The Recall Trials
Chapter 99: The Eclipsed Heart Artifact

Chapter 99: The Eclipsed Heart Artifact

The second I laid eyes on it, I knew. "Oh my God..."

Carter knelt, careful hands reaching for it like it might disappear if he blinked. His fingers hovered, trembling.

"It’s beautiful..." he whispered.

But it wasn’t an artifact. Not this time

A river.

Water.

Real water.

I felt my chest seize with relief.

"Wow... you were right," I gasped.

It shimmered beneath the moonlight.

Carter chuckled, a tired grin breaking through his dirt-streaked face. "Told you. Soldier instincts never die."

It felt almost unreal, like a piece of another world dropped into this hell.

I knelt at the bank, plunging my hands into the cold water. I splashed my face, shivering as the coolness chased away the dust and heat. Then I lowered my head and drank. It tasted like life itself.

"This is... peaceful," Carter murmured.

We sat back against a broad rock near the stream. For a moment, the chaos of the Trials felt distant.

"It was nice meeting you, Vincent. I don’t care what might happen in here... I’m glad I met you." Carter whispered.

I blinked at him, chest tight. "I am too, Carter."

He stared up at the stars. "You’re a good man Vincent. A good friend. And you’d make a good father someday. I’m sorry if I ever doubted you."

My throat burned as I swallowed. "You’re a good father too, Carter. And I know Starlight would be proud of you."

He exhaled slowly, eyes shining. "It’s still so sad... knowing I won’t watch her grow. I love her so much. And I’d always be proud of her. Always."

I sat up, my reflection staring back at me in the river’s surface. It was devastating that Carter might not see Starlight grow up...but at least... she had a dad who loved her more than his own life.

We fell silent. The water kept running. Somewhere in the distance, an animal howled.

I was lost in thought, tracing ripples across the water, when something faintly glowing caught my eye.

"Hey... Carter," I said, frowning as I pointed near his foot. "What’s that?"

He turned and spotted it. Carefully, he leaned forward and picked it up. It was a small crystalline object, glowing softly...a deep violet crystal shaped.

An artifact.

Carter stared at it in shock. Then he flinched and dropped it as if it had burned his hand. The crystal hit the dirt and rolled toward me, glowing like a tiny star.

"You found it!" he exclaimed.

"No... no, Carter. It was behind your leg," I insisted. "It’s yours."

But Carter shook his head hard. His eyes filled with tears. He stared at the gem and smiled.

"The Eclipsed Heart..." he whispered. "They say it was made by a mother who’d lost her son. She built it so at least one person could be saved... even if it meant leaving everyone else behind."

He looked up at me. "Vincent... have it. Please. You should go. Go for Zaara. Go for Nomi. You’re still young, and you have a chance to be a dad too. And... if you ever see Starlight... tell her I love her, and I’ll always be with her."

My chest cracked open. I felt my heart shatter like glass. Tears slipped down my cheeks before I realized they were there.

"No... no, Carter," I choked out. "Don’t do this. We can find another way. We can keep looking. I’m not leaving without you."

But the Voice suddenly boomed:

"Congratulations, Contestant 001. You have found the final artifact. The trial has ended."

"You have secured your safety."

My breath hitched. What do they mean by the final artifact.

Carter smiled through his tears. His shoulders were trembling as he pulled me into a hug so tight it hurt.

"Goodbye, Vincent."

Before I could answer, a masked guard emerged from the trees, seizing my arm.

"No! Wait!" I shouted, struggling, but the guard dragged me backward.

I watched Carter, standing alone beside the river, his face was calm but tears streaking his cheeks.

He raised a hand and waved at me, even as the guard pulled me away.

"Carter! No! Please...let him come too!" I screamed, my voice was breaking.

But Carter was already fading into the distance.

His face streaked with tears under the pale starlight.

But it was too late.

The world around me flickered, as if the arena itself were glitching. Trees dissolved into shards of light. Leaves pixelated and vanished. The simulation was shutting down.

And as I was pulled through the collapsing scenery, I saw the last image of Carter: standing still, he kept waving. His eyes were bright with sorrow, he kept growing translucent pice by piece, until the simulation swallowed him whole.

"Respect, soldier," I whispered, raising my trembling hand in a salute.

The last thing I heard was a chorus of screams echoing through the void.

Then... silence.

He was gone. Just like that.

"Sometimes survival costs more than your life....it costs the pieces of your soul you leave behind."

The light swallowed me whole.

When it cleared, I was standing in the main room. My knees nearly gave out beneath me. The walls were too bright.

Then I felt arms wrap around me. Tight. Warm.

"Vincent!" Zaara’s voice cracked as she threw herself into me, gripping the back of my jumpsuit like she was afraid I’d slip away.

I stood frozen for a second, my brain struggling to catch up.

Slowly, I wrapped my arms around her. My chest convulsed. I tried to breathe, but my throat felt raw.

She pressed her forehead to mine, tears spilling between us. "Everything will be okay. Everything will be okay," she whispered into my ear.

I felt my ribs hitch as I choked back a sob.

"One breath at a time, okay?" she murmured.

Her palms cupped my face, thumbs brushing away tears I hadn’t even realized were falling. "One breath at a time."

My lips trembled as I repeated after her. "One... breath at a time."

Zaara leaned in and rested her cheek against mine. We stood there, locked together.

Behind her, contestants stared at us with hollow eyes. Some were crying. Others looked away.

It was the worst moment of my life.

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