He didn't fight—he erased.
Every swing, every burst of destructive energy, every shattered synthetic soldier became a release of his agony and betrayal. Her betrayal. Reality warped around him, bending and breaking under the immense pressure of his unleashed power.
She watched in horror, unable to intervene, frozen in guilt and despair. He felt her eyes on him, a burning weight he refused to acknowledge.
When the dust finally settled, silence hung thick and oppressive, punctuated only by the crackling remnants of destruction.
He stood amidst the wreckage, breathing heavily, eyes dark and empty.
She approached slowly, hands raised slightly, wary.
"I had no choice," she said softly, desperation coloring her voice.
He turned slowly, eyes blazing. "There is always a choice."
"You don't understand," she pleaded. "They would have killed you."
He laughed bitterly, coldly. "And this was better?"
Her voice shook with suppressed emotion. "I never wanted this. Not for you. Not for anyone."
His fists clenched tightly, power humming dangerously beneath his skin. "Yet here we are."
A distant explosion interrupted them. The building trembled beneath their feet.
Her eyes widened. "They're bringing it online. The full Protocol. We're out of time."
He met her gaze, icy resolve forming. "Then we stop it. And after—"
Her breath hitched, waiting.
He stepped past her toward the exit, voice heavy with grim determination. "After, you'll give me the truth—all of it. No matter how painful."
She nodded silently, acceptance settling in her eyes.
Together, fractured but united by necessity, they moved toward the coming storm.
Behind them, unseen, a small screen flickered silently to life.
[PROTOCOL FULL ACTIVATION: IMMINENT]