The narrow corridor transformed into a battlefield between control and destruction.
Ethan stood alone at the rear.
The distance between him and the team grew farther and farther.
The platform carrying the core continued moving slowly forward, out of his reach.
But Ethan's attention was completely fixed on the three energy silhouettes now trembling before him.
No longer just shadows.
No longer just fragments.
They were beginning to take shape.
Clearer.
More stable.
More… alive.
Ethan's breath felt heavy.
Cold sweat trickled down his temples.
But his eyes remained focused.
Unwavering.
"Calm down…" he whispered softly.
The words were not for humans.
But for something that had not yet fully understood its own existence.
The first silhouette responded.
Its trembling slowed.
As if recognizing the frequency Ethan was emitting.
But the other two
did not.
They spun around.
Searching.
As if hunting.
Ethan took a long breath.
He centered himself.
