Victor, Enoch, and Stephen faced him in the darkened room; the core pulsed behind them, alive with unbridled energy. Standing forward, a sadistic grin plastered on his face, Clarke was flanked by armed men ready to create chaos where there was none."You really think you can just waltz in here and steal what rightfully belongs to me?" Clarke sneered, his tone full of disdain. "This system is mine. It's my work-my legacy.""Let Ariane go," Stephen said, his fists clutched at his sides as he took a step forward. "This isn't about power; it's about lives."Clarke laughed. It was a cold, mirthless sound that seemed to reverberate off all four walls. "Ah, but you don't understand. Power is life. I've created a new reality—one in which I am God. You're all just pawns in a game, and I won't let you interfere with my plans."The others would have done no more than opened their mouths to respond when Clarke raised his hand. The next instant, the air around him appeared to shimmer. In an instan

With a loud thud, they hit the floor as Stephen tackled him. For that one short second, Stephen felt a glimmer of hope. Maybe, finally, they could take him down. Within the same swift second, his eyes sparkled in mischief, and a sly grin spread across his face."You really think this ends anything?" Clarke snickered, dusting himself off. "I just put it all into an infinite loop.""What are you talking about?" Stephen panted, pushing himself up. The pain shot through him, but he couldn't show weakness.Clarke shrugged, the laughter bubbling from him like an evil spell. "It means this fight will never end. We'll keep coming back to this moment until I win. No matter what you do, you'll be trapped here forever."Stephen's heart sank. "No… That can't be true."Victor was still catching his breath as he met Enoch with worried glances. "What is going on?" Victor exclaimed questioningly.Clarke sat back and relaxed; everything around them was chaotic, but he was content. "Oh, I'll just keep

Now, several months later, Victor slept in the mansion that was another gift from Enoch. Indeed, the place was much too big for one person, but it had everything Victor might ever want. He poured some coffee, sipped very slowly, and stretched on the couch. The sun brightly shone through large windows, placing strokes of warm light across the floor."Perfect day," he grumbled. Well, the feeling of satisfaction didn't sit for too long. For each day was just about getting up, doing everything over and over again. Life was a void. "I need something to break this monotony."As if on cue, his security guard entered. "Sir, there is a visitor here to see you. She calls herself Mrs. Marianne."Victor's expression darkened at the name. "Great," he sighed, setting down his cup. "Just what I needed. Let her in."The guard nodded and disappeared out into the hall. Victor stood, staring at the door, preparing himself for whatever drama Marianne was about to bring. A moment later, the door opened, a

Victor looked at Marianne, dumbfounded. He felt her words were a blow to his stomach. "My daughter?" He repeated, still heavy with incredulity in his voice."Yes," said Marianne in a low, unwavering tone. "I didn't tell you because. I didn't want to ruin your life. But now. it's about Ariane's life."Victor began to pace the room, his fists clenched. He didn't believe her. She was a liar; she manipulated situations. Why should this be different?"Why are you expecting me to believe you now?" he asked, narrowing his eyes. "After all this time, you show up and drop this bomb on me? You think I'm stupid?"Marianne stood, desperate now. "I'm not lying, Victor! I can take a paternity test if that's what you want. But we don't have time for that. Ariane's getting worse, and the doctors say her only hope is a transfusion."Victor shook his head. "This is all too convenient. Why now, Marianne? Why not tell me years ago?"I was scared," she admitted, her voice shaking. "I didn't know how to ha

Stephen bent further forward, his eyes narrowing in an attempt to better study Enoch. The poor light within the room hid much of the expression on Enoch's face in deep shadow, feeding off the tension. Stephen had had much said to him over the years in his line of work, but this? It was too much for even him."So what you're saying," Stephen continued after a moment, his voice low, controlled, "is that the system can't be unplugged or shut down?"Enoch sat back in his chair, crossing his arms, staring at Stephen with that impenetrable expression again. He was silent for a while, then finally spoke."Yes," Enoch said, his voice grave. "Once you're connected, it's with you until death. And even then, it doesn't disappear. It's transferred to another host."Stephen rubbed at his temples, frustration brewing inside him. He had been through enough, but this-this was a whole new level of madness. "That's insane. Who designs something like this? Who decides one person's fate is supposed to be