The hall leading to the Archivist's chamber felt like it stretched forever. Cold air wrapped around Agame like a snake. The walls here were older, cracked, and covered in symbols that shimmered with blue light. Suri didn't say much. She just kept walking, her hand close to the stun baton on her belt.
"Is he… dangerous?" Agame finally asked.
"Depends who you ask," she said. "Some say he's a genius. Others say he's cursed. He was the first Rift survivor. The first Rift Touched. He's seen things none of us could handle."
They stopped at a metal door twice as tall as any other. It opened with a low groan. Inside, the chamber was round, filled with floating data crystals, ancient books, and screens showing Rift activity around the world. In the center, a man floated—literally. Cross-legged, hovering a few feet above the ground, eyes glowing pale white.
"Agame Ashihi," the man said without looking. "Step forward."
Suri stepped back. "I'll wait outside. Don't say anything dumb."
Agame entered slowly. The Archivist slowly lowered himself until his boots touched the floor. He looked no older than thirty, but something about him felt ancient.
"You've touched the Rift," the Archivist said. "And it has touched you in return."
"I didn't ask for this," Agame said.
"None of us did. But it chose you. The Void mark on your soul is only the beginning."
Agame stepped closer. "What is the Rift? Why do I keep hearing voices? Why did that thing look like me?"
The Archivist turned and tapped a crystal. It projected a moving image of a swirling void—the Rift—surrounded by strange creatures. Some walked like men. Some crawled. Others… shifted shape.
"The Rift is not just a tear in space. It's a prison. And a beacon. It holds creatures from forgotten ages, and also calls to those willing to listen."
"I'm not willing," Agame said.
The Archivist looked at him closely. "Aren't you? You used its power. You're still here."
Agame clenched his fists. "Because I had no choice."
The Archivist walked to a desk and handed him an old, dusty book. "This is the Journal of the First Voidbearer. It's in an old language, but your mark will help you understand it. You need to read it. You need to learn what you are becoming."
"I'm not becoming anything," Agame said.
The Archivist smiled sadly. "We all become something, child. The only question is—will you choose, or will the Rift choose for you?"
Suddenly, one of the floating screens blinked red. A Rift breach—again. This time, it wasn't small.
"Sector Zero," the voice said. "Unauthorized Rift Detonation. High Level."
The Archivist's eyes narrowed. "They've found the Origin Gate."
Agame turned. "What's the Origin Gate?"
The Archivist looked afraid for the first time. "The place where the first Rift opened. The one we sealed over a hundred years ago. If it's waking up… everything changes."
Outside, alarms screamed. The air buzzed. Agame knew his time to ask questions was over.
It was time to fight again.