Chapter 193 The Lagos Facility

Chapter 193 The Lagos Facility
The helicopter cut through the night sky. Below them, Lagos was almost completely dark. Only the enormous golden symbol in the sky remained visible.

Liam stared through the window. “How many people are connected to the network?” Lucas checked his tablet. “Right now? About three million.”

Ryan looked at him. “Three million?” Lucas nodded. “And the number is increasing every second.” Elena looked worried. “If the synchronization completes…” “Millions of people could lose control of their own emotions,” Lucas finished.

Clara looked at Liam. “Then we have to stop it before it spreads.” Liam nodded. “We will.”

Across from them, Aria suddenly stiffened. Liam noticed. “Aria?” She looked toward the floor. “They’re awake.” “Who?” “The guardians.” Mara frowned. “How many?”

Aria closed her eyes. “Twenty.” Ryan sighed. “Only twenty.” Aria opened her eyes. “They’re not human.”

The helicopter fell silent. Jace looked at her. “What are they?” “I don’t know.” Aria’s voice trembled. “But they’re connected to the network.”

Liam looked toward Lucas. “Can you locate the facility?” “I’m trying.” The tablet beeped. Lucas smiled. “Got it.”

“Where?” “Victoria Island.” Liam’s expression changed. “That’s close.” “Very.” A second alarm sounded. Lucas’s smile disappeared. “The facility has detected us.”

The helicopter shook. The pilot shouted, “Something is approaching!” A bright beam shot through the sky. The helicopter tilted violently.

Clara grabbed Liam. “What’s happening?” “We’re under attack!” Another beam struck. The helicopter spun.

Liam activated his golden energy. “Everyone hold on!” Mara and Adrian combined their powers with his. The helicopter stabilized. But the engines were failing.

“We’re going down!” Jace looked outside. “There’s an empty road below.” “Can we land?” The pilot shook his head. “Not safely.” Liam looked at the others. “We don’t have a choice.”

The helicopter descended. It crashed into an empty stretch of road. Metal screamed. Glass shattered. Then silence.

Liam opened his eyes. “Everyone?” Clara coughed. “I’m here.” Adrian climbed out. “Mara?” “I’m fine.” Aria stepped from the wreckage. Zero followed.

Samuel helped Elena and Elias out. Lucas looked at his tablet. “The facility is two kilometers away.” Ryan checked his weapon. “Then let’s move.” They ran through the dark streets.

Lagos was unusually quiet. No traffic. No lights. No people. Clara looked around. “It’s like the whole city disappeared.” Lucas shook his head. “They’re still here.” “Where?” “Inside.”

He pointed toward a nearby building. People stood motionless behind the windows. Their eyes glowed faintly. Liam stopped. The network has started.” Lucas nodded. “Synchronization.”

Aria closed her eyes. “I can hear them.” Liam looked at her. “What are they saying?” “They’re scared.”

“Can you reach them?” “I’ll try.” Aria released a wave of silver energy. The glowing eyes disappeared. People began moving again.

A woman looked around. “What happened?” Liam smiled. “Keep going.” They continued. Soon they reached a large abandoned building.

Lucas pointed. “It’s beneath this.” Jace found a hidden entrance. The door opened. A staircase descended into darkness. They entered.

The doors closed behind them. Immediately, the lights turned on. A voice echoed through the hallway. “Welcome.”

Liam recognized it. “Victor.” His image appeared on a screen. “You came faster than expected.” Liam glared. “Shut the system down.” Victor laughed. “I can’t.”

“You started it.” “I started Phase One.” “And Phase Two?” “Someone else did.” Liam frowned. “Who?” Victor smiled. “Dr. Vale.”

Liam’s expression hardened. “He said he couldn’t control it.” “That’s true.” “Then why is it running?” Victor’s smile disappeared. “Because he isn’t the one controlling it either.”

“Who is?” Victor looked directly at Aria. “She is.” Everyone turned toward her. Aria shook her head. “No.”

Victor continued. “The system was built around Subject Fourteen.” Lucas looked at his tablet. “He’s right.” Aria stepped backward. “I don’t want this.”

Liam moved toward her. “You’re not alone.” Victor laughed. “That’s the problem.” The screen changed. A massive underground chamber appeared. At its center was a machine connected to thousands of cables.

The cables led to a circular platform. And on the platform stood a woman. Liam’s eyes widened. “Who is that?” Victor smiled. “Your grandmother.”

Elena froze. “Mother?” The woman slowly turned. She looked exactly like Elena. But older. Her eyes glowed gold.

Elena stepped forward. “That’s impossible.” Victor shook his head. “She’s been alive for thirty years.” Elias stared. “We were told she died.” “Another lie.”

The woman looked at the camera. “Elena.” Her voice was calm. “My daughter.” Elena’s eyes filled with tears. “Why?” “Because I wanted to protect you.” “From what?” “From him.” She looked toward the screen. Victor’s expression changed. “Don’t.”

The woman smiled. “You’re still afraid.” Victor’s face hardened. “You don’t understand.” “I understand everything.”

Liam looked at her. “Who are you?” She turned toward him. “I am Dr. Miriam Vale.” Liam froze. “Vale?” Victor stared. “She’s his mother.” Silence filled the corridor. Lucas whispered, “Then Dr. Adrian Vale…” Miriam nodded. “My son.”

Liam’s eyes widened. “The Creator’s mother.” She smiled. “And the first person to discover the energy.” Aria suddenly screamed.

The lights exploded. The network activated. Miriam looked directly at her. “The Final Key has awakened.”

Liam grabbed Aria. Miriam’s voice echoed through the facility. “Bring her to me.” Liam shook his head. “No.”

The doors around them slammed shut. A mechanical voice announced:

SYNCHRONIZATION: 14%

Lucas looked at the tablet. “It’s accelerating.” Liam stared at Miriam’s image. “What do you want?” She answered calmly. “To finish what my son started.” “And what’s that?” “To connect humanity.”

Clara stepped forward. “You can’t force people to be happy.” Miriam smiled. “I’m not trying to make them happy.” Her eyes glowed. “I’m trying to make them one.”

The screen went black. Then the entire facility shook. Adrian looked down. “Something is coming.”

A massive door at the end of the corridor began opening. Behind it stood dozens of armored guardians. Their eyes glowed red.

Liam stepped forward. “Everyone stay together.” Clara took his hand. “Ready?” He nodded. “Always.” The guardians charged.

Liam’s golden energy erupted. Adrian and Mara released their powers. Aria’s silver light filled the corridor. Samuel and Zero moved beside them. The battle began.

But above them, the synchronization continued. 21%. 22%. 23%.

And deep beneath Lagos… Miriam smiled. “Let the world become one.”