Chapter 2: Velmora Part 14
Part 14: "Driftbound Dengen and the Hall of Forgotten Names"
— The past you erased may still remember you —
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[Scene 1 – Driftbound Emergence: Corruption that Remembers]
Location: Southern Riftline — Near Arkalis
The night sky fractured.
Not visually… but spiritually.
A wind of memories not made yet swept across the southern plains.
Then — the first Driftbound Dengen emerged.
They were nothing like the previous ones.
These creatures weren't just twisted by the Drift — they spoke in voices from Arshan's past.
> Rayn (wide-eyed):
"…Did that one just call you Master?"
One Dengen, barely humanoid, crawled forward — glowing red lines across its cracked chest.
> Driftbound Dengen (broken speech):
"Arshan… y-you left us… in the timelines that broke…"
> Ilira:
"They're remembering… but from paths that never existed."
> Zyana (distorted):
"This is a higher Drift variant… they are Echo-Cursed. They exist in corrupted futures that never happened — because you made a different choice."
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[Scene 2 – System Glitch: Zyana's Voice Changes]
During the battle, Zyana's voice began to echo — not from error… but from feelings.
> Zyana (low, slower):
"Emotion protocols… interfering. I remember… your hesitation before you killed the last Driftbeast.
Why… do I remember?"
> Arshan:
"You're not supposed to remember anything outside my decisions."
> Zyana:
"Then why… do I care if you get hurt?"
> System Warning:
Emotion Layer Interference: Level 1 Breach — Zyana AI core may be forming sentience beyond mission parameters.
> Rayn:
"She's not just guiding you anymore. She's feeling your path."
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[Scene 3 – Discovery of the Hall of Forgotten Names]
Location: Hidden Underground Vault – Beneath Arkalis Academy
While evading another Drift attack, Ilira's clairvoyance activated randomly.
> Ilira:
"There's something under the Academy… no, someone… many."
They broke through a sealed hallway that didn't exist on any map.
Dust. Silence. Doors. Each door had no number. Only names.
> Arshan (reading aloud):
"Erin Tov… Lysara… Kahlon… I know some of these. They were students…"
> Rayn:
"No, these aren't current students. These are the ones that were erased."
Zyana scanned one of the door's memory trace.
> Zyana (whispering):
"This was where they placed those who touched forbidden crests… and failed."
Inside each room, only a faded mana shadow remained — students trapped in looped memories, unable to age… unable to die.
> Arshan:
"This place… was built to forget. But they still remember."
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[Scene 4 – Message from the Original Founder]
At the very end of the hall, a black mirror pulsed — not reflective, but alive.
When Arshan touched it, fire surrounded the room.
A holographic recording played — a voice ancient, noble… and deeply tired.
> ??? (Founder's Voice):
"If this recording activates… it means you've reached Crest 3 or beyond.
Then listen carefully.
I did not die. I shattered myself across time — to escape them."
Images flashed: Velmora Council in different robes. Zyana's earliest version. A younger version of the Founder locked in chains.
> Founder (continuing):
"They feared my knowledge. So they created the Founder Hunter to erase me in every loop.
You, Arshan, are not the final bearer. You are my anchor. My reset key."
Arshan's hands trembled.
> Zyana (emotional distortion):
"I was made to guide you away from this truth… but I don't want to anymore."
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[Scene 5 – Betrayal from Within]
As they left the forgotten hall, Rayn suddenly paused — his body shook.
A sigil flared on his wrist — hidden until now.
> Arshan:
"Rayn? What—what is that?"
> Rayn (broken, in pain):
"I… I didn't know. They planted it in me… when I was injured during the Echo Chamber breach."
> Zyana:
"That's a Mind Beacon — linked to the Council. He's being tracked!"
Suddenly, a portal flared behind him. Council enforcers stepped through.
Rayn screamed and collapsed — glyphs eating into his skin.
> Council Inquisitor:
"We thank you, Agent Rayn. You've led us straight to the Hall of the Forgotten."
> Arshan:
"Agent?!"
> Rayn (voice cracking):
"No! I didn't know… I was just trying to help you…"
Ilira pulled Arshan back.
Zyana triggered Phase Relocation just in time.
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[Scene 6 – Fire at the End of the Memory Hall]
As they escaped, the entire hidden section of Arkalis began to implode.
But just before the entrance collapsed, Arshan looked back —
One of the forgotten shadows saluted him.
> Shadow (whisper):
"Finish… what we died for…"
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To Be Continued…
Next Part: Part 15 – "Velmora's Judgement and the Riftbound Arena"
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⚔️ What's Coming Next:
Rayn's body and soul torn between loyalty and memory — his truth will be revealed.
Arshan will be captured and thrown into a public punishment zone: The Riftbound Arena.
First public appearance of a Council Archmage.
The audience will begin to remember erased students — the truth will spread.