Ashes of Our Flame
by RapwizzyDebaron
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Episode 87: "The Heart Beneath the Fire"
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The fire still smoldered in the distance, casting eerie shadows over the Resistance camp. Kara stood at the edge of the rubble, her eyes fixed on the scorched path Subject Zero had left behind. Her fists were still trembling—not from fear, but from rage. Controlled fury.
Behind her, Adrian limped toward her, blood streaking down the side of his face. "We bought time," he said, panting. "But not much."
Kara didn't turn to him. Her voice was a low growl. "He's not just a weapon. He knew my name."
Adrian froze. "What?"
"When we clashed, he whispered my name like he'd known it forever. That wasn't programming. That was memory."
Adrian placed a steadying hand on her shoulder. "Then he's more dangerous than we thought. Vane's playing a deeper game."
Kara finally turned to him, her eyes glowing faintly with power. "We're running out of time. And I need to know who—no, what—I really am."
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Elsewhere — Lazarus Black Site
Dr. Vane stood before a glowing stasis pod. Within it, another figure floated, obscured by swirling mist. His voice echoed through the cold chamber.
"She is beginning to remember," he said to the woman beside him—a sharply dressed operative with cold silver eyes.
"She was never supposed to access the Alpha Stream," the woman replied. "What do we do now?"
Vane smirked. "Let her burn brighter. The flame that burns twice as bright… burns half as long."
The figure in the pod stirred.
"She must return to the source," Vane whispered. "Only then will she understand her purpose. And only then will she choose—rebirth or ruin."
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Resistance Hideout — Medical Ward
Kara sat beside Seraphina, who was unconscious but breathing steadily. The battle had taken its toll—physically and emotionally.
Tessa approached with a data pad. "We scanned Subject Zero's energy signature during the clash. Kara… it matches yours. Perfectly."
Kara's fingers tightened around Seraphina's blanket. "He's connected to me. But how?"
Nemesis leaned in from the doorway. "What if he wasn't just made from your code… What if he was you?"
Silence. A heavy, unbearable silence.
Kara's breath caught. "A clone?"
Tessa shook her head. "No. More like a mirrored entity. A part of your soul, torn from you… and twisted."
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Flashback — Unknown Memory
The lab was sterile and humming with machines. A younger Kara, restrained and barely conscious, screamed as energy surged through her body.
Across the glass, another containment pod. A shadowy figure inside—arms outstretched, writhing, echoing her agony.
Two flames born from one fire.
And in the corner… Dr. Vane watched with cold fascination.
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Present — Resistance Command Room
Kara stood before the team, her voice steady.
"We're no longer just fighting a system. We're fighting our own shadows. Vane didn't just create monsters. He carved pieces of us—of me—and gave them new faces."
Adrian stepped forward. "Then we take those faces back. We end this."
Kara nodded. "We hit the main Lazarus site tomorrow. No more running. No more hiding."
As the team prepared, Kara turned to Seraphina, who had finally stirred awake.
Seraphina's voice was weak. "He's inside the Tower… the place where it all began."
Kara took her hand gently. "Then we're going back to where it all started. Together."
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Nightfall — On the Roof
Kara stood under the stars, staring up into the endless sky. Adrian joined her, silent for a moment before speaking.
"You know, if you were created to burn… you've done it with purpose."
She smiled faintly. "I don't know what I am anymore."
"You're the reason we're still fighting," he said. "That's more than enough."
Kara leaned her head against his shoulder, just for a moment. "Let's finish this. Before the fire consumes everything."
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To be continued…
🔥 Truths are surfacing. Shadows are rising. And a storm is coming that no one is
ready for.
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This isn't just war. It's personal.