The lab's air felt denser now—thicker with tension, anticipation. Rain still tapped steadily outside like a ticking clock.
Saro stood tall in the middle of the room, fists clenched at his sides, his breath steady but hard. A quiet fire lit behind his eyes.
"What do I have to do?" he asked.
Veylan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned and walked back toward his desk. The surface glowed faintly as his fingers tapped across a secure panel.
Beep… Beep… Clunk…
A hidden mechanical hatch opened with a soft hiss, and from it, something rose slowly—a small capsule, pulsing with red light.
Inside it, a thick, swirling liquid moved like it was alive.
Veylan reached for it.
"This," he said, "is Energy Fluid."
He held the capsule in front of them. The eerie red glow danced across both of their faces, reflecting in their eyes.
"We call it the Blood of Machines."
Saro stared at it, lips parted slightly.
"And you want me to… drink that?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
Veylan smirked faintly, shaking his head.
"No," he said. "You inject it."
Saro's face shifted.
"…Into where?"
"Right into your bloodstream."
Saro swallowed, hard.
He didn't back up. Didn't flinch. But the weight of what he was agreeing to began pressing against his ribs.
"How much chance do I have?"
Veylan's expression darkened. The smirk disappeared.
"Exactly one percent," he said. "No less. No more."
There was silence.
Then—
"I'll take it," Saro said.
No hesitation.
Veylan nodded once… but something changed in his voice—lower, heavier.
"But before that," he said, "you need to know what's coming."
Saro narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean?"
Veylan took a step back, still holding the glowing vial. His gaze drifted.
"Energy Fluid isn't like blood," he said. "It's synthetic. It was forged from over a thousand failed attempts. Recalculations. Trial by trial. Body by body."
Saro's tone flicked with sarcasm. "Yeah, the name kinda gave that away."
Veylan ignored him. His voice sharpened.
"I took it once," he said. "I've felt every second of what it does."
Saro's posture shifted. His arms lowered slightly, his stance tense.
"…What happens?" he asked.
Veylan turned slightly, his face half-shadowed.
"Within seconds… pain," he said. "Not just muscles—your organs. Your cells start rejecting themselves. Bleeding. Vomiting. Your immune system collapses."
He paused.
"One organ at a time shuts down."
Saro's eyes widened. His breath caught.
Veylan didn't stop.
"Within an hour," he continued, "you'll experience total organ failure. And if you're not the 1%—if your body doesn't accept it…"
A beat.
"You die."
Saro wavered—just for a moment. His knees twitched. His lips parted slightly.
"So… you handled all that?" he asked. "And survived?"
Veylan nodded, a long sigh leaving his chest.
"Pretty much," he said. "Everyone else who tried it…"
He looked away.
"They're in heaven now."
He closed his eyes briefly.
"May their souls rest in peace."
Saro stared at him, stunned. The silence wrapped tightly around his chest. Then—
"But… you don't look any different," he said, frowning. "You're just an old guy who talks a lot."
Veylan paused. Then chuckled—a low, gruff sound that almost sounded like pride.
He stepped forward, eyes glowing behind his glasses.
"Then let me tell you more, young man…"