Vira stepped forward again. The blood from her coat soaked into the metal floor, trailing behind her.
"You're leashed," she said. "Just like them."
She gestured with one hand toward the guards. Their movements shifted again—another inch, another twitch. Elias could see it clearly now. Their fingers didn't grip with purpose. Their stance didn't carry intent. Something else had taken over, and whatever it was didn't care how much flesh was left holding them upright.
Magma hissed once on Asurik's shoulder. The sound was low. Just steam meeting cold air.
Asurik spoke again.
"Back off, Vira."
Elias didn't move.
His hands stayed raised, elbows tense. The question still sat between them—What's your play?—echoing softer now, but no lighter. The words hadn't left the air yet. They pressed against the walls, held in by the low hum of Cube X's systems.
