The anvil showed Xin the truth.
Not as a document.
Not as a file.
A memory.
It flooded straight through the silver scars and into his mind.
A date.
A location.
Genetic records.
Then a final line.
A single line that seemed to drain all the air from the room.
DESIGNATION: FORGE ANCHOR
PRIMARY RESET KEY
UNIT ONE
For a moment, Xin forgot how to breathe.
Across the chamber, Shen watched his expression change.
"So that's where they hid it."
Xin barely heard him.
His eyes remained fixed on the glowing text.
"I'm not a person."
The words came out flat.
Empty.
"I'm a component."
Nobody answered immediately.
Finally Shen spoke.
"The most important one ever made."
Xin looked at him.
The room felt strangely distant.
Like he was hearing everything through water.
"The Forge w
