I pick up the Fragment.
It's exactly like the one from the Gatekeeper. Colder, though. More unstable. The energy bleeding off it has a jagged rhythm—pulses that don't line up with each other, like two heartbeats in the same chest trying to keep different tempos.
[Echo Fragment — Corrupted]
[Activate Rescue? Y / N]
I hold my breath for three seconds.
Yes.
[DENIED]
What—Yes.
[DENIED]
Yes. Yes. YES!
[DENIED]
[DENIED]
[DENIED]
Shit…
[FIREWALL ACTIVATED]
[DENIED]
"I didn't say anything, you stupid system." I snarl out loud before I catch it.
"See? I told you." Lola shakes her head, deeply disappointed. "Uncle's gone loopy. Don't touch anything, people."
I force myself to stop. Close my eyes. Exhale. My head has too many things in it right now and the lines between them are starting to blur.
What's done is done.
I slide the Fragment into my inventory. Out of sight. I'll come back to it.
I turn back to the loot pile.
[1 Shard and 50 Scales.]
