The air in Zone-9 felt heavier that night—thick with something unspoken.
Rael sat alone in the observation room, surrounded by the soft glow of dormant monitors. Through the wide glass wall, the fractured sky shimmered faintly—a quiet wound above them, pretending to sleep.
No alarms. No warnings. But Rael knew something beneath the surface had begun to tear.
Footsteps approached from behind.
Haven entered quietly, not saying a word at first. He stood beside Rael, not too close.
" You haven't been sleeping " Haven finally said, his voice barely above a whisper.
Rael nodded, his gaze still locked on the sky.
" You think the system is cracking " Haven continued.
" But what if it's not the world, Rael? "
" What if it's you? "
Rael turned slowly, not angry—just tired.
" If it is " he said, " then I'll make sure everything else breaks with me "
There was no reply. Haven simply gave him a lingering glance and left, silent as he came.
---
A few hours passed.
Miro arrived, hesitant but urgent.
" Commander " he said, holding out a thin data tablet. " We received a transmission. No sender ID, but… the message is for you "
Rael read the single line:
To the one who saw the shadow and didn't look away —Are you still whole??
— K
He stared at it for a moment. Then stood.
---
Relay Room – 05:14
The lights dimmed to a muted green as the encrypted connection stabilized.
A figure appeared.
Lady Keziah.
She stood within the projection like a vision wrapped in morning mist, her robes flowing like something remembered from a dream. Her silver eyes shimmered with warmth—not cold. Even the moonlight reflected in the glass behind her seemed to grow softer by her presence.
" Rael of Zone-9 " she said calmly. " I know the fracture has reached you "
He watched her without speaking.
" Why now? " he asked.
She bowed her head slightly, as if offering respect.
" Because the world is beginning to choose " she replied. " And the system no longer holds the final vote "
Rael's eyes narrowed. " You want an alliance? "
Keziah offered a faint smile—not of triumph, but recognition.
" No. I bring acknowledgment "
She stepped forward.
" We are shadows inside a system built to forget itself. But shadows… know the shape of light better than anything else "
Rael was silent for a while.
" They'll come for you soon "Keziah said. "Marshal Irven. Others. They'll say you're unstable "
" And what do you say? "
Keziah looked directly into him. " I say… you're still alive "
And with that, the signal ended.
---
Later That Night – Rael's Quarters
Rael sat on the edge of his bed, surrounded by flickering light from nearby monitors.
He caught movement in the glass.
The boy was there again—taller this time, more still. Like someone who had aged without moving forward.
" You're changing " the boy said softly.
Rael stood slowly. " What are you? "
The boy's voice was like a hum that brushed the walls.
" They'll call you corrupted " he whispered.
" But corruption only happens… when something pure begins to remember "
And then he was gone. Only Rael remained—his own reflection staring back at him, slightly... unfamiliar.
---
Zone-5 – Military Bastion
Marshal Irven watched the display of Zone-9 glowing faint red.
" Begin deletion protocol "
Trial Protocol: ACTIVE
Target: Commander Rael
Status: Deviation Confirmed
---
Back in Zone-9
Elane found Rael again in the observation deck.
She approached carefully. " The system marked you as unstable "
Rael didn't respond at first.
" Elane, " he said, almost gently " Do you think we're still human? "
She couldn't answer.
Rael looked back up at the fracture, now wider, clearer, more undeniable.
" The crack didn't grow because of me " he whispered.
" But because this world... has been trying too hard to look whole "