The stench of blood filled the air.Ethan Black opened his eyes slowly. His head throbbed like it had been smashed by a brick, and a metallic taste clung to his tongue. The world around him was dim, flickering with the pale light of malfunctioning ceiling panels. The hospital room was in ruins—papers scattered across the floor, broken glass crunching beneath his weight as he struggled to sit up.He didn’t remember how he got here.His fingers trembled as he pushed himself up, only to fall back down. Pain shot through his side. There was a bandage wrapped around his abdomen, already stained red. He winced, gritting his teeth.Something wasn’t right.A soft beep echoed in the silence.[Survival System Activated. Initiating Host Sync... 37%... 68%... 100% Complete.]A blue screen flashed before his eyes. Not on a monitor. Not on a device. In his vision.> Welcome, Ethan Black. Z-Virus Detected. Infection Level: 12%. Activating Protocol: Survive at All Costs.“What the hell?” he whispered

Dawn Broke QuietlyAs A Pale Light Filtered Through Cracked WindowsLucas Sat Beside The WallHis Pipe Resting Across His LapJay And Mira Slept Curled Up In The CornerHuddled Under A Torn BlanketThey Had Survived The NightBut He Knew It Wouldn't Stay Quiet For LongLucas Checked His System Interface[StatusStable][ObjectiveReach Redvale Metro Station][RewardUnlock Tier-2 Survival Functions]He Packed The BagSilentlyThen Nudged JayTimeToMoveHe WhisperedJay Rubbed His EyesWhere Are We GoingRedvale StationLucas SaidThere’s A Route UndergroundThat Leads To A Safe ZoneMira Sat UpLooking PaleBut AlertHow FarTwelve BlocksWe Stick To Side StreetsAvoid CrowdsAvoid SoundsStay LowThey Moved OutIn A Tight GroupLucas Took PointJay In The MiddleMira At The BackThe Streets Looked AbandonedCars Sat With Doors OpenGlass Littered The PavementGraffiti Covered WallsSome Tagged With Red HandprintsOthers With ArrowsAnd One WordECHOLucas Noted Every MarkHis System Picked Up No MovementFor NowAt The

The Morning Was Still The Kind Of Stillness That Came Before A Storm Even The Wind Held Its Breath Trees Stood Like Statues And The Sky Was A Pale Sheet Of Steel Calder Stood Atop The Ridge Watching The Valley Below His Eyes Tracing The Trail Of Dust Left By The Riders Who Had Passed In The NightThey Were Close Now Vane’s Scouts Had Already Marked Their Position And The Main Force Couldn’t Be Far BehindHe Turned Back To The Camp Below Where The Others Were Preparing In Silence Holt Was Sharpening His Blade Over A Rock Each Stroke Slow Measured His Son Curled In A Blanket Behind Him Trying Not To Show His FearRhea Was Loading Her Rifle Fingers Swift And Steady Her Face A Mask Of Focus She Had Been In Battles Before But This One Felt Different There Was No Town To Defend No Walls To Hide Behind Only The Rocks The Wind And Each OtherWe Need To Move Calder Said As He Descended The Ridge His Voice Low But FirmMove Where Holt Asked This Is The Only PassWe Don’t Move Far Just Repositio

The Wind Howled Through The Cracked Desert Stones As Calder And His Companions Stood Atop A Cliff Gazing Out At The Wastes Before Them The Scroll Had Led Them Here A Bleeding Line Of Old Maps And Forgotten Tongues Whispering One Name Again And AgainThe Ember VaultIt Was Said To Lie Beneath The Dunes Hidden From Sight Protected By Riddles Of Fire And Sand Where The Last Core Of The World Burned In SilenceWe’re Close Rhea Said Her Eyes Fixed On The Horizon The Symbols In The Scroll Point To That Ridge She Pointed To A Curved Formation That Looked Like The Spine Of A Sleeping BeastHolt Adjusted His Pack Still Carrying His Son Who Slept On His Back Despite The Heat And Dust You Sure There’s Something Out ThereNo Rhea Replied But I’d Bet My Rifle On ItCalder Took A Step Forward The Blade On His Back Flickered With That Familiar Orange Glow The First Flame’s Mark Still Etched Along The Flat Edge His Fingers Brushed The Hilt Like A HabitThen Let’s Finish This He SaidThey Descended Fr

Zeyad Knew The Moment His Feet Touched The Ground Beyond The Bridge That Things Would Be Different Here Sector Eleven Was Quieter Yes But Not Safe There Was A Stillness That Didn’t Feel Like Peace It Felt Like The Calm Before A HuntThey Walked Slowly Past Crumbling Buildings The Ash From The Explosion Still Clinging To Their Clothes Laila Said Nothing But Her Eyes Scanned Every Shadow Every Movement Every Possible Place A Monster Could LurkZeyad Kept His Rifle Tight In His Grip His Finger Resting Near The Trigger The Street Ahead Forked Into Two Paths One Narrow And Twisting The Other Wide And ExposedWe Stay Low He Whispered No Roof Runners No Drones And Fewer Open SightlinesLaila Nodded She Had Changed Since Sector Twelve She Was Still Quiet But Her Steps Were Confident Her Breathing Steady She Moved Like Someone Who Had Tasted Death And Spit It Back OutThey Took The Narrow Path The Buildings Pressed In Tight Around Them Windows Shattered Doors Hanging Loose Spray Paint Warnings