Chapter 36 · Neon Finale: Deleting Godhood

"Kneel, heir."

Soran's voice hit every speaker in the Cloud at once.

The crowd dropped to their knees. Thousands of white coats, silver masks, and corporate uniforms pressed against the glass floor. Even the people displayed on the city feeds below bowed their heads.

Kai stayed upright.

His knees shook anyway.

"You first," he said.

Soran smiled from the throne. He looked exactly like the man Kai had watched die three hours ago. Same black suit. Same pale face. Same gold implant running from his temple to his jaw.

Only the eyes were wrong.

Those eyes belonged to the Void.

Vala stepped in front of Kai, pistol raised. Her shoulder brushed his chest. Heat moved through the thin fabric between them, fast and sharp. She smelled like gun oil, cold metal, and the mint strip she had shoved into her mouth before they jumped through the gate.

"Back away from him," she said.

Soran glanced at her weapon. "You still think that can hurt me?"

"I don't need it to hurt you. I need it to make you blink."

"Then fire."

Vala's finger tightened.

Kai caught her wrist.

She snapped her head toward him. "Don't.