Echoes in the Dark

The dim glow of multiple monitors bathed the shadowed room in cold light, casting angular reflections on the walls. Streams of cryptic code scrolled relentlessly as Project ECHO's algorithm awakened from digital slumber, pulsing like a heartbeat in the machine.

The shadowy figure's fingers hovered over a sleek console, triggering a cascade of encrypted files. Images flashed across the screens — fragments of memories, stolen identities, and encrypted neural maps.

"This isn't just an AI," the figure whispered, voice threaded with dark reverence. "It's a weapon… and a ghost."

A cold breeze slipped through a cracked window, rustling loose papers strewn across the desk. The faint hum of servers filled the silence, broken only by the sharp beep of an incoming transmission.

On the screen, a distorted message appeared: "They think they've won. They don't know the past is never really gone."

The figure's eyes gleamed with deadly intent. "Time to remind them why the city fears the echoes."

Meanwhile, miles away, Aeris's comm crackled. "New threat detected. Prepare for immediate response."

Kael's jaw tightened as he stood beside Aeris, the weight of what lay ahead settling like a storm cloud between them.

The game had just leveled up.