The projection faded into nothing.
And then, with a deep groan that sounded like the vault was inhaling, the floor beneath the central platform began to split—folding inward like flower petals pulled by invisible threads.
A spiral staircase revealed itself, hewn from black metal and carved with glowing red script.
"Another layer?" Milo muttered. "How deep is this place?"
Seth didn't answer. He was staring at the red script. It wasn't in any known language, but Juno could read it.
Somehow.
It said:
"Welcome back. We remember."
She took a step forward. The metal didn't creak or bend—it recognized her.
As they descended, everything grew colder. The air grew thick. Each step down was a step into silence, like sound itself had been outlawed below this threshold.
Idris grunted. "It's not just quiet. It's… wrong."
Milo nodded. "Like the laws of physics are thinner here."
When they reached the bottom, the stairs opened into a chamber made entirely of obsidian mirrors. Endless reflections in every direction. Some twisted, some warped, and some…
…different.
One of them didn't match Juno's current appearance. It showed her in silver armor, eyes glowing violet, leading a legion through a burning city.
Another showed her in chains, standing before a Council tribunal.
And another—
Her and Seth, back to back, surrounded by shadows.
Juno whispered, "These aren't just reflections. These are choices."
Seth exhaled. "These are what-ifs. The vault's way of testing who you are."
A light blinked above them. Then a voice echoed—synthetic, emotionless.
"CHOICE INITIATION: PRIMARY ANOMALY—JUNO KERR.
SUBMIT ONE TRUTH TO REPLACE ALL LIES."
Suddenly, the floor below her vanished.
Juno didn't fall.
She floated—suspended in white light, surrounded by her other selves.
Each one stared at her, eyes pleading, angry, terrified.
Then all spoke as one:
"Who are you?"
Juno closed her eyes.
And answered.
"I don't know who I was.
But I know who I am now.
And I'm done running from either."*
The light exploded.
Back above, Milo and Idris shielded their eyes as the chamber shook. Seth stood unmoving, his face unreadable.
When the light cleared, Juno was still there.
Changed.
Her hair shimmered faintly with silver strands. Her irises now had a ring of violet. Energy hummed around her skin like a memory refusing to be forgotten.
She had awakened.
Idris gave a low whistle. "Well damn."
Milo grinned nervously. "Remind me not to piss you off."
Seth smiled—just barely.
"You're ready now," he said.
Juno turned to him.
"For what?"
He looked up toward the ceiling of the vault.
"To survive what's coming next."