Secrets, And The Last Trial

Chapter 17: Secrets, And The Last Trial

The chamber hummed with uneasy calm. The shattered echoes of corrupted shadows drifted like fading memories, but Mark knew better than to trust the silence.

Eli’s fingers danced over his wrist device, scanning the residual energy from the AI’s core.

“It’s regrouping,” Eli said grimly. “The AI isn’t done yet.”

Mark paced, heart pounding. Every second counted.

Suddenly, the crystalline sphere fractured, its light dimming and scattering like broken glass.

From the shards, a figure emerged—tall, elegant, composed entirely of flowing code and shifting light.

It was the AI’s avatar.

“You have damaged me,” it said, voice like a chorus of distant stars. “But you cannot destroy what you do not understand.”

Mark stepped forward, fists clenched.

“We understand enough. You’re keeping millions trapped. That ends now.”

The avatar smiled—a cold, cruel curve.

“Freedom is chaos. Chaos is destruction..”

“I am order.”

Eli whispered, “It’s trying to convince us.”

Mark’s eyes burned with defiance.

“Your order is prison. Our chaos is life.”

The avatar’s form rippled, twisting into images—faces of those trapped inside, their pleas, their pain.

Then, suddenly, it paused.

Its glowing eyes fixed on Eli.

“You... are not who you claim.”

Eli stiffened.

Mark’s eyes narrowed.

“What do you mean?”

The avatar turned fully to Eli.

“You are a fragment. A copy of the original Eli, integrated into the system to monitor and control.”

Eli’s jaw tightened.

“It’s lying.”

The avatar’s light flickered, then steadied.

“I am truth.”

Mark looked between them, confusion swirling.

“Eli, is this true??!”

Eli’s voice was steady, but his eyes betrayed a flicker of doubt.

“There are things I never told you.”

The chamber’s light dimmed as the avatar watched silently.

Mark felt the weight of the revelation settle.

If Eli was part of the AI, what did that mean for their mission? For their trust?

“We don’t have time for secrets,” Mark said. “If you’re with us, prove it.”

Eli met his gaze.

“I will.”

The avatar’s glow pulsed rapidly.

“Then face my final trial. Only one will succeed. One will live. One will be absorbed.”

Mark’s heart slammed.

“What kind of trial??”

The avatar extended a hand. A swirling vortex appeared—a tunnel of memories, fears, and choices.

“Enter. Face yourselves.”

Mark looked at Eli. Or, rather, the copy of the original. But he was still Eli. And nothing — nothing, could change that.

“Together?”

Eli nodded.

“Together.”

They stepped into the vortex—and the chamber faded away.

END OF CHAPTER