Scene 7: The Masked Attack

The clue leads Kael to the Ashen Ward, where the streets are narrow and covered in soot.

Children gather near a burned-out house. They refuse to speak to adults, but one girl approaches Kael.

Her name is Lio.

Lio claims she remembers every version of Greyhaven.

She remembers the town before the engine was built. She remembers the first storm. She remembers Kael arriving in the town many times.

According to Lio, the silver-masked stranger has been visiting her dreams.

“They said the town is sick,” Lio explains.
“They said memories are the disease.”
“They said you are the cure.”

Lio gives Kael a small glass vial containing a swirling blue storm.

She says it was taken from beneath the town.

The vial whispers when held near Kael:

“One storm remembers you.”
“One storm fears you.”
“One storm is you.”

Lio studies Kael’s face, then adds:

“The woman in the silver mask said you inherited the engine from your mother. She said the Revisionists are afraid you will remember why Mara hid you from them.”

Before Lio can explain further, the Ashen Ward begins to change.

The burned-out house becomes whole again. Then it becomes a different building entirely. Doors open across the street, revealing rooms filled with people who should not be there.

A group of masked figures emerges from the shifting buildings.

They wear plain gray masks with no features except a single blue line across the eyes.

Their leader carries a silver mask.

The leader points at Kael.

“You were not supposed to return