> [Third Fragment Acquired: Class III – Host Transfer: COMPLETE]
[Warning: Fragment Corruption Level: 47%]
[Purification Required: Proceed to Memory Forge]
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The Edge of Hollow Echo – The Memory Forge
Kael stood before the Forge: a structure not made of metal or stone—but memories turned solid, shaped by pain, regret, and timeless ash.
Twelve columns surrounded the platform, each flickering with the echoes of Reclaimers who failed.
The center held a single throne, carved from obsidian thought—and an altar that pulsed like a heart.
The third fragment lay atop it, twitching, bleeding corruption.
Yanis approached from behind, blade sheathed but aura sharp.
> "You understand what the Forge takes?"
Kael nodded. "It takes pieces of you… until you're someone else."
> "Or no one at all."
He stepped forward.
---
> [Begin Purification Protocol?]
[Cost: 3 Memory Anchors]
[Note: Once removed, they cannot be restored]
[Confirm?]
Kael closed his eyes.
> "Take it."
The Forge flared to life.
---
Anchor One: His Father's Voice
The sound of laughter in a quiet kitchen. The memory of a man singing old soldier's songs. A promise: "You don't need to be strong, Kael. Just stay kind."
Burned.
---
Anchor Two: His First Kill
A moment of horror at age thirteen. A knife. A pulse. A name he never learned. The way his hands shook afterward.
Burned.
---
Anchor Three: Her Name
The girl in red.
He remembered her name.
For just one second—
Then the Forge took it.
> [Warning: Mental Anchor Below Threshold – Identity Drift Detected]
[Purification Progress: 89%]
[Final Core Surge Needed]
Kael screamed as the flames climbed into his mind. The fragment resisted—it had grown a shape, a soul.
> "I don't want to be erased!" it shouted in a child's voice.
"I want to live!"
Kael's own voice cracked:
> "Then live as part of me. Not as a weapon."
The flame collapsed inward.
---
> [Fragment Purified – Status: Stabilized]
[Corruption Reduced to 18.3%]
[Ashwake Tyrant – Subform Unlocked: Ashwake Vow]
[Passive Gained: Memory Debt – Memories burned for power may return… but twisted]
Kael fell to one knee.
His breath came in ragged gasps. He didn't know what day it was. He remembered his mission, his Seed, his name…
But not why he started.
Yanis approached, slowly, carefully.
> "Who are you now?"
Kael looked up, eyes flickering gold-blue.
> "I don't know."
> "Then we better find out fast."
Behind them, the Forge let out a final pulse—and in a whisper, so faint only Kael heard it:
> "One more… and the King comes back."
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