The Awakening Truth

Kaelan stared at the floating crystal orb, its swirling purple light casting eerie reflections in the dimly lit chamber. This was the key to unlocking Anya's memories. If what Nasha had said was true, then everything they had experienced so far wasn't just coincidence—it was part of a fate that had been decided long ago.

But something inside him resisted believing it entirely.

If Anya truly was Nasha's reincarnation, why had there been no signs? Why hadn't any memories surfaced, even after everything they had been through together?

Kaelan turned, narrowing his eyes at Nasha. "You're hiding something from me."

Nasha gave a faint smile. "You've always been sharp, Kaelan. Yes, there's something I haven't told you yet."

She stepped forward, gazing at the crystal orb with a somber expression. "Anya hasn't just lost her memories… Something far more dangerous has been done to her."

Kaelan clenched his fists. "What do you mean?"

Nasha exhaled deeply. "Quantum… They knew I would be reincarnated. So they created something to stop me."

Kaelan felt his heartbeat quicken. "What did they do?"

Nasha turned to him, her eyes filled with sorrow. "They planted a seed of darkness within my soul before I was reborn. Something that will slowly grow… and take over."

Kaelan's entire body tensed. "No…"

Nasha nodded. "Yes, Kaelan. If Anya regains her memories, the seed will awaken too. And when that happens… she may no longer be the Anya you know."

Kaelan swallowed hard. Keeping this truth from Anya wasn't an option. But how could he tell her that she might become the greatest threat to this world?

But if they didn't restore her memories, how could they ever stop Quantum?

Kaelan felt trapped in an impossible cycle.

"Is there another way?" he asked hoarsely.

Nasha looked at him with deep sadness. "The only way to destroy the seed… is to destroy Anya before it fully awakens."

Kaelan flinched. "You want me to kill her?"

Nasha shook her head. "I don't want that. But if the time comes, and you see that she has become something unrecognizable… you must make a decision."

Kaelan clenched his fists. There was no reality in which he could kill Anya.

"But there is still hope, Kaelan."

Kaelan turned toward Nasha, a flicker of hope in his eyes.

"There's one other way."

Nasha extended her hand toward the crystal orb. As she touched it, the purple light inside began to glow more intensely.

"When you return to your world, give this to Anya. But don't let her touch it until the time is right."

Kaelan nodded, though countless questions still swirled in his mind.

Nasha stepped back and smiled faintly at him. "This will be our last meeting, Kaelan."

Kaelan frowned. "What do you mean?"

Nasha sighed. "I am merely a shadow of the past. When you return to your world, I will disappear. What remains will only be Anya… and the destiny she must fulfill."

A weight settled on Kaelan's chest. Even though he had only just met Nasha, it felt like he had known her for a lifetime.

"Thank you for protecting her," Kaelan said quietly.

Nasha smiled. "I never doubted you."

Return to the Real World

A surge of purple light enveloped Kaelan, pulling him back into reality.

When he opened his eyes, he found himself standing once more inside the ruins of the temple on Mount Sambo. In his hands, the crystal orb still pulsed with a faint glow.

In front of him, Anya stood with a worried expression.

"Kaelan! Are you okay?"

Kaelan looked at her, but this time, he saw her differently. He didn't just see Anya… he saw Nasha within her.

But Anya knew nothing. She didn't know that she was the key to a much larger battle.

And she didn't know… that she might become its greatest threat.

Kaelan swallowed hard, hiding the turmoil inside him. "I'm fine."

Anya frowned. "What is that?" she asked, pointing at the crystal orb.

Kaelan tightened his grip around it. "I'll explain later. But for now… we need to leave."

Anya still looked suspicious, but she nodded and followed Kaelan as they stepped out of the ruins.

As they made their way down the mountain, only one thought echoed in Kaelan's mind:

Could he save Anya before it was too late?