The walls trembled as mechanical footsteps drew closer. The Architects had sent their enforcers—silent, faceless figures wrapped in shimmering armor. Their weapons glowed with the same eerie energy Ellie felt coursing through her veins.
Nyx pulled a knife from her belt. "We have two choices: escape or fight."
Ellie took a step forward, eyes locked on the approaching figures. "I told you—I'm done running."
The first enforcer lunged, its blade slicing through the air. Ellie didn't move—she didn't need to. A pulse of energy erupted from her fingertips, colliding with the attacker mid-strike. The figure froze, convulsing as blue circuits flared across its body. Then, with a burst of static, it crumbled into dust.
Nyx whistled. "Damn. You're stronger than before."
Two more rushed forward. Ellie ducked, her instincts razor-sharp. She moved like she had trained for this her entire life. A flick of her wrist sent another wave of force outward, knocking them back.
A voice crackled through the chamber's speakers. "You cannot win, anomaly. You will be erased."
Ellie's breath steadied. "No. Not this time."
The final enforcer raised its rifle. Before it could fire, Ellie reached out—not with her hands, but with her mind. The weapon sputtered, its energy folding in on itself before imploding in a flash of white light.
Silence.
Nyx grinned. "Now we run. But next time? We take the fight to them."