Chapter 18: Karis – The Shadow of Discipline
Chapter 18: Karis – The Shadow of Discipline
Karis sat in her usual spot near the window, her knife glinting in the morning light as she methodically sharpened its edge. She wasn't much for words, but the rhythmic scrape of metal against stone seemed to fill the silence. Ethan, ever the instigator, finally broke it.
"You know," he said, leaning back in his chair, "I don't think I've ever seen you not sharpening that knife. Is this your version of knitting? You know, soothing and meditative?"
Karis didn't look up. "It's called preparation."
"Right. Preparation. For what? When the Forge throws its next wolf-zombie thing at us?"
"For when someone decides to be reckless and get themselves killed," she said coldly, her eyes flicking to Ethan.
Ethan raised his hands in mock surrender. "Hey, I resent that. Recklessness is half my charm."
Karis let out a faint snort but didn't respond. The room fell quiet again, and Naomi, seated at the table with a cup of tea, gave Karis an appraising look.
"You don't talk about yourself much," Naomi said, her tone light but probing. "Why is that?"
Karis paused for a moment, the knife stilling in her hands. "Because it's not relevant."
"Not relevant?" Ethan repeated, leaning forward. "Karis, we've got a guy who used to build houses, a stealthy photojournalist, and me—a guy who's amazing at being average. You've got to give us something. What's the story behind the blade?"
Karis glanced at him, her expression unreadable. For a moment, Ethan thought she might ignore him entirely. But then she spoke, her voice low and measured.
"You really want to know?" she asked.
"Absolutely," Ethan said. "Unless it involves you killing someone with a spoon, in which case, maybe not."
Karis rolled her eyes but finally set the knife down, the tension in her shoulders easing slightly. "Fine. But don't expect some sob story."
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Chapter 18 Part A) The Soldier's Path
Before the Forge, Karis had been a soldier. She didn't sugarcoat it or romanticize it—it was a job, one she'd taken on because it was the only life that made sense. Growing up in a fractured family, discipline had been the one thing she could control. Joining the military gave her structure, a purpose, and a way to shut out the chaos of the world.
Karis had excelled in her role. She was a natural fighter, precise and calculating, someone who could think clearly under pressure. She thrived in the rigid structure of the military, where there were clear rules, orders to follow, and missions to accomplish.
But the military wasn't without its scars. Karis had seen friends fall, missions fail, and orders given that didn't sit right with her. The weight of those experiences stayed with her, buried deep beneath the surface. She learned early on that attachments were a liability, and emotions only got in the way.
"Discipline is what keeps you alive," Karis said simply, her voice devoid of emotion. "Anything else is a distraction."
Naomi nodded slowly, her expression thoughtful. "And the Forge? What did that change?"
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Chapter 18 Part B) The Forge's Betrayal
Karis's first night in the Forge had been a cruel wake-up call. Unlike Ethan or Lucas, she hadn't been thrown into the chaos alone. Her first encounter in the Forge had been alongside two other dreamers—a man named Ryan and a woman named Celia. They had been strangers, but in the heat of battle, they'd fought together as if they'd trained for it. It gave Karis hope, a spark of trust in the midst of the nightmare.
That trust was shattered when they reached the end of the trial. The system had presented them with a choice: only two could advance, and one had to be sacrificed. Ryan hadn't hesitated. Before Karis could react, he'd turned on Celia, killing her without a word of explanation.
"I'll never forget the look in his eyes," Karis said, her jaw tightening. "There was no hesitation. No guilt. Just... survival."
Ethan shifted uncomfortably in his chair. "What happened after that?"
"I killed him," Karis said flatly, her tone as sharp as her blade. "And I walked out of that trial knowing one thing: trust gets you killed."
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Chapter 18 Part C) The Cost of Isolation
After that night, Karis vowed never to rely on anyone again. She became a lone wolf in the Forge, her skills honed by necessity. She specialized in stealth and precision, striking hard and fast before disappearing into the shadows. It was a strategy that worked, but it came with a price.
"It's not just the monsters," Karis said, staring out the window. "The Forge wears you down. You lose track of time, of people, of anything that makes you human. All that's left is the fight."
"But you didn't stop," Lucas said, his voice quiet. "Why not?"
Karis turned to him, her expression cold but steady. "Because stopping means dying. And I'm not ready for that."
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Chapter 18 Part D) Building a Fragile Trust
Karis had met Ethan and Lucas during a group raid—a necessity, not a choice. She'd joined them because the system demanded it, but as time went on, something unexpected happened. They didn't betray her. They didn't turn on her when things got tough. Instead, they'd fought for each other, even when it wasn't in their own best interest.
"It doesn't mean I trust you," Karis said, her gaze sweeping over the group. "But I've seen worse. And for now, you're useful."
"High praise," Ethan said, grinning. "I think I'm going to cry."
Naomi smirked, but Lucas leaned forward, his tone earnest. "We're not here to be useful, Karis. We're here to be a team."
Karis didn't reply, but something in her eyes softened, just for a moment. Ethan caught it, but he didn't push. He knew better than to poke at something that fragile.
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Chapter 18 Part E) The Shadow of the Past
As the conversation moved on, Karis returned to her knife, the rhythmic scraping filling the room once more. But her mind was elsewhere, lingering on memories she'd spent years trying to bury. Ryan's betrayal, Celia's death, the countless faces she'd left behind in the Forge—it was all still there, etched into her like scars.
But now, for the first time in years, she wasn't alone. And though she'd never admit it, a small part of her wanted to believe that maybe—just maybe—this group was different.
"Don't get too comfortable," Karis said as the group began to pack up for the day. "The system's not going to wait for us to bond."
Ethan grinned. "We'll take our chances. Besides, I'm pretty sure we're growing on you."
Karis rolled her eyes but didn't argue. Instead, she stood, slipping her knife into its sheath, and headed for the door.
As she left, Ethan couldn't help but smile. Maybe trust wasn't such a bad idea after all.