The group stood still, catching their breath. Kehr leaned against a pillar, one hand on his ribs.

— "What was that? A secret drone weapon?"

Liris nodded, but she was preoccupied.

— "Cephalon helped us... but why?"

Ezra approached the terminal, looking at the latest messages.

— "Because he needs us," he replied, almost fascinated. "He calculates. He analyzes. And he thinks we are essential to his plan."

Kehr grunted.

— "Or maybe he's already manipulating us."

Liris wasn't sure what to think, but she knew one thing: their journey had just become much more dangerous.

"Let's move on," she said finally, staring at the door slowly opening in front of them. "If Cephalon has answers, we need to find them."

Beyond the door, a tunnel led into darkness, lit by intermittent glows. The electronic murmurs intensified, like a distant chant calling to them.

They exchanged a look, then moved forward, ignoring the shiver that ran down their spines.