Ryker vanished.
Alex barely had time to react before a fist slammed into his ribs.
He flew backward, crashing into a wall.
Evelyn threw a knife—but Ryker dodged, moving faster than sight.
Jax ducked. "WHY IS HE SO FAST?!"
Ryker grinned. "Super-speed, genius."
Alex stopped time.
Everything froze—except Ryker, who kept moving.
Alex's eyes widened. "You're still—?!"
Ryker punched him in frozen time.
Alex crashed through a desk.
Ryker smirked. "You're not the only one with tricks."
Speed vs. Time
Alex pushed himself up, breathing hard.
"You can move in frozen time… but let's see how well you handle this."
He blinked forward, feinting left—then reversing time mid-motion.
Ryker's punch missed completely.
Alex reappeared behind him and landed a kick to his back.
Ryker stumbled.
Evelyn smirked. "Oh, now this is getting fun."
Jax pumped a fist. "KICK HIS TIME-BENDING BUTT!"
Ryker growled. "You're getting better, but not good enough."
He dashed forward—but Alex rewound time just before impact.
Ryker's eyes widened.
Alex saw the future.
He dodged before Ryker even attacked.
Then—he delivered an uppercut at the perfect moment.
CRACK.
Ryker hit the ground.
Victory?
Alex wiped sweat from his forehead. "You done?"
Ryker groaned. "Okay… that was actually impressive."
Then he grinned. "But I was just a warm-up."
Lillian tensed. "What do you mean?"
Ryker chuckled.
"You think I'm the strongest one here?"
The lights flickered.
A door opened.
And a new figure stepped forward.
Tall. Cloaked in shadows.
Their eyes glowed red.
A voice, deep and distorted, echoed through the hall.
"Target acquired."
Lillian's face went pale.
"Oh no."
Alex narrowed his eyes. "Who… is that?"
Lillian swallowed.
"The real monster of Project Paradox."
The figure stepped forward.
"Subject Zero."