Phase 3 – “Fragments of a Lost Legacy”

Kyro was the last one who had yet to take the trial.

So he stepped forward.

As soon as Kyro entered the capsule, everything went black.

The world around him dissolved. Light and shadow tore reality apart. An icy shiver ran down his spine.

Then – darkness.

Scene 1 – The Rain

It was cold.

Rain poured down mercilessly.

A narrow alley. The shadows swallowed everything. Figures crouched between trash cans, hidden from the world.

His bare feet were covered in dirt and blood. His body trembled—not just from the cold but from exhaustion.

Emaciated. His skin pale, his hair disheveled. Raindrops mixed with the dirt on his face.

Then – footsteps.

She knelt before him.

Aria.

Not much older than him. Her eyes, a deep violet, sparkled with curiosity and warmth. Despite her worn-out jacket, she radiated an unshakable determination.

Aria (gently but firmly):

"Well, look at this… What did we do to deserve this?"

She reached out and brushed her hand through his tangled hair.

Kyro (shivering, weak):

"W-who are you…?"

She just smiled.

Aria:

"Where did you come from, little one?"

He didn't answer. He couldn't. His voice was a long-forgotten echo. But her hand remained extended—a silent promise.

Aria:

"Come with me. I won't leave you here."

He hesitated. Then he took her hand.

The rain mixed with his tears.

That was the moment. The moment she found him.

A lost child in the ruins of the city.

Scene 2 – Blood and Battle

Blood on stone.

Kyro was older.

A vast, dark square, surrounded by shabby buildings. His breath was heavy. The air smelled of rain, fear, and violence.

Aria stood in front of him, her stance tense. Fingers clenched around the hilt of a rusty knife.

Aria (sharp, determined):

"Stay here, Kyro. Let me fight."

Dark figures moved through the misty alleys. Men with greedy eyes. Their footsteps echoed menacingly.

Kyro clenched his fists.

He hated it.

Hated being useless.

He wanted to help. But he was too slow.

Too inexperienced.

Aria knew it. Her smile—a sad, knowing smile.

Aria:

"I'll protect you. Like always."

Then she rushed into battle.

He could only watch.

Watch as she fought against the men.

Watch as she protected him.

Flashes of blades. Agonized screams. Aria fought with everything she had. And when she returned to him, she was bleeding.

Kyro (angry, frustrated):

"Why… am I so weak?"

But she just gently stroked his head.

Aria:

"Don't worry, little one. I'm still here."

Scene 3 – The Laboratory

A crack in the memory.

The world distorted. Streets and alleys crumbled into dust.

Then –

A white room.

Cold lights flickered.

No streets anymore. No rain. No blood.

Sterile walls.

Metal gleamed under the harsh neon light. Humming machines. People in white lab coats.

Kyro froze.

He didn't know this place.

And yet… it felt real.

Whispers reached his ears.

Dr. Baker (whispering, excited):

"The Shinsei gene is stable."

Dr. Lyra Vayne (restrained pride):

"He is our greatest success. Prototype X is finally stable."

Kyro's heartbeat quickened.

His gaze wandered.

Then he saw him.

Or rather…

He saw THEM.

Glass tanks. Row after row. Filled with a clear liquid.

Inside –

Humans.

Children.

They all… looked like him.

His breath caught.

Kyro (panicked, internally):

"This… this can't be…"

One of the scientists stepped closer to a tank. He wrote something down.

Above the tank –

"Prototype X"

Kyro's hands trembled.

He turned. More tanks. More names.

"Prototype XI"

"Prototype XII"

"Prototype XIII"

How many were there?

Scene 4 – The Security Code

A sudden jolt went through the illusion.

The scientists froze.

Warning sirens.

The image flickered.

The illusion shattered.

Or… was it more than an illusion?

Dr. Baker (panicked):

"What…?"

Dr. Lyra Vayne (hurried, commanding):

"CODE X-ZERO! SHUT HIM DOWN!"

Something yanked Kyro backward.

His vision blurred.

He wanted to see more.

He needed to know more.

He reached out.

Kyro:

"NO!"

Then –

Light.

Then –

Darkness.

Back to Reality

Kyro gasped as the capsule opened.

His body trembled.

He was soaking wet. Not just from sweat.

His heart pounded against his ribs.

The others stared at him.

On the screens –

ERROR.

SYSTEM FAILURE.

RESTART REQUIRED.

Selene was the first to move.

Selene (serious, suspicious):

"What… was that?"

Silence.

The machine was broken.

And Kyro?

He stared at his hands.

Kyro (internally, shaking):

"What… did I just see?"

He didn't know.

Or did he?

Deep inside, he knew only one thing:

He had seen something that was not meant for his eyes.

Score Allocation

The participants were still in shock as Selene regained her composure.

Selene (cool, factual):

"The test is over."

She let her gaze sweep over the group.

Selene:

"Everyone who passed receives 15 points. No bonus points."

Some nodded in relief, others seemed dissatisfied—but no one dared to protest.

With one last glance at the broken screen, she added:

"Rest up. The next test begins soon."

The group slowly dispersed.

But Kyro remained standing.

His eyes were fixed on the screen.

On the error code.

And in his head, the scientists' words echoed:

"Prototype X is finally stable."

What… was he?

End of Phase 3.