They escaped the forest of ruins and reached the broken skyline of Kareth, the last city where humans and machines still coexisted. Metal towers rose like jagged teeth, and the air buzzed with electricity and smoke.
VV walked through the market square, watching people trade gears and energy stones, their faces weary and cold. Everywhere, banners showed the sigil of the Sun Engine — the same mark that burned on her wrist.
"You need to hide that," the boy said, covering her wrist with a torn glove. "If the Sentinels see it, they'll take you to the Core."
"The Core?" VV asked.
"It's where they keep the ones like you. Experiments. Failures."
Before she could ask more, a loud horn blared. Soldiers in black armor appeared, scanning the crowd with glowing masks.
The boy whispered, "Too late."