The chamber trembled under the pulse of energy, every surface vibrating as Genesis units convulsed in the Architect’s control. Sparks flew from broken nodes, and arcs of golden energy lit the walls like lightning trapped in a cage. The air smelled of ozone, metal, and something sharper fear.
Daniel’s aura flared bright blue, clashing with the golden surge from the nodes. He felt every Genesis unit’s thought, every flicker of the Architect’s mind, and it was almost too much. The strain burned in his chest, and sweat ran down his temples. “I… can’t hold them forever,” he admitted, voice ragged.
Adrian moved beside him, weapon raised, firing in perfect arcs to slow the advancing units. Each shot erupted in sparks, some units dissolving midair, others adapting instantly. “Then we end this f
