The video ended.
Vance stared at the screen, his father's face frozen in time. The Architect stood across the room, his hands clasped behind his back.
"Why did my father trust you?" Vance asked.
"Because I was the only one who knew the truth. Your father was trying to stop the Architect. He was trying to protect you."
"Then why did he build the Phoenix? Why did he build the Shadow Council?"
"Because he needed tools. Weapons to fight the Architect. The Phoenix was never about power. It was about survival."
Vance was silent for a long moment. Then he spoke.
"What do you want from me?"
"I want you to help me stop the Architect. I can't do it alone."
"You've been doing it alone for years."
"And I've failed. Every time I get close, he slips away. But with your help, with your team, we
