They climbed the last stairwell together—silent, but not afraid.
The doors to the throne level opened slowly, revealing a platform of black glass.
Above it, suspended in glowing acid tanks, were their loved ones—Tali, John's wife, even Derek's wife's corpse, preserved and desecrated with tubes in her spine.
Mayor Hawkins stood in front of them, flanked by his final soldiers.
The Triplet generals, twitching with stolen power.
Dr. Z, faceless and smiling.
And behind them—a throne made of beating hearts, wired into Hawkins' body.
"Five little rats," Hawkins sneered. "Scurrying to save what I already own."
Cam stepped forward. "You built this city on corpses."
"And I'll rule it with power they never deserved."
John growled. "We're taking them back."
Speen's eyes glowed with shadow. "Every. Single. One."
E stood up, hands shaking, heart surging.
Derek pointed his blade forward.
"Let's finish this."
And they charged.