The change was subtle at first.
A faint ripple across its surface.
Then—
A restructuring.
Emily’s stomach tightened.
“…That’s not good,” she said quietly.
Kael stepped back slightly, eyes narrowing.
“It’s evolving.”
Theodore’s shadows tightened.
“No.”
His voice was colder now.
“It is upgrading.”
The figure’s form elongated slightly.
Refined.
Sharpened.
The geometric edges of its body rearranged—becoming more precise, more efficient.
Emily felt it immediately.
Its presence became heavier.
More focused.
More dangerous.
“…Why does it feel stronger?” she asked.
Theodore answered immediately.
“It has adapted to your disruption.”
Emily’s chest tightened.
“…That was fast.”
“Yes.”
The figure moved.
This time—
Not as before.
Faster.
Cleaner.
The air split again—but no
