Chapter 58 – The Reaper’s Tale

  SK movaed swiftly through the corridors of the Empire facility, her boots echoing softly against polished metal floors. Soldiers saluted as she passed, but she barely noticed. Her attention was fixed on the data tablet in her hands.

  She entered a secured records room and immediately began scanning documents—entry logs, movement records, surveillance footage. Her eyes moved fast, sharp and precise.

  She was searching for someone.

  She exhaled sharply and muttered under her breath,"Starborn… you idiot. Where are you?"

  Ryze.

  There was nothing.

  No transfer logs. No escort records. No detention updates.

  Almost as if Ryze had vanished.

  The last confirmed sighting was clear enough: Blaze forcing a path through the guards, giving Ryze a chance to escape. After that—nothing. By now, Ryze should have contacted the Resistance. She should have disappeared into the underground, just like every other successful escape.

  But that wasn't what the records showed.

  Nothing showed.

  SK clenched her jaw.

  How is this possible?How could the Empire simply ignore a Resistance soldier escaping custody?

  Unless…

  Her fingers froze over the screen.

  What if Ryze was captured again?

  Her grip tightened.

  "…Wait."

  SK straightened abruptly, irritation flashing across her face.

  "Why am I even doing this?" she muttered. "Why am I bothering to help her?"

  Ryze was a Resistance soldier.

  An enemy of the Empire.

  An enemy of her nation.

  And yet—

  SK shut the tablet off with a sharp motion.

  "Ugh… what is this feeling?" she hissed quietly.

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  Confusion churned in her chest, unfamiliar and uncomfortable. She didn't like it. She didn't understand it.

  Her mind echoed with Blaze's words.

  You care.

  "Care?" she scoffed softly. "Hmph. Don't be ridiculous."

  She turned away from the terminal.

  I'll deal with this later.

  For now, she had a report to submit.

  And an unsettling feeling she couldn't shake.

  Meanwhile

  Deep within another Imperial facility, Commander Frostbyte sat alone at a long metal table, his posture relaxed, expression unreadable.

  His thoughts drifted—back to Blaze.

  The warrior's presence lingered in his mind like an unsolved equation. Too powerful. Too calm. Too out of place.

  Where had he truly come from?

  The door slid open with a soft hiss.

  Commander Vortex stepped inside.

  "Commander Vortex," Frostbyte said smoothly. "Good to see you."

  Frostbyte crossed his arms. "I must admit, I'm impressed. Pulling Blaze into our ranks wasn't something I thought even you could manage."

  Vortex didn't react. "Don't get your hopes up. He's a mystery—and a dangerous one."

  He glanced briefly at his own hand before continuing,"Is it true? No records of him anywhere?"

  "None," Vortex replied. "Anything related to him is restricted. Only the highest authorities have access."

  "…The Grand Masters," Frostbyte murmured.

  Vortex smirked. "And we both know that's a dead end."

  Frostbyte ignored the remark and pulled out a thin file, sliding it across the table.

  Images spilled onto the surface—distorted structures, shattered terrain, warped environments stitched together unnaturally.

  Vortex studied them carefully. "This is the Void?"

  "Yes," Frostbyte said. "The place where Blaze, SK the Reaper, and the Starlink Sniper were trapped."

  Vortex's eyes narrowed. "The artifacts… the weapons… those banners."

  He looked up. "Remnants of the Great War."

  "Exactly," Frostbyte replied. "Which tells me SK hasn't been entirely honest in her report."

  Vortex raised an eyebrow. "Planning to confront her?"

  "Later," Frostbyte said calmly. "I have other matters to attend to."

  Vortex paused, then asked,"The sniper girl. Is she still alive?"

  Frostbyte looked up sharply. He hadn't mentioned her.

  "Yes," he answered after a moment. "For now. No sense wasting material."

  Vortex chuckled quietly. "Once you're done, you'll dispose of her, I assume."

  "Of course."

  Vortex turned toward the door. "I'll leave you to it."

  As he exited, his voice dropped to a murmur only he could hear.

  "…Strange. Any Resistance soldier who falls into your hands usually doesn't last a day. How has she survived this long?"

  The Briefing

  Time passed.

  The door opened again.

  Led_X entered and bowed deeply.

  "Sir. All preparations are complete," he reported. "SK and Blaze have been separated. SK will arrive shortly to submit her report. As requested, the location of Ryze—the Starlink Sniper—remains classified."

  "Good," Frostbyte said. "Gather the officers. I want everyone here."

  "Yes, sir."

  Soon, the room filled.

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  Each took their place along the walls, silent and alert.

  Then—

  The doors opened once more.

  SK the Reaper stepped inside.

  Her white armor gleamed under the lights, her long blonde hair flowing behind her. The massive scythe rested against her back.

  She stopped immediately.

  Too many officers.

  All of them…Frostbyte's entire circle?

  Her instincts screamed.

  "Commander?" SK asked cautiously. "Is this a private meeting? If so, I'll just submit my report and—"

  "No," Frostbyte interrupted gently. "Stay."

  Elite guards shifted.

  The exits were blocked.

  SK noticed instantly.

  "…Sir?" she said, her tone careful.

  "Relax," Frostbyte replied smoothly. "You're not in trouble. This will be brief."

  He leaned forward slightly.

  "Tell me your story again."

  "My story?" SK asked. "You mean… the Void?"

  "No," Frostbyte said. "Your story. About you."

  An interview.

  SK felt a chill run down her spine.

  She hesitated—

  Then spoke.

  And the room listened.