The screech echoed again—closer now. Sharper. Like metal grinding on bone.
Kael backed away from the terminal as sparks danced along its edges. The whole structure began to hum, like it was waking from a long, angry sleep.
Then something clicked beneath his feet.
> [System Pulse: ACTIVE]
Kael activated the new skill instinctively. A brief wave of blue static rippled through the room, revealing outlines—a second set of stairs, completely hidden under a false floor panel near the base of the spire.
He knelt and ripped the loose stone aside, revealing a steel hatch. Rusted, half-buried, but still sealed.
> [Underground Facility Access – Restricted: Reclaimer Rank B or above required]
[Override Key Detected: "Riven-K.A.E.L."]
[Access Granted.]
The hatch hissed open.
Kael didn't hesitate. He dropped inside just as the screech outside grew into a mechanical howl.
---
The ladder descended at least fifty feet into pitch black.
Only the pulsing interface in his retina gave him light—casting eerie shadows on the walls, which were lined with ancient cables and faded glyphs.
When his boots hit the floor, the hallway ahead glowed faintly. Lights flickered on, one after another, like something recognizing him.
> [Welcome, Prototype Candidate #001]
[Location: Deep Archive – Layer Theta]
Kael's breath misted in the air. It was cold here.
And quiet.
The corridor curved into a circular chamber. In the center stood a stasis pod—cracked but still intact. Suspended inside was a humanoid figure wearing an exo-suit, face hidden behind a shattered visor. Around them: glowing conduits and swirling data cores.
The HUD exploded with alerts.
> [Caution: Time-locked entity detected.]
[Designation: Project Reclaimer Zero]
[Status: Cryo-Hibernation. Age: 213 Years.]
[WARNING: Subject contains active seed fragment.]
Kael stepped closer. His reflection shimmered across the pod's cracked surface.
And then—suddenly—the pod's occupant opened their eyes.
Golden. Burning. Human—and not.
The pod began to thaw with a violent hiss. Steam poured out. A slow voice entered Kael's head—not spoken, but broadcasted directly into his neural interface.
> "So… another one has inherited the Protocol."
"You are late, Kael Riven. Far too late."
Kael reached for the rod on his back.
> "Who the hell are you?"
The lights dimmed. Power surged through the floor.
The voice answered.
> "I am Reclaimer Zero. I was the first. And if we are not careful..."
"...we will be the last."