As the Architect's words hung in the air, Sophia's eyes widened in shock. "What do you mean I'm one of you?" she demanded, her voice trembling with emotion.
The Architect's smile grew wider, their eyes glinting with triumph. "You're a product of our creation, Sophia," they said. "A simulation, a program designed to test the limits of human ingenuity."
Gabriel's mind reeled as he struggled to process the information. "No, that's not possible," he said, his voice firm. "Sophia's real, I've seen her, I've talked to her."
The Architect chuckled, a cold, mirthless sound. "You're thinking in terms of flesh and blood, Gabriel," they said. "But Sophia exists in a realm beyond your understanding. She's code, she's programming, she's a simulation of human life."
Sophia's eyes flashed with anger,
