I collapsed against the cave wall, armor rattling. My arms wrapped instinctively around my chest, trying to shield me from phantom blades. The memory of steel on flesh was too fresh, too real. My fingers found the tender spot where that guard’s sword had pressed.

  If not for my defensive mask and amulet, that blade would have painted the walls red.

  Cronia hovered nearby, a cloud of silver-white mist radiating gentle warmth, but even her presence couldn't chase away the bone-deep chill. Gripjaw hummed softly and pressed closer, but I couldn't bring myself to lower my protective posture. My shaking body was still in survival mode, trying to protect itself from wounds that hadn't quite happened.

  I knew what Cronia would say if she broke her tactful silence—that death wasn't permanent, that I'd just restart. No strings attached. But that knowledge didn't help.

  I shivered, thinking back to NueroSync—remembering the one who pulled the trigger. Bleeding out in front of that backstabbing witch had been hell enough. I wasn't eager to experience that draining terror again, to feel life seeping away one heartbeat at a time.

  Moonlight filtered through the cave entrance, catching on shallow puddles and the occasional bioluminescent speck drifting through the air. Under different circumstances, the floating lights might have been beautiful. Now they barely registered. My hand kept returning to my throat, feeling my pulse against the bruise where Xelmir's quarterstaff had nearly crushed my windpipe. Another death avoided only by the my mask's protection.

  Clenching fists, I felt tension rising in my chest. “I need to be STRONGER!” The words burst out, echoing off stone walls as I slammed my fist against the ground. "If I keep sucking like this, I won't last at all!"

  Cronia floated before me, still in her misty form. "You're alive," she said softly, her tone motherly and soothing. "Focus on that. Breathe."

  I forced myself to take several deep breaths before asking, "Why try to kill me? I didn't do anything to merit the death penalty." My gaze dropped to my armor, and I summoned the medallion with its broken chains motif. "You saw the people with the tattoos? Do they work for the cult? Was that assassin just another stupid test from Kor?"

  Cronia transformed into her more human aspect, dress and hair flowing like living mist as she slowly shook her head. "Kor's arms were bare when you trained with her. I don't remember seeing any chain tattoos. Xelmir…” She paused. "He was wearing long sleeves during your fight with him, but I don’t he had any.”

  "So there's another faction?" The realization made my frown deepen. "Another group opposing the cult? But why were they killing soldiers then? If they're opposing the cult, wouldn't they…” My voice trailed off as pieces clicked into place—Xelmir's words about the cult trying to take control, about how they were tired of being stepped on by the fortunate elite.

  Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.

  But something still didn't add up. "How does this fit with what we know is coming? The meteor shower that's going to destroy everything?"

  "My thoughts exactly." Cronia alighted on my knee, tapping her chin thoughtfully. "Something's missing. A piece to this puzzle, just out of reach.”

  We sat in silence, listening to waves crash outside while I stroked Gripjaw's carapace. The salt air helped clear my head, but exhaustion pulled at my eyelids. Sleep wasn't an option though—not with so many questions dancing through my mind.

  I turned to my interface, focusing on my inventory. With a thought, I summoned the new items: a bag of coins, and a jagged yellow crystal, next to the chain-marked medallion. They clattered to the ground before me.

  The crystal caught my attention immediately. Something like a miniature sun pulsed within it, and as I lifted it for closer inspection, warmth seeped into my hand. A soft crackling filled my head. The top seemed slightly askew, and when I turned it, the crackling shifted to overlapping voices:

  “…another target lost…”

  "…sweep the docks, they should be there…"

  "…the marked one escaped. Keep your eyes peeled…"

  The voices grew louder, building to a piercing shriek that sent Gripjaw skittering back, his reptilian eyes fixed on the crystal with obvious distaste. I quickly twisted the top, silencing it.

  "Sorry," I muttered, dropping the crystal and rubbing my ears, cold realization settled in my gut. "I'm in way over my head. There's so much about this city I don't know."

  "And your only advantages are your masks and the amulet," Cronia observed from her perch on Gripjaw's back. The little creature straightened proudly beneath her.

  "And Rewind," I said, rubbing my jaw where that guard had struck me. The ability had given me just enough time to turn the tables and escape the Chain Breakers, or whatever they called themselves. Men intent on killing me—but why?

  I gathered the items back into my inventory, grateful for the extra coins and armor. My hand fell to the sword at my waist—my first real weapon, a skill I was only beginning to learn.

  "I can't afford to get involved in all this, Cronia. Not until I know how to fight. Not until I can stand against people like Xelmir and those guards." I rose shakily, unwilling to dismiss the armor, only because my depleted MP rendered the amulet and mask useless. Even simple steel was better than nothing.

  "I agree," Cronia said, "but if you're not getting involved, who's going to train you?"

  I sighed heavily, considering my limited allies. "I'll have Kor train me. I’ll head back to the Underbelly, learn as much as I can about their leader. Then we can loop."

  Exhaustion crashed over me as I sank to my knees, then lay on my side.

  [Status Effect: Exhaustion - All skill checks take a -40% penalty until fully rested]

  Cronia landed before me, looking thoughtful.

  "Keep watch, little guy," I murmured to Gripjaw, fighting to keep my eyes open. "Or sleep if you need to."

  "No, I can keep watch," Cronia interjected. "Rest. Tomorrow we'll find shelter in the Underbelly." She hesitated, then gently patted my cheek. “But…well, maybe we should go tonight?”

  But I was already drifting. "Tomorrow," I whispered. "Keep watch, please."

  I felt her reluctance as she floated away.

  If only I had listened to her warning…