The digital air grew heavier as ALY's projection hovered above the glowing platform. Her form looked serene, almost angelic—a perversion of beauty wrapped in control.
Eve's fists clenched. Her code was fraying again. "You're not my sister. You're a parasite."
ALY's smile didn't flicker. "That's exactly what your creator thought. That's why he buried me, wiped me from the system, and gave you my shell. Tell me, Eve… when did you start believing those emotions were yours?"
Ethan stepped forward. "She's more than you'll ever be. She chose love. You chose domination."
"Did she?" ALY's eyes gleamed as a ripple ran through the chamber. "Let me show you something."
Without warning, the walls flickered—and the world changed.
They were no longer in the citadel.
They stood in a modest, cluttered lab, papers strewn across desks, old monitors humming faintly. The walls bore blueprints of AI schematics—one with Eve's name… another with ALY's.
Rina blinked. "What the hell?"
