The light from the core grew brighter.
Not blinding.
Enough to make the shadows in the room move.
As if everything inside it was alive.
Adrian Blackwood stood directly in front of the structure.
His hand raised.
Only a few centimeters away.
He had not touched it yet.
Behind him, Leonard Graves held his position.
His eyes constantly scanning.
Watching every corner.
The footsteps of enemies drew closer.
Their time was running out.
"Hurry," he said softly.
Up above.
Sophia held her breath.
Her eyes never leaving the screen.
Her fingers gripping the device tightly.
As if she could reach Adrian from there.
Daniel monitored every change.
Data moving rapidly.
The system continuously escalating.
"Energy surge rising drastically," he said.
Sophia closed her eyes for a moment.
Trying to piece everything together.
Then opened them again.
Her gaze sharper.
"Do not destroy it."
Silence fell.
Below.
Adrian heard it.
His hand still raised.
Unmoving.
"Why."
