Chapter Three: The Lost Memories

"What is it you want? I can hand over the Governor's Residence to you, but you must not cut off the communications! That is Earth's only hope!"

Seven years ago, on a certain day, Xiang Jiuxi waded through pools of blood, cornered by a dozen guards. Moments earlier, the Governor's Residence had been seized in a bloody coup. The rebels, overwhelming in number, had purged everyone who opposed them, and Xiang Jiuxi was the last to be dealt with.

"I envy your optimism. Even now you still believe Earth has hope." From behind the guards, a man with gold-rimmed glasses stepped forward. He drew a pristine white handkerchief from his breast pocket, covering his nose to block the stench of blood.

"You?!" Xiang Jiuxi was dumbfounded. Never could he have imagined that the mastermind behind all this was the very person he trusted most.

The man shrugged indifferently. "If it weren't me, it would be someone else. The moment you began distributing supplies to the refugees, your fate was sealed."

Xiang Jiuxi gave a cold laugh, any desire to argue instantly extinguished.

"My sister—what do you plan to do with her?" Even on the brink of death, he could not let go of his only family.

"Rest assured. I've prepared a pure white dress for her. Soon she’ll be my governor’s wife and will be well cared for." The man turned his head, speaking softly to the captain of the guards, "Her child will also be well taken care of."

The captain's expression changed abruptly. Raising his blade, he stepped toward Xiang Jiuxi. "No need for more talk. Let me send him on his way!"

"Wait." The man stopped the captain and advanced alone. "I have one last thing to tell him."

Xiang Jiuxi, bleeding and wounded, could not even lift his arms. He could only wait quietly for his end.

The man adjusted his glasses, leaned in close, and whispered, "Let me tell you a secret: I also killed the old governor."

"You animal!" Xiang Jiuxi's fading eyes flashed with sudden clarity. With his last ounce of strength, he clenched his fist and swung at the man.

The man dodged nimbly, drew a gleaming revolver from his belt, and aimed it at Xiang Jiuxi’s forehead. "Oh, I almost forgot. That useless old man was your father. The two of you really are cut from the same rotten cloth—destined to die the same way!"

Bang!

With a clear gunshot, the final image in Xiang Jiuxi’s fading vision was a twisted, unnatural smile.

"Throw this trash out."

...

Time returned to the present.

Standing in the midst of the refugees, Xiang Jiuxi touched the bullet scar on his forehead and murmured, "Now I remember—I was the true governor of this city..."

Click!

A peal of thunder rolled across the sky, and a flash of golden lightning illuminated the entire city.

Amid the gray-white steel jungle, moss—thriving without sunlight—covered every surface, while bones of animals and humans alike lay scattered everywhere.

In front of the iron gates of the Governor's Residence, all the city's refugees had gathered. By the lightning's brief illumination, they saw the walls lined with guards, bows drawn, black arrowheads pointed down.

At the center of the guards stood a man of refined appearance, gold-rimmed glasses gleaming, smiling as he looked down at the crowd.

Suddenly, his smile froze, his gaze locking onto Xiang Jiuxi.

So, you’re still alive...

"Governor, shall we begin the purge now?" Standing behind the bespectacled man, Liu Feng asked respectfully.

The governor's face darkened. "Wait a little longer."

Liu Feng nodded, stepping back three paces, ear tilted toward the governor to catch his orders at once.

The governor lightly pushed his glasses, muttering to himself, "I want you to die slowly, slowly, slowly, in despair—just like your worthless old man."

He licked his lips with excitement, a peculiar smile forming at the corner of his mouth.

The lightning was gone in an instant.

By its brief glow, Xiang Jiuxi had seen the governor’s face clearly. Strangely, he felt no hatred, not even toward his father’s murderer. Seven years had slipped by in a daze—perhaps they had already missed Mars’s signal; perhaps the Ark would never return. These people were doomed, and what point was there in clinging to grudges?

But... is there truly no hope?

Xiang Jiuxi was never one to surrender easily. As long as a sliver of hope remained, he would not give up. At this moment, only one thought filled his heart: to reclaim the Governor's Residence and reestablish communication with Mars.

A fire blazed within him as he pushed through the crowd of refugees, making for the great iron doors.

For a reason he could not name, the refugees saw hope in his eyes and parted, forming a path for him.

He soon reached the rust-stained iron door, wiped away the dust to reveal a handprint.

He cleaned his palm and pressed it to the mark.

"Palmprint recognized. Opening the gate. Welcome home, Governor." A mechanical female voice greeted him from within.

Clatter.

The gears began to turn, and the heavy door slowly creaked open.

"You! You’re Governor Xiang!" The nearest person stared at him in disbelief, calling out in a trembling voice.

The cry echoed through the crowd.

"Governor Xiang... Governor Xiang has returned?"

"He’s opened the door! Follow him—charge inside!"

"Yes! Let’s go!"

The refugees surged forward, rallying around Xiang Jiuxi like he was their savior. Yet his heart was heavy, for as the door opened, he felt a faint tremor.

What was that...

A huge gap appeared as the door opened, and already many refugees, unable to be held back, were rushing in.

"Wait! Don’t go in yet!"

Boom!

A deafening crash and the sound of bones breaking came from within, as a cloud of dust rose, obscuring all sight.

Coughing echoed through the haze. When the dust cleared, the iron door stood wide, but instead of the way into the Governor’s Residence, a massive stone slab had dropped from above, sealing the entrance completely.

Those who had rushed in first were now crushed to pulp, only mangled limbs and blood visible at the edge of the stone.

Despair fell again over the refugees. They looked from the crushed bodies to Xiang Jiuxi.

He was silent for a long time. At last, he raised his head and gazed up at the top of the wall.

Countless hollow eyes followed his gaze to the looming ramparts.

"Did it really have to come to this..." Xiang Jiuxi whispered, looking up at the governor.

The governor adjusted his glasses, savoring the despair illuminated by the dim light.

He gestured to Liu Feng.

"Yes!"

Understanding, Liu Feng drew his sword in a flash and pointed down. "Loose!"

Swish, swish, swish!

Arrows rained down from the walls. Strangely, there were no screams—those struck simply sank to the ground, eyes slowly closing.

The crowd dispersed, but they did not run or flee. They moved stiffly, as if unfeeling, returning to their places and crouching down as if nothing had happened.

Xiang Jiuxi, his halo gone, left the residence with the others.

The riot was over.