Rei stood frozen, staring at his own reflection…
but older.
And smiling.
That's not my smile.
That's not… me.
The image dissolved like smoke.
He stumbled back, breath caught in his throat.
🏚️ Skygrave's Pulse
The air felt heavier.
Not cold. Not hot.
Just… like it watched him breathe.
Somewhere in the floating ruins, a bell rang.
Not loudly. Not musically.
DONG… DONG… DONG…
Three times.
A voice whispered through the sky:
"The dead have noticed you, Rei."
🚪 The Broken Door
While running from the watchmen, Rei ducked into a sideways-tilted subway station floating mid-air.
The trains didn't move. The rails led into clouds.
Inside, he found a girl —
sitting quietly on the edge of a shattered bench, wearing a tattered red school uniform.
Her face had no color.
Her hair was white.
And in her hand…
was a photograph.
Rei: "Hey… are you… real?"
She didn't look up.
Girl: "What's it like… to still be warm?"
That stopped him cold.
Rei: "You can tell?"
She finally turned.
Her eyes weren't hollow like the others.
They were tired. Human. Alive with grief.
Girl: "Because I forgot what warmth feels like."
📸 The Photograph
She showed him the photo —
Four people. One of them was Rei.
But… he didn't remember ever meeting her.
Rei: "Where did you get this?"
Girl: "I don't know. I woke up with it."
🧠 Her Truth
"I don't remember my name."
"I don't remember how I died."
"All I remember… is you."
Rei's heartbeat stuttered.
Girl: "You're the reason I'm still here."
"Because I wasn't supposed to die either."
💥 Final Scene: The Watchers Return
Suddenly, the floating ceiling above them cracked open like glass.
Six dark figures descended — in suits, glowing eyes, with no mouths.
"UNREGISTERED CONVERSATION DETECTED."
"TERMINATION IN PROCESS."
Rei grabbed her hand.
Rei: "Run!"
But the girl didn't flinch.
Girl: "You're not the first version of you I've met here, Rei."
"But maybe you're the last."
TO BE CONTINUED