Chapter 190 The Final Weapon

Chapter 190 The Final Weapon

The red symbol beneath the arena continued glowing. Liam stared at it. “What is that?” Samuel didn’t answer immediately. His eyes remained fixed on the floor. “The reason Victor wanted all of us here.”

Clara tightened her grip on Liam’s hand. “Can you stop it?” Samuel shook his head. “Not alone.” Adrian stepped forward. “Then we’ll stop it together.”

The ground shook violently. People began pouring out of the underground entrance. Thousands of them. Some wore the Order’s symbol. Others wore strange red markings. But none attacked.

They simply stood around the arena. Waiting. Liam looked at them. “Why aren’t they moving?” Samuel answered. “They’re waiting for the command.” “From Victor?” “No.”

Samuel pointed toward the center of the arena. “From that.” A section of the ice cracked. A black metal platform rose from beneath it. At the center was a glass chamber. Inside stood a young man.

Liam stared. “Another subject?” Samuel’s expression was grim. “No.” The figure inside slowly opened his eyes. The arena lights flickered.

A deep voice echoed through the speakers. “Meet the Final Weapon.” The glass chamber opened. The young man stepped out. He looked no older than twenty-five. His skin was pale. His eyes were completely black.

Liam immediately felt something strange. The man’s presence seemed to drain the energy from the room. Mara’s silver glow disappeared. Adrian’s red energy weakened. Even Liam’s golden power faded.

“What is happening?” Clara asked. Samuel stepped backward. “He absorbs energy.” Liam looked at him. “How do we fight that?” “You don’t.”

The young man smiled. “You shouldn’t.” His voice was calm. Liam stepped forward. “Who are you?” The man looked at him. “I’ve had many names.” He smiled. “But Victor called me Zero.”

Liam’s expression hardened. “Subject Zero.” Zero nodded. “The first successful experiment.” Samuel stared at him. “You were supposed to be dead.” “I was.”

“Then how are you alive?” Zero looked at Victor’s symbol on the floor. “He brought me back.” Liam looked at the scoreboard. “Victor.”

The speakers activated. Victor’s voice filled the arena. “Everything you’ve experienced was preparation.” “The Roots.” “The vessels.” “The Order.” “All of it.”

Liam clenched his fists. “For what?” “To create something stronger than the Roots.” Zero looked toward the four siblings. “Me.”

Adrian stepped forward. “You think you’re stronger than us?” Zero smiled. “I don’t think.” He raised his hand. Adrian was suddenly thrown across the arena. Liam rushed toward him.

Zero looked at Liam. A wave of energy hit him. Liam crashed into the ice. Clara screamed. “Liam!” She ran toward him. Zero turned toward her. But Samuel stepped between them. “Don’t.”

Zero studied him. “You.” Samuel’s eyes narrowed. “You remember me?” “Of course.” Zero smiled. “You were the first failure.”

Samuel’s expression changed. “You were supposed to replace me.” “I did.” Samuel attacked. Zero caught his fist. A strange pulse passed between them. Samuel collapsed.

Liam struggled to stand. “Samuel!” Zero threw him aside. Mara attacked next. Her silver energy disappeared the moment it touched Zero. He grabbed her arm. “Your power is beautiful.”

Mara struggled. “Let me go.” Zero smiled. “Why?”

A golden blast suddenly struck him. He released Mara. Liam stood several feet away. “Leave my family alone.”

Zero looked impressed. “Interesting.” Liam’s golden energy began returning. Zero’s smile disappeared. “You shouldn’t still have power.”

Liam stared at his hands. “I don’t know why.” Samuel slowly stood. “I do.” Everyone looked at him. “The Roots aren’t powering Liam anymore.”

Samuel pointed at Liam. “They’re part of him.” Zero’s expression changed. “So the balance succeeded.” Liam looked at Zero. “What does that mean?” “It means you can’t be drained.”

Zero’s eyes darkened. “Then I’ll have to break you.” He charged. Liam met him halfway. Their fists collided.

A shockwave tore through the arena. The crowd below screamed. Liam struck again. Zero kicked. Liam flew backward. Clara rushed toward him. “Are you hurt?” “I’m fine.”

“You’re bleeding.” “So is he.” Zero stood across the arena. For the first time, blood was visible on his face. He touched it, then smiled. “Good.”

Liam frowned. “Good?” “I haven’t felt pain in years.” He raised both hands. “I almost forgot what it was like.” The air around him darkened. The entire arena began shaking.

Samuel looked horrified. “He’s releasing everything.” Mara turned. “Everything he absorbed?” “Yes.”

Lucas checked the scanner. “That’s impossible.” “What?” “The energy reading is off the scale.” Ryan stared at Zero. “How do we stop him?”

Samuel looked at Liam. “You can’t.” Liam shook his head. “There’s always a way.” Samuel stepped closer. “Not with power.” “Then what?” “With emotion.”

Liam frowned. Samuel looked at Zero. “His greatest weakness isn’t his body.” “It’s what remains inside him.”

Zero’s eyes narrowed. “Don’t.” Samuel smiled. “You remember.” Zero’s expression changed. “What are you talking about?” “The boy you were before Victor.” Samuel continued. “You had a name.” Silence.

Liam looked at Zero. “What was it?” Zero didn’t answer. Samuel stepped closer. “Daniel.” Zero’s hands began trembling. “No.” “You had a mother.” “Stop.” “She sang to you.” “STOP!”

A massive wave of energy exploded from Zero. Everyone was thrown backward. Samuel remained on his feet. “You remember.”

Zero covered his ears. “I don’t remember anything.” “You do.” “No!” His eyes turned red. Samuel walked toward him. “Daniel.”

The arena became silent. A tear rolled down his cheek. “I…” He touched his chest. “I remember.” Liam looked at Samuel. “What are you doing?” “Reminding him that he’s human.”

Zero fell to his knees. Images flashed across the giant scoreboard. A little boy. A woman holding him. A small house. A birthday cake. Then Victor appeared.

The screen showed the boy being taken away. Zero stared. “No.” His voice broke. “She came looking for me.” Samuel nodded.

“Victor killed her.” Zero screamed. The energy around him exploded. But this time, it wasn’t directed at Liam. It struck the machines around the arena.

The underground facility began collapsing. Victor’s voice returned. “Zero!”

Zero looked toward the scoreboard. “You took everything from me.” Victor’s face appeared. “You were nothing.” Zero laughed bitterly. “No.” He stood. “I was your son.”

Victor’s expression changed. The arena fell silent. Liam stared. “Son?” Zero looked at him. “He used me because I was his.” Victor’s voice became furious. “Don’t listen to him!”

Zero raised his hand. The scoreboard exploded. The connection disappeared. Then the underground facility began collapsing. Samuel shouted, “We need to get out!” Liam grabbed Clara’s hand. Adrian helped Mara. Everybody ran. Zero remained behind. Liam stopped. “Zero!” The young man looked at him. “Go.”

“Come with us.” Zero smiled. “I don’t know how.” Liam stepped toward him. “You can learn.”

Zero looked at him for several seconds. Then he nodded. “I’ll try.” The ceiling began falling. They ran toward the exit together.

Behind them, the arena collapsed. But just before they escaped, Zero looked at Liam. “There is something you need to know.” “What?” Zero’s face became serious. “Victor wasn’t the one who created me.”

Liam froze. “Then who did?” Zero looked toward the darkness beneath the arena. “The man who created all of us.”

A final explosion swallowed the underground facility. And somewhere beneath the ruins… a hidden door opened.