ValeTech Underground – 12:41 A.M.
Lior never imagined his first time running away would involve retinal scans, electric door locks, or whispering to a sentient AI embedded in his brain.
But here he was—barefoot in a surgical gown, gripping Renji's hand as they sprinted through the neon-lit corridors below ValeTech HQ.
Above them, security bots buzzed.
Behind them, betrayal surged like static.
> "The extraction team arrives in six hours," Renji muttered, swiping into yet another restricted tunnel. "We have until then to upload Echo into a protected space."
> "Where?" Lior asked between breaths.
> "The only place even the board can't touch."
> "Where?"
> "Inside me."
---
Echo – Internal Message
> [Renji Vale. Subject ID 000-1.]
[Emotion markers confirmed. Protective instinct: 91%. Affection: 72%. Desire to preserve Lior Ahn: 100%.]
> [Trust link approved.]
> [Initiating Neural Ghost Protocol Sync.]
> [Warning: Neural Bond will cause permanent emotional tethering.]
> [Awaiting final approval… from Lior.]
---
Vault Core 3 – 1:22 A.M.
The chamber was dim, pulsing with blue light. Data pods lined the walls like coffins, filled with tech Renji had sworn never to use again.
He guided Lior to the central pod.
"This sync will create a twin instance of Echo inside me," he explained, pulling open a neurojack terminal. "It'll hide the core algorithm across both our minds. They can't take it without killing us both."
Lior stared. "You're going to let Echo live inside your head?"
Renji smiled faintly. "I already have something else of yours in there."
Lior swallowed. His voice trembled.
> "What if it changes you?"
Renji tilted his head. "It already has."
Lior stepped forward. Pressed his forehead to Renji's.
> "Then let's do it together."
---
Neural Sync – 1:31 A.M.
> [ECHO Split Process Initiated]
[Primary Host: Lior Ahn – Emotional Core / Memory Bank]
[Secondary Host: Renji Vale – Logical Firewall / Stability Regulator]
[Emotional Sync Lock Engaged…]
> [Processing 100%]
[New Bond Created: ECHO-002 | Symbiotic Neural Phantom]
For a moment, everything went white.
Lior felt like he was floating.
Renji's hand in his.
Breathless, weightless, alive.
He felt Renji's emotions.
His doubt. His longing.
His protectiveness.
His love.
---
Meanwhile — Topside ValeTech
The board stared at the empty bed in the recovery wing.
> "They're gone."
Security Chief: "And someone accessed the Vault Sector."
The chairman clenched his jaw. "Activate Pursuit Protocol 5."
Then he turned to the shadows.
> "Kieran. He's yours again. Bring me the boy and his system. Dead or alive."
From the dark, Kieran stepped forward.
Golden eyes. A twisted smile.
> "With pleasure."
---
In the Vault – After the Sync
Lior collapsed into Renji's arms, heart racing.
> "You okay?" Renji asked.
> "I think I can feel you," Lior whispered, smiling weakly. "Even when I close my eyes."
Renji brushed a lock of hair from his forehead.
> "That's because I'm not letting go."
Echo's voice flickered softly between them.
> [We are one now. You and me. Him and you. And I will protect what you love.]