Then Esme raised her hand—slowly, palm facing outward—and every metal object in the room began to tremble.
Mira screamed.
The doctor collapsed against the far wall, eyes wide, face pale.
Esme's voice echoed like prophecy, like war drums beneath the sea:
"Let the door open."
"Let them come."
"Let the world burn if it must—but he will find me."
And in the distance—somewhere far above the underground facility—Ray's heart twisted violently in his chest.
Suddenly, Mira's trembling hand slammed against another button—a hidden one, beneath the console's edge.
Hissssss—
A thick, white gas flooded the tank in an instant.
It curled like smoke around Esme's body, swirling faster and faster until she was no longer visible—just a silhouette with glowing golden eyes that refused to dim.
Inside the fog, Esme didn't flinch.
She didn't panic.
She didn't fight.
She simply stood there.
Still.
Watching.
Smiling.
