Chapter 41 The Network

Chapter 41 The Network
NYLA'S POV

For a moment, everyone froze. No one could move. The room felt like It was holding my breath, I didn't fully understand what was going on yet. Zane stood at the edge of the platform. He has fully shifted. Power moving around him like a wave. His instincts screamed at him to pull me out, to break the machine, to end whatever this was before it took me from him.

But something changed, not just in me but in the room and in Zane.

“Dual marching available.” The voice came on again.

This time, it echoed again,calm and mechanical, but now responsive and aware. Zane’s eyes locked onto mine. “You don't know what this will do,” He said.

I held his gaze. “No,” I said. “But it knows what we are already.” That didn't reassure him, but it was true.

Behind us, the facility groaned. The sound of metal became loud, systems flickered. The distant sound of gunfire had returned, closer now, heavy through the walls.

Ruby glanced over her shoulder. “We are running out of time.” she said.

“Whatever you are doing, make it fast.” Garrett nodded.

Zane didn't move, not yet. His wolf pushed forward. Restless, alert, reading the room in ways his human side couldn't possibly fully process. The machine wasn't hostile. But it wasn't safe either. It was selective and it had chosen me. That was dangerous I feel.

“Nyla.” He said again, quieter this time. “If this goes wrong,”

“It won't," she said before he could land. 

“You don't know that,” Zane said.

“No.” I admitted. “But I know this, If we walk away now, we won't know the full extent of whatever is happening. That landed hard because everything that happened since Helix, every trap, every manipulation and every betrayal came from not knowing enough.

Zane exhaled slowly, then stepped forward. The moment his foot stepped into the platform again, the system reacted again. Not violently but it adjusted. The light shifted to something warmer and brighter. 

Zane ‘s muscles tensed as the energy moved through the platform, up through his feet, into his body but he didn't fight it and he didn't trust it either. 

“Bonding initiating.” The voice said again.

I felt it the instant it connected. The bond between us was already strong and expanded. Not just emotionally nor physically but something deeper. Like the machine was understanding it. I gasped softly, my body tightening in the chair.

“Zane,” I called out.

“I’m her.” He answered immediately. He came closer than before physically ans every thought and instinct was clear, sharper and stronger.

“Ruby stepped back because her instinct told her too. “This is not normal,” her voice went low and in doubt. “It’s linking them.”

Garrett leaned forward. “Is that back?

Ruby didn't answer immediately. “I don't know yet.” she finally said.

The room dimmed slightly as the system focused on all of us.  Data came on the panels. With symbols and sequence only she understands because they didn't look entirely human design.  Ruby tried to follow it. Her finger trembled over the screen, it moved fast.

“Bonding at sixty percent.” The voice said.

Zane jammed his teeth as if he felt a sudden cold. The connection was overwhelming. Not painful but intense. He could feel my heartbeat like it was his own. My breath, my fear, my strength and something else. I could feel something rise inside me. His wolf reacted immediately not with aggression but recognition.

My head tilted slightly but I wasn't focused. My mind was everywhere. “I can see it,” I said.

“See what.” Zane’s voice was tight. I didn't reply immediately. My breath slowed, it was steady and controlled. Then “The network,” I said.

Ruby froze. “What network?” 

My voice shifted again. “Not just Helix, Not just The Apex.”

Images flashed behind my eyes. connections , facilities and hidden systems spread across the countries. All connected, all watching and waiting.
“They are everywhere,” I whispered.

Garrett stepped closer, his expression changed. “How many.”

“Too many,” I swallowed.

Zane felt the shift in me, the fear and the realization.

“Bonding at seventy percent.” The voice said again. The room suddenly felt smaller. The connection tightened and suddenly Zane saw it too. Not as clearly nor completely but enough. A little bit of what I saw ran through his mind. “This wasn't just about us,” he said.

I shook my head slowly. “No,” I said. “We are just part of it.” 

Ruby stepped back further, “That’s not possible.” she said with her hands shaking. Another explosion shook the facility. 

“Can you stop it?” Zane asked.

I hesitated. Then “No.” I said. But that wasn't what he wanted to hear

“It’s not just showing me, It’s unlocking something.” I continued.

“What kind of something?” Zane’s eyes narrowed. I looked at him, He looked at me back and for a second he saw something in me he hadn't seen before. Not fear, not confusion but power.

“I think that was what mother was trying to protect,” She said.

I nodded slightly. “She had to.”

“Bonding at ninety percent.” It was more urgent and focused now like it was reaching the final stage. Zane stepped closer, ignoring the energy coming through the platform. “Then we finish it.” He said.

I nodded. “Yes.”

The connection snapped into place. “Complete.” 

Everything went still, silent for a while.

Then everything changed.

I exhaled sharply as everything fell in place. My senses expanded beyond the room. Beyond the facility but I only could feel it. Zane also adjusted his body to the flood of information he just got. He didnt see anything i did but he could feel it that the war isn't over.

“They are moving.” I said. Suddenly.

Zane’s head snapped towards me. “Who?”

I replied. “All of them.”

Ruby turned back to the panels, panicking. ‘The system is rising, we need to disconnect now.”

“Wait.” I said.

Garrett looked between us. “We don't have time for this.”

“We never really had time for anything.” I cut in.

The system said again, “Bonding complete.”

Then the light went off. Complete darkness swallowed the room. For a split second nothing happened.Then I opened my eyes. Glowing faintly in the dark. Zane felt it instantly. The change, not just me but in us.

"What did it do?” he asked.

“It showed us the truth.” I said with confidence.  A deep rumble sound throughout the facility. Louder than anything before. It sounded as if it was the final sound. The wall to our left collapsed, figures moved behind the dust very fast and precisely.

Zane stepped forward instantly, standing between it and the breach. “No problem.” He whispered. I didn't move, flinch or step back. My gaze locked onto the incoming threat. I was calm, focused and ready.

“No.” I said quietly.

“No, what?” Zane frowned.

My eyes sharpened and for the first time, I didn't look like someone being hunted.  “They are not the problem.” I said.

The figures stepped fully into the room. Their weapons were raised and locked at me. And I smiled slightly. “They are the beginning.”