The gigantic shadow unfolded behind the child, stretching across the chamber like a living nightmare.
Its head touched the ceiling. Its countless arms moved independently, each ending in long black fingers.
Daniel remained on his knees.
“No...” he whispered. “You were supposed to stay asleep.”
The child floated inside the golden sphere.
“I’m not the one you should fear, Daniel.”
Ryan stepped closer.
“Who are you?”
The child looked at him.
“I am Ryan Malik. The first one. And you are carrying my stolen future.”
Ryan shook his head.
“You mean I’m just a copy?”
“You are more than a copy, brother. Father gave you my memories, my blood, and the power I couldn’t control. But he also gave you something I never had.”
“What?”
“Free will.”
Father moved toward the child.
“Ryan, don’t listen to him. That thing behind him is the original organism. If it reaches the surface, nothing can stop it.”
The child laughed bitterly.
“You still lie, Father. You opened the seventh lock. You invited it into our world.”
Hamza raised his weapon.
“Doctor, lower your hands. Now!”
But Father ignored him.
“I was trying to save my son!”
The shadow suddenly moved.
A black arm shot across the chamber and seized Father. He screamed as tendrils wrapped around his body.
Zara fired repeatedly, but the bullets passed through the creature.
“Ryan! We have to help him!”
Ryan raised his hand. Golden energy burst from his chest and struck the shadow.
The creature recoiled.
For a moment, the entire chamber trembled.
Then a second voice emerged from the shadow.
“MY ORIGINAL CHILD...”
Ryan felt something awaken inside his chest.
His golden symbol split into two glowing patterns. One shone brightly; the other turned completely black.
Adam screamed as the tendrils tightened around him.
“Ryan! Don’t let it connect to you!”
Meher’s voice suddenly came through the radio.
“Ryan, listen! The original subject isn’t the organism’s enemy. He’s the only person who ever survived direct contact with its true consciousness!”
The child looked toward Ryan.
“She’s right. But there’s something else. The organism cannot enter our world completely unless one of us willingly opens the final gate.”
Ryan stared at the seven symbols.
“Then we keep it closed.”
The child shook his head.
“You don’t understand. The gate is already opening.”
Behind the shadow, a massive golden doorway appeared. Beyond it, countless enormous eyes watched the laboratory.
Daniel slowly stood.
His black skin began turning golden.
“Father,” he whispered, “the family is ready.”
Then the original Ryan screamed.
“RUN! IT HAS CHOSEN YOU!”
A black symbol appeared on Ryan’s forehead.