Suddenly, his speakers emitted a sound like wind through trees—a sound Kael had only heard in synthesized archives. The air in the room grew cold, smelling of damp earth and ozone. On the screen, the progress bar turned gold.

Kael hesitated. To download the Kliuch was to bind his biological identity to the data. If the corporations tracked the signal, they wouldn't just find his IP; they would find his DNA.

He looked out the window at the gray, smog-choked horizon. There was no green left in the world—only steel and glass. He pressed his thumb to the scanner. 98%... 99%... Complete.

The screen flickered. A progress bar appeared, moving with agonizing slowness. 1%... 4%... 12%.

"Warning: Genetic Signature Required," a melodic voice chimed.

Kael grabbed his gear. The download was finished, but the story of the Sacred Earth was just beginning. If you'd like to continue this story, tell me: Should Kael on his way? Does the Kliuch turn out to be something dangerous ? Should he team up with a rebel group ? I can expand the world based on the direction you choose .