Chapter 189: Victor’s Return

The arena speakers crackled.

Liam stared at the giant scoreboard. The words remained frozen across the screen.

GAME NOT OVER.

Then Victor’s voice filled the arena again. “Did you really think destroying the Roots would end everything?”

Liam’s fists tightened. “Victor.” Clara moved closer. “He’s alive.” Elias looked toward the ceiling. “Everyone stay together.”

A low laugh echoed through the arena. “You’ve all grown so much.” Liam looked around. “Where are you?” “You’ve been asking that question for years.”

The scoreboard changed. A video appeared. Victor stood inside a dark room. He looked older than Liam remembered, but his eyes were the same. Cold. Calculating.

Behind him were several monitors. One showed Liam. Another showed Adrian. Another showed Mara. The final screen showed Aria.

Liam’s expression hardened. “How long have you been watching us?” “Since the beginning.” Mara stepped forward. “You created us.”

Victor smiled. “I created the conditions that allowed you to exist.” Adrian clenched his fists. “You took my childhood.” “I gave you survival.” “You gave me pain.”

Victor’s smile faded. “Pain made you strong.” Adrian’s energy began rising. Liam grabbed his arm. “Don’t let him control you.”

Adrian looked at him. Then slowly lowered his hand. Victor watched. “Interesting.” Liam stared at the screen. “What do you want?” “Nothing from you.”

“Then why are you here?” Victor’s expression changed. “Because you still haven’t discovered the truth.” Elena stepped forward. “Victor, stop.”

He looked at her. “Elena.” Her face hardened. “You should have stayed gone.” “I was never gone.” “You let everyone believe you were dead.” “Because I needed you to believe the project was over.”

Liam looked at his mother. “You knew he was alive?” “No.” Victor laughed. “She suspected.”

Liam’s jaw tightened. “Then tell me the truth.” Victor nodded. “Finally.”

The scoreboard changed again. A series of old photographs appeared. The first showed Elena and Elias. The second showed the original Project Legacy laboratory. The third showed four babies. Liam. Adrian. Mara. Aria.

Then another photograph appeared. A fifth baby. Everyone froze. Liam stared. “Who is that?” Victor smiled. “The fifth vessel.”

Elena’s face went pale. “No.” Elias looked at her. “You knew?” She shook her head. “I thought he was dead.” Victor laughed. “Everyone did.”

Liam stepped toward the screen. “Who is he?” Victor leaned closer to the camera. “Your first brother.” Adrian stared. “There was another?”

Victor nodded. “Before you.” Mara frowned. “Then why wasn’t he part of the project?” “Because he was different.” Liam’s heart pounded. “How?”

Victor’s expression became serious. “He didn’t need the Root.” Silence. “He could control people.” Clara frowned. “Control them how?” “Emotionally.”

Victor looked at Liam. “He could influence fear, loyalty, anger, even love.” Liam’s face hardened. “That’s impossible.” “It was supposed to be.”

Elena whispered, “Subject One.” Victor smiled. “Exactly.” Lucas looked at the database. “Subject One isn’t listed.” “Because I removed him.” “Where is he?”

Victor didn’t answer. Liam stepped closer. “Where is my brother?” Victor smiled. “Closer than you think.”

The arena lights suddenly turned on. Everyone looked around. A figure stood at the top of the stands. A tall young, dark-haired man, wearing a black jacket. His face was partially hidden by shadows. Liam stared.

The stranger slowly walked down the steps. Clara whispered, “Is that…” The man stopped beneath the arena lights.

Liam’s heart dropped. He looked like him. Not exactly but enough. The same jaw. The same eyes. The same dark hair.

Adrian stepped forward. “Another brother.” The man smiled. “Hello.” Liam stared. “What’s your name?” The man looked at Victor’s screen. Then back at Liam. “Samuel.” Elena covered her mouth. “Samuel.”

Samuel smiled. “You remember.” Tears filled Elena’s eyes. “I thought you died.” “I did.” Liam frowned. “What does that mean?”

Samuel looked at him. “Victor rebuilt me.” Victor laughed softly. “Not rebuilt.” “Improved.” Samuel’s eyes briefly glowed.

A wave of emotion swept through the arena. Liam suddenly felt afraid. Clara grabbed his hand. “What’s happening?” Samuel smiled. “Now you understand.”

Liam forced himself to breathe. “You can control emotions.” “Yes.” “Then you’re working for Victor.” Samuel shook his head. “No.”

Victor’s smile disappeared. Samuel looked at the screen. “I stopped working for him a long time ago.” Victor’s voice became cold. “Samuel.”

The young man ignored him. “I came because I wanted to see my family.” Elena stepped toward him. “My son.” Samuel looked at her. “Don’t.”

She stopped. “You left me.” “I was trying to protect you.” “You protected yourself.” Elena’s face broke. “I’m sorry.”

Samuel looked away. “Sorry doesn’t change the past.” Liam stepped forward. “Maybe not.” Samuel looked at him. “But we can change what happens next.”

Samuel studied his face. “You sound like her.” “Who?” “Our mother.” Liam smiled faintly. “Then maybe that’s a good thing.” Samuel didn’t answer.

Suddenly, the arena doors slammed shut. Victor’s face disappeared from the scoreboard. A new message appeared.

PHASE TWO ACTIVATED.

Lucas looked at the scanner. “There’s movement underneath the arena.” Liam frowned. “The Roots are gone.” “It’s not Root energy.”

“What is it?” Lucas looked terrified. “Human signatures.” “How many?” He checked again. “Thousands.”

Elias stared at the floor. “Victor’s been building another army.” Samuel shook his head. “Not an army.” Everyone looked at him. “A city.”

Liam frowned. “What?” Samuel pointed toward the arena. “There’s an entire underground facility beneath this place.” “People have been living there.” “Training.” “Waiting.”

“For what?” Samuel looked directly at Liam. “For the day the vessels reunited.” Liam’s blood ran cold. “And now that we’ve reunited…” Samuel nodded. “They’re ready.”

The arena floor suddenly opened. Hundreds of lights appeared beneath them. Then thousands. People stood below. Men. Women. Children. All wearing the same symbol.

Liam stared in horror. “They’re subjects.” Samuel shook his head. “Some.” “What are the others?” Samuel’s expression darkened. “Believers.”

A voice echoed through the arena. Victor. “You wanted freedom.” The crowd below raised their hands. “We’re going to show you what freedom costs.”

The arena doors opened. Thousands of people began moving upward. Liam stepped back. Clara stood beside him.

Adrian and Mara prepared themselves. Aria’s eyes glowed. Samuel looked at Liam. “Your family has one chance.” “What?” “Don’t fight them.”

Liam frowned. “Why?” Samuel’s eyes darkened. “Because they’re not attacking us.” “They’re protecting something.” The ground beneath the arena began shaking.

Liam looked down. A massive red symbol appeared beneath the ice. Samuel whispered, “Victor didn’t bring us here to fight.” “He brought us here to wake the final weapon.”