Kael leaned against the cold wall of the underground chamber, blood drying on his jaw. The broken remains of Reclaimer Zero's armor flickered beside him, the ⟠ symbol still glowing faintly. His hands trembled—not from fear, but from something far more dangerous:
Awakening.
> [Core Sync: 4%]
[Legacy Trait: LOCKED]
[Fragment Stabilized – Processing Incomplete]
A new notification pulsed in his HUD.
> [INCOMING SIGNAL – UNENCRYPTED]
[Reclaimer Authority Beacon – Rank A+]
"This is Operative Vela. Authorization code: 07-AURORA-CRIMSON."
"Target signature located. All unauthorized system users will be terminated."
Kael froze.
Footsteps echoed from the tunnel—measured, calm, and terrifyingly confident.
Then she stepped into view.
A tall woman in a crimson and black Reclaimer suit, her face partially covered by a sleek mask. Her long black braid swung behind her like a serpent. Her presence wasn't just commanding—it was overwhelming.
Her eyes—cold silver—locked onto Kael with analytical disinterest.
> [Name: Vela Stryx]
[Rank: A+]
[Class: Nova Edge – Specialization: Dimensional Severance]
[Mission Objective: Secure Core Fragments. Eliminate Rogue Protocols.]
Kael slowly pushed himself to his feet. His rod was barely intact, his HP low, and his core flickering with unstable heat.
She looked at the broken pod.
Then at the ⟠ symbol glowing in the floor.
Then… at him.
> "You opened it," she said flatly.
Kael didn't answer.
> "You survived Reclaimer Zero."
Still nothing.
> "And you're still breathing." Her eyes narrowed behind the mask. "That's inconvenient."
She raised her hand—and a black blade of dimensional energy formed mid-air, humming with destructive power. A tear in space itself.
Kael braced.
> [Warning: Threat Level – A+]
[Combat Capability: 13%]
[Recommended Action: Retreat]
He grit his teeth. "I can't fight you right now."
> "That's not a choice I'm offering."
She dashed forward.
Kael barely managed to dodge the first slash—reality itself ripping open behind him as her blade cut the air. He rolled, flames trailing from his hand, launching a blast toward the ceiling to collapse part of the chamber.
Dust exploded. Chunks of concrete rained down.
He sprinted toward the maintenance exit marked on his HUD—narrow and tight. Too small for a direct pursuit.
> [Skill Used: System Pulse – Echo Mapping]
His route lit up. He moved fast, coughing through dust, pain screaming in every nerve.
Behind him, he heard her voice.
> "You're marked now, Kael Riven."
"The Reclaimer Authority will hunt you across every Gate. And when I find you again…"
"…I'll finish what Zero couldn't."
---
Kael burst into daylight—what little daylight the shattered sky still offered—gasping as he emerged from a sewer grate a mile from Outpost 9's ruins.
The city was quiet again.
But not safe.
> [Update Logged]
[New Enemy Identified: Vela Stryx – Hunter Operative]
[Mission Updated: Survive. Stabilize Core. Seek Other Fragments.]
Kael collapsed against the wall, eyes narrowing.
> "They want this Core? They can try."
His hands clenched.
> "But I'm not giving it up."