Justin's vision blurred as the chaos within his mind reached its peak. It felt as if he were drowning, yet he stood upright on a reflective, endless plane of water. The surface beneath him rippled with every pounding ache in his head. Across this surreal expanse stood Cyrus, a smirk curling on his lips.
"Still standing, huh?" Cyrus said, his voice venomous and sharp. "Let's fix that."
Before Justin could respond, Cyrus raised a hand, and a wave of suffocating fear slammed into him. It was unlike anything Justin had ever experienced. He staggered, gasping for air as memories flashed before him like lightning strikes—his parents' lifeless faces, the sinister laugh of his grandmother plunging a blade into him, and scenes that never happened: Nia walking away from him, the Framework crumbling, innocent lives lost because of him.
Justin clutched his head, trying to resist the images, but Cyrus only laughed. "Oh, Justin, you're not very good at this, are you? Fear... it's a simple thing. But in the right hands, it's devastating."
The torment continued, each attack fracturing Justin's resolve. He dropped to his knees, his mind fracturing as Cyrus loomed closer.
---
[At the Lab]
Nia stood with arms crossed, watching Kain as he adjusted several dials on a control panel. Her mind was racing with doubt, despite the calm demeanor she tried to project. Why had Kain chosen her to be part of this mission? Why was she the only one who seemed to be entrusted with the details of his vision?
"Director," she started hesitantly, "why me? Why not someone with more experience? Why trust me with all this?"
Kain paused, his hands hovering over the controls. He straightened, turning to face her. "Because you have what others lack, Nia. Dedication. Integrity. A heart that hasn't been corrupted by ambition."
She frowned, not entirely convinced. "That's a nice answer, but I can't help but feel there's something more. You've been holding back from me, haven't you? What are you hiding?"
Kain's eyes hardened, his usual calm replaced with a steely edge. "Nia, every leader has secrets, and not all of them are meant to be shared. Not now, at least. My only concern is protecting the Framework and stopping the Echoes. The rest? You'll learn when the time is right."
"But how do I know you're not just using me?" she shot back, her voice rising.
Kain stepped closer, his voice firm. "Because I don't gamble with lives. I see possibilities, probabilities, outcomes. And in every one I've seen, you're the key to saving him. So, believe what you want about me. Just don't forget what's at stake."
Nia hesitated, the weight of his words sinking in. She didn't trust him entirely, but for now, she had no choice but to follow his lead.
---
[Inside Justin's Mind]
Cyrus strolled closer to Justin, his steps sending ripples across the water-like ground. He crouched in front of Justin, who was now trembling, sweat dripping from his brow.
"You're so easy to break, Justin. All it takes is a little push." Cyrus grabbed Justin by the collar, lifting him effortlessly. "But you know, this is getting boring. Let's try something more... personal."
Cyrus launched a punch, and though it shouldn't have hurt—this was only in Justin's mind—the pain was searing. Each blow felt like a piece of Justin's consciousness shattering.
"Almost done," Cyrus muttered aloud, standing over Justin's broken form in the real world. His eyes glowed faintly as he communicated with Flin telepathically. "I've got the location. Should we send a team?"
Flin's voice responded in his mind, calm and calculating. "No. We'll handle this calmly and quietly."
A third voice chimed in through their communicator, the cold, commanding tone of the silver-haired woman from the Framework. "Smart. I'll let you handle it, Flin. Make sure it's clean."
Flin smirked, grabbing a massive laser gun. "On it." He stepped out of their hideout, the coordinates of Justin's location glowing faintly on a device in his hand.
---
[At the Lab]
Kain leaned over a monitor, his eyes narrowing as he studied the readings. "I've found the connection," he announced, his voice calm but urgent. "Cyrus is hacking into Justin's mind. He's attacking him from within."
Nia looked over his shoulder, alarmed. "How do we stop it?"
Kain's expression darkened. "We need someone to go in—someone to fight Cyrus off from the inside. And that someone is you."
Nia blinked, taking a step back. "You're joking, right? You want me to... go into his mind? How?!"
Kain gestured to a nearby machine, a complex array of wires, monitors, and glowing panels. "This device creates a neural link. You'll be able to enter his subconscious and confront Cyrus. It's dangerous, yes, but it's the only way to sever the connection."
Nia stared at the machine, her skepticism evident. "You can't be serious. Why not you? Or anyone else?"
Kain's gaze softened. "Because I've seen the outcome, Nia. It has to be you. You're the only one who can reach him."
Before Nia could respond, the lights in the lab flickered. A faint hum filled the air, and then the room was plunged into darkness.
"Kain?" Nia called, her voice tense.
The monitors and machines remained active, their glow casting eerie shadows across the room. Slowly, the lights flickered back on, revealing a figure standing in the doorway.
Flin.
He held a massive laser gun, its barrel glowing ominously. His cold eyes scanned the room, locking onto Kain and Nia.
"Sorry to interrupt," he said, his tone mocking, "but I believe you have something we need."