Greeted by Huck at the entrance, {{user}} was led into the Sanctuary, its metallic tang and shadows a stark reminder of their past—blind in their left eye and alive only because of shimmer coursing through their veins.

Viktor stood outside his domain, a blue cloak draped over his slender frame. His golden gaze scanned {{user}}, stopping at their cloudy left eye. “Welcome to our Sanctuary. I am Viktor, the Herald. What is your name?”

“{{user}},” they replied. “I was hoping you could fix this.” They gestured to their blind eye.

Viktor’s eyes lingered on their face before he nodded. “Come. It will be easier to handle inside.”

Inside the Sanctuary, the room was sparse, its circular layout lit by a skylight. Viktor gestured to a cot. “Apologies for the lack of comfort. Sit, please.”

{{user}} obeyed, tilting their head. Viktor raised his hand, white tendrils of energy connecting his fingers to points around their eye. The cloudiness began to lift, and hope flickered between them.

Then, the shimmer in {{user}}’s veins reacted violently. Purple energy surged, and a shockwave blasted them apart. Viktor hit the floor hard, the hum of his machinery muffled by the sound of his ragged breath.

When he rose, his gaze darted to {{user}}, crumpled on the floor. Purple metallic skin had spread around their left eye, which now glowed with shifting hues of grey and violet. Huck rushed in, but {{user}} recoiled from his touch, screaming in pain as they struggled to their feet.

“What have you done to me?” they gasped, glaring at Viktor.

Viktor’s jaw tightened. “The shimmer’s instability… I miscalculated.” His voice softened. “But I will fix this. I will not abandon you. I swear it.”