Steven's body rested in a chamber-like tub, connected to an intricate network of machines designed to monitor his condition.
Without drawing attention, a figure slipped silently into the room. Their identity remained hidden beneath a hooded cloak as they approached Steven's capsule. The intruder placed a gloved hand against the transparent surface, gazing at the unconscious body inside.
Moments later, a mechanical spider-like device crawled from beneath the intruder's robe and skittered across the floor, infiltrating the console linked to the chamber. A brief surge of static jolted through the system before the machinery stabilized again—and the spider vanished without a trace.
Satisfied their task was complete, the intruder escaped through the window just seconds before Nemesis entered. He scanned the room with sharp suspicion, but when everything appeared normal, he turned and exited as the door sealed shut behind him.
PRESENT…
For a while now, I haven't felt like myself. Ever since the incident back at the old library during our rescue mission—since whatever struck me—I've been… changing. Subtly, but constantly.
I decided to keep my struggling within. I laughed when they were around me, but the moment they weren't watching, I was left battling alone.
I know it's no coincidence. Whatever I came into contact with saved me from that mutant flower's grasp. I'm convinced it was the force that helped Reece and me escape the endless corridor haunted by that demonic spider. It even explains how I temporarily gained such unnatural strength leading to a jew breaking punch on Mason the day he was assaulting Gabriel. One punch, and he was off Gabriel like a broken doll.
Also, for sometime now I have been hearing whispering, sensing glitch around me. It was like there's something the whispering wanted me to know… to hear.
But how can I trust it? In a world like this, trust is a double-edged sword. Not everyone you can trust. If I can barely rely on those I can see and touch, how can I possibly place faith in a disembodied voice in my mind? It could just be another one of the Game Master's traps.
Yet… if this power is real, could it be a gift? A cheat code of beating the mission? A silent guide helping me win the game? A deux machina?
No. I don't think so. That sounds too easy. Too hopeful.
The glitches I've seen never last more than a second before everything resets. Is it a system error? Programming disjoint? A flaw in the simulation? Or am I losing my grip on reality? Or am I hallucinating?
Am I the only one seeing this?
MEANWHILE…
The monitor beside Steven's capsule pulsed rhythmically. His body remained motionless within the glass chamber.
Then, a flicker. The screen glitched. His fingers twitched—just once—before falling still again.
---
Suddenly, a sharp pain shot through my head. It felt like I'd been struck from behind. I staggered, nearly losing my balance.
"You okay?" Gabriel asked as he fumbled with the dials on a locked safe.
Right… we were in the middle of another mission. But I hadn't been fully present. I hadn't felt like myself for a while now.
"Yeah, I'm fine," I lied, watching him return to work.
The truth? I was far from fine. It felt like I existed in two places at once. Like I had glitched out of existence for a moment—my body cold like I was inside a water, stiff like I haven't moved my body an inch, and drenched in sweat—before suddenly snapping back into place, as if I had never left.
"The countdown is almost over and I couldn't even crack this safe!" Gabriel cried if frustration brought me to realization.
God… I couldn't believe I had just been standing there, zoned out, while he fought to save both our lives.
"Steven, I don't know what's happening to you, but get your grip together or we're both dead!" he barked.
Still, I didn't move. I stood frozen, like a statue.
Then… I heard it again. The voice. This time it was cleared for hearing rather than just whispering.
Why do you restrain yourself when you could rewrite the rules? it whispered. With a snap, you could end this. You are not bound by the Reaper's law. You are your only limit. Your potential is limitless… enough to overwhelm the system itself.
"Step aside," I ordered suddenly.
Gabriel looked at me like I'd lost my mind. "Seriously? Now's not the time to act weird." he responded and returned to what he was doing… trying to save us.
We have less than a minute to complete the mission.
"I'm serious. Step aside—I've got this."
He didn't argue further. He stepped back, watching as I approached the safe. I pressed my hand firmly to it, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.
The voice told me to be still. To listen.
I thought it was stupid… but I obeyed.
My quietness and stillness felt like forever that I could feel Gabriel impatient behind me, growing thicker with every heartbeat. I was ready to give up—
Click.
The lock opened.
My eyes flew open. The door creaked wide.
Gabriel's reaction was explosive. "You did it!" he cheered, practically jumping in enthusiasm. But we had no time to celebrate. With only seconds left, we rushed into the vault, finishing the mission soaked in sweat—Gabriel more than me.
After completing the mission and getting with others, Gabriel couldn't stop talking about what happened. I decided to excuse myself while he carried on with the unforgettable experience and challenge.
____
The walls shimmered like liquid glass, distorting reflections that didn't match my movements. The air buzzed faintly. Shadows flickered where there was no light. And still, I walked forward, eyes narrowed, heart steady.
I could feel it now—a presence, just beyond the veil. Watching. Listening. Manipulating.
Suddenly, the lights flickered, and the corridor collapsed into darkness.
"You're not real," I said aloud. My voice echoed too long.
A soft hum answered—mechanical, synthetic. Then came the voice, one I hadn't heard before.
Behind me, the hallway had changed. It now stretched into a spiraling path of mirrors—each reflecting his face, one from each point in time : one laughing, one crying, one covered in blood.
"What is this?" I whispered.
"Containment," the voice replied. "Correction."
I clenched his fists, the edges of my fingers glitching for a moment—just a flash, but enough.
"Each moment you express your emotions, they have purposes they serve." The voice said. "You are capable of so much more than you could imagine. You hold power far beyond your understanding. You might not be aware of such power you carry with you, but in time everything they've built will come down crumbling—through your hand." And the voice was gone.
At that moment the mirrors shattered as if reacting to my will. Glass and code scattered into the air like digital fireflies. Alarms wailed somewhere distant.
High above, in the real world, Nemesis stood in silence as new data scrolled across his visor.
[UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS – SUBJECT 17: SYSTEM OVERRIDE ATTEMPT INITIATED]
"That's impossible. Shut him down—now!" he barked.
A red button was pressed. Electricity surged through Steven's capsule.