Chapter 22: The Call of the Abyss

Chen Shanyi's decision seemed to place her on an endless road of darkness. That night, she remained awake, her mind constantly replaying the words of Siska and Liu Chang. Each sentence felt like an invisible stone, striking deep into her heart. Questions flooded her mind: Why was she once so important? Why had her memories been erased? Was all of this the result of fate, or was it the product of some kind of conspiracy?

In the morning, sunlight filtered through the gaps in the curtains, casting a warm glow that offered a faint sense of comfort. Chen Shanyi stood by the window, her gaze vacant as she stared into the distance. Her eyes seemed unfocused, as though both the city and her own heart had long since lost their color.

Just then, her phone screen lit up again. An unfamiliar number appeared on the display. Her heart skipped a beat, and her finger hovered over the answer button. She took a deep breath and pressed "Answer."

"Shanyi," came the voice on the other end, still as deep and mysterious as before, carrying an undeniable sense of pressure, "Are you ready to face everything?"

Her fingertips trembled slightly, but she answered calmly, "I'm ready."

"Good," Siska's voice held a faint trace of amusement, "You've made the right choice. Now, it's time to tell you some things."

On the other end of the line, there was a brief moment of silence, as if Siska were considering how to phrase what was coming next. Then, he continued, "Remember, you were never an ordinary person from the beginning. You were an experiment, chosen for a specific purpose. Your existence is not accidental, but carries profound meaning."

"They?" Chen Shanyi's heart tightened as she realized that "they" wasn't referring to just any ordinary organization, but to some vast and mysterious force. Without thinking, she asked, "What do you mean? Who are 'they'?"

"This is a question you will get the answer to eventually," Siska's voice grew vague, "But before that, you must be ready to face memories that you've forgotten. These memories will decide your fate. Are you willing to pay the price for the truth?"

Chen Shanyi was filled with doubt. She instinctively opened her mouth to ask, but suddenly stopped. What was the price of the truth? She didn't dare to think about it, yet her curiosity made it impossible for her to turn back.

"You will be guided to a place," Siska continued, "That is where you lost your memories. When you face everything there, you'll understand that the real enemy isn't what you think it is. The real enemy is... yourself."

Chen Shanyi felt as if a heavy stone had struck her head, leaving her dizzy and weak. "Myself?" she repeated, her voice low.

"Yes, you will see a different version of yourself." Siska's voice became deep and mysterious. "Now, close your eyes and prepare to meet your fate."

The call abruptly ended, leaving her standing in the empty room, the words "You will see a different version of yourself" echoing in her mind. Chen Shanyi's heart raced, as though something massive was stirring deep inside her. Her hands began to tremble slightly, and fragments of memories she could not reach floated into her mind. She didn't know what secrets these memories held, but she knew she could not escape them.

She didn't hesitate any longer. Grabbing her bag from the table and putting on her coat, she prepared to step out of the fog-filled room. She knew that today, she would face an irreversible choice.

As she reached the door, Chen Shanyi paused. She turned and glanced at her phone on the table, a strange premonition stirring in her heart. Taking a deep breath, she dialed Liu Chang's number.

"Shanyi?" Liu Chang's anxious voice came from the other end of the line. "Where are you? I've called you several times, but you didn't pick up."

"I have to go somewhere." Chen Shanyi replied calmly. "I can't turn back now."

Liu Chang fell silent, and she could feel the pressure in his voice when he spoke again, "Are you sure? Do you understand what you're about to face?"

"I know," her voice was more determined than she had imagined, "I have to know the truth."

On the other end, Liu Chang let out a deep breath, as if making a decision. "If you're going, then listen to me. You need to have someone reliable with you. Don't get yourself into an inescapable situation."

"I'll be careful," she responded before hanging up the phone.

She stepped out of the door, the fresh air and the sunlight filtering through the leaves, casting dappled shadows on the street. People passed by, yet she felt like she was separated from the world. Her steps grew more resolute, her heart focused on one goal: to uncover the buried memories and to meet that unfamiliar version of herself.