Location: Classified Underground Facility, North Tavara
The chamber was cold—metallic and humming with ancient energy. Victor Kane stood at the center, staring at a suspended capsule etched with glyphs that shimmered faintly under ultraviolet light.
Inside the capsule floated a preserved scroll.
Damien stepped forward beside Victor, eyes narrowed. "This is what the Genesis Protocol was built around?"
Victor gave a tight nod. "It predates even the earliest known civilizations in Tavara. The scroll's language... it's the same the Vessel was whispering."
A scientist approached cautiously. "We ran a resonance trace—it reacts to Damien's DNA. Only his blood can open it."
Nora, watching from behind, tensed. "Are you saying this ancient weapon... is tied to Damien's family?"
Victor hesitated. "I believe your father was the last known direct descendant of the original Ascendant. Damien might be the only living carrier of the dormant bloodline."
Damien said nothing. His jaw clenched. Slowly, he stepped forward and extended his hand toward the scroll. The capsule hissed. Glowed. And then... opened.
A pulse of ancient power filled the room, making the lights flicker. For a moment, everyone stood frozen. Then, visions surged into Damien's mind.
---
Vision Fragment – Centuries Ago
A battlefield bathed in crimson. The original Ascendant, cloaked in black and silver, raised his hand and summoned devastation upon invading armies.
He wore Damien's face.
But his eyes... were hollow.
A woman in white armor stood across from him, crying. "You weren't supposed to become this."
The Ascendant whispered, "It was the only way."
Then the vision shattered.
---
Back in the Facility
Damien gasped, stumbling. Nora rushed forward, catching him.
"What did you see?" she whispered.
He looked at her, pale and shaken. "I think I saw myself. But it wasn't me—it was someone I used to be."
Victor's expression darkened. "The Vessel isn't your enemy, Damien. She's your mirror."
---
Location: White Widow's Manor – Obsidian Forest
The Vessel stirred in her chamber. Her eyes opened. She clutched her chest, breathing heavily.
"He remembers," she whispered.
The Widow entered. "Good. The merging has begun."
"I don't want to hurt him."
"You won't," the Widow replied. "You'll finish what your past selves began. With or without his help."
---
Location: Blackthorne Estate – Garden Chamber
Later that night, Damien sat in silence. Nora approached, placing a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Still thinking about the vision?"
He nodded slowly. "If the power inside me is the same that once destroyed kingdoms... what happens if I lose control?"
"You won't," she said firmly. "Because you're not the man from that vision. You're the man who fought his way back from exile. The man I love."
He turned to her, voice low. "What if I can't escape who I was?"
Nora leaned in, her voice soft against his ear. "Then let me help you rewrite your fate."
They kissed under the moonlight, entwined in a silent promise to stand together—against destiny, against history, and against the ghosts buried within them both.