Project Name: Nullborn
Target: Ryon of the Sovereign Flame
Reason for Termination:
→ Emotional Anchor Unstable
→ System Threat Projection: Catastrophic
That night, Ryon didn't sleep peacefully.
Of rain falling on a red field.
Of a small girl with tangled hair and dirt-smudged cheeks, pressing a hand against his when they were both just children—before war, before magic, before System commands.
"Don't forget me," she whispered in that dream. "Not when they take me."
He tried to remember.
But it burned away, replaced by static and ash.
When he jolted awake, Elara sat beside him, her eyes already open.
"You dreamed her again, didn't you?" she asked softly.
In the war room, Neive was pale.
"I decrypted the last of the root layer logs," she said. "You were part of a program you never agreed to. When the Northern system started developing bonded prodigies, they inserted emotional anchors into young candidates."
Kaela frowned. "Like… soulmates?"
"No," Neive said grimly. "Like weapons. They gave children to each other. Built trauma-bonds. Then erased one of them—so the other would grow powerful chasing the loss."
Lyria looked sick. "He was set up to burn for her. Forever."
Shaera's fists clenched. "And now she's back?"
> "Her name… was Maris."
Incoming Override Signature Detected: Nullborn Queen-Class
Estimated Time to Arrival: 12 Hours
Bond Interference: High
Warning: Emotional Collapse Risk – Ryon
Suggested Action: Anchor with Strongest Bond Before Encounter
As the sun rose, Ryon stood on the southern balcony, alone, staring at the sea of ash trees beyond the palace.
He remembered her now.
The way she used to chase crows.
The day they kissed beside a burning field, both of them too young to understand what it meant—except it felt real.
And then she was taken.
The next day, they told him she never existed.
Lyria found him there. She didn't speak.
She just wrapped her arms around his waist from behind, resting her head against his back.
"You're not alone," she said.
But something inside him cracked open.
> System Stability Check: Emotional Integrity – 72%
Emergency Anchor Triggered: Lyria | Kaela | Elara | Shaera | Neive
Active Bond Protection Status: 5 / 30
Incoming Combat Priority Updated: Class-S Duel – Soulbound Break Event
Somewhere beyond the mountain veil, Maris approached—hair white as frostfire, eyes silver with the System's mark.
And in her chest burned a single thought:
> "He forgot me. So I'll remind him—when I end him."