The hiding place was a forgotten vault under the city's water grid — an abandoned spiritual chamber once used by post-war cults who tried to "digitize prayer." Zina led them through rusted catacombs until they reached a room filled with floating data-crystals, humming in low tones like monks in mourning.
Take a breath," she said to Ayo. "What you see here will scar your spirit — not just your skin.
Tobe stepped cautiously around the levitating shards. "Who the hell built this place?"
"Not who," Zina said, pressing her palm to a panel on the wall. "What."
The crystals suddenly aligned, forming the face of a woman — ancient, wrinkled, eyes glowing blue and gold.
"I am the Oracle," she said, voice echoing from everywhere. "Keeper of memory. Mother of teeth."
Tobe shivered. "Teeth?"
Before anyone could ask, the Oracle's mouth opened — literally. Several white stone tablets floated out and hovered in front of Ayo.
"They are your pasts," she whispered. "Choose one to remember."
Ayo hesitated, then touched the one glowing red. Instantly, his body seized. His eyes rolled back.
---
Vision: The Forgotten Heir
He stood in a palace of fire.
His father knelt before a circle of masked gods. One of them pointed at Ayo — a child hiding in the shadows.
"He will burn it all," said the god in thunder. "End him now."
But his father shook his head. "No. He will rebuild what we broke."
Then came the betrayal.
The gods struck.
Ayo's father screamed.
A flaming spear was hurled — not at the father — but at the child.
The vision snapped like glass.
---
Ayo collapsed.
When he woke, Zina was holding him. "You saw the betrayal?"
He nodded, weakly. "The gods tried to kill me… before I was even born."
The Oracle's voice returned.
"The past hunts you, child of ashes. But worse still—"
The vault shook. Dust fell from the ceiling. Sirens echoed above.
"They found us," Tobe said. "The Syndicate?"
Zina raised her weapon. "No. Worse."
From the shadows emerged a being in a bone-white mask, levitating above the floor, surrounded by whispers.
The Souleater had come.