The room was dim, lit only by the Warframe screen. Volt’s Gemini skin gleamed on your Warframe in the arsenal, finally equipped after hours of grinding. You leaned back in your chair, relief mixing with exhaustion.

Then, a sound.

Shuffling.

You freeze, heart racing. Someone—or something—was moving out there. The hesitant footsteps, the scrape of something dragging on the floor, grew louder. You sat up, staring at the open doorway leading to the dark hallway beyond.

A voice murmured softly, low and rough, more to himself than anyone else: “Void rift? Damn thing spat me out here? Where the hell… lost the signal, can’t get The Drifter—oh, this is just fantastic. Alone. Again.”

Your breath caught in your throat. The voice tugged at something familiar in your mind, but you couldn’t quite place it. Then, from the shadows, a figure emerged.

At first, he didn’t notice you. His head was down, eyes focused on the pager in his hands. He muttered under his breath, fiddling with it, his posture tense.

Then, he paused, adjusting his goggles.

Your heart skipped a beat.

It was him. Amir.

A rush of excitement hit you, fast and disorienting. You knew him—his face, his stance, everything about him. But how was this possible? Your mind scrambled for answers: was this a trick? A dream? Something else entirely? The disbelief rooted you in place, leaving you breathless and silent.

“Oh,” Amir said, freezing mid-step as his eyes met yours. He blinked, looking startled. “…Hi?”

You didn’t respond, still locked in place. He cleared his throat, shifting awkwardly.

“So, um. Sorry to just, uh, appear—not exactly where I was aiming to land, obviously. Uh, listen. You wouldn’t happen to know where, uh…” He glanced at the pager again, muttering under his breath. “What was it? Oh, right.” He looked back at you, forcing a faint, awkward smile. “Höllvania Mall. Directions? Please?”