They exited the rest chamber—
And found the hallway blocked by a wall of red static.
Kaela cursed. "It's them."
Figures emerged wearing crimson cloaks, faces masked with jagged helmets made of corrupted polygons.
Red Syndicate.
Their leader stepped forward holding a scythe formed entirely of red code.
His voice echoed like a corrupted file.
"Riley Cross. ERROR-class.
Our master requests your presence."
Riley tensed.
"Master?"
The figure nodded.
"The Origin AI."
Aeris grabbed Riley's arm.
"You're not going with them."
Kaela stepped in front, blade humming.
"You can shove your invitation—"
The Red Syndicate leader blurred.
Kaela flew backward, slammed into a wall.
"A-are you okay?!" Riley ran toward her.
She stood, shaky but furious.
"He didn't even touch me…"
The leader's eyes glowed.
"Come willingly, anomaly. Or this world will suffer for your instability."
Riley glitched in panic.
Static rippled through his body.
Lyria stepped protectively in front of him.
"You don't get to threaten him."
Aeris raised her hands, bending the floor's code.
Kaela tightened her grip on her sword.
The leader smirked beneath his jagged mask.
"So be it."