Chapter 17: Path of the Marked
Kael didn't sleep that night.
Not because of fear.
Because something inside him wouldn't stop moving.
Not his thoughts. Not his body. The Frame. It pulsed in waves—soft at first, then louder. Not physical pain. Something deeper.
A pull.
By morning, Mira confirmed it.
"There's another signal," she said. "East rim. Dead zone. You're the only one it's responding to."
Kael stared at the screen. Red lines looped in a rhythm he'd seen before.
"What is it?"
"Don't know," she said. "But it wants you."
They met near the old transport line at the city's edge.
Rusted rails. Burned-out tunnels. No drones. No cameras.
This place was outside Lunaris.
Juno arrived first, quiet as always.
Mira followed, linking into the backup scanner. "Same Obelisk code signature. Active. Rooted deep."
Ryke came last.
Kael stepped forward and faced them.
"I'm going in."
"You shouldn't," Juno said flatly.
"I know."
"Then why?"
Kael looked at the tunnel. Its mouth pulsed with red static—barely visible, but alive.
"Because it keeps calling me. And I need to know why."
Mira crossed her arms.
"And if it's a trap?"
Kael looked over his shoulder.
"Then you'll know I was right."
Ryke cracked his neck and walked to Kael's side.
"I'm not letting you face it alone."
Juno sighed, hand hovering near her blade. "Same."
Mira didn't argue either. But she didn't smile.
"You're lucky we're all stupid."
They descended into the dark.
The Obelisk signal was stronger here. The walls pulsed softly with etched light—symbols they couldn't read, but could feel.
Steps echoed for too long.
No voices. No threats. Just heat. Energy.
And something breathing beneath the code.
Then they saw it.
A sealed chamber door, smooth and black, veins of red light stitched across its surface like scars.
Kael stepped forward.
The door responded before he even touched it.
"VALIANT.PROTOCOL: INITIATE."
The door opened.
No explosion. No sound.
Just darkness behind it.
And something alive… waiting inside.
Kael looked back once.
Then walked through.