The street felt too quiet after the creature vanished.
People walked past as if nothing had happened. Cracked stone, broken walls, and fading mist were all ignored, as if the world had decided this moment was not worth remembering.
"They're already editing it," Mira said softly. "The Written Order never lets chaos stay visible for long."
Kael looked around uneasily. "So no one will remember that thing?"
"Not unless they're supposed to," Elias replied.
Mira turned to Kael. "You don't belong to the current version of this world."
Kael clenched his fists. "So I really am a mistake."
"No," Mira said. "You're a version that was thrown away."
A deep bell suddenly echoed across the city.
The sound was low and heavy, vibrating through stone and air.
Mira went pale. "That's them."
"The Written Order," Elias whispered.
From the far end of the street, dark figures appeared. They walked calmly, untouched by the wind, their faces peaceful and empty.
One of them stepped forward.
"Kael," he said.
Kael stiffened. Hearing his name from a stranger still felt wrong.
"You are an anomaly," the man continued. "A line that should have been deleted."
Mira stepped in front of Kael. "You don't get to decide who exists anymore."
The man smiled faintly.
"That is exactly what we do."
The hunters raised their hands.
And the chase for Kael had truly begun.