-CONTROL ROOM-
-12:41 PM, MARCH 10, 2017-
The system pulsed again.
Stronger this time.
The hum deepened into something almost physical.
Rikuu stood still.
Watching.
Waiting.
Ichika's eyes scanned the screens.
"…Something changed."
Rikuu nodded slightly.
"…Yeah."
A pause.
"…This isn't the same layer anymore."
The man stepped back.
"…You reached the threshold."
Rikuu's gaze sharpened.
"…Threshold of what?"
The man looked at the system.
"…Control."
The screens shifted.
New protocols activating.
Locked.
Restricted.
Protected.
Ichika's expression tightened.
"…It's sealing itself."
Rikuu clenched his jaw.
"…They're cutting us out."
The system responded faster now.
Countering their interference attempts.
Blocking access points.
Redirecting control.
Rikuu stepped forward again.
Hands back on the console.
"…There has to be a way in."
Ichika moved beside him.
"…We find another entry."
The man watched them calmly.
"…You're persistent."
A pause.
"…That's good."
Rikuu glanced at him briefly.
"…What happens if we reach the core?"
The man didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…Then you'll understand."
Ichika frowned slightly.
"…Understand what?"
The man's expression remained unreadable.
"…Why this must happen."
A low warning tone echoed.
The screens flashed red.
The system reacting—
Aggressively now.
Rikuu's eyes narrowed.
"…We triggered something."
Ichika nodded.
"…A defensive response."
The lights dimmed.
Then flickered.
The system tightening control over the facility.
Rikuu stepped back slightly.
"…We're running out of time."
Ichika looked at him.
"…Then we push harder."
The man finally moved.
One step forward.
"…No."
A pause.
"…Now the system pushes you."
A sudden surge of energy.
The entire room reacting.
The system—
Fully engaged.
Rikuu braced himself.
"…Here it comes."
Ichika stayed close.
"…Stay with me."
Rikuu nodded.
"…Always."
