The remnants of the dream clung to him—not images, not clearly—but weight.
Something heavy pressed against his chest, like he had forgotten something important…
something he wasn't supposed to forget.
He exhaled slowly.
Beside him, Leena slept peacefully, her breathing soft and even.
He turned his head slightly, watching her for a second—grounding himself—before carefully slipping out of bed.
The mattress barely shifted.
Barefoot, he moved toward the door and stepped out into the dim corridor.
The night was silent.
Too silent.
He ran a hand through his hair as he walked, his brows faintly knit.
Something about the dream lingered at the edge of his mind, just out of reach.
The harder he tried to grasp it, the more it slipped.
A faint flicker caught his eye.
He paused.
Down the corridor, near the stairway, a thin line of candlelight seeped through the gap of a nearly closed door.
Karma frowned.
At this hour?
He hesitated for a second—then moved.
Slow steps.
Careful.
Instinct more than curiosity pulled him forward.
As he got closer, voices reached him.
Low.
Muffled.
Two people.
He stopped just short of the door and leaned slightly, peering through the narrow crack.
Inside, Adam and Oliver.
The atmosphere was… heavy.
Karma's eyes narrowed.
This wasn't a casual conversation.
He pulled back immediately, pressing himself against the wall beside the door instead.
Sitting down quietly, just a few inches away, he angled himself to listen without being seen.
…I shouldn't have sent him.
Oliver's voice was low—not shaken, not uncertain—but edged with something heavier.
Karma stilled.
A brief silence followed before Adam spoke.
You're assuming the outcome would have changed.
I'm not,
Oliver replied, calm—but firm.
But the responsibility was mine.
A pause.
The threat was intended for me but he unknowingly got caught in the middle.
Karma's breath hitched—almost inaudibly.
[Threat…?]
The words settled like cold steel.
Adam exhaled slowly.
Don't beat yourself up over that. No one could've seen it coming.
Oliver shook his head slowly, his gaze fixed on a distant point that only he could see.
That's not the point.
Oliver's voice dropped again, quieter now, but heavier.
I knew the risk. And I still sent him.
Silence.
Karma's fingers curled slightly against the floor.
Fragments.
Pieces.
None of them fitting properly.
…Or do you believe he wasn't the right man for the job?
Adam said after a pause.
Oliver didn't respond immediately.
Then—
No, I don't.
A faint shift, like he had leaned back.
Even if any Second Orders had shown up… he wouldn't have gone down easily.
Karma's brows furrowed.
[Second Orders…?]
The confidence in Oliver's voice—it didn't sound like reassurance.
It sounded like certainty.
…Where are you going with this??
Adam asked, suspicion threading his tone.
Another pause.
Longer this time.
I don't know, ...But something felt off,
Oliver continued slowly.
Right from the beginning.
Adam didn't speak.
There was… an irregularity,
Oliver implied.
Subtle... But deliberate.
A faint crease formed between Adam's brows.
…Go on.
Oliver exhaled.
I believe there was a Manipulator present.
The word landed—
—and something inside Karma *twitched*.
His eyes narrowed slightly.
[Manipulator…?]
For a split second—
A flicker.
A distortion.
Like a frame skipping in his mind.
Then gone.
Inside the room, Adam straightened slightly.
A Manipulator?
He repeated, sharper than before.
I know how it sounds,
Oliver continued.
There are only a handful of manipulators in existence… including me.
A pause.
But I can't shake the thought.
Silence settled between them again.
Heavier this time.
Adam's voice came, lower now. Controlled.
If that's true… then this wasn't random.
No,
Oliver agreed.
It wasn't.
Karma's heartbeat slowed—then picked up again, uneven.
A Manipulator.
The word echoed faintly in his mind, like something trying to surface but failing.
We'll have to investigate this thoroughly,
Adam said.
Whoever it was—they're not an ally.
…Yes, father.
The room fell quiet.
Karma remained still, his thoughts tangled, trying to piece together something that refused to form.
Threat.
Attack.
Manipulator.
None of it made sense.
None of it felt distant either.
As if—
Karma?
The voice came from behind him.
Low.
Close.
His body went rigid.
He turned.
Leena stood a few steps away, her expression caught between worry and relief.
Oh! Here you are.
I woke up and you weren't there,
she said softly.
I thought you'd be back, but… you didn't.
So I came looking for you.
Her gaze shifted slightly.
But what are you doing here?
Karma raised a hand slightly.
Shhh!. Not here.
Leena blinked, confused.
Let's go outside,
he added quietly.
At this hour?
She asked, glancing down the corridor.
Yes,
Karma replied, already turning.
I need to talk to you.
There was something in his tone—firm, distant—that made her stop questioning.
…Alright.
They moved quietly, their footsteps barely making a sound as they slipped out.
Outside, the night stretched wide and still.
A full moon hung high, casting pale light across the grounds. Stars scattered across the sky, untouched by clouds. A cold breeze drifted through, brushing past them—calm, almost too calm.
Leena folded her arms lightly, looking at him.
So… what is it?
Karma didn't answer immediately.
…Leena.
She froze.
It was the first time he had said her name like that since he woke up without his memories.
A faint warmth rushed to her face before she could stop it.
Yes?
she replied, a little too quickly.
Karma's gaze stayed on her, steady.
When you told me everything…
he began, voice low, measured,
…you meant everything, right?
The warmth on her face faded—just slightly.
Of course,
she said, forcing a small smile.
Why would I hide anything from you?
Karma didn't react.
Leena,
he said again, quieter—but firmer.
I'm asking you again.
The air shifted.
She held his gaze for a moment… then exhaled softly.
So, you heard Sir Adam and Oliver.
She said.
Karma gave a small nod.
Leena looked away briefly before speaking.
You weren't told for a reason,
at that time, you weren't in any condition to handle it. Not physically… and definitely not mentally.
Her voice remained calm, but there was weight behind it.
It could've made things worse. That's why sir Adam made it clear—anyone who knew the truth was to keep it from you.
Karma listened in silence.
Then tell me now, what happened that night.
His tone left no room for deflection.
Leena hesitated for a moment… then nodded.
I don't know every detail,
she said.
But I'll tell you what I can.
Karma gave a slight nod in return.
Leena drew a slow breath.
Greylock isn't just what I told you before,
she began.
It's not just a guild, or a training ground, or a research hub.
She paused briefly, choosing her words carefully.
It's an independent power in its own right.
Karma's gaze sharpened slightly.
It functions almost like a kingdom within the Orion Kingdom,
she continued.
It has its own military forces—separate from the Orion Knights. Its own reconnaissance network… one that surpasses most nations.
A faint breeze passed between them.
Dedicated weapon development. Internal command structures. Operations that never reach the public.
She looked at him again.
Most citizens don't even know it exists. Only a select few are aware of the true nature of Greylock.
Karma remained still, absorbing every word.
Leena's voice softened as she continued—
That night, there was a reconnaissance mission. A joint operation… our faction and a few selected personnel from the Orion Kingdom.
Karma listened, unmoving.
We had picked up unusual movement related to that mission. A messenger was sent directly to Oliver.
The memory shifted.
Darkness.
No moon.
Only faint starlight barely touching the ground.
Inside a dimly lit room—
Oliver stood near the door, already geared, his expression set.
But the tension in the room wasn't from the mission.
From the other side—
A muffled voice.
Strained.
In pain.
Sarah.
Karma stepped in.
Where are you going, Oliver?
Oliver didn't turn immediately.
There's been movement,
he replied.
I need to be there.
Karma's gaze shifted briefly toward the inner room… then back.
You should stay,
he said.
She needs you right now.
I know,
Oliver answered—but his tone didn't waver.
But we've been tracking this for months. I can't step away now.
A brief silence.
Then let me handle it.
Oliver paused.
Now he turned.
…Karma.
Trust me,
Karma continued.
I can manage a reconnaissance run.
That's not the issue,
Oliver said.
Karma frowned slightly.
Then what is?
A small pause.
I can't pass my responsibility onto you.
Karma exhaled faintly, almost amused.
Don't be ridiculous,
he said.
That's exactly what we're here for, isn't it?"
A step closer.
Or what—are we not a team?
Oliver held his gaze.
…We are.
Then let me do this,
Karma said.
Stay with Sarah.
Another moment of silence.
Then—
I'll mask my identity,
Karma added.
So no one will even know.
Oliver's shoulders eased—just slightly.
A quiet breath left him.
…Fine.
Karma smirked faintly.
That easy?
One condition.
Karma raised a brow.
Go on.
If anything feels off—you pull back,
Oliver said, voice firm now.
No matter how close you are. No matter what you think you can handle.
A beat.
You retreat. And that's not a suggestion.
Karma held his gaze for a second… then nodded.
…Alright. I promise.
They bumped fists.
A silent agreement.
The scene fractured.
Karma's vision blurred.
Voices overlapped.
Fragments—too fast to follow.
cold air—
movement through shadows—
something wrong—
Not seen.
Felt.
Karma…?
Distant.
Karma…!
Closer.
Karma!
The world snapped back.
…Yeah.
His voice came out lower than expected.
Leena stood in front of him, her brows drawn tight with worry.
I've been calling you,
she said.
You weren't responding.
Karma didn't answer immediately.
His breathing was steady—
But his eyes weren't.
…I saw it,
he said quietly.
Leena froze.
What…?
Everything you just said,
Karma continued.
I didn't just hear it.
A slight pause.
I was there.
Her lips parted, but no words came out.
I could see it, feel it.
Even the conversation…
His voice trailed slightly.
Leena's eyes began to tremble.
…Karma…
She stepped forward and pulled him into a tight embrace.
He didn't react.
Didn't move.
…And,
he added quietly, staring past her,
I remember what happened after that too.
To be continued—