The Dominion Core pulsed in the heart of Ash Fortress, glowing with eerie, artificial light. Inside the control chamber, Lucian stood before a new interface.
[Loyalty Module: Online][Target Suggestion: Raine Valor]
[Warning: Subject has 74% resistance to neural override][Proceed with Loyalty Imprint? Y/N]
He didn't hesitate.
[Confirmed.]
System – Loyalty Imprint Procedure
Step 1: Isolate SubjectStep 2: Break Emotional AnchorsStep 3: Implant Unquestioning Obedience
Lucian stared at Raine through the one-way mirror. She was in the training hall, hands trembling as she fired at a practice dummy.
Still angry. Still afraid.
Good. That made the imprint easier.
Step 1 – The Isolation
The lights in her quarters flickered. Her communicator cut out. Meals arrived cold and late.
Whispers spread in the camp. That she was losing favor. That Lucian had seen her hesitate.
She was no longer invited to strategy briefings.
Raine sat alone, hunched over her knees, the voice in her mind whispering:
"Maybe it's better this way. Maybe you should run."
But she had nowhere to go.
Step 2 – Break Her
Lucian summoned her three days later.
She expected commands. Instead, he gave her a choice.
"Leave this place. Go beyond the perimeter. I'll give you one ration pack and no pursuit."
She stared at him, eyes wide.
"Why?"
He didn't answer.
Only watched.
Raine walked through the gate. Alone. Into the wasteland.
By nightfall, she returned.
Shivering. Hungry. Defeated.
Lucian was waiting.
"I offered you freedom. You came crawling back."
Step 3 – The Binding
[Loyalty Imprint Engaged]
[Injecting Neural Signature… 17%… 41%… 66%…]
[Mental Resistance Cracking… Subconscious Alignment In Progress]
Raine collapsed in the imprint chamber, eyes wide, mouth twitching.
She saw visions:
Lucian leading humanity to survival.
Lucian covered in blood, smiling.
Herself, kneeling at his feet—smiling back.
She screamed.
But the scream was silent, buried under the weight of obedience being implanted.
[Imprint Complete – 100% Loyalty][Subject Status: Bound][Title Assigned: Black Fang]
Aftermath
Raine stood beside Lucian on the fortress wall, wearing new black armor, eyes cold and still.
A child ran up to her. "Miss Raine! Are you okay?"
She looked down at him.
And smiled.
"I'm better than ever."