
"I was waiting on anyone. Guess you'll do."
They shared a breathless laugh—bitter, but real.
New Companion Bond Established: Tier 0 Companion Progression Enabled
The path ahead wasn't easier. But now Damian wasn't alone.
And as the timer ticked closer to Cycle One, he knew the storm was only getting started.