Alexander slowly opened his eyes, feeling the softness of the bed and the warmth of the sun's rays breaking through the translucent curtains. Next to him, Yulia was already getting dressed, having chosen a light sportswear for her morning run: tight black leggings and a bright T-shirt with long sleeves and a cheerful print. Nearby lay a vest, which would soon take its place on the girl’s body. Her hair was neatly pulled back into a high ponytail, emphasizing the determination and energy of her mood.

“I’ll also go with you, if possible...” said Alexander, stretching out on the bed and feeling how his muscles responded to yesterday’s adventures.

Julia turned to him in surprise:

- You are sure? After all, yesterday was such a day...

- I'm in full combat readiness. - Alexander answered confidently, getting up on the bed. Fleetingly, his gaze ran across the room, which he had not been able to see much of yesterday. Just a wall painted blue, a small chandelier on the ceiling, a bed that occupied almost the entire room and a closet where the girl stood. The young man quickly dressed in light sportswear: loose shorts and an airy T-shirt. The jacket was lying somewhere in the corridor.

They went outside and headed to the nearest forest belt. The morning city was full of freshness and calm. The streets were just beginning to come to life, and birds were singing in the forest park, creating a feeling of solitude with nature. Julia set a fast but steady pace, looking back from time to time with nervous wariness. Alexander ran alongside, without experiencing any difficulties with the gained pace.

- Is something bothering you? - Alexander asked concernedly, observing her behavior.

- Just a habit. - Julia answered briefly, trying to hide her excitement. But after a while, she again began to look for someone with her eyes. Alexander did not get into the girl’s soul.

They continued on their way when suddenly Alexander noticed something strange in the bushes near the path. He stopped and walked closer to get a better look. An alarm began to ring in his heart when he saw the corpse, half overgrown with leaves and branches, as if nature was trying to hide the traces of the tragedy. Although the broken branches indicated that someone had put it there. Julia, noticing that Alexander had stopped, turned to him with a questioning look.

- What's happened? - she asked, watching his reaction.

“There’s a corpse in the bushes...” Alexander answered quietly, his voice filled with anxiety. He pointed to the gloomy place where the body lay motionless, like a forgotten thing.

Approaching closer, Julia suddenly stopped, her face distorted with horror.

“Well, no... No...” she whispered, her eyes widening with shock and uncertainty.

Alexander carefully examined the place. The corpse was mutilated beyond recognition, and clothes and personal belongings seemed to him just rags.

“We need to call the police, now I’m clear before them and we can transfer the case to the competent authorities.” - he said, taking out his phone.

Julia grabbed his hand sharply.

- Wait! This could be a trap. We don't know who did it or why. Don’t call... What if he even wakes up...

Alexander hesitated, bewilderment was visible in his eyes.

- Is something bothering you? Maybe you know something? - he asked, trying to understand the situation.

- Is it quite possible that these are your bandits? Or the police? - Julia answered, carefully examining the surroundings. - We have to be careful. Who knows who else might be hiding here. So, did you run home?

At this moment, the man suddenly jerked, Alexander and Yulia took a step back in surprise. They watched as the wounds on the man's body began to heal right before their eyes, turning into pale scars. The man became more recognizable as his face was cleared of the torn flesh. Now he has really become like a normal person.

- What's wrong with you all? Some crazy people attacked me, I had to kill everyone, but oh well... - muttered the man, trying to focus his gaze.

His eyes met Yulia's, and his face was distorted with horror.

- Dont touch me! Don't come near! Don't touch me! Leave me alone! - he shouted, crawling back. Then he abruptly rose to his feet and, limping, ran away, trying to weave through the trees. Soon, he disappeared.

Alexander looked after him, then turned to Yulia.

- Do you know him? What was it? - he asked, trying to understand what had just happened.

Julia sighed and shook her head.

- No I do not know him. It was... Strange. It seems like something is going on that we don't understand. Let's get out of here. - She looked around, looking for possible threats. - It was a bad idea to run here, let's go.

“We have to be careful, you never know who’s hiding here.” Let's go. - said Alexander, peering into the forest thicket.

Julia nodded, and they slowly headed back towards the city, carefully looking around, expecting anything. The forest in the morning ceased to be a fairy-tale place, but rather became the setting of a thriller, where every crack caused awe and excitement. Alexander, still trying to understand what was happening around, turned to Yulia:

- Why did you choose this particular forest for jogging? The city is full of parks. And here you can just meet a maniac... This is not the place for you... Well... Did you want to rape?

Julia, without taking her eyes off the surrounding trees, answered:

- Here... But otherwise, it’s calmer here. Less people, more nature. But after today I'll probably reconsider my choice. Don't worry.

Suddenly Alexander heard Cassandra whisper: “Unexpectedly.” He instinctively became wary when a vision appeared before his eyes: a man in a hoodie attacking him, claws from knives in his hands.

Reacting to the warning, Alexander sharply pushed Yulia aside and turned to the attacker, shifting his body to the right. He delivered a powerful kick to his opponent's stomach, knocking him down. The attacker fell, but quickly got up and ran away.

Without hesitation, Alexander rushed in pursuit. His feet beat rhythmically on the soft forest floor, increasing his speed. He felt himself getting closer to his goal with every step.

- Wait, Sasha! - Julia shouted after him, but he was too focused on the chase. The thin figure of the attacker was in sight.

Alexander began to catch up with the attacker. He noticed the hooded figure looking over his shoulder, trying to speed up in fear, but fatigue was taking its toll. Finally, having caught up with the enemy, Alexander grabbed him by the shoulder and sharply turned him towards himself, preparing to come face to face with his attacker.

Alexander was surprised to recognize Yulia’s face in the attacker. A little dirty, with strands of hair stuck to her cheek, but it was her. But before he could say anything or react, a searing pain shot through his stomach. Whisper had not yet recharged, which was what caused the injury. Looking down, he saw three blades piercing his flesh. The next moment, he looked up and caught a lightning-fast swing of his second hand. His face was cut with claws.

He fell to the ground, fighting the pain and impending fainting. His gaze darted between the attacking man with Yulia's face and the real Yulia, who was running towards them in sports uniform. His heart was pounding with shock and the desire to save her. Drive him away, but there was no strength to speak.

- Get away from him, otherwise I will kill myself! Don't you dare touch him at all! Go away!

Yulia in the hood, looking threateningly at Yulia in sportswear, spat on the ground and ran into the forest, hiding among the trees. The real girl ran up to Alexander and knelt down next to him. Her eyes were full of tears, and she frantically grabbed his hands.

- Alexander, forgive me, please! - she sobbed. - I didn’t know that this could happen. It's my fault. If I hadn't taken you with me, you would have been fine. Sorry…

Alexander tried to speak, but from the pain he could only whisper.

- It's not your fault, Julia. That's not you…

His eyes began to dim, and the world around him began to lose its outline. Alexander felt the life slowly leaving his body, while Yulia continued to cry, holding his hand tightly. The sky created a blurry background, one eye was swollen with blood from wounds. He even had time to think that every time death brings some kind of relaxation, as if everything that depended on him was finally not his concern.

The young man fell into the void until he felt a change in sensations. Alexander found himself in the Edge, surrounded by a foggy, unreal landscape. This world seemed to be woven from dreams and nightmares, mixing into a single whole. The sky above him was gloomy, gray, with shades of purple, reminiscent of a sunset in another dimension, and above it a girl, of a pleasant appearance, danced lightly. The ground beneath his feet felt solid, but at the same time unstable, as if every step could lead him into the unknown.

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Around him stretched the endless landscape of the Edge, consisting of scattered fragments of reality and imagination. Here and there one could see scraps of buildings, fragments of streets, pieces of forests and fields, all mixed in a chaotic order. These islands of reality floated in the air, like islands in the ocean of nothingness, above the main plateau on which Alexander himself found himself.

The group of Chinese that Alexander noticed was under one of these floating islands. Their clothing was strict and uniform, reminiscent of military uniforms, and they moved with confidence and purpose, which made them stand out against the chaotic atmosphere of the place. They walked in a line, shouting: 如果您为伟大的中国服务，加入我们，我们将给您回到现实世界的机会！(If you serve Great China, join us, and we will give you the opportunity to return to the real world!) . Alexander was able to count thirty fighters.

Some of the people passing by stopped, listening to the words of the Chinese. There were those who simply came up and talked to the fighters. Some of them joined the group and disappeared behind them. Others who tried to attack the group were instantly and technically destroyed. In general, it seemed like a well-organized group.

In the distance, through the fog, silhouettes of other people could be seen moving through this strange world. Some seemed calm and focused, others tense and scared. There was a feeling of uncertainty and anticipation of something unknown in the air.

Alexander felt both frighteningly lonely and strangely calm in this place where time and space seemed to have lost their meaning. Everything around reminded him that the Edge is a place between life and death, where souls can wander forever, without finding peace. But he needed to return home. Although there was still interest in the Chinese group. Wanting to simply reconnoiter the situation, the young man went to meet the extended chain of military men.

Alexander, approaching the group of Chinese, raised his hands as a sign of peaceful intentions. He wanted to know what was happening in the Border and why these people were here. It seemed that they had organized some kind of camp and were looking for new members. And in general, this was the first time he had seen such an organized group here.

When he greeted them, one of the Chinese pointed at Alexander and shouted loudly in his own language:

- 被拒绝，被活捉！(Rejected, captured alive!) - his voice was sharp and authoritative.

Four Chinese responded instantly to his cry, quickly separating from the group and rushing towards Alexander. One immediately stepped back a little, taking something out from behind his back, while the others stood on either side of the guy.

Alexander, finding himself in the center of attention of the Chinese, quickly assessed the situation. They were armed with various makeshift weapons that appeared to be crafted from materials found in the Verge. Daggers, spears, even strange crossbow-like devices and nets clearly designed for capture.

- What's happening? What do you want from me? - Alexander shouted, but the Chinese did not seem to understand him. They continued to advance, ready to attack. He was finally surrounded, while the main chain of military men shifted their direction and also moved towards the young man. They also blocked his back. - So, we don’t know how to talk, we can only fight. Well, okay!

Alexander, realizing that there was nowhere to go back, decided to take decisive action. He quickly moved away from the net that was thrown at him and performed an acrobatic somersault to avoid a collision.

In close combat, he realized that his opponents were well prepared and coordinated. However, Alexander had an advantage in the form of his ability to manipulate the power of the soul. He concentrated, filling his hands with energy, which allowed him to repel the attacks of the Chinese and even launch several counterattacks, wounding the enemy, but he could not finish off. The guys were great with their daggers, which could hold off a lightsaber attack.

The battle was fast and furious. Alexander used all his agility and strength to dodge blows and respond to his enemies. In the end, he was able to push away the four attackers and take cover behind the nearest islands of reality to catch his breath and consider his next steps. He realized late that he was surrounded by a ring of more than thirty Chinese. There was determination in their eyes and concentration on their faces. They, like a round dance, closed a circle, leaving Alexander less and less room for maneuver.

Suddenly, one of the Chinese let out a sharp cry, and instantly, as if on a team, they attacked. Alexander tried to repel the attack by rushing towards the first attacker. His hand, saturated with the power of his soul, confidently drew arcs in the air, deflecting the blows of daggers and sticks. He felt every movement of his body, every step was measured and precise. But then a spear pierces his leg. Alexander cuts off the shaft and tries to escape from the blow, but immediately receives another one.

The fight was intense. Each of the Chinese acted skillfully and harmoniously with the others, their movements were polished and effective. Alexander felt his strength melt away with every blow. He tried to find the weak link in their defense, but nothing worked. And, to his surprise, at the most tense moment, the light of the blade dissipated and Alexander felt weak. His reserves of strength were running low. The Soul Vault contained a maximum of one soul. He already felt it instinctively. Because he was distracted, they were able to take him by surprise.

As he concentrated on trying to dodge one of the attackers, another was able to sneak up behind him and hit him in the head. Alexander felt himself losing his balance. His vision immediately blurred and he fell to his knees. He tried to get up again, but his strength left him. The Chinese, taking advantage of this moment, quickly threw a net over him and immediately tied his hands and feet.

Now Alexander lay on the ground, helplessly looking up at the faces of his captors. He tried to make out their words, but the language barrier remained insurmountable. He couldn't understand what they were saying, but it was clear from their expressions that they had something planned for him. Alexander understood that he would have to find out their intentions very soon.

Twenty minutes passed, and he was still lying on the ground, watching the Chinese who were having an animated conversation. They were discussing something with gestures, sometimes pointing at him. Other Chinese stood nearby, dressed in clothes from different historical eras - from ancient kimonos to clothes from the Qing Dynasty. They were all Dead, their pale faces expressed calm and tranquility.

Suddenly, the Chinese military stopped their discussion and called one of the Dead Ones over. It was a man in traditional Chinese clothing, with sharp features and a predatory smile. His eyes sparkled with cold fire as he walked towards Alexander.

- 这是你的！(He is yours!) - said the military, pointing to Alexander.

The deceased slowly approached Alexander, revealing his thin blade. He was ready to strike. But at that moment Alexander caught the man’s gaze and was able to see something in them. After that, he found himself inside the memories of this person. He saw him running through the fields, heard the cries of war, felt the fear and adrenaline of battle. The visions were so vivid that Alexander felt his heart beating in unison with the heart of the Dead One.

And then the moment of the man’s death came - he was struck by the enemy’s blade, his blood rushed to the ground, and his soul went to the Edge. At the moment when death occurred in the visions, the deceased before Alexander turned into ashes. His last look was full of disbelief turning into bliss.

Alexander, having received a new portion of soul power, concentrated and created a sword from light. He quickly cut the ropes binding him and jumped to his feet. Without hesitation, he rushed to the side where there were the fewest people. Using all your speed and agility to avoid attempts to stop them.

With every step, he felt new energy pulsating in his body, giving him strength and confidence. He knew he had to get out of here as quickly as possible. Alexander saw cascades of waterfalls, where he dived, feeling the weight of the water that almost crushed him to the ground. He broke through and ran on, maneuvering through labyrinths of falling water.

Alexander, exhausted after his flight, finally stopped, looking around. It was in the heart of a labyrinth of incredible waterfalls, water falling from the islands, creating a mesmerizing spectacle. The water shimmered in all shades of blue and green, creating a feeling of magic.

“What an unusual world...” muttered Alexander, sitting on a stone and resting. - It was worth dying for this view, but it’s better not to...