A Second Chance by the System

Chapter 21: Beneath the Surface

The darkness swallowed them whole.

For a moment, Ethan felt disoriented, his senses overwhelmed by the sudden blackness and the violent tremors shaking the Nexus Core. The only sound was the rapid thumping of his own heartbeat. But then, just as the world seemed to lean toward destruction, the low rumble subsided, and the emergency lights flickered back on, casting a dim red glow over the room.

Ethan’s eyes adjusted quickly. The emergency exit a narrow hatch stood open at the far end of the chamber, as if beckoning them toward salvation. But there was no time to process how or why it had appeared. Instinct kicked in.

"Go! Now!" Ethan shouted, his voice cutting through the confusion.

Jared was the first to react, sprinting toward the hatch without hesitation. Aisha followed, her face pale but determined, holding her data pad tightly. Ethan brought up the rear, his gaze darting between the closing gap and the malfunctioning core behind them. The Nexus Core’s systems were still in meltdo