Two figures walk down a narrow path: Jennifer and Ryder. They walk openly, without illusions or sneaking, just their confidence and footsteps trudging through the dirt. Eventually, the trees thin, shifting the terrain from wild to managed. They expected a random group of students, but what they got surprised them.
It was Malik. He was alone. He was waiting at the edge of a low wall, flanked by two officers—their faces impassive, their eyes glazed. Malik noticed them and smiled warmly.
"Jennifer. Ryder. What a surprise."
"You expected me," Jennifer asked flatly.
"Always."
He gestures to some benches beside the outer gate—a polite offer.
"You walked into my camp once with suspicion. You left with silence. And now you've returned. That says something."
Ryder whispers to Jennifer. "Here comes the show."
Jennifer steps forward alone. "You sent scouts after us."
"I sent eyes. I wanted to know who you were running from... or toward."
"We weren't running," she retorted.
"No. But he is." He says while folding his hands behind his back.
"Daniel's chasing something he doesn't understand. And you. You're trying to decide if it's safer to watch from a distance or pull the strings yourself."
Jennifer's smile fades. "I'm not like you."
"No. Not yet." He takes a slow step forward.
"But I've watched you. You don't crave power. You crave proof—that when the world collapses, someone still sees you."
Jennifer fights to flinch. "I see myself just fine."
"Then prove it, come back. This time not as a mouthpiece... but as a partner."
Behind him, his lieutenants remain still, eyes unfocused, quietly being controlled. Ryder cuts in.
"She's already got a partner."
Jennifer looks back at him, surprised and touched. Malik turns to him slowly.
"Yes. But you always walk behind her."
"Better than kneeling." Ryder retorts.
Jennifer looks past Malik. In the distance, she can see the camp. It was in perfect order—no chaos, no noise. She looks back at Malik, whose ring glows faintly. Then she steps closer.
"If I ever do come back... it won't be for you."
Malik smiles. "No. It'll be because of you."
Jennifer turns away, and Ryder follows. As they disappear back into the trees, Malik watches in silence. His ring pulses once. One of his lieutenants exhales sharply—reset.
Jennifer and Ryder move swiftly away from the outer wall—initially silent, Ryder half-whispers to her.
"You okay?"
Jennifer doesn't look at him. "No."
There was a small silence.
"I think I almost said yes."
"But you didn't."
"I don't know if it was strength... or if you just said it first."
Ryder chuckles. He then reaches for her hand. Jennifer gasps lightly.
"Sometimes that's all strength is." He says warmly.
Jennifer smiles—a real one. She feels her chest swell for a moment as she blushes slightly.
However, it all came crashing down fast. A branch snapped—hard. They both froze, and then the forest shook. Something huge, lumbering, and purposeful was crashing through the undergrowth. Ryder lets go of her hand and takes out his guitar-blade.
"Please tell me that's an elk or something."
"I think we both know what that is," Jennifer replies coldly.
They run through a small clearing and skid to a stop. They see a giant beast. A bear with a stone-plated back hunched, eyes glowing faintly green. Moss and fungus cling to its limbs. It looms over them, but it doesn't charge. It waits.
From behind them, Malik's two lieutenants emerge from the brush. They were fast as they rushed the two. Ryder shoves Jennifer to the side just as one tackles him, slamming him to the ground. Ryder's guitar-blade flies over to the bear, and it crushes it. The other soldier pins Ryder's arms.
Ryder yells with a strain in his voice. "Go!"
Jennifer doesn't comply as she pulls out a small blade. "Let him go!"
Malik enters view and walks calmly towards them. "You walked away, so I had to bring the conversation back to you."
She looks towards him. The monster shifts closer, blocking her exit.
"I wanted this to be your choice, Jennifer. I really did."
Jennifer snarls. "Let. Him. Go."
Malik raises a hand. "I will." He says as he gestures to Ryder.
"All it takes is a word. Your compliance."
Her eyes flicker to him. "You're threatening me with him? You think I'll just fold?"
"No. I think you'll fold because you care. And that's what makes you valuable. If not—"
He gestures with his hand to his neck as he motions it from one side to the other.
Ryder struggles as one lieutenant puts his whole body on top of him. Forcing his face to eat dirt. "Don't... do it."
Malik smiles faintly. "You're not the weapon, Jen. You're the lens. Through you, I show them what happens when truth bends."
His ring begins to glow, and the monster shifts forward, teeth exposed.
"One word, Jennifer." He states coldly.
Jennifer freezes. Torn between the blade in her hand... and the boy she cares for on the ground. Her eyes lock with Ryder. She looks ready to break. The beast shifts, low and growling, jaws slack like it's waiting for a command.
"One word. I'm not asking again." Malik says softly.
"Jen... Don't." Ryder speaks through gritted teeth.
Her hand tightens around the hilt of her blade... then loosens. "...Fine," she says quietly.
Malik's eyes gleam. A sinister smile appears on his face.
"...I'll stay." She says as she drops her blade. It hits the ground with a soft metallic thud. She's on the verge of tears.
"Please... just let him go." She pleads.
Malik smiles. "As promised, but after I do one last thing."
Jennifer looks up at him. Puzzled and afraid. "...what?"
Malik steps forward and raises his hand. The ring on his finger glows with a deep stone-orange light, veins of energy forming cracks in the air around it. Jennifer freezes.
Ryder yells. "JEN! No, don't!"
"This will only hurt if you fight it, my dear."
He places two fingers gently on her temple.
"Kros'nahr."
Jennifer's eyes flutter for a second, and her breath catches. Malik's voice drops to a whisper.
"I see you, Jen. And now... so will everyone else." The light flashes.
Jennifer's body stiffens. Her arms slacken. Her pupils dilate. A tear falls on her face for a brief moment, then her expression empties. Not dulled, not dead, just absent. The ring on Malik's hand splits. A new stone shard cracks free and floats in front of him. He grabs it and places it in his pouch.
By a gesture of his hand, the lieutenant let go of Ryder as he crawled toward her.
"...Jen?" His voice was desperate and hoarse.
She blinks slowly and doesn't answer him. She turns to Malik. "What would you have me do?"
Malik's smile doesn't leave. The monster behind Ryder snorts once and kneels by its master's side.
"Let's start by introducing you to your new role."
Jennifer stands still, her expression placid, obedient. The glow of Malik's ring slowly fades, but the new shard glows and hums faintly in his pouch. Ryder kneels a few feet away, panting, eyes darting between her and Malik. He tries to speak, but stops. Something's wrong.
"Jen..." He says low, almost broken."
She doesn't answer. Doesn't move. Not even a twitch of recognition.
"She gave herself to structure. You should be proud."
"You bastard..." Ryder rises and lunges at Malik.
Malik knows better. He raises his hand, fingers slightly curled. His two lieutenants lunge. Ryder stops and turns around. He swings once, barely clips one before the other slams a fist into his gut, then the side of his head. Ryder crumples to the ground. Not unconscious, but close.
Malik leans into Jennifer's ear, whispering. "Pick him up. Gently."
Jennifer obeys. She kneels beside Ryder and lifts him with surprising ease and care. His head rests against her shoulder. For almost a moment, her eyes twitch, but nothing breaks. Malik walks to his two lieutenants.
"Return to camp, prepare the inner ring. I want him held, not broken."
They comply and go to camp. Malik turns away, not bothering to watch.
"Two pieces moved. Time to rotate the board."