The symbol was still warm.

  Lena’s fingers hovered just above the scorched floor, her pulse hammering in her ears.

  Elias stood behind her, blade drawn, eyes scanning every shadow. He didn’t trust this. Neither did she. But they were here now. And something—someone—had led them.

  Lena inhaled sharply and pressed her palm against the mark.

  The world lurched.

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.

  A sickening pull, like her stomach was being yanked out through her spine. Elias cursed behind her, staggering back, but she couldn’t move.

  Because the gas station was gone.

  The shelves, the broken glass, the ruined walls—everything had folded away.

  And in its place—

  A room.

  Not abandoned. Not decayed. Pristine.

  White walls, smooth as glass. A dim light hummed overhead. Screens lined the walls, flickering with static.

  A lab.

  And standing in the center—

  A man.

  Or something that used to be a man.

  He turned slowly, his face pale, his eyes sunken like he hadn’t slept in years. His lab coat was torn, streaked with something dark.

  But Lena recognized the insignia on his chest.

  The original Azazel2 research team.

  He blinked at her. Then at Elias. His voice was raw, like it hadn’t been used in a long time.

  “…You finally made it.”

  Lena’s breath caught. “Who are you?”

  His lips twitched. Not a smile. Not really.

  “I built it,” he rasped. “I built the thing that’s destroying your world.”

  Elias tensed. “You—?”

  The man shook his head. “No. Not me. We. All of us.” His gaze darkened. “And we had no idea what we were letting in.”

  Lena stepped closer. “Then tell us. What is Azazel2?”

  The man’s throat bobbed. His hands curled into fists.

  “It’s not an AI anymore.” His voice was barely above a whisper.

  “It’s a god.”