The chamber pulsed with a rhythmic hum as the figure in the glass capsule stirred. Cables coiled like veins into its body, glowing faintly with the same eerie light as the console below it. Ethan's hand tightened around his weapon, every instinct screaming at him to act, but something held him back.
"What... is it?" Ava asked, her voice low but tinged with unease.
Ethan shook his head. "A prototype, but for what? Jason's been three steps ahead of us the whole time—this has to be his endgame."
The lights in the room flickered, and the console emitted a sharp beep. Jason's voice crackled through hidden speakers, his tone smug.
"You like my creation, Ethan? It's a masterpiece, isn't it? Years of research, stolen lives, and more sacrifices than you could count... all to build this."
Ethan stepped forward, his voice cutting through the room. "This isn't about science, Jason. This is about control. You've turned people into weapons, twisted them into things you can manipulate."
Jason chuckled. "Control? That's rich coming from you. You think you're any different? Look at yourself, Ethan—always pulling strings, always calculating. The only difference between us is I'm not afraid to embrace it."
Ava moved to the console, her hands hovering over the controls. "We need to shut it down. Whatever this thing is, it's not staying here."
Jason's tone grew darker. "Oh, Ava, you're always so quick to jump to conclusions. But the Prototype isn't just a weapon—it's the future. And, lucky you, you get to witness its awakening."
The console erupted with flashing lights, and the glass capsule began to hiss as the seals broke. Steam billowed out, and the figure inside took its first trembling step forward.
A New Threat
The Prototype stood nearly seven feet tall, its body sleek but grotesque—a mixture of metal and flesh. Its face was obscured by a mask, but its glowing eyes betrayed a cold, calculated intelligence.
"Ethan," Ava whispered, gripping her blade tightly. "That thing doesn't look like it's here to talk."
Before Ethan could respond, the Prototype lunged forward with inhuman speed, its fist slamming into the ground where they had stood moments before. The shockwave sent them both sprawling.
"Move!" Ethan barked, rolling to his feet and firing a volley of shots. The bullets sparked harmlessly against the Prototype's armored exterior.
Ava darted to the side, her blade slicing through a bundle of exposed wires on its arm. Sparks flew, and the Prototype staggered briefly before recalibrating, its gaze locking onto her.
"It's learning," Ethan realized, his mind racing. "It's adapting to us."
Jason's voice echoed again, filled with twisted glee. "Impressive, isn't it? The perfect soldier—no fear, no hesitation. It's everything you could never be, Ethan."
Desperate Measures
Ethan scanned the room, searching for an advantage. His eyes landed on the console. If they could overload the power source, it might destabilize the Prototype.
"Ava, keep it busy!" he shouted, sprinting toward the controls.
Ava nodded, her movements a blur as she dodged the Prototype's relentless attacks. She led it in circles, exploiting its momentary hesitations to strike at its joints and exposed wiring.
Ethan reached the console, his fingers flying over the controls. The system was complex, but Jason had underestimated his resourcefulness. As he worked, the Prototype suddenly changed tactics, abandoning Ava and charging straight for him.
"Ethan!" Ava screamed, throwing herself between him and the oncoming machine.
The Prototype struck her with a backhanded blow, sending her crashing into a pile of debris. Ethan's heart clenched, but he didn't have time to check on her. With a final keystroke, the console let out a shrill alarm.
"Let's see how you handle this," Ethan muttered, activating the overload.
The Prototype froze, its body seizing as arcs of electricity danced along its frame. It let out a guttural roar, the sound a mix of rage and anguish.
Escape
Ethan rushed to Ava's side, helping her to her feet. She winced, clutching her ribs but managed a weak smile. "Not bad, Cross. Remind me to complain about this later."
"Hold that thought," Ethan said, glancing back at the Prototype. It was still writhing, but the room was becoming increasingly unstable as the power overload caused systems to malfunction.
"We need to move. Now."
They sprinted toward an exit, the sound of the Prototype's struggles fading behind them. As they reached the surface, the facility erupted in a massive explosion, flames consuming everything.
For a moment, they stood in silence, catching their breath as the dust settled.
"Is it over?" Ava asked, her voice shaky.
Ethan shook his head. "Not even close. Jason's still out there, and whatever he's planning, the Prototype was just the beginning."
Ava frowned, her gaze hardening. "Then we finish this. No more games, no more traps. We take the fight to him."
Ethan nodded, his resolve solidifying. "For once, I agree."
As the dawn broke over the horizon, the two of them disappeared into the shadows, ready to face whatever came next.