Riyan's phone buzzed at 6:47 AM. He'd been awake for thirty-one hours straight, monitoring the biocontainment facility, watching scientists work, pressing the knife against his palm every time the golden overlay tried to make him rest or trust the process or show patience.
The message from Gray was brief:
Creator neutralized. Parasite source destroyed. Infection should begin degrading within hours. Proceed with antidote distribution as failsafe.
Riyan read it twice. Processed implications. Then received a second notification—this one from Dr. Kurogane in the laboratory.
Antidote synthesized. Ready for clinical trials. Please advise on testing protocols.
He stood. Livia and Raven were slumped in chairs nearby—both maintaining consciousness through sheer stubbornness and minor self-inflicted pain. Livia's fingers tapping endlessly. Raven biting her tongue periodically.
"It's ready," Riyan said.
Both snapped to alertness immediately.
