The wind in the Hollow Orchard had stilled.
Everything was quiet now — unnaturally so.
Kravein stood in the wreckage of broken illusions, sword still smoking with residual heat.
"That wasn't normal," he muttered.
Vera knelt beside Jiwoon's unconscious child-form, brushing soot from his cheek.
"He protected us… but paid the price again."
Kaelya, her eyes narrowed, scanned the system feed.
"[Sin Avatar: 2% manifested. Memory retention: corrupted.]"
She sighed.
"It's like every time he helps us… a piece of him vanishes."
Later — Inside the Sanctuary
Jiwoon woke slowly, wrapped in a thick blanket, his face pale.
"Was there… a monster?" he asked softly.
Kaelya smiled — forced, gentle.
"It's gone. You helped chase it away."
Jiwoon blinked.
"I did?"
He didn't remember.
Kravein leaned against the wall, arms crossed.
"This is absurd."
"We're relying on a ticking god-bomb who doesn't even remember saving us."
"He's a child," Vera snapped.
"He's a weapon," Kravein shot back. "A fragile one."
That Night
Jiwoon stared at his reflection in a bowl of water.
"Why am I always… broken after helping?"
Vera walked in, sitting beside him.
"Because power isn't free. Especially not yours."
Jiwoon looked down.
"Then maybe… I shouldn't help anymore."
She cupped his cheek, gently turning him toward her.
"Jiwoon. Even if your memory forgets — your heart never does."
He blinked. Tears welled.
"But I don't want to be a burden."
"You never were."
She pulled him into a hug.
Elsewhere — In the Dark Sectors
Far from them, a new figure emerged from an obsidian gate.
A voice echoed:
"The Avatar has fractured."
"We move now."
Eyes of void opened across the sky.
And a countdown began.
[System Forecast]
Instability increasing
Emotional Core Damage: 17%
Risk of Divine Cascade Event: Moderate