Chapter 7, Part 4: The Master Waits
The boy didn't speak the entire way back.
He walked barefoot through stone channels filled with runoff and broken glyphwork. His shoulders hunched like they remembered beatings, and his eyes never left the ground—not once. Not even when Mav joked. Not even when Lio offered water.
Only Brix stayed close, never touching, but never more than three steps behind.
When the dome opened for them, the System pulsed like a breath held too long:
[GLUTTONY – Entry Confirmed. Aura Stable at 41%. Fragment Recovered. Damage Minimal.]
[Master Status: Aware. Awaiting Arrival.]
The light within was low. Scrolls flickered in their places like distant stars.
Kairon sat cross-legged on the floor—not on his throne of scrolls, not wrapped in layers.
Just… there.
Awake.
Watching.
The boy stopped at the threshold.
Mav arched a brow.
"Well, go on."
The boy didn't.
He stared at the lines in the floor, the carved runes, the faint gold glow of containment.
"I shouldn't step there," he whispered. "I'll leave bits."
Brix looked to Kairon.
The Master said nothing.
Until—
"You already did," Kairon said. "That's how we found you."
The boy looked up.
For the first time.
Eyes red-rimmed, starving, afraid.
"You're not angry?"
Kairon tilted his head.
"I'm tired. That's different."
"I didn't want to eat anyone."
"You didn't."
"I—I think I did."
Kairon gestured to the space in front of him.
"Come closer."
The boy looked at Brix, then Lio.
Mav gave a half-smile and mimed pushing him forward.
[System Override: Aura Pressure Lowered – Gluttony Candidate Stabilization Priority Activated.]
He walked.
Every step seemed to take a year.
When he finally reached the center, Kairon didn't rise. He just looked up at the child who hadn't touched food in days but refused to abandon a single crumb.
"Tell me your name," Kairon said.
The boy hesitated.
"Do I need one?"
"Yes," Kairon said, "because you're not what they called you."
The boy whispered, "Nair."
Kairon nodded.
"Then that's what I'll remember."
He lifted one hand—just one.
Nair flinched.
But Kairon didn't touch his head.
He rested his palm on the boy's shoulder.
And left it there.
No EXP transfer. No dramatic glow.
Just contact.
Human. Real.
And Nair trembled.
Not from fear.
From having somewhere to land.
The others didn't interrupt.
Brix watched in silence, one fist still scorched.
Lio said nothing—but did not sharpen his blade today.
Mav lounged near the wall, arms behind his head. But even his jokes died in his mouth.
Kairon finally spoke again.
Not to the boy.
To the room.
"You've brought me four corners of a broken circle."
"Wrath. Pride. Lust. Hunger."
"You pulled one from the flames. One from the tower. One from himself."
"And now one from the pit."
He stood at last.
And when he did, the archive shifted.
Just slightly.
[System Log: MASTER STANDING – Full Conscious Presence Engaged]
[Host Wake Sync: All Students Detected]
[Loyalty Check Passed: 4/4 Responding]
Kairon looked at Nair—who had finally, finally stopped shaking.
"Stay here."
Nair nodded.
Kairon turned toward the scroll throne.
And muttered:
"I need another nap."
Mav barked a laugh.
Lio closed his eyes and shook his head.
Brix half-smiled.
[System Log Update: The Archive is quiet—for now.]