The ritual began with light. Not the sickly green of Victoria's systems, but something older—white and gold and absolute, pouring from the pedestals like liquid fire. The extracted systems responded to Victoria's will, rising from their containers and drifting toward the center of the circle, their crystalline forms beginning to soften and flow.
Jaxon stood at the edge of the circle, his hands at his sides, watching. The Death Playback and Death Command systems inside him were both active now, resonating with the energy in the room like tuning forks struck at the same frequency.
【This is it. The ritual is starting. Once the systems begin to merge, you'll have a window—maybe thirty seconds—where they're all connected and vulnerable. That's when you use the Command.】
"How will I know when
