The orb pulsed brighter.
Data flowed across the walls—holograms, schematics, logs. Riven stood still, watching his origin spill out in real time.
"Project Lazarus was initiated to cheat death."
"Cloning wasn't enough.""We needed learning. Memory. Progression."
Riven's image appeared on a rotating DNA strand.
"Subject 9-X is the first to achieve full adaptive evolution."
"What does that mean?" Riven muttered.
"You grow. You adapt. You surpass the rest.""Your failures are your upgrades."
Footage flickered—older Rivens. Failing. Dying. Each one getting closer to success.
He saw one explode trying to bond with a prototype suit.
Another go rogue. Wiped out a whole lab wing before shutdown.
"So I'm the first to live?"
"No.""You're the first to survive long enough."
Then another screen lit up.
Countdown.Encrypted signal.Location: Unknown.
"The others are waking up."
Riven's fists clenched.
"Let them," he said.
"I'll be ready."