"A reminder," the High Priest said, still reciting. "That even your mind can be rewritten. All things evolve, Doctor. Even belief."
The vacuum Emperor tilted his head, scrutinizing Grimhart maliciously.
The kinetic redirection Emperor raised a hand, not to strike, but to signal restraint.
One of the High Priests walked forward and addressed the group. "The Lord God wants him alive. His research serves the next phase, but if he becomes a liability..." He didn't finish the sentence. He didn't need to.
Grimhart's jaw clenched, but he remained silent.
The vacuum Emperor released the corridor's pressure, allowing air to return.
For the first time in what felt like hours, the doctor inhaled deeply, shakier than before.
Moments later, two High Priests stepped forward and restrained him with hardened cuffs laced with neural suppressants.
The duffel bag was sealed in a reinforced containment case. All data extracted by Arkan was already en route to the Lord God's personal archive.
