The Chief let out a loud, unrestrained laugh as he took in Cassius’s expression. Gone was the calm authority that once defined him. In its place was exhaustion, rage, and helplessness all tangled together. The sight clearly delighted the man standing over him.

"You have no way out now, Cassius," the Chief said, his voice dripping with satisfaction. "This is the end. From now on, The Archive is under my supervision. The Nulls are all working for me. Every single one of them." His gaze flicked briefly toward Kendrick and Zephany lying on the floor. "Well, except for your two favorites. And look at them now. They can’t even stand, let alone fight."

Cassius clenched his jaw so tightly it ached. His hands trembled at his sides, restrained not just by the soldiers but by the reality pressing down on him. He said nothing, but the hatred in his eyes burned openly.

The Chief turned his attention to Brent next. Brent stood rigid, his face flushed with fury, fists shaking at his sides. His eyes were locked onto the Chief with pure, unfiltered anger.

"You will pay for this," Brent spat. His voice was hoarse, strained by grief and rage.

The Chief paused, then burst out laughing again, placing a hand theatrically over his chest. "Oh. That scared me, my dear junior," he said mockingly. "Truly terrifying."

He took a few slow steps toward Brent, studying him with amusement. "But I really must give you credit. None of this would have been possible without you. You helped me far more than you realize. If not for you, this would have taken much longer." His lips curled into a grin. "So, as a reward, I can let you go now. What do you think?"

The words hit Brent like a blow.

For a moment, he could not breathe.

His thoughts raced, colliding with one another in a painful mess. He had trusted this man. Followed him. Asked for guidance. And now everything had burned because of it. His gaze flicked briefly toward Cassius, then Sophia, then Reynold and Jeric. Their faces were filled with despair, but also something else. A quiet, desperate understanding.

If he left now, there was still a chance. 𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

If he escaped, he could find help. Rally allies. Do something, anything, to save them.

But if he walked away, it would look like betrayal. Like he had chosen his own life over theirs. Cassius would never forgive him. Even if Cassius survived, that image would haunt him forever.

Brent’s fists clenched tighter, his nails digging into his palms. His jaw trembled as he forced himself to speak.

"Will you really let me go?" he asked, his voice low and unsteady.

The Chief smiled widely. "Of course. You are free to go."

He gestured casually to his men. They stepped aside, forming a narrow path through the ring of soldiers. A clear exit.

Brent stared at it.

This was their only chance.

He swallowed hard, then took a step forward. He did not look back. He could not. If he did, he knew he would not be able to move his feet again.

Behind him, Cassius closed his eyes briefly. Sophia pressed her lips together, her hands shaking. Reynold’s chest tightened painfully, and Jeric looked away, his jaw clenched.

None of them spoke.

They could not blame him.

Brent took another step.

Then another.

The sound of the gunshot cracked through the air.

Brent’s body jerked violently. For a fraction of a second, he stood there, frozen. Then he collapsed forward, hitting the ground with a dull, lifeless thud.

Blood spread beneath his head.

Silence followed, heavy and suffocating.

Everyone turned slowly.

The Chief stood with his arm still raised, the gun smoking lightly in his hand. His expression was calm, almost bored.

"Oh," he said lightly. "I changed my mind."

A soft chuckle escaped him as he lowered the weapon. "I am not a fool. Letting someone like that escape would be careless."

He looked back at Cassius and his group, his eyes gleaming. "Don’t worry. It will be your turn soon. But not yet." His smile widened. "I still need you, Cassius. I want you alive long enough to witness my success. I want you to see everything while you are completely at my mercy."

Horror washed over them all.

Sophia felt her knees weaken. Reynold’s breath came in shallow gasps, his vision blurring. Jeric’s hands shook uncontrollably. Cassius stared at Brent’s body, his mind screaming, his chest feeling like it was being crushed from the inside.

It is over.

The words echoed relentlessly in their minds.

On the floor, Kendrick stirred weakly. His head throbbed, his limbs felt like dead weight. He turned his head slightly toward Zephany, who lay beside him, her face pale and slick with sweat.

"Are you okay?" he asked quietly, his voice barely more than a whisper.

Zephany swallowed with difficulty. Her eyes fluttered as she tried to focus on him. "I’m not sure," she murmured. "My body... I can’t move it. Something’s wrong. It feels strange. Like it’s not listening to me anymore."

Panic crawled up Kendrick’s spine. He tried to push himself up, but nothing happened. His arms refused to respond.

"I can’t move either," he said, fear slipping into his voice despite his effort to keep it steady. "It’s the same for me."

He hesitated, then whispered, "Is this the negative effect of the Helix they were talking about?"

The unspoken question lingered between them.

Are we really going to die here?

Neither of them dared to say it out loud.

Before either could speak again, movement caught their attention. Heavy footsteps echoed behind them, growing closer.

Kendrick’s eyes widened.

At the same time, the Chief raised his hand sharply.

"Kill them except Cassius," he ordered coldly.

The soldiers obeyed instantly. Guns were raised, all barrels pointing toward Cassius and his remaining allies.

The sound of safety clicks filled the air.

Cassius lifted his head slowly, his eyes blazing with fury and despair as he stood before the guns, knowing there was nowhere left to run.