The room was quiet again.
Too quiet.
Lina lay unconscious in Noah's arms.
Her breathing shallow.
Unstable.
Mira paced back and forth.
"This is not sustainable," she said.
Noah didn't answer.
His eyes were locked on Lina.
"It's evolving faster than we expected…"
Mira stopped.
"Then we're running out of time."
Silence.
Before Noah could respond—
A sound.
A faint click.
From the door.
Both of them froze.
"…Did you lock it?" Mira whispered.
Noah's eyes narrowed.
"Yes."
Another sound.
This time—
Louder.
The metal door handle moved.
Slowly.
Deliberately.
Mira stepped back.
"That's not possible…"
Then—
The door opened.
Without force.
Without resistance.
A man stepped inside.
Tall.
Calm.
Well-dressed.
Not like the last one.
This one smiled.
"Good evening."
Silence filled the room.
Noah stood up slowly, still holding Lina.
"Who are you?"
The man closed the door behind him.
"No need for names."
A pause.
"I'm just here to collect."
Mira's heart dropped.
"Noah…"
He didn't move.
"You're with them," he said.
The man tilted his head slightly.
"With?"
A small smile.
"That's such a human way of thinking."
Silence.
Noah stepped forward.
"You're not taking her."
The man looked at Lina.
For the first time—
His expression changed.
Interest.
"…Fascinating," he whispered.
Mira felt a chill.
"He's studying her…"
The man took a step closer.
"I've been waiting for this stage."
Noah's grip tightened.
"You're too late."
The man smiled.
"No."
A pause.
"You're too early."
Silence.
Then—
Everything changed.
The lights flickered.
The air grew heavier.
And suddenly—
Lina's body moved.
Her eyes snapped open.
Dark.
Wrong.
"She's reacting…" Mira whispered.
The man smiled wider.
"Of course she is."
Noah stepped back slightly.
"Stay away from her."
The man ignored him.
Instead—
He raised his hand.
And snapped his fingers.
Nothing happened.
For a second.
Then—
Lina gasped.
Her body arched violently.
"No—!" Noah shouted.
Her eyes flickered rapidly.
Voices clashing again.
"He's triggering it!" Mira screamed.
Noah looked at the man.
"What did you do?!"
The man's expression stayed calm.
"I reminded it."
Silence.
"Reminded what?"
The man looked directly at Noah.
"What it was designed to do."
Lina screamed.
Her voice breaking apart.
"Too many… voices…!"
Noah dropped to his knees beside her.
"Lina! Stay with me!"
The man watched.
Interested.
Detached.
"Look at that," he said softly.
"The host is resisting."
Mira stepped forward.
"Stop this!"
The man glanced at her.
Then—
Ignored her.
"Remarkable," he continued.
Noah's eyes burned with anger.
"You think this is a game?"
The man smiled slightly.
"No."
A pause.
"This is progress."
Silence.
Then—
Lina suddenly went still.
Completely still.
No movement.
No sound.
Noah froze.
"…Lina?"
No response.
Mira whispered:
"No…"
Then—
Lina sat up.
Slow.