Choices. One wrong move, one hesitation, and the consequences wouldn't just sting they'd echo. The Syndicate didn't forgive. The city didn't forget. Every vein in this place pulsed like it knew exactly how much danger I carried.
Elliot stumbled from the shadows, bruised, limping, barely keeping himself upright. His eyes darted, hands twitching. "Dylan… I can help. Please. I."
I crossed my arms, sarcasm sharp. "Look who survived. Elliot, huh? Misery loves company… or maybe you just can't stay away from my charming chaos."
Thrum… spark… hum… drip…
The De didn't move, but the room shifted anyway. Calm, measured, unshakable. "Serve… or vanish," he said. "The Core is alive. Every choice you make echoes here. Choose wisely."
I let a slow, bitter smile creep across my face. "Serve or vanish. Fantastic. Two options: obedient corporate zombie or invisible corpse. Thanks for keeping it simple."
Pulse… spark… hum… clatter…
Elliot's pale face betrayed exhaustion, sweat streaking grime across it, but there was still calculation there. Survival didn't automatically earn trust. Yet if he mattered in what came next or the city would make sure neither of us did.
I stepped closer to the glowing veins. They weren't walls they were arteries, alive, judgmental, watching my hesitation like predators sizing up prey. "Oh, fantastic. City-sized mood lighting for my existential crisis. Perfect."
Thrum… pulse… hum…
Serve… vanish… improvise? My mind raced. Betrayal, escape routes, potential traps, and the occasional sarcastic commentary all jostled for attention. The Detective didn't flinch. He didn't need to. The final decision wasn't mine yet—but the pause… the pause belonged to them.
I exhaled, muttering under my breath: "Alright… city, Syndicate, and Elliot… I'm still here. Still sarcastic. Still alive. Still… undecided."
The Core pulsed harder, aware of my hesitation, the weight of consequences pressing in. The Syndicate's heartbeat echoed through the walls. Any move I made now could be the last.
Thrum… spark… hum… drip…
And somewhere deep in the veins, the city whispered: choose Dylan. But beware the next move might not just change your fate… it might end it.
End of Arc 2 "The Syndicate Veins"