Karry woke up to silence.
Not the quiet of rest—
but the kind that pressed against the ears.
His arms were bound to a chair formed from layered metal and unfamiliar symbols. The restraints hummed softly, reacting to his movement.
Across the room, Sasha sat on the floor.
Her wrists were locked the same way.
She was staring at him.
"You're awake," she said.
Before Karry could speak, footsteps echoed.
Slow. Confident.
Kernel stepped into view.
"You finally woke up."
Karry struggled against the restraints.
"Where did you take us?"
Kernel smiled faintly.
"Taken is a strong word. You walked into this."
Karry clenched his jaw.
"So Arnold—"
Kernel raised a hand.
"No."
The word cut cleanly.
"Don't misunderstand," Kernel continued. "No one works under anyone here."
He glanced around the room.
"This place exists because some things can't be erased. Only contained."
Karry noticed the walls then.
Deep crimson lines ran through the stone—pulsing faintly, like veins.
"Why does this room feel… wrong?" Karry asked.
Sasha finally spoke, her voice sharp.
"Why are you acting like this is normal?"
Kernel turned toward her.
"You still think your life was normal?"
He stepped closer to Karry.
"Your freedom ended the moment you learned something you weren't meant to."
Karry's breath tightened.
"What did we learn?"
Kernel leaned in slightly.
"Enough."
Silence followed.
Then—
"You were bait," Kernel said calmly.
"And the bait worked."
Karry's eyes widened.
"Bait for what?"
Kernel straightened.
"For eyes that never blink."
The restraints tightened slightly.
"From now on," Kernel continued, "you won't be told the truth."
"You'll be given fragments."
"You'll move when you're told."
"And you'll survive only if you don't ask the wrong questions."
Sasha struggled against her bindings.
"You're insane."
Kernel met her gaze.
"No. You're just late."
A new presence filled the room.
Heavy. Familiar.
The air shifted.
A shadow formed behind Kernel.
Footsteps.
Karry froze.
Arnold stepped into the crimson light.
Calm. Unarmed.
Watching.
Kernel inclined his head slightly.
"Good morning."
Karry stared, disbelief flooding his face.
"…Arnold?"
Arnold didn't answer.
He only looked at them—
as if deciding something that could not be undone.
The door behind him sealed shut.
[End of Chapter 14]