Back at the military dorms, the atmosphere was unusually quiet.
No jokes from Kevin.
No teasing from Mira.
Even Teaha and Lara had stopped sneaking glances at each other.
Nisa sat by the window, fingers brushing the jade pendant hidden under her shirt. It felt… warmer today. Like it was breathing.
Across the room, Bihoo leaned against the wall, staring at the ceiling, pretending not to watch her.
But his hand?
Rested protectively over the same spot on his waist
Later that evening...
The six of them gathered again—this time not by order, but choice.
Kevin sat cross-legged and clapped once. "Okay, enough of the drama. We all saw something, right?"
Everyone hesitated… then nodded.
Mira looked up, voice shaky. "Is it just me… or did it feel like we knew someone… but forgot them completely?"
Lara crossed her arms. "Or were made to forget."
Teaha narrowed his eyes. "It felt too real to be a vision. It was like… pieces of our soul were hidden away."
Bihoo's gaze dropped. "Or stolen."
Nisa didn't speak—but her jade shimmered faintly under the moonlight.
Suddenly, the jade around each of their waists pulsed—once.
A hum vibrated through the room.
The six of them looked at each other, and in that moment…
A memory flickered.
Not full—just an emotion. A voice.
A laugh.
A promise.
Kevin shot up. "We're bonded."
Mira blinked. "What?"
"Blood-bonded. Soul-bonded. Memory-sealed. I've read about it in forbidden files."
He grinned wildly.
"We're not just teammates. We're a key. A locked puzzle. Together, we remember. Apart, we forget."
At that moment, a voice echoed through the room.
Soft.
Mysterious.
Not human.
"Welcome back, Unit 9."
The jade glowed brighter.
A hidden panel opened on the wall, revealing…
A map.
One marked with ancient runes and names long erased from history.
Their journey had only just begun.
To be continued…