Location; Silverbridge Estate – Underground Medical Wing, 6:42 AM
The first rays of dawn filtered through the narrow slats of reinforced windows. Inside the softly humming medical bay, Subject 27X-A opened his eyes—not glowing, not cold. Just… human.
He blinked several times, adjusting to the sterile white lights above. The world looked different now—slower, clearer. He could feel his heart beating.
A warm voice brought him back. "Good morning," Nora greeted, approaching in a white coat. "How do you feel?"
"I…" He paused. "I feel… pain. And… peace. Is that normal?"
She smiled. "Very."
He looked down at his bandaged shoulder. "You didn't destroy me."
"No," she said gently, sitting beside him. "I gave you a second chance. But what you do with it—that's up to you."
He looked away. "I don't have a name."
Nora tilted her head. "Would you like one?"
After a long silence, he nodded once. "Yes."
---
Location: Silverbridge Estate – Courtyard Garden
Damien stood by a marble bench, watching Nora approach with the assassin-turned-patient walking stiffly beside her.
"Is it safe for him to be out here?" Damien asked warily.
"His systems are offline. Only his human functions remain active," Nora replied. "And besides, he wanted to meet you."
Damien narrowed his eyes. "Why?"
The boy stepped forward, bowing awkwardly. "I… owe you an apology."
Damien crossed his arms. "For trying to kill me and the woman I love?"
"Yes."
Silence.
Then Damien let out a breath and nodded. "Fair enough."
The boy turned to Nora. "I've made a choice."
Nora looked up at him expectantly.
"I want to be free. I want to learn. And I want… a name."
She placed a hand over her heart. "When I was a child, I read about a mythic guardian—someone who once protected a great kingdom in silence, always loyal, always brave."
He tilted his head, curious.
"His name," she continued, "was Caelum. It means sky—vast, open, endless. That's what I see in you."
He smiled for the first time, faint but real. "Then I am… Caelum."
---
Location: London – Underground Vault, Same Morning
The room was circular, dim, and carved from black stone. At its center, a tall woman in crimson robes stepped onto an illuminated platform. Her eyes glowed faintly, like burning coals.
An aide rushed forward. "High Seer, the Phase Wing operation in Tavara has failed. Subject 27X-A was… compromised."
The woman raised a hand. "I am aware."
"There's more," the aide stammered. "The Bennett girl—Nora—she's stabilized him. She may have access to the original serum."
The High Seer smiled. "Then the real game begins. Contact Dr. Arledge. And awaken the remaining subjects. We're moving to Phase Three."
"And the others?"
"They've been sleeping too long."
---
Location: Silverbridge Estate – Damien's Study, Evening
Nora curled up in Damien's oversized chair, her head resting on his chest. Papers and monitors scattered the desk, half-finished reports and medical logs blinking away.
"Do you think I did the right thing?" she asked softly.
Damien's arms wrapped around her tighter. "You saved someone who never knew kindness. You gave him something none of his creators ever offered—a future."
"He's learning so fast. It's like watching a blank canvas come alive."
He chuckled. "Sounds like someone I once met."
She looked up. "Me?"
He nodded. "You were this brilliant mystery when we met. Closed off. Sharp as glass. But now…" He brushed a strand of hair from her face. "You shine."
Nora flushed, hiding her face against his neck. "You always say the right things."
"Because they're true."
---
Location: Silverbridge Estate – Guest Quarters
Caelum sat at a desk, studying a book of Tavaran history. His fingers traced the words slowly, whispering each syllable.
He paused at a photo of Nora as a child, her arm around an older man—her father.
He stared at the image, his expression tightening.
He didn't know why, but something about the man's face stirred a flicker of memory. Not visual. Not sound. A sensation. Like static beneath his skin.
Caelum closed the book and stood slowly.
He moved to the mirror across the room—and stared at his reflection.
It was his face. But behind his eyes, something moved. A flash. A fragment. A whisper.
Then nothing.
Just him.
Caelum.