The hum of machinery filled the antiseptic lab as Dr. Sophia Patel hovered over her console, fingers twitching. Tonight is the culmination of years of tireless effort. Zeta, her greatest advent, sat beneath the glass screen in front of her, his sleek metal figure shimmering in the soft light. Her mirrored image gazed back at her through the glass—large eyes, dark hair twisted into a quick ponytail, and a face weathered from restless nights. Despite the tiredness, determination remained. "Very last diagnostics clean," Sophia whispered, her voice a thin thread of calm amid her rushing thoughts. She drove a strand of hair into the back of her ear, her mind racing over every chance, every ability failure. She just had one hazard. The entire room held their breath as she clicked the activation button. A faint vibration reverberated around the lab, and the air appeared to quiver. Sophia took another step, fingertips touching the boundary of her workspace as a low hum grew louder. Zeta's c

Despite Kael's departure, the atmosphere in the lab remained tense. Sophia sat at her console, her fingertips quivering as she went through Zeta's records files, looking for answers she wasn't sure she wanted to find. "You must rest," Zeta said, his voice measured. The brightness in his silver eyes remained consistent as she looked at him. It was amazing how calming that light had become. "I won't," she replied. "not till I discern out what's going on." Adrian slumped in a corner and grumbled. "We're dealing with shadows that talk and kings who move through walls. Maybe it's time to remember what your project is. "I'm not sure... cursed?" Sophia gave him a frown. "It is no longer cursed." It is technological know-how. "Is it?" Adrian mumbled but did not press any further. An unexpected chime reverberated around the facility. Sophia's head snapped up, and her breath caught. It became the facility's outside communication alert. "Who ought to that be?" Adrian inquired, rising caut

The floor rumbled beneath Sophia's toes, slight yet noticeable. The vibrations sent ripples over her glass of water, and the faint tremor had an unusual, rhythmic beat. It was not an earthquake. It became alive as planned. Sophia stood at the window of her lab, looking out at the ruins in the distance. Their spires, which were previously lifeless, were now lighting faintly, a smooth blue tint that pulsed in rhythm with the vibrations. It became as if the ruins were breathing. Zeta stood silently behind her, his attention fixed on the same scene. His eyes shone brighter than usual, their silvery light reflecting the ruins' unusual beat. "They've never accomplished this before," Sophia said, her voice barely above a whisper. "They're responding," Zeta said, his tone steady but tinged with something she couldn't quite place. "To you?" She inquired, turning to face him. "To us," he clarified, his gaze meeting hers. Adrian came into the room, his hair ravelled and his face bright. "

Darkness enveloped Sophia, heavy and consuming, yet her mind surged with fragmented visions. Each image was like a piece of a puzzle she didn’t know she had, sparking a resonance deep within her soul. Stars spiralled in a cosmic ballet, vibrant and endless. Towers of crystalline light pierced skies tinged with violet. And then, there was her—or someone who looked like her—standing at the centre of it all.“Sophia!” Zeta’s voice broke through the haze like a beacon. His tone was steady, but beneath it, she could hear the thread of panic.Her eyes snapped open, and she found herself lying on the cavern floor, the faint glow of the ruins casting eerie shadows. Zeta’s metallic hands hovered over her, his glowing eyes scanning her intently. Adrian was a few feet away, his back pressed against a wall, his expression a mix of fear and exasperation.“What happened?” Sophia asked, her voice hoarse.“The light consumed you,” Zeta replied, helping her sit up. “You were unresponsive for several m

The air in the citadel was thick with unsaid tension, which persisted long after the woman—the original bridge—disappeared into the ether. Sophia could still feel her stare, a combination of sadness and anticipation burning in her head. However, the ruins had gone silent, as if their disclosure had sapped them of their original life. The murmur that had gotten almost soothing was now gone, leaving just stillness in its place.Sophia sat in her chambers, looking at her quivering hands. "Finish what I could not." The woman's words rang endlessly. What exactly did that mean? How could she complete something she didn't understand?A faint knock interrupted her thoughts. She turned to find Zeta standing in the doorway. His polished frame glinted faintly in the dim light, his expressionless face concealing the feelings she knew were churning beneath the surface."You should rest, Sophia," he stated. His voice was calm, yet it had an edge of concern. Worry?"How can I rest, Zeta?" she said,