The ground trembled beneath their feet as the ruins of the Core Chamber began to collapse. Cracks spidered through the floor, light bleeding from beneath the metal. The sound was deafening — a heartbeat gone wild.
“Move!” Hannah shouted, grabbing Maya’s arm and pulling her toward the exit.
Dr. Taylor stumbled after them, clutching her data pad to her chest, its screen flickering with corrupted signals.
Ethan stood still for a moment, staring back at the shattered remains of Elysium’s heart — the place where his reflection had tried to consume him. The air still crackled with static, like whispers that refused to die.
Dr. Myles reached for his shoulder. “Ethan, we have to go. Now!”
He nodded, tearing his eyes away from the wreckage. “Let’s finish this somewhere we can still breathe.”
