Knox entered the medication room and was injected with Vivex. Within seconds, all his injuries had fully recovered.
"We're living in an era of rapid growth, Knox," Nixon said with a snort. "Soon enough there'll probably be things that grant people fucking wishes or something."
Knox didn't react. He looked worried — afraid, even.
"Anything wrong?"
Knox sighed. "Sovereign is going to kill us, Nixon. I'm scared… I'm so fucking scared…"
Nixon nodded. "Just remember what I told you."
"Excuse me, sir," an employee reported. "You both have been called to Sovereign's office."
They looked at each other. Knox's eyes were filled with fear and worry. Nixon's were filled with bravery and determination.
The doors slid open. They walked into Sovereign's room.
Nixon stepped forward. "We can expla—"
"I haven't spoken yet. Have you no manners?" Sovereign turned to face them.
"Tell me what happened. Everything, down to the last detail."
Knox cleared his throat. "I was just about to kill her, then suddenly one of her friends hit me and let her escape."
Sovereign clenched his jaw. "Come here and tell that to my face."
Knox glanced nervously at his brother before walking up to Sovereign.
He cleared his throat again. "I was just about to kill her, then su—"
His words were cut off by a devastating punch to his gut.
He dropped to the ground, clutching his abdomen and screaming in agony.
Nixon rushed over. "You can't even let people talk anymore?!" he shouted, staring straight into Sovereign's eyes.
"I let him talk, but he didn't speak the truth."
"Maybe because he's scared you'll fucking kill him, you dipshit!"
Sovereign's eyes immediately glowed bright red. The lasers hummed dangerously as he stepped closer to Nixon.
For the first time, Nixon felt the cold shiver of death run down his spine. He couldn't follow his own advice — he couldn't cast everything aside.
"Go ahead. Say what you just said."
Nixon stayed silent in fear.
"What's this? The great warrior has finally fallen to the emotion of fear?" Sovereign lifted him by the collar.
Nixon closed his eyes, trying desperately not to care. But the memories were too strong — Knox's happiness at the theme park, his reaction to dessert, the jokes they made while hunting Hannah.
"You want the truth? I'll tell you the damn truth," Knox said boldly as he stood up.
Sovereign released Nixon and turned toward Knox.
Knox exhaled. "Hannah was much stronger than before because she took the V enhancement. I did fight her. I did almost kill her — that part was true. But right before I finished her off, I started seeing hallucinations. They were messing with my mind, telling me to let her go."
"The voices felt like they were smashing my head in, so I let her go to make them disappear," he continued. "And that's how she got away."
Sovereign looked at Nixon. "And you?"
Nixon was afraid and embarrassed, but he had to speak.
"I lost to them."
Sovereign's eyes narrowed. "Who's them?"
"Hannah's allies."
"You mean the unpowered ones?"
"Yes, but they were using the gea—"
"Pathetic. How pathetic." Sovereign cut him off. "It doesn't matter what they used. Both of you failed miserably. Those gears were not built to take on executives, yet somehow they're still alive?" He looked back at Knox.
Sovereign shook his head. "You keep messing up. At this point, I should just find a replacement for you right now."
"To see Knox — my greatest soldier — reduced to such a useless, pathetic weakling… it upsets me in some weird way."
"Do it then. Replace us. We don't give a shit," Nixon said, his bravery returning.
Sovereign smiled faintly. "Good energy."
Then his face turned serious again. "Don't try to act tough, Nixon. What are you going to do once I fire you? You'll be nothing without HEX."
Nixon didn't say anything.
Sovereign let out a long exhale. "I forgive you, Nixon. You've only made one big mistake, and it was this time." He patted his shoulder. "Alright, you're dismissed."
As they both turned to leave, Sovereign stopped Knox. "Not you. Only him."
"Why only me?"
"Don't worry, Nixon. I won't do anything rash. I'll just give him… a little lesson."
"Go. Now," Sovereign declared before Nixon could speak again.
Knox looked at his brother and slowly nodded. Knox's eyes were filled with bravery and determination. Nixon's were filled with fear and worry.
The doors closed.
Sovereign sat down, pouring himself a glass of wine and taking a sip. "You want one?"
"No—"
"Come on, take one. You know, like a final drink or something."
"Final drink?" Knox's bravery immediately vanished.
"You're not getting out of here alive, Knox. Not because I hate you, but because you're no longer useful to me."
Knox's lips trembled. "Sir, please…"
"Take a seat, Knox. Just… calm down, sit down, and enjoy the view."
Knox sat one chair away from Sovereign, looking out at the city skyline. But all he could feel were the sweet memories of him and his brother having fun together. The memory of playing with the kids at the beach.
Knox closed his eyes, reliving those moments. When he opened them again, he was shocked to find Sovereign sitting right beside him.
He jumped in fear.
He slowly looked at Sovereign, body trembling. Before he could react, Sovereign punched him straight in the face.
Knox's body was launched across the entire room and slammed into the wall. Blood spilled from his mouth and nose.
"I'm sorry. I wanted to make that quick. That's on me."
Sovereign grabbed Knox by the head. His eyes glowed bright red, lasers humming as he prepared to blast a hole through Knox's forehead for a quick and painless death.
"We all make mistakes, sir. I'm still useful to you, I swear! I'll do anything!"
"You used to be my greatest asset. Every mission, you'd get it done in seconds. You're rare to find… but easy to replace, Knox."
Sovereign shook his head slowly. "You're one in a million… of a billion."
Nixon suddenly smashed through the door. "STOP IT!"
"Please, let him go! I have a way to kill John, and if it fails you can do whatever the fuck you want with us!"
Sovereign sighed. "That'd just be a waste of time. Unless you want to watch your brother get killed, get out of here."
"It's worth a shot! Conrad's powers are still recovering and you only have us left!"
"The more you try, the more cautious John will become."
"No! Trust me, this will kill him! I am absolutely certain of it! We'll even get those assets back to you!"
Sovereign was silent for a moment. Then he threw Knox's body across the room toward Nixon. Nixon caught him in his arms.
"If you fail, Maidens, your death will be guaranteed. I'm only allowing you to live because you two are my only soldiers left."
Nixon nodded. "Understood."