Location: Celine's Fortress – Data Wing Combat Chamber
The room trembled with each impact as Damien parried Kael's strikes. The sheer force behind Kael's enhanced limbs was brutal—metal meeting flesh and willpower.
Nora moved to help, but Damien barked, "No! Stay back!"
Kael lunged again, aiming for Damien's ribs. Damien twisted, the blow grazing him, drawing blood. He grunted but didn't falter.
"You think she gave you power," Damien growled, panting. "But all she gave you was a leash."
Kael didn't answer, only threw another punch—this one aimed at Damien's face.
Damien caught his wrist mid-air.
"Remember the violin?" he said, voice low. "You broke it because I played better. Mom grounded you for a week."
Kael's arm faltered.
"She used to say, 'Brothers can fight the world, as long as they don't fight each other.'" Damien continued, sweat and blood mixing on his face.
For a breathless moment, Kael's face shifted—pain, confusion, grief. Then, like a dam bursting, he roared and slammed Damien into the reinforced glass wall.
But he didn't strike again.
Nora stepped forward slowly, a tranquilizer pistol in hand. "Kael. Please. Don't let her control you."
Kael's body trembled violently. His fists clenched, then relaxed. His gaze darted to the surveillance camera blinking in the corner.
"She's watching," he whispered. "She put something inside my brain… triggers... I can't..."
Damien moved closer, hand over Kael's. "Then help us destroy it."
For the first time, Kael didn't resist.
---
Location: Celine's Fortress – Command Center
Celine slammed her fist into the console.
"Shut down Kael's neural channel. Now!" she screamed.
But Roka's fingers hovered over the keys. "It's too late. His synaptic override has been disabled—by him."
Her eyes narrowed to slits. "Then we'll activate Hybrid-X."
---
Location: Lower Chambers – Biolab Corridor
Lucas and two of Damien's operatives moved toward the Hybrid-X containment sector, led by intel Nora had retrieved. The door hissed open with a warning:
"Bio-weapon Protocol Engaged. Proceed at Risk."
Inside the chamber, a monstrous figure stood submerged in a red tank—muscles enhanced, eyes glowing with engineered hatred.
Lucas's face darkened. "That's not a weapon. That's a war."