The city's neon glow was deceptively calm, the storm outside having passed as quickly as it arrived. But beneath the glittering skyline, a darker pulse began to stir — subtle, yet unmistakable.
In a dimly lit control room far from the ruins of the NeuroNet core, a shadowy figure watched multiple screens flicker with static and encrypted data.
"Impressive," the figure murmured, voice cold as ice. "But cutting the head off the beast only breeds more vipers."
On the largest screen, an ominous new program activated — a cryptic symbol flashing: Project ECHO.
The figure's eyes gleamed with a sinister light. "It's time to play the real game."
Back in the safehouse, Aeris stared out at the city, the weight of victory already tempered by a creeping sense of unease.
Kael approached quietly, sensing the shift in her mood.
"What now?" he asked.
Aeris didn't answer immediately. Her eyes narrowed, watching the flickering lights beyond the window. "The fight's far from over."
Outside, in the shadows, a new storm was gathering — one that threatened to rewrite everything they'd fought for.