The hydro plant was a cathedral of rust.
Massive turbines slept beneath layers of corrosion, their blades frozen like the ribs of some mechanical beast. Water thundered through broken channels, flooding parts of the lower structure and turning the floor into a dark mirror.
Leon felt small here.
Ada studied the schematics glowing on her wrist device."The core lab is beneath the main generator. Vorn built his altar at the lowest point."
"Of course he did," Leon muttered. "Mad scientists love basements."
A metallic screech answered him.
They weren't alone.
From the far platform, shapes emerged—taller, cleaner, wearing tactical gear marked with no insignia. Human this time. Professionals.
The leader removed his helmet.
It was the caretaker.
"You're persistent, Mr. Kennedy," he said over the roar of water. "Admirable. Annoying, but admirable."
Leon kept his weapon low. "You don't have to do this."
"Actually, I do," the man replied. "Requiem needs witnesses. History requires believers."
Ada whispered, "He's stalling."
She was right.
The turbines began to move.
Not with electricity—with something alive.
Black veins crawled across the metal, pulsing like a heartbeat. The entire plant shuddered.
"Behold the heart of Lawrence Falls," the caretaker said proudly. "A system that decides who deserves tomorrow."
Leon stared at the obscene fusion of machine and flesh.
"This isn't evolution," he said. "It's murder with a speech."
Gunfire erupted.
Ada dove for cover as Leon returned fire. The platform became a storm of sparks and bullets. One of the soldiers fell into the water, dragged under by something unseen.
The caretaker didn't move.
"You can't stop what people secretly want," he called out. "A world without weakness."
Leon hesitated—just for a second.
He thought of the years behind him.Of the faces he couldn't save.Of Ada.
"Maybe," Leon answered, aiming at the heart of the machine, "but I'm really good at ruining dreams."
He pulled the trigger.
And Lawrence Falls screamed.