They returned to a resting chamber between floors.
Riley wandered to a corner, staring at his hands, watching faint static dance through his fingertips.
"Why me?" he whispered.
A voice answered.
"It was not meant to be you."
Riley spun around.
A girl stood in the shadows—
her body flickering, like a hologram with corrupted data.
Short white hair.
Empty, glowing teal eyes.
Clothes torn, tiny particles falling off her like dying pixels.
"W-who are you?" Riley asked.
She tilted her head.
"I don't remember. But I know you."
Aeris stepped closer, tense.
"What are you?"
The girl blinked slowly. "Lost."
The air warped around her.
Riley felt a spike of static in his veins.
"You're like me," he whispered. "A glitch."
The girl nodded.
"Yes. But you… you're the Awakening."
"What does that—"
She faded, piece by piece, her voice becoming static.
"They're coming, Riley Cross… They know."
Then she vanished completely.
Riley stood frozen.
Aeris grabbed his hand, eyes wide with fear.
"Riley… whatever you are, this world wasn't ready for you."