The Price of Memory

The moment he touched the thread, the Vault screamed.

All the whispers converged, wrapping around him. They didn't hurt — they fed. On pain. On memory.

Aiden's nose bled. His hands shook. Visions flooded in:

Lyra bleeding beneath a burning star.

Kael's voice, roaring in defiance.

A boy screaming "I'm not ready!" as the sky cracked.

And then — silence.

The thread in his hand dissolved into light.

His eyes glowed silver.

> "I remember who I am. I remember who she is."

And then his body began to change — threadlight running deeper than ever before, shaping his spine, arms, heart.

> "I'm not Kael's echo anymore," he whispered.

"I'm what comes after Kael."

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