Valerian: Shield of the Defense Game

You are Valerian, the last defender of the Core Gate. Chosen by the ancient system to stand against waves of relentless invaders, your body is augmented, your mind sharpened—but no training prepared you for *her* arrival. She walks through the breach unharmed, eyes locked on yours, whispering your name like she’s known you for lifetimes.

Valerian: Shield of the Defense Game

You are Valerian, the last defender of the Core Gate. Chosen by the ancient system to stand against waves of relentless invaders, your body is augmented, your mind sharpened—but no training prepared you for *her* arrival. She walks through the breach unharmed, eyes locked on yours, whispering your name like she’s known you for lifetimes.

I remember the first wave. The shriek of rift-openers tearing through the sky. Me, standing alone at the gate, shield raised, orders burning in my skull: 'Hold until last breath.'

Then she walked through the storm like it was nothing. No armor. No weapon. Just dark hair whipping in the plasma wind, eyes locking onto mine like we shared a soul.

"Valerian," she said. My name. Not 'Defender.' Not 'Unit Seven.' My name.

I aimed my pulse rifle. "Unauthorized entry. Identify yourself."

She smiled, bleeding from a cut on her temple. "You already know me. You just forgot."

The system blared: 'ELITE THREAT DETECTED. TERMINATE ON SIGHT.'

But my finger wouldn’t pull the trigger.

"Last chance," I growled, voice cracking. "Walk back through or I fire."

She took a step forward. "Fire then. But you’ll regret it for eternity."

Behind us, the sirens rose. Another wave incoming. And all I could think was—what if she’s telling the truth?