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Story: Broken Sentinel

"Vex has agreed to continue your adaptation training," Nora adds. "He has experience helping others through difficult transitions."

At the mention of Vex, I notice Trent's jaw tighten almost imperceptibly. The tension between them has only increased since our arrival, though both maintain careful professionalism when forced to work together.

"Speaking of Vex," Reid continues, "he suggested taking today's training to the eastern valley. The varied terrain will provide good challenges for your sensory adaptations."

"Fine," I agree, relieved to escape the lab and its reminders of my designed purpose. "When?"

"He's waiting at the eastern gate," Nora says. "And Zara—" she hesitates, "remember that whatever your mother intended, you still have choice in how you proceed."

It's the same message Trent tried to convey, but somehow it feels different coming from her—less personal, more academic.

As the meeting breaks up, Trent catches my eye, signaling he wants to speak privately. I hesitate, then nod slightly and wait as the others file out.

When we're alone, he speaks in a low voice. "I meant what I said. You don't owe anyone your cooperation."

"Why do you care what I choose?" I ask, the question sharper than intended.

"Because I've watched Unity use people as tools my entirecareer," he says simply. "I don't want to see Haven do the same to you."

"Is that why you didn't tell me the truth from the beginning? To protect my freedom of choice?"

He doesn't flinch from the accusation. "I was following orders, yes. But I also believed premature knowledge would trigger activation before you were ready."

"So you made the choice for me."

"I did." No excuses, no justifications. Just acknowledgment. "I can't change that now."

The honesty in his response disarms me slightly. I study him—the man I thought I knew better than anyone. His dark hair has grown longer since we left Unity, no longer maintained at regulation length. The perpetual tension in his shoulders remains, but there's something different about him here, outside Unity's rigid structure. Something more authentic.

"If you could do it again," I ask, "would you make the same choice?"

He considers the question with characteristic thoroughness. "No," he says finally. "I would have found another way."

It's not the answer I expected, and I'm not sure what to do with it. Three years of partnership created habits that are hard to break—the instinct to trust him, to believe in his judgment, to depend on his strength alongside mine.

"I need to go," I say finally. "Vex is waiting."

Trent nods once, his expression carefully neutral. "Be careful with him, Zara. His agenda may not align with your best interests."

"Unlike yours?" I can't resist the jab.

"I deserved that," he acknowledges. "But the warning stands. Vex sees your modifications as an advantage for the Splinter cause. Don't let anyone else define what you're becoming."

With that, he walks away, leaving me with the uncomfortablefeeling that despite everything, he still understands me better than I sometimes understand myself.

Vex is indeed waitingat the eastern gate, leaning casually against the wooden structure. He wears his usual dark clothes—fitted pants and a sleeveless shirt that reveals arms corded with lean muscle and marked with intricate tattoos. He reminds me of a large cat, like the old footage of panthers that once existed.

"Took your time, Thorne," he comments as I approach. "Reid show you the research?"

"You knew about that?"

He shrugs one shoulder. "I know about most things that happen here." He straightens, scanning me with those unsettling amber eyes. "How does it feel, discovering you were designed to save humanity?"

"Like a cosmic joke," I respond dryly. "I spent years hunting Splinters, and now I'm supposed to be the bridge between worlds?"

Vex's mouth quirks in what might almost be a smile. "Life does enjoy its ironies." He gestures toward the path leading into the forest. "Today we're going to test your sensory adaptation in variable environments."

We set off at an easy pace, though "easy" with our enhanced capabilities means covering ground at what would be a sprint for normal humans. The forest around Haven's Edge is nothing like Unity's carefully cultivated parks—wild, overgrown, with species that have adapted to the changed climate in strange and beautiful ways.