“Echoes of the Forbidden”

The med-bay was silent, save for the rhythmic beeping of Elira's vitals.

Arin sat by her side, arms crossed, eyes fixed on the small flicker of light pulsing from the monitoring unit. Despite all the chaos—Omega Black, the arena fight, the Forbidden Core surging within him—it was her face that haunted his mind the most.

So young.

So hollow.

So… controlled.

> [System Notification: New Sub-Quest Activated] Title: Awaken Elira's True Identity Reward: Unknown Condition: Establish Synaptic Link – Consent Required

He exhaled deeply.

"Consent… from someone who doesn't even know what freedom feels like."

Rhea entered quietly, carrying two steaming cups of tonic. Her expression was tired but focused.

"She's stable, for now," she said, offering him a cup.

Arin took it, nodding. "You knew about Project Xeno-Soul?"

She looked away. "Whispers. I never thought I'd see one of the subjects in person."

Arin frowned. "They've made her a weapon. But I saw something break through—when I used the Pulse Disruptor. There's a person in there, Rhea. A real one."

Rhea pulled up a holographic console and projected Elira's internal system blueprint. It showed multiple neural chains tethered directly to her Core.

"Seven layers of suppressive firewalls," Rhea muttered. "That's more prison than system."

Arin's gaze hardened.

"Then I'm breaking her out."

---

Over the next two days, Arin remained at her side. Between training modules and system simulations, he visited, talked to her—even if she never responded.

He read her books, stories from the surface world she'd never seen. Told her about sunsets, wind, food that wasn't synthesized. About choice.

And for brief moments, her eyes would flutter.

Her fingers twitched.

She was hearing him.

---

> [System Alert: Core Synchronization Attempt Detected] User: Arin Verma Target: Unit Elira Authorization: Denied – Insufficient Emotional Link

Arin stared at the denial message, lips tightening.

"It's not about hacking," he muttered. "It's about trust."

Then he remembered something—the last thing she said in the arena.

"Age is irrelevant when built for one purpose."

Maybe, just maybe… that was her truth.

And truth was the first step toward freedom.

---

Elsewhere, deep beneath NovaCore's restricted floors, Director Nyros stood before a holographic council. Eleven figures, faces hidden, voices distorted.

"She resisted suppression during her first encounter," Nyros reported. "Subject Elira's core is unstable."

One figure leaned forward.

"And Arin Verma?"

"Growing beyond projections. The Forbidden Core is evolving him faster than anticipated."

Another voice chimed in. "Then deploy the Reclaimers. We need to isolate the Forbidden Core before it integrates too deeply."

Nyros hesitated. "The moment we move, he'll know."

"Then let him. The experiment must proceed."

The hologram flickered out.

Nyros turned to the shadows behind him. Several cloaked figures emerged, their eyes glowing faintly.

"Prepare Reclaimer Unit Delta," he said coldly. "Target: Arin Verma."

---

Back at the med-bay, Elira's eyes snapped open.

"Where…?"

Arin rushed to her side. "Elira. You're awake."

She looked at him, confused, alert, almost afraid. "You… why are you here?"

"I'm not your enemy."

"You fought me."

"And I stopped. You're not just a system. You're someone worth saving."

Her lips trembled. "I… don't know who I am."

Arin reached out his hand.

"Then let's find out—together."

> [System Link Established – Partial Synchronization Achieved] Shared Memory Node: Active

Suddenly, flashes of Elira's memory invaded Arin's mind. A dark facility. Electrodes. Screams. A girl, alone, raised by machines.

And one word repeated by every trainer she met:

"Erase."

Tears welled in her eyes.

"I'm sorry… I didn't choose any of this."

"You don't have to be sorry. You just have to choose now."

For the first time, Elira nodded.

"I'll help you."

---

> [New System Trait Acquired: Dual-Link Channel] Allows partial fusion with another Core User to share abilities during battle. Restrictions apply based on emotional bond.

> [Team Configuration Updated] Core Ally: Elira (Artificial Core – Tier A) Primary Skill: Null-Veil – Temporarily disables enemy system interfaces

---

As the two prepared to leave the med-bay, alarms suddenly blared across the campus.

> [Emergency Lockdown Activated] [Warning: Reclaimer Unit Delta En Route] Estimated Time to Impact: 3 Minutes

Rhea's voice crackled through their comm-link.

"Arin! You need to get out—NOW! They've sent the Reclaimers. Full suppression team. Armed to erase you and Elira!"

Elira grabbed his hand.

"No more running."

Arin met her gaze—and smiled.

"Then let's give them a welcome they'll never forget."

---

To be continued...