..
Damian's gaze darkened, his mind racing.
'Memory tampering? On that scale? That's not something you just stumble across… Someone—or something—did this intentionally. But why?'
"…How many others do you think forgot?" he asked, voice calm but laced with tension.
Marcus frowned. "All of us. But why we forgot… or how? I have no clue."
Damian leaned back slightly, fingers drumming the edge of the tray.
'Something isn't right. I need answers. And I need them soon.'
-/-
Location : Fort Sentinel – Sector A, Cafeteria.
Year : 2026
Date : March 31st
Time : 12:18 PM
Pov : Third Person
---
Damian sat across from Marcus, his expression obscured behind the mask, but his eyes gave away the storm of emotions brewing inside him—curiosity, confusion, and a faint trace of unease. His attention was fully locked on Marcus, whose voice carried the weight of a month's worth of unsaid words.
Marcus leaned forward, his elbows resting on the cold iron table as he began, voice low and steady.
Marcus Hale "A month ago, after we had that meeting with the sergeant… you remember, right? We split up afterward, we all went back to our room, excluding you. But then… you never came back. We waited and waited, thought maybe you switched rooms—maybe because of, you know… what we did." He faltered briefly before pushing on. "But then we figured against it. You left your supplies, your bag… so we thought you'd return eventually."
Damian's brows furrowed slightly behind the mask.
Marcus continued. "Three days passed. Nothing. So we went to the sergeant. At first, he didn't even know who we were talking about. But after we described you, he remembered."
That detail didn't escape Damian.
Damian Derulo 'Even the sergeant… forgot? Is this the dungeon's doing? Some kind of memory-warping effect? But it didn't mention anything about this when the dungeon's info came up' The thought unsettled him more than he cared to admit.
Marcus Hale "He told us to wait a few more days and said if you didn't return by then, then.... *Sigh* That's when it started…" Marcus said, his fingers unconsciously gripping the edges of his tray. "First, I couldn't remember what you looked like. I shrugged it off. Then the next day, I forgot the sound of your voice. The others were going through the same thing. We were all losing pieces of you from our memories, day by day. And then… two days later, I couldn't remember you at all."
Marcus hesitated, his voice dipping lower.
"And after 'that' happened..." He exhaled a long, slow sigh, his eyes shadowed. "Anyway, I'm just glad you're back. I think the others will be too." His smile followed the words, but it felt hollow—like something behind it was being buried.
Damian's gaze narrowed.
Damian Derulo '"That"...? He's not talking about me. Something else happened—something big'
Marcus seemed to snap back to the moment. "So, Damian… where have you been all this time?" he asked, curiosity dancing beneath his calm tone.
Damian leaned back slightly, not ready to open that box just yet. "It's a long story." His voice was quiet. "Where are the others?"
Marcus's smile faltered for a second before he responded. "They went to see the Colonel. Something important came up."
That got Damian's attention.
'The Colonel… That's Sofia's father, right? What kind of important thing sends everyone to him?'
Not wanting to get dragged into another web of questions, Damian shifted gears.
Damian Derulo "Do you know where I can find a map of this place?" he asked, his tone flat.
Marcus blinked. "Didn't you see the board at the bunker's exit? It has a map with directions."
Damian shook his head. "No."
Marcus sighed, running a hand down his face. "Then someone's taken it again."
"What do you mean?"
"It keeps happening," Marcus said with a mix of annoyance and resignation. "That map's been replaced four times. Someone always takes it—no idea why. They even talked about assigning a guard to watch it. Looks like that plan didn't stick, either."
He tilted his head slightly. "Where are you headed? I know this place like the back of my hand—I'll take you if you want." There was a slight eagerness in his voice, subtle but there.
Damian sighed internally.
'You just want to use the time to question me... but do I really have a choice? Should've stayed in the damn hospital ward.'
"LQ-153."
Marcus brightened. "LQ? Yeah, I know where that is. Come on, I'll take you." He stood up with his tray in hand, flashing a grin.
Damian followed, rising silently, his thoughts still turning like cogs in a worn-down machine.
'So many missing pieces… and so many unanswered questions.'
---
[ Location: LQ Sector – Fort Sentinel Bunker ]
POV: 3rd Person
Time: 12:41 PM
--
The duo walked into a hallway marked LQ Sector. As they moved through, they passed various individuals—some with dark skin, others with yellow hues, and even a few with additional appendages. Damian did his best not to stare. He understood these transformations were results of their Titles. Still, he found them fascinating. It's not every day you see a cat girl, after all. Though curious, he made sure not to seem like a creep—especially with the mask covering his face.
Damian Derulo 'I hope this isn't the beginning of another form of racism... Who am I kidding? Of course it is.' He shook his head slightly. It wasn't his business.
Marcus Hale "Sooo, who are you going to meet?" he asked, curiosity getting the better of him.
Damian Derulo 'Sigh... Here I was enjoying the peace and quiet. Alright, not so quiet.' He glanced at the noisy corridor. "Someone I was with when I was away," he replied flatly.
Marcus Hale "I see," Marcus hummed, visibly pondering.
Damian abruptly stopped in front of a door marked LQ-153. "This is it," he muttered just loud enough for Marcus to hear.
Taking a deep breath, he raised his hand to knock—but froze when he heard his name.
Zayne Callister "Damian?"
Damian turned. There they were—the gang... or what was left of it. Zayne. Elise. Mira.
Damian Derulo "Zayne..." His eyes scanned them carefully. They looked terrible.
Dark circles clung to their eyes. Mira and Zayne looked especially worn down. Mira seemed frail—broken. The bright spark that once danced in her eyes had been extinguished.
Zayne didn't look much better. He looked... incomplete, as though a part of him had been carved out.
Elise appeared to be the only one still standing strong. Not because Adrian's death had hurt her any less, but because she refused to fall into the depths of grief. She knew that if she did, there'd be no one left to pull the others out.
Zayne Callister "Heh... Damian. You look better. Come in." His tone was dry, the smile on his face clearly forced. The once-solid Zayne was nowhere to be found.
Without a word, Damian watched as Zayne opened the door and stepped inside, followed by Elise and Mira. Damian exhaled quietly, then followed them in.
Marcus lingered outside. He had a gut feeling they were about to have a sensitive conversation—and as someone who had no idea who they were or what they'd gone through, he figured it was best to stay out of it.
---
[ Location: Room LQ-153 – Fort Sentinel Bunker ]
POV: 3rd Person
Time: 12:56 PM
--
An oppressive silence lingered in the room like a mist that refused to lift. Damian sat on one end of the small chamber, his masked gaze meeting the hollow eyes of the trio seated opposite him—Zayne, Elise, and Mira. The room itself was starkly identical to his own: cold concrete walls, two sets of metal-framed bunk beds bolted to either side, and a dull overhead light that flickered every so often, as if burdened by the weight of the bunker's sorrow.
Signs of habitation were scattered about—duffle bags pushed against the walls, some half-zipped with clothing sticking out. The faint smell of antiseptic, sweat, and something burnt hung in the air. Among the clutter, something caught Damian's attention: three specific duffle bags carefully arranged near the corner, and leaning against the wall beside them—a massive greatsword. It looked like it was more of a statement than it was a weapon.
Zayne finally broke the silence, his voice scratchy and dry like someone who hadn't used it in days.
Zayne Callister "We were just coming from the med ward. One of the nurses told us you woke up and wandered off about two hours ago. How are you feeling?"
Damian Derulo "I'm fine," Damian replied quickly, though the tension and aches radiating through his entire body but more concentrated on his back said otherwise. "And you all… how are you holding up?"
Zayne Callister "We're alive. Less beat up than you," he replied with a faint, humorless smile, though it lacked all the warmth that used to accompany it.
Damian, with frowned eyebrows studied him for a moment, then asked more directly:
Damian Derulo "Are you really fine?"
The question hung in the air like a ticking time bomb.
Zayne's eyes darkened. The forced mask of composure cracked. "What do you think?" he whispered. His voice trembled—not from weakness, but from the kind of grief that twisted and coiled deep in the soul. His gaze held something haunting. With both sadness and loss. A silent, screaming plea for help. He looked like a man who'd misplaced a part of himself and was too afraid to search for it.
Damian's gaze held steady, but he said nothing. He wasn't in any position to offer comfort—not when he himself was buried under layers of depression and despair. You can't pull someone out of a hole when you're drowning in one yourself.
Changing the subject was his only escape.
Damian Derulo "Do any of you know where Nyxi is?"
Zayne blinked, momentarily confused. "Nyxi? You mean the little snake that always clung to you?"
Damian nodded.
Zayne Callister "No idea. Last time I saw it was in the Dungeon. " 'It bit me, for some reason…' he trailed off, then turned to Elise. "You and Mira were the ones who brought us back. Did you see the snake?"
That detail caught Damian's attention immediately. 'The two of them? Did something happen to him after i fell unconscious?'
Elise Laurent "Yes. It was with you when we left you in the medical ward. If it's not there now, then... I don't know where it could have gone," she said softly, glancing between Zayne and Damian.
Damian's brows furrowed beneath his mask. 'If that's true, then where…'
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on his knees, fingers threading into his thick black hair in thought. His gaze drifted downward, settling on his left forearm—specifically the tattoo. Its elegant, swirling design was not ink, but something far more ancient, glowing faintly and shifting subtly under the skin with it's otherworldly appearance.
'Could it be…?' He reached to touch it—
But Zayne stood up, cutting his train of thought short. The sound of his movement drew everyone's eyes. With a grunt, he walked over to the corner and hauled the three duffle bags and the greatsword to the center of the room, setting them down with care.
Zayne Callister "These are what's left of our dungeon rewards. There were more… but some of the guards took a cut. New regulation, apparently. Anything valuable brought into the stronghold gets 'taxed.'"
He spat the word like venom before sitting back down.
Zayne Callister "We haven't claimed anything yet. We were waiting for you to wake up. You were the one who dealt the finishing blow, after all."
Damian stood and approached the bags, kneeling beside them. He opened the first—inside were a handful of crystal shards, a glowing core, a ring with a strange blue hue, and a peculiar talisman shaped like a badge. The second bag contained a different type of similar looking crystals. The third was tightly packed with a heavy, armor-like cloak, folded with precision.
He gently emptied the contents of the first and third bags onto the floor, careful not to damage anything. The second bag, he left untouched for now—it was crammed full of crystals, around fifty-seven by his quick count.
Eight Relics now sat in front of him, gleaming faintly in the dim light. He extended his hand and brushed his fingers against one.
Damian's fingers brushed across the first object—a large, blazing crystal that radiated a palpable heat. He lifted it carefully, noting its sheer weight and the way it pulsed like a living heart. The core glowed with a rich golden hue, and within its semi-translucent shell, swirls of solar flame danced in slow, rhythmic spirals, giving the illusion that a miniature sun had been trapped inside. Flickering embers occasionally burst along its edges, casting brief golden glares across the walls.
//
____________________________________
[ Material Identified ]
---
Name : Auric Emberheart.
Type : Material.
Rarity : Rare.
Effects : A potent crafting catalyst formed from condensed solar and flame essence.
- Used to forge or enhance Epic-grade fire or light-based weapons and armor.
- Emits a passive warmth that protects against frostbite and chilling effects.
- Can be ground down for alchemic use in heat-based enchantments.
_____________________________________
//
The next object was a ring—elegant in its simplicity, but unmistakably powerful. It was forged from metallic gold, masterfully polished to a mirror sheen. A dark blue gem, shaped like a perfect circle, was embedded in its center, glowing faintly as if it contained a slumbering storm. Upon closer inspection, the gem was veined with silver threads that pulsed softly with energy. The band itself was engraved with barely visible runes, likely suppressive enchantments woven into the core of its design.
//
____________________________________
[ Relic Identified ]
---
Name : Titan Pulse Ring.
Type : Assessory.
Rarity : Rare.
Effects : Passively suppresses pain, dulling sensory feedback from physical damage.
- Once per day, it generates a kinetic shock shield that blocks a single high-impact blow equivalent to Peak Vibration Tier.
- Designed for frontline combatants who fight through sustained injuries.
_____________________________________
//
The third item was far more arcane in appearance. Damian lifted it slowly, as if afraid it might activate at any moment. It resembled a complex technological relic—a disk-like device no larger than a human face, etched with detailed energy patterns that pulsed in rhythm with a deep hum. Mechanical limbs protruded from its circumference, each one terminating in miniature conduits and crystalline lenses. At its core, a sphere of vibrant cerulean energy crackled with miniature lightning, rotating lazily in place.
//
____________________________________
[ Material Identified ]
---
Name : Echo Core Circuit.
Type : Augment Core.
Rarity : Rare.
Effects : Allows mechanical companions—such as constructs, turrets, or drones—to inherit a fraction of the summoner's Defense and Power stats.
- The augment grows in potency based on the user's Intelligence.
- Synchronizes perfectly with artificer Titles or summoner loadouts.
- Enables linked AI evolution when embedded into advanced constructs.
_____________________________________
//
The fourth was a talisman, majestic in design. Crafted with multiple interlocking layers, it looked more like a ceremonial medallion than a combat item. At its center was a polished shield-shaped crest glowing with pure Aetherium light. Goldensteel runes framed the outer ring, shifting subtly as though reacting to Damian's presence. The craftsmanship screamed nobility and legacy—this wasn't just an item; it was a relic from a higher order.
//
____________________________________
[ Relic Identified ]
---
Name : Golden Aegis Talisman.
Type : Relic.
Rarity : Mystical.
Effects : Grants absolute invulnerability for 2 seconds upon activation.
- Cooldown: 40 days (real-time).
- Cannot be interrupted once activated, ideal for escaping fatal blows or turning the tide in deadly encounters.
- Said to have once belonged to a Royal Knight who defied a dragon's breath.
_____________________________________
//
The fifth Relic shimmered ominously. A jagged, glowing shard of crystal pulsed in Damian's hand, swirling with deep gold and crimson energy. The shard was dense, weighty—like condensed violence. Inside, the faint silhouette of a colossal beast flickered—a golden behemoth roaring as if trapped in an eternal rage. Each pulse of energy radiated raw, titanic fury, and the ground seemed to hum slightly under its presence.
//
____________________________________
[ Facet ]
---
Name : The Behemoth's Wrath.
Type : Memory Shard.
Rarity : Uncommon.
Effects : Unlocks the Facet TitanQuake – A thunderous seismic stomp that creates a wide-area shockwave, dealing massive AOE damage and stunning all enemies within range for 1.5 seconds.
- Only compatible with Titan-Titled beings or those with sufficient Constitution.
- Cannot be learned by non-enhanced humans.
_____________________________________
//
The sixth item was another shard—this one darker and far more volatile in appearance. It was a jagged, deep obsidian crystal, with glowing fissures that ran across its form like veins of molten gold. Within, magma-like energy boiled under pressure, occasionally leaking small flares through the cracks. Damian felt a raw, destructive essence seeping from it, making it almost painful to hold for too long.
//
____________________________________
[ Material Identified]
---
Name : Colossus Core Fragment.
Type : Material.
Rarity : Uncommon.
Uses : Used in the forging of rare or epic-grade golem cores, titan armor blueprints, or war constructs.
- Grants enhanced durability and strength to any weapon or structure it's forged into.
- Slightly increases the damage of melee weapons it's embedded into.
- Combines especially well with fire, earth, and strength-based enchantments.
_____________________________________
//
The seventh item was massive—an armor-cloak hybrid that exuded sheer resilience. It was draped in thick golden fabric, woven with threads of radiant metallic fiber and patches of scaled Colossus hide. Large, engraved pauldrons framed the top, while intricate earthen glyphs pulsed in synchronized waves across the surface. Despite its bulky nature, the cloak seemed to shift with unnatural grace, as if guided by unseen magic.
//
____________________________________
[ Relic Identified ]
---
Name : Gilded Mantle Of Colossus.
Type : Armor Cloak.
Rarity : Rare.
Effects : Colossal Guard – Reduces all incoming physical damage by 25%.
- Grants immunity to knockback effects and stun effects from non-legendary sources.
- Enhances wearer's Strength and Endurance by a few percent each while worn.
- Armor weight is mitigated by magical flow, allowing freer movement despite its size.
_____________________________________
//
Then came the eighth—and perhaps the most awe-inspiring—Relic. The greatsword. Damian took a step back just to admire it. It was titanic, forged from a radiant golden alloy and a core of molten embersteel. The jagged blade bore glowing molten rivers along its edges, flowing like liquid fire frozen mid-motion. Runes engraved along the spine of the weapon pulsed with primal force, and its hilt was wrapped in fire-resistant dragonhide. This was not just a weapon—it was a declaration of war.
//
____________________________________
[ Relic Identified ]
---
Name : Sovereign Breaker.
Type : Greatsword.
Rarity : Rare.
Effects : Titan's Wrath – Empowers each swing with shockwave energy, dealing splash damage in a 5-meter cone.
Molten Rend – Each strike leaves behind a trail of burning embers that linger on the battlefield for 6 seconds, dealing fire DOT (damage over time).
- Increases wielder's Strength by a fixed percentage while equipped.
- Can cleave through enhanced armor and minor fortifications.
_____________________________________
//
Finally, Damian turned to the last bag—the one he hadn't emptied. Inside were dozens of small, crystalline fragments, each one cold to the touch and vibrating faintly with malice. They glowed with dark energy, their cores swirling with cosmic void, shifting between shades of black, deep violet, and silver. They looked like shattered remnants of stars… or the aftermath of obliteration. When Damian grasped one, a chill ran down his spine, and he instinctively pulled his hand away.
//
____________________________________
[ Relic Identified ]
---
Name : Oblivion Shards [Lesser Grade]
Type : Currency / Energy Core.
Rarity : Uncommon.
Uses : ???
▸ Emits residual void energy—often used as universal currency within ???.
▸ Can be consumed by specific altars, systems, or beings to awaken dormant power.
▸ Unknown reaction when gathered in higher quality and quantities.
_____________________________________
//
After carefully examining each Relic laid out before him, Damian inhaled slowly, the sound echoing slightly behind the thin veil of his mask. His gaze, though hidden, carried the weight of quiet contemplation. Each item radiated significance—some exuded power, others potential.
He reached out and picked up the Titan Pulse Ring first. The smooth, metallic gold band shimmered faintly, its dark blue gemstone catching the ambient light and refracting it like a pool of still water struck by a single drop. The description had stated that it suppressed pain—something that should've been invaluable given how often he found himself in agony.
Damian slid the ring onto his index finger, expecting a wash of numbness or perhaps even subtle warmth to indicate its function had activated. But... nothing. No shift, no relief—just the same dull ache that clung to his bones like a second skin. He exhaled through his nose, a whisper of disappointment brushing past clenched teeth.
Damian Derulo "Figures," he muttered under his breath, removing it. Of course it wouldn't work. His Undying Resonance, while granting immortality, came with the cruel twist of increased pain sensitivity. The very thing most people feared—pain—was magnified for him, and it seemed like there wasn't an accessory alive that could muffle it.
The others—Zayne, Elise, and Mira—watched him silently, their curiosity palpable, but Damian ignored their unspoken questions and shifted his focus to the Golden Aegis Talisman.
A subtle hum of power resonated from the medallion as he picked it up. The layered construction and craftsmanship screamed of high-ranking origin. The central shield-shaped emblem pulsed faintly with Aetherium, and the surrounding engraved runes gleamed like starlight frozen in gold. The system had described its effect as temporary invulnerability for two seconds, which sounded absurdly powerful—especially in the right hands.
What surprised Damian more than the Relic itself was that Zayne hadn't claimed it already. Because any sensible person would have kept it, this deed was uncharacteristically generous. Or perhaps strategic. Or maybe he was just being transparent... But even with its seemingly overpowered effect, Damian hesitated.
What use is invulnerability… to someone who can't die?
His thumb brushed over the polished golden steel rim, and an odd melancholy settled in his chest. Sure, his immortality hadn't truly been tested yet, but a part of him hoped he wasn't. A deeper, quieter part of him wished none of this had happened. The Rapture. The chaos. The powers. The loss.
' Maybe I'm still asleep. Maybe this is just some twisted lucid dream I haven't woken up from yet.'
With a reluctant sigh, Damian gently placed the talisman back where it had been.
He moved next to the Echo Core Circuit, admiring its dark, intricate structure. The luminous blue veins of arcane energy pulsing through it made it look alive—like the heart of some forgotten machine god. He picked it up, the energy crackling subtly at his touch, and imagined it bonding with Nyxi.
But hope faded as quickly as it bloomed. The system had specified: Mechanical constructs or summons. Nyxi, despite her otherworldly Resonances, was an organic snake. This core wouldn't bind to her—it would reject her. His hand lingered for a moment longer before he set it down with visible frustration.
Then came the Sovereign Breaker—a massive greatsword that looked like it had been pulled from the heart of a dying star. The jagged yet refined blade seemed to breathe with molten fury, its glowing fractures running like rivers of fire across its body. Damian studied it with quiet awe… and then shook his head. As beautiful and deadly as it was, he already had his Lunar Fang, and he wasn't confident enough to wield such a colossal blade. Not yet, anyway.
One by one, his eyes swept over the remaining Relics. Each had its allure, each had its purpose. But most simply didn't align with his.
At last, he reached out and picked up his final choice—the one that resonated, however subtly, with his current path. He didn't say a word, didn't offer an explanation. Just stood and glanced at the others, their silent expectation hanging in the stillness.
Zayne, sitting on his bed across from Damian, looked up from the Relics laying on the floor.
Zayne Callister "Have you made your choice?"
Damian Derulo "…Yeah."
---
Damian exited the room and quietly pulled the door shut behind him. The air in the hallway felt cooler, and the world quieter. To his right, Marcus leaned casually against the concrete wall, arms crossed, his expression unreadable.
Marcus Hale "Done with your little discussion?"
He stood upright as Damian nodded.
Damian Derulo "Yeah."
There was a moment of pause as Damian glanced down the corridor, calculating his next steps. Marcus, noticing the deliberation in his silence, tilted his head and asked:
Marcus Hale "So? You planning on bunking with your friends, or hunting down another bedroom? You know ours is packed to the brim already." ' Though we can still make some room '
Damian Derulo "I'll find another."
Marcus smirked, a flicker of admiration in his eyes—he respected his independence.
Marcus Hale "Alright, lone wolf. Let's go meet the sector manager. She's got the room keys and the attitude of a caffeine-deprived sergeant, so... best behavior, yeah?"
Damian managed a faint nod as Marcus turned, his steps echoing down the hallway.
---
Damian and Marcus stood inside a compact administrative office—no more than five square meters in size. Despite its modest space, the room bore the scars of constant activity. The faint hum of a portable fan in the corner did little to disperse the musty air that clung to the walls. An overhead fluorescent light buzzed faintly, casting a cold white glow over shelves crowded with mismatched files and clipped documents. The desk before them, a heavy-duty metal fixture chipped at the edges, sat in a state of 'organized chaos'—an avalanche of papers, forms, stamped folders, and two dented coffee mugs, one still steaming faintly.
Behind the desk sat a woman in her early forties with sharp features and tired but alert eyes. Her short-cropped auburn hair was streaked with silver, and her uniform blazer was rolled up at the sleeves, exposing forearms marked by ink stains and fatigue. She glanced at the two young men standing before her—one masked and unreadable, the other wearing a hopeful smile.
Sector Manager "We're full," she said bluntly, her voice calm but firm. "Due to the influx this past week, parts of this sector are still under heavy construction to accommodate the new arrivals."
Damian shifted slightly, his eyes scanning the walls lined with pinned notices and building permits.
Damian Derulo "What about the other sectors?" he asked, already expecting the answer but needing to confirm.
Sector Manager "Worse," she replied, shaking her head slowly. "We've been rerouting people constantly. All of the sectors are in a similar—if not more overwhelmed—state."
Damian sighed internally.
'Thought so…'
Damian Derulo "How long until the construction here is done?"
Sector Manager "A day or two, ideally. But honestly?" she leaned back slightly, expression neutral. "Don't get your hopes up. We've got a backlog of pre-registrations stacked to the ceiling. My advice? Try your luck at another settlement."
Damian fell quiet for a moment, processing. Then—
Damian Derulo "How far is the nearest settlement?"
The woman's brow lifted.
Sector Manager "About a thousand miles up north," she said, tone casual, as if dropping a grocery store location.
Damian's mind reeled.
'A thousand miles? That's about a day of driving—maybe more, and that is if I don't make any stops. How did they even coordinate with them?'
Though his mask concealed any reaction, the woman seemed to sense the spike in tension.
Sector Manager "There are smaller settlements between here and there, but I wouldn't recommend them," she added. "Some of those places are run by thugs, anarchists—barely even organized. The northern one? That one's a military zone. Secure. Efficient. Disciplined."
That bit of reassurance settled something in Damian's chest.
She slid a form toward him across the desk. "In case a room opens up. Just fill this in."
To Marcus's quiet surprise, Damian gently pushed the form back.
Damian Derulo "Thank you. But I'll pass."
Without another word, he turned and left the office, the door clicking shut behind him.
---
Outside, the buzz of conversation and footsteps filled the sector's main corridor. People passed by in groups, pairs, or alone—some chatting, some weary, some throwing quick glances toward the tall, masked figure who stood silently at the wall. His presence was magnetic, unnatural, and unmistakably out of place.
But Damian didn't notice them. His mind was elsewhere—scattered across memories and miles.
Marcus Hale "Damian," Marcus said gently, stepping beside him, "You know you can stay with us if you want. I could share my bed, it's no big deal."
Damian didn't reply immediately. His eyes lingered on the movement of people, on the families and friends reunited. On faces he didn't recognize.
Damian Derulo "…No, it's okay," he eventually said. "I think I'll head to the next settlement."
'I need to find them…'
He thought of his family—the ones he had no news of.
'Shit. What if they've forgotten me too? Just like Marcus did… I forgot to ask Zayne about that.'
A small knot tightened in his stomach.
Marcus Hale "Then stay with us for a few days before you leave," Marcus pressed, his voice soft with concern. "It'll help. I can tell how tense you are—your body's all stiff like you're hurting."
Damian blinked, brought back to the aching, dull throb that sat in his bones and joints like rust. The soreness he'd ignored was starting to make itself known again.
'I was planning to wait a day or two anyway... let the pain ease up before I travel. And... I still don't even know my way around this place.'
He looked at Marcus, considering.
Staying at the central hall was an option, but it would mean crowded spaces, no privacy, and constant noise. He hated noises. Staying with Marcus, on the other hand, gave him a bit of stability—at least for now.
Finally, he nodded.
Damian Derulo "Alright… thank you."
Marcus smiled—genuinely, warmly—as if relieved.
Marcus Hale "Anytime."
.
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To Be Continued.....