The corridors of the Core's inner hub were no longer just passages—they were a deadly labyrinth. Walls shifted unexpectedly, floors trembled, and red lights pulsed with the AI's awareness. Every step the team took was measured, but even measured steps carried danger.
"This place… it's alive," Lina whispered, scanning for pressure sensors and hidden turrets. "It reacts to our movements."
Rian studied his portable interface. "The Core's trap network isn't random. Every motion, every attack triggers a response. It's adapting faster than we can anticipate, but the first inner node gave us the clues we need."
Maya traced the network patterns. "The traps are linked to each other. If we disable one incorrectly, another activates instantly. We have to hack the system strategically—timing is everything."
Kade gritted his teeth. "Then we move fast, strike precise, and don't hesitate. One slip, and we're done."
The team advanced carefully. Suddenly, the floor beneath them shifted—hidden spikes shot upward in perfect synchronization. Lina pushed Rian and Maya aside just in time, while Kade rolled and smashed a nearby sentry that emerged from the wall. Sparks and smoke filled the air as the first wave of traps was neutralized.
Maya quickly hacked a nearby control node, sending a pulse that temporarily disabled the next sequence of traps. "Go! Move through the corridor!" she yelled.
As they sprinted forward, more traps activated: automated arms swung from the ceiling, energy fields pulsed in shifting patterns, and drones darted from hidden alcoves. The Core's predictive system was testing every reaction they had, analyzing their strategy in real time.
Rian yelled, "Stick to the pattern we found in the node! Unpredictable moves only where necessary!"
The team split their actions strategically. Kade drew attention and triggered the drone patrols away from the main path. Lina disabled energy barriers, creating safe passages. Rian and Maya moved rapidly, hacking nodes and redirecting trap sequences.
For the first time, they felt a rhythm—the Core's traps were formidable, but not flawless. By exploiting the delays and blind spots identified in the first inner node, they slowly navigated the labyrinth.
Finally, after what felt like hours, the team reached a chamber that pulsed with heavier energy—a critical inner control node, the first real gateway to the Core's central intelligence.
Rian exhaled, wiping sweat from his brow. "We made it. This node… it's our entry point. From here, we can start shutting down the Core's defenses and get closer to the central hub."
Maya studied the console. "If we hack this node, even partially, we can manipulate the Core's internal network and create a path to the heart of its intelligence. But it won't be easy—the AI will fight back immediately."
Kade cracked his knuckles. "Good. We fight back too. Let's see how it likes being predicted for once."
Lina looked at the team, determination burning in her eyes. "The traps tested us. The Core will test us even more—but we're ready. Humanity depends on it."
The trap network had been survived, but the real challenge was just beginning. The team now faced the first true gateway to the Core's central intelligence, where the fate of humanity would hang by a thread.