Eira's heart beat faster as the sound of the storm outside grew louder. The winds howled, whipping across the desolate plains of the Northern Desolation. They had been traveling for days now, following the map Cass had provided, through treacherous terrain and unforgiving weather. Every step felt like a fight against the elements, against the world that seemed determined to keep its secrets buried.
They had left the city far behind, the neon lights and towering buildings nothing but a distant memory. Now, all that surrounded them was the bleak expanse of nothingness. It felt like they were walking through a forgotten world, one that time had abandoned. But Eira knew better than to believe in coincidences. Every step, every path they took, led them closer to the vault—and to the truth she desperately needed to uncover.
Cass had been quiet throughout the journey, his usual enigmatic self. He moved with an air of purpose, but his eyes never strayed from the horizon, as if searching for something he wasn't willing to share. Eira didn't press him. She didn't have the luxury of time. The government was always one step behind, and she could feel their eyes on her, even now, miles away from civilization.
As they reached the edge of the Northern Desolation, the wind picked up, howling like an animal in pain. Eira pulled her jacket tighter around her, her eyes scanning the empty, snow-covered wasteland. There was nothing but the gray sky and the endless horizon. It was as if the world itself was holding its breath.
"We're getting close," Cass said suddenly, his voice cutting through the silence.
Eira turned to him, narrowing her eyes. "How do you know?"
Cass didn't answer at first, just gestured ahead. A faint outline appeared in the distance—an ancient structure rising from the snow, half-buried by the harsh winds. It was hidden from sight, its location carefully concealed by the surrounding wasteland.
"The Memory Vault," Eira whispered. She could feel a strange pull toward it, as if the very air around the vault was humming with energy. This place, whatever it was, held the answers she had been searching for.
Cass stopped just short of the vault's entrance, his eyes scanning the area for any signs of movement. "This is it. The government doesn't know about this place. They can't. But they won't stop looking for you, Eira. The moment they realize you've found it…" He trailed off, leaving the threat hanging in the air.
Eira nodded, her resolve hardening. She had already risked everything to come this far. There was no turning back now.
They moved quickly toward the entrance, the snow crunching underfoot as they approached the heavy stone doors. Eira's fingers trembled as she touched the cold surface, feeling the faint pulse of energy emanating from the stone. This was no ordinary place. The vault was ancient, older than the world outside, and yet it was still alive with purpose.
Cass stepped forward, pressing his hand against the stone. A faint glow began to pulse beneath his touch, and the door slowly began to open, revealing a dark interior.
"This is it," Cass said, his voice low. "The entrance. Beyond this point, it's up to you. No one can help you now."
Eira nodded, her heart pounding in her chest. She didn't look back as she stepped into the darkness, the door closing behind her with an ominous thud.
The inside of the vault was cold and silent, the air heavy with the weight of forgotten memories. The walls were lined with shelves, each one holding a single data cube, encased in glass. Eira's eyes widened as she realized the magnitude of what she was standing in. This wasn't just a vault. This was a museum of lost history, a record of everything that had been erased. Every memory, every story, every revolution.
She moved forward, her fingers brushing against the glass of the cubes, feeling the cold surface beneath her skin. She could feel the memories inside, each one waiting to be unlocked. The air buzzed with energy, as if the vault itself was alive, watching her every move.
"Rowan Hale," Eira whispered, her voice barely audible in the stillness. She had come here for one thing, and one thing only: to find the truth about the woman whose story had been erased.
A soft click echoed through the vault as Eira approached the farthest corner, where a single cube sat on a pedestal, bathed in soft light. The label on the cube was simple, but its significance was undeniable. "Rowan Hale - The Revolution".
Her heart raced as she picked it up, feeling the weight of the cube in her hand. This was it. The moment she had been waiting for.
But as she prepared to insert the cube into the nearest terminal, a sudden sound broke the silence—footsteps.
Eira's breath caught in her throat, and she instinctively moved toward the shadows, holding the cube tightly against her chest. Cass had warned her about the dangers of the vault, but she hadn't expected someone else to be here.
A figure emerged from the darkness, their silhouette barely visible against the dim light. Eira's pulse quickened as she recognized the figure. It was a woman, her features hidden by a hood, but there was something familiar about her presence.
"Who are you?" Eira demanded, her voice shaky but determined.
The woman paused, her head tilting slightly as if considering her response. Then, with a slow, deliberate motion, she lowered her hood, revealing a face Eira recognized all too well.
Rowan Hale.
But it couldn't be. Rowan had been erased, her memory lost to time. And yet, here she was, standing before Eira, as if nothing had ever changed.
"You've found me," Rowan said softly, her voice carrying the weight of years. "Now, it's time to remember everything."