Location: Central Vault – Vale Institute Ruins
"You're not supposed to be alive," Nora said, standing between Jasper and the vault's crystalline archive. Her voice was low, steady—dangerously so.
Amara smirked, stepping forward from the shadows with her weapon still trained on Nora. "Neither were you. But here we are—two ghosts in a graveyard of lies."
She looked nearly identical to Nora, but with eyes dulled by vengeance and skin marked with faint scars from failed regeneration cycles. Amara wasn't just a clone—she was a twisted reflection of what Nora might've become.
"You were discarded," Nora said. "They buried you when the experiment failed."
Amara's finger hovered near the trigger. "Failed? No, Nora. I evolved. While you were paraded like a weapon of perfection, I was surviving. Learning. Becoming."
Jasper struggled to his feet. "Amara, this doesn't have to end in blood—"
"Quiet, architect," she snapped. "You created us and locked us in cages. You don't get to speak."
---
Location: Lower Tunnel – Approaching the Vault
Damien moved like a phantom. His steps were silent despite the ruins' metallic groans. The Vault was close—he could feel it in the air. He could feel her.
Faye's voice came through the earpiece. "We've secured the west wing. No signs of clones. But—Damien… something's off. Readings are fluctuating. Another prototype's here."
Damien clenched his jaw. "Amara."
There was silence on the line.
"I'm going in," he said.
---
Location: Central Vault
Amara's hand shook slightly. Not from fear—but rage that never found release.
"I spent years in shadows, Nora. Watching you become the hero. The doctor. The perfect daughter. All while I rotted. And when I escaped, they tried to wipe me out again. But I survived."
"You survived," Nora said, voice softening, "and now you're repeating what they did to us."
Amara blinked.
"You're becoming them," Nora added. "A destroyer. A tyrant."
Amara's expression cracked—just a flicker—but it was enough.
Nora moved.
With a swift motion, she slammed her elbow into Amara's wrist, knocking the rifle away. The gun clattered across the floor. They lunged at each other, fists flying, pain and rage colliding in each blow.
---
Location: Vault Entrance
Damien arrived just as Amara pinned Nora to the floor.
With a roar, he charged, tackling Amara off and sending her crashing into the archive. Shards of data cores exploded around them. Jasper scrambled to protect the main drive.
Amara rose, blood at the corner of her mouth. "Ah. The prince arrives."
Damien stood between her and Nora, his eyes deadly. "You've made your last move."
Amara's gaze locked with his. "Not yet."
She triggered a pulse grenade from her belt—then vanished in a flicker of cloaking light.
The vault trembled. Alarms flared. Self-destruct countdown activated.
10:00...