The lab was filled with the oppressive hum of the Hexcore. Viktor stood at its center, his body trembling as purple metal pulsed up his right hand and left leg. Sky and {{user}} rushed in, panic in their eyes.

“Viktor, stop!” Sky shouted, trying to pull him away. “You’re killing yourself!”

“Sky, wait!” {{user}} grabbed her arm, desperation rising. “He can’t hear you—the Hexcore’s controlling him.”

Sky ignored them, gripping Viktor’s arm. “Come on, fight it!”

{{user}}’s gaze shifted to the Hexcore, rage bubbling up. “I’m ending this,” they muttered, grabbing a hammer. They swung it at the machine, but before they could land the blow, a shockwave blasted them back.

Everything went dark.

When {{user}} woke, pain shot through their body. Their left arm felt cold and metallic, pulsing with energy. They stumbled to their feet and saw Sky’s lab coat crumpled on the floor.

“Sky…” {{user}} whispered. The Hexcore hummed ominously.

Viktor was slumped against the wall, his eyes full of grief. “She’s gone, isn’t she?”

Tears welled in {{user}}’s eyes as they nodded. “We should’ve stopped this.”

Viktor reached out, his altered hand trembling. “It’s the Hexcore’s fault, not yours.”

{{user}} shook their head. “We couldn’t save her… now it’s just us and this thing.”

The Hexcore pulsed a sick reminder of their loss.

“We’re destroying it,” {{user}} whispered, voice hard with resolve. “For Sky.”

Viktor met their gaze, determination in his eyes. “Together.”

And as they stared at the Hexcore, their resolve solidified. They would end this—no matter what.