The Rust-Walkers' base was silent as Ray stood before the massive holographic map of the Neural Spire—the tallest building in Science City and the throne of the Hexagon Council.
"The blackout didn't just take away their lights," Ray said, his voice echoing with a new, crystalline authority. "It exposed their fear. The Council isn't hiding from me. They're hiding from the truth."
Jax handed Ray a small, obsidian-black device. "This is a 'Void-Key'. It won't open a door, but it will let you enter the Council's digital network without being detected. But Ray, once you enter the Spire, there's no coming back. You'll be in the heart of the enemy."
Ray took the key, and as his fingers touched it, the golden lines on his arms flared with blue energy. He looked at Elara, who was checking her weapon one last time.
"I died once to protect magic," Ray said, turning toward the elevator that would lead them back to the surface. "This time, I'm living to make sure science never forgets its master."
The journey to the Spire was a blur of shadows. As they emerged into the neon-lit plaza, the sky was red with the glow of emergency drones. Thousands of Peacekeepers were patrolling the streets, but Ray didn't hide. He walked right through the main entrance of the Neural Spire.
As he stepped into the marble lobby, the silver tattoos on his skin began to hum a low, deadly vibration. The security lasers hit his chest and simply vanished, absorbed by the Mini-Nexus.
"I am Arkanos," Ray's voice boomed, amplified by the Spire's own speaker system. "I have come to take back the soul of this world. Tell the Council... their reign of silence is over."
The massive golden doors of the throne room began to slide open, revealing the six leaders of the Hexagon, their faces hidden behind masks of shifting data.
Ray stepped forward, his violet eyes burning with the fire of a thousand fallen stars. The war wasn't just starting. It was about to end.