Chapter 57: Beneath the Surface (Something Is Watching)
The days didn't slow down.
They became heavier.
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Morning.
Training.
Night.
Pain.
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Repeat.
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Malvek stopped counting.
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His body had changed.
Not completely—
But enough.
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His stance was sharper.
His breathing—controlled.
His eyes—
No longer wavering.
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"Again."
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Nobu's voice cut through the courtyard.
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Malvek moved instantly.
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No hesitation.
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He stepped in—
Struck—
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Nobu blocked.
Easily.
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But—
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"…Better."
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Malvek didn't stop.
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He followed up.
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A second strike.
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A third—
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Nobu shifted back slightly.
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Just slightly.
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The students watching froze.
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"…He moved him…"
"…Did you see that…?"
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Malvek heard them—
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But ignored it.
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He attacked again.
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BOOM!!
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This time—
Nobu countered.
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Malvek blocked.
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Clean.
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Silence fell across the courtyard.
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Nobu stopped.
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"…That's enough."
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Malvek stepped back.
Breathing steady.
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"…You're adapting."
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A pause.
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"…But don't get comfortable."
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Malvek nodded.
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"…I won't."
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From the side—
Misashi watched quietly.
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His arms crossed.
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"…He's changing faster than expected…"
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Nobu didn't respond.
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"…That kind of growth…"
"…It usually comes with a cost."
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A pause.
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"…It already has."
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Nobu turned away.
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That night—
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The palace was quiet.
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Too quiet.
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Malvek stood alone again.
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Looking at the sky.
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"…Where are you…"
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His voice was low.
⸻
But steady.
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"…Just wait a little longer…"
"…I'm coming."
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Far away—
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Deep underground—
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Cold light flickered.
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Metal walls.
Silent machines.
And rows—
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Of chambers.
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"…Subject V-13 stabilized."
"…Neural sync—82%."
"…Emotional residue—minimal."
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Figures in black robes observed quietly.
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"…Proceed with Phase Two adjustments."
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Another voice spoke.
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"…And the new subject?"
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A pause.
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"…Bring her forward."
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Chains dragged across the floor.
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A girl struggled.
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Weak—
But conscious.
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"…Let me go…!"
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No response.
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Only cold eyes.
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"…Designation pending."
"…High compatibility detected."
"…Begin preparation."
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Her eyes widened.
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"…No—WAIT—!!"
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A device activated.
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A sharp sound filled the room.
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"…Memory separation protocol—start."
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"…STOP—!!"
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Her scream—
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Cut off.
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Moments later—
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Her body went still.
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Not unconscious.
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But—
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Quiet.
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"…Memory extraction—5% complete."
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"…She's resisting."
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"…Increase suppression."
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Her fingers twitched.
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A faint whisper escaped her lips—
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"…Mal…vek…"
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The monitors flickered.
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"…Emotional anchor detected."
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"…Erase it."
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Elsewhere—
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A darker chamber.
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No light.
No sound.
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Only—
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Presence.
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A figure stood there.
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Still.
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Completely still.
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But—
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Not inactive.
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A faint glow passed through his eyes.
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"…Observation ongoing."
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"…Subject Malvek."
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Silence.
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"…Growth confirmed."
"…Potential—acceptable."
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A pause.
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"…Initiating field unit deployment."
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For the first time—
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The air trembled.
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"…Designation—V9."
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A faint signal blinked.
⸻
Permission granted.
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"…Primary targets—Nobu… Malvek…"
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"…Secondary variables—irrelevant."
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And then—
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Gone.
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⸻
Far from all of them—
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Across broken land—
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A lone figure walked.
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Step by step.
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"…This era is noisy…"
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His eyes scanned the horizon.
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Villages.
Clans.
Conflict.
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"…Good."
⸻
A faint smirk appeared.
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"…Easier to disappear."
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He stopped.
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Looking toward distant smoke.
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"…Strong ones gather there…"
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A pause.
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"…Maybe I'll start there."
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But then—
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He frowned slightly.
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"…No…"
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"…Something else…"
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A pressure.
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Unfamiliar.
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Cold.
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His eyes sharpened.
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"…So I'm not the only one."
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For a moment—
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Something inside him stirred.
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Faint.
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But real.
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"…This feeling…"
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"…I've felt it before…"
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Fragments.
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Broken memories.
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A battlefield.
A name.
A presence—
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"…Nobu…"
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His hand clenched.
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"…I'll find you."
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And then—
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He moved faster.
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Not far from him—
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A shadow dropped silently.
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No sound.
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No presence—
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Until it chose to exist.
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V9.
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Its eyes scanned.
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Locked.
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On Beru.
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"…Unidentified variable."
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Beru stopped walking.
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Slowly—
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He turned.
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"…You…"
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For the first time—
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His instincts screamed.
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Not fear—
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Recognition.
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"…You're not human."
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Silence.
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Then—
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They moved.
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BOOM!!
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The ground shattered.
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A single clash—
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And the air exploded outward.
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Beru skidded back.
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Eyes wide.
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"…What… was that…"
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V9 stood still.
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Unmoved.
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"…Combat capability—confirmed."
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A pause.
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"…But not target."
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Beru charged again—
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But—
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V9 was gone.
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Just—
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Gone.
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Only a voice remained.
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"…Do not interfere."
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"…You are not the objective."
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Silence returned.
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Beru stood there.
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Breathing heavier now.
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"…What… are you…"
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But deep inside—
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Something awakened.
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Slowly.
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Power.
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Memory.
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Purpose.
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"…Nobu…"
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"…I'm getting closer."
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Back at the palace—
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A guard paused.
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"…Did you feel that?"
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Another frowned.
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"…What?"
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"…That… pressure…"
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Silence.
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"…You're imagining things."
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Maybe.
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Or maybe not.
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⸻
Back in the courtyard—
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Nobu stood alone.
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Eyes closed.
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Silent.
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Then—
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They opened.
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Sharp.
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"…Something's moving."
⸻
A pause.
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"…Not here…"
"…But close."
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Another pause.
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"…Stronger than the others…"
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His gaze darkened.
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"…So it begins."
⸻
The wind shifted.
⸻
And somewhere—
⸻
Something had already begun watching them.
⸻
Not attacking.
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Not revealing itself.
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Just—
⸻
Waiting.
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To strike.
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To erase.
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To complete its purpose.
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To be continued…