Chapter Sixteen: The Edge of Oblivion

The voice echoed through the chamber, cold and mechanical, as though it had been waiting centuries to speak. Every muscle in Ethan’s body tensed, and a chill raced down his spine. Aisha stood frozen by the console, her fingers still hovering above the controls, her face drained of all color.

"Welcome to Oblivion."

The words repeated the voice deeper now, as though it were settling into the room. Around them, the floor began to rumble and shift, cracks forming in the walls, sending dust and wreckage falling from the ceiling. The enforcers, the massive armored machines that had been closing in on them moments before, suddenly froze mid-step, their glowing optics dimming to black.

Jared took a cautious step back, his weapon still raised. "What… what the hell is that?"

Ethan glanced around the chamber, his heart beating in his chest. He didn’t have an answer, but every instinct told him they needed to move fast.

“Aisha,” Ethan said sharply, his voice cutting through the rising panic in hi