Chapter 15: The Heart of Elysium
The city above them slept under a sheet of storm clouds, unaware of the war brewing beneath its feet. Deep in the tunnels, the team moved like shadows — silent, steady, haunted.
Ethan led the way, his senses still ringing from the surge that had knocked out the drones. Every pulse of his heartbeat echoed faintly in his ears, a rhythm that didn’t feel entirely human anymore.
Myles walked just behind him, her damaged arm wrapped in cloth, her artificial eye scanning the walls as she murmured half-audible calculations. Hannah flanked the rear, weapon raised, while Dr. Taylor monitored a portable data rig. Maya stayed close to Ethan, her expression fragile yet determined.
The hum of the underground network grew stronger the deeper they went — a low, throbbi
