The darkness shifted.
Something stepped out from the hallway—a shape made of metal, but not forged by any normal hands. Its body looked like flowing liquid steel, constantly shifting and rearranging itself. Plates of black alloy slid over each other like ripples in water, forming arms, legs, and a head that had no face.
Asher stared at it, unimpressed.
"…Great," he muttered. "First demons. Then Voiders. And now a walking piece of liquid metal."
The creature didn't speak. Its entire body reflected him like a distorted mirror.
Asher tilted his head.
"What are you supposed to be? A failed construct? Or did some Outer God get bored and start building toys?"
The metal creature moved for the first time. Its steps were slow but heavy, the ground dents forming under each footstep.
Then it spoke—but not with a normal voice.
Its words vibrated directly through the metal of the room.
"You feel different," it said. "You have evolved."
Asher raised an eyebrow.
"I evolved? Since when?"
