The world below the surface was colder than death.
A vast, submerged fortress stretched for miles under the Atlantic — Echelon, the Council's hidden city.
Metal corridors pulsed with blue light, the hum of machinery echoing like a heartbeat beneath the ocean.
Every wall whispered with surveillance. Every step was being watched.
Inside a stolen submarine, Adrian and Elara stood shoulder to shoulder as the vessel descended into the depths.
"Coordinates locked," Adrian murmured. "No turning back after this."
"Good," Elara replied, eyes hard. "We're not here to turn back."
The hum of pressure filled the silence between them.
Elara's hand brushed against her wrist — the tracer mark still faintly glowing.
"They'll know we're coming."
"They already do," Adrian said softly.
"Then let them wait," she whispered.
The sub breached the docking gate of Echelon with a metallic screech.
As the airlock hissed open, two masked guards approached — only to drop silently before they could speak.
One blade. One motion. No hesitation.
The Viper had returned.
"You're smiling," Elara said quietly, glancing at Adrian.
"First time in years," he replied. "You've finally stopped running from who you are."
They moved through the corridors — dark steel, glowing veins of data, the scent of ozone and blood.
At the heart of Echelon stood the Nexus Chamber, a glass sphere filled with suspended light — the Council's mind, where every secret, contract, and kill order was stored.
Elara stopped at the door.
Something inside her reacted, a low hum that vibrated beneath her skin.
"You feel it," Adrian said.
"Like I've been here before," she whispered.
"You were," he answered. "You were born here."
She turned sharply.
"What?"
He looked at her — not the cold CEO now, but the man who had carried the burden of every truth she'd forgotten.
"The Viper Project wasn't a training program. It was creation. They didn't find you, Elara. They built you."
Her world tilted.
"Built?"
"Engineered. Enhanced reflexes. Neural acceleration. Controlled emotion. You were designed to be the perfect weapon. But you broke their control the day you spared me."
"So I'm not even human to them."
"You're more human than any of them," Adrian said, stepping closer.
"Because you learned to love."
Before she could respond, the chamber doors slid open — and a figure stepped out.
Tall. Silver hair. A face that mirrored hers.
"Welcome home, Viper," he said, voice dripping with pride.
"Father," she breathed.
The man smiled.
"Not father. Creator."
Adrian's gun was up instantly.
"Step closer, and I'll put a hole in your god complex."
The man chuckled softly.
"Still the impulsive heir. I warned her about you once, but she never listens to logic."
"You murdered her," Adrian snapped.
"Correction — I rebuilt her. Each time she died, she came back stronger."
Elara froze.
"Each time…?"
The man tilted his head.
"You've lived seven lives, my dear. Each ending the same way — rebellion, love, death."
He glanced at Adrian.
"Always because of him."
The room went silent.
Adrian's hand tightened on the trigger.
"He's lying," he said.
Elara's pulse thundered.
"How would you know?"
"Because if it's true," Adrian said quietly, "then I've been in love with your ghost for seven lifetimes."
The air between them crackled — half fury, half fate.
The man stepped closer, the glow of the Nexus bathing his face.
"Come back, Viper. Your purpose isn't love. It's dominance. The world above rots — you were built to rule what's left."
Elara met his gaze — and for the first time, smiled.
"You made one mistake," she said.
"Oh?"
"You taught me how to disobey."
She fired.
The bullet hit the Nexus core.
The world exploded in white light.
Sirens blared. Walls shook. The ocean roared.
Adrian grabbed her hand, pulling her toward the exit as alarms screamed across Echelon.
Behind them, her creator's voice echoed through the chaos.
"You can't destroy what you are!"
Elara turned once more, eyes burning with fury and freedom.
"Watch me."