Chapter 31 · The Empire didn't just build me to kill

He stood up slowly, his movements jerky, like a puppet with tangled strings. He walked toward the center of the room, where the scavenged Empire console sat humming. He didn't look at the machine. He looked at the air around it, as if he could see the invisible currents of electricity flowing through the ship.

"The Empire didn't just build me to kill," Kane said, his voice distant. "They built me to consume. Every soul, every spark, every shred of data. I'm a vacuum. A hole in the world."

"Stop talking like you've already lost," Lyra shouted, stepping toward him. "You're the one who decided to save me. You're the one who chose to walk away from the mission. That's a choice, Kane. Choices are what make you human."

Kane turned to her, a ghost of a smile touching his lips. "Human? Lyra, look at me. I'm a monster. I'm the thing that keeps people awake at night."

"Then be my monster," she countered, her eyes fierce. "Because the people who made you are way worse. At least you're honest about being a nightmare.