Shizuri's hand moved to the apparatus. His expression remained calm, but something shifted in his grey eyes—calculation replacing weariness.
"If you won't accept the Archive willingly," Shizuri said quietly, "then I'll show you why your choice is wrong."
The apparatus flared. Every container activated simultaneously. Concentrated spores filled the chamber—glowing, swirling, hunting.
"Full release," Shizuri explained. His voice was clinical now, detached. "Enough parasitic density to infect you instantly. Your immunity doesn't matter—this concentration overwhelms biological resistance. You'll experience the Seed's perspective directly. Understand why editing humanity is necessary."
Gray felt the spores touching his skin. Felt them seeking entry through pores, breath, eyes. Felt the beginning of invasion—microscopic structures trying to burrow into his nervous system.
