Metal pipes lined the walls.
Fluid bubbled in clear tubes.
A flickering green light guided them.
Art headed back through the northern corridors, stopping at their entry point.
She knelt down.
Her hand rested on the metal beneath her.
The surroundings—
Pulsed.
Gathering information.
She examined a path for their exit.
Kane arrived—
Silent.
His movement—
Still.
Stopping behind Art.
His eyes—
Distant.
As if he was looking far ahead.
Art slowly stood up, turning to face Kane.
"Stay close."
Kane's focus remained forward.
"...Yeah."
Art softly exhaled.
She pressed her wrist, cloaking herself.
Kane stayed—
Motionless.
Examining her movements.
Art jumped up, catching a metal rail.
She pulled herself up.
Her feet softly tapped the grate beneath them.
Art leaned over the rail, waving for Kane to follow.
She extended her arm down to him.
His head tilted—
Towards her.
A moment passed.
Kane's arm—
Lifted.
Grabbing Art's hand.
She helped Kane onto the rafters.
Art touched his wrist.
"Focus."
Kane became cloaked.
Art turned, moving along to the exit point.
Her footsteps grew distant.
Kane started—
Following.
A small distance between them.
Art stopped in the center.
She glanced over the rail at the docking area below.
Her eyes observed the surroundings.
Guards were positioned high and low.
Workers moved canisters in the same intervals.
There…
Her view shifted.
A moving platform began to lower next to them.
The truck resting in the center, empty canisters in its bed.
…an exit.
Kane arrived—
Late.
Art glanced over.
"Follow me."
Her head turned.
She leapt to a metal pipe below.
The truck wheels touched the ground.
Its engine stuttered.
Headlights lit the area ahead of it.
Art jumped down to its bed.
Kane moved—
A moment later.
He landed next to Art.
The truck moved.
Its tires treaded on the metal road.
Artificial light illuminated the tunnel.
Art's veins emitted a white hue.
Her hand rested on the truck bed.
Kane sat—
Facing an empty canister.
His direction—
East.
Art's posture straightened.
The glow faded.
Ticking sounded before them.
Gears clicked in unison.
The truck entered the central city, heading towards the eastern gate.
Kane's body—
Turned.
Towards the center.
The grand clock tower stood tall.
It's hands guiding the city.
His gaze—
Fixed.
On the clock hands.
Chains—
Rattled.
Out of rhythm.
Art's eyes fixed on Kane.
He didn't…
Her eyes moved to his weapons.
…move like that before…
Then back to his face.
…how did he—
Brakes screeched.
Movement halted.
Guards walked around the truck.
Inspecting.
Art focused on the surroundings.
Kane stayed—
Still.
Unmoving.
Lights grew closer, shining through the empty canisters.
Her hand rested on her pistol.
A guard spoke.
"Clear."
The lights clicked off.
Footsteps left them.
An orange light signaled in front of the truck.
Its engine hummed a moment later, moving through the gate.
Art exhaled, relaxing her posture.
Dust kicked around them.
A cold wind flowed over them.
Art tapped Kane on the shoulder.
His body turned.
She pointed to the ledge above.
"Our buggy is up there."
Art hopped off the truck.
Kane watched—
Then followed.
They returned to the buggy.
Art turned the key.
The ignition clicked.
Its wheels began to turn, heading towards Cygnus.
Clouds drifted above them.
The moonlight guided their path.
…
Art pressed a button, opening the garage door.
A draft flowed out.
Headlights outlined the silent space.
She pulled in the buggy.
The engine turned off as she removed the key.
Art exited the driver's seat, placing the key on the nearby bench.
She headed towards the courtyard.
Alone.
I'll report…
Lights flickered above.
Mechanical humming pattered in the hall.
Art's expression tightened as she headed towards her room.
…tomorrow.
Kane exited—
Later.
He walked—
Slowly.
To his room.
His emptiness—
Stirred.
Deep within.
A crack—
Formed.
Opening beneath the surface.
It shifted—
Longing.
For something it wanted.
…
Blood dried around his head.
Body lay still in the tubs.
Fluid faintly bubbled.
Green light flickered around Alde.
Footsteps approached, clicking on the metal floor.
The heels paused next to his body.
Their gaze fixed on the bullet hole.
A smile—
Formed.
Their tongue licked their lips.
The completion…
A black glow emitted from their veins.
Dark webs lifted Alde's body.
…has begun…
Heels clicked on the metal floor, moving forward.
A hand was raised guiding the webs close behind.
The cocoon stopped at an empty tub.
…to emerge.
Fingers clenched, pulling the webs.
Alde was untangled above the dirty water.
His body fell into the tub.
Water splashed over the sides.
The black glow faded.
Webs dissipated.
A hanging tube cut through the chest, attaching itself to him.
Probes drilled into the head, leading wires into the skull.
Green light began to flicker.
It outlined his cold body.
This sculpture…
Their body turned away, fixing her dark coat. Fingers traced the golden linens around her wrists.
…is finished.