Part 7 – The Lockdown Order
Location: Kryonexus – High-Table Central Dome
A massive translucent chamber stood in the heart of Kryonexus.
DAO data visuals blinked and danced across the glass-like walls — real-time updates flowing like liquid code.
But this wasn't a routine council meeting.
This was an Emergency Order Assembly — and the air inside was charged with dread.
---
Council Discussion Begins
Marshal Veylan (firm tone):
> "The Drift mutation has reached Sector 7C.
It went live on public broadcast.
We can't hide it anymore."
The room fell silent.
A thin line of sweat traced down the face of Commander Rika, one of the most experienced combat tacticians in Kryonexus.
Commander Rika (pulling up holo-footage):
> "A hunter named Arshan — unknown registry — was seen saving civilian families.
But Drift root-signals… they're spreading.
Not just in 7C. Multiple zones now lighting up."
A tech panel pulsed red.
Tech Officer (nervously tapping on tablet):
> "We extracted corrupted data from the DAO node breach.
There's a pattern.
It's not random…
It's like someone intentionally triggered the Drift."
Every officer in the dome turned their head — a chill in their expressions.
One word slipped into the room.
Whispered by all. Heavy.
> "Rogue Access."
---
Scene Cut – Zyana's Internal Alert
Location: DAO Sync Zone – Arshan's Temporary Base
Somewhere underground, Arshan was meditating for the first time in days — eyes closed, breathing steady.
He had just begun syncing with the DAO, finding silence within himself...
When suddenly —
Zyana flickered. Her voice came through with static distortion.
Zyana (glitching):
> "Unauthorized DAO signature detected...
Trace matched to...
Rekhan."
Arshan's eyes snapped open.
His heart pounded.
Arshan (shocked):
> "Rekhan?!"
Zyana:
> "Confirmed.
His system signature is emitting a hacked DAO fragment.
He may already be in contact with raw Drift data."
Arshan's face hardened.
The pieces were falling into place now — too fast.
Arshan (quiet, intense):
> "So the shadow I saw in his eyes…
wasn't a lie after all."
---
Scene – Rekhan's Hideout
Location: Underground alleyway, off-grid, walls flickering with DAO decay
Rekhan stood deep beneath the surface —
a forgotten corridor where even DAO sensors refused to ping.
Around him, the walls were corroding, crumbling under unstable energy.
DAO pulses cracked in the air like electricity in slow motion.
He activated an old-tech tablet.
On-screen — a Drift waveform was slowly stabilizing into a pattern.
A distorted voice emerged from the device. Faint, unnatural:
> "You're watching him… good.
But remember... move too early, and you'll burn."
Rekhan smirked.
His voice was calm — confident.
Rekhan:
> "Don't worry.
I'll feed him exactly what the system fears most."
---
Scene – A New Hunter Appears
As Arshan stepped out of his temporary base, heading into the field again —
a figure blocked his path.
Tall.
Clad in deep black armor, DAO blade sheathed across his back.
Eyes hidden behind a flickering visor.
His presence… still, but commanding.
Name: Kayle
Kayle (in a calm tone):
> "You're the one… who returned alive from within the Drift."
Arshan (ready stance):
> "Who are you?"
Kayle (slowly, firmly):
> "A Hunter… one who drowned in the system long before you.
And I came here to tell you one truth—"
He stepped closer.
> "The Drift…
isn't a disease.
It's a signal."
---
End of Part 7