Zion's lips curled into a smirk, his eyes burning with newfound determination. "So… it finally begins."
The system's interface flickered before shifting. The face on the screen—black and gray, like a shadow etched into static—began to move. Zion's breath hitched. His chest tightened. His eyes welled with tears, though none spilled just yet.
"M-Master…!" he choked out, his nose runny.
Zero's voice rang out, filled with the same sharp, familiar tone he had longed to hear. "Oh, fuck, it's you! How are you? Are you okay? Doesn't look like you have any fresh scars!" There was concern in his voice, but it was wrapped in his usual bluntness.
Zion couldn't hold back anymore. The tears he had been swallowing for months finally poured down his face. He lunged forward to hug his master—only to pass right through the projection.
"Master!" Zion sobbed, clutching at nothing.
