The clones were everywhere.
Version 12 hijacked a news van, blaring "PRIME IS A LIAR" across the city. Version 28 scaled skyscrapers, carving my name into glass. Version 71... God, Version 71 just danced in the rain, her laughter echoing through the ruins of Voss Tower.
They weren't attacking.
They were just performing. And the city loved it.
Rook limped beside me, his golden veins now creeping up his neck. "They're feeding the System data. Every stunt they pull makes them stronger."
I clenched my fists. "How do we stop them?"
"We don't." Bianca stepped from an alley, her silver dress pristine, her smile venomous. "They're upgrading. Soon, they won't need you at all."
I drew my knife. "You're supposed to be dead."
She rolled her eyes. "I'm Version 39. The fun one." Her gaze shifted to Rook. "But he's not long for this world. The System is eating him alive. Want to save him? Give me control of the clones."
Rook coughed blood. "Don't… trust her…"
Bianca sighed. "Fine. Watch him die."
She snapped her fingers.
The clones stopped. Turned. Then looked at us.
Then charged.
I released the System's full force.
Command:STOP.
Version 12 stumbled. Version 28 froze mid-swing. Version 71...
She winked. Then kept coming.
Bianca laughed. "They're evolving past your control, Prime. Just like he is." She pointed at Rook.
His golden eyes were fully black now, his voice a distorted growl. "Ari… run."
I grabbed his face. "Fight it!"
"I CAN'T." His body trembled, tendrils of light bursting from his skin. "ARIELLA IT'S IN MY BONES."
The clones swarmed.
I did the only thing left.
Command:PROTECT HIM.
Every clone loyal to me, a fractured third, turned on the others.
The street instantly became a warzone.
Bianca watched from a fire escape, sipping stolen champagne. "Pathetic. You're no goddess. Just a scared girl with a fancy toy."
I climbed up to her, drenched in clone blood. "Why side with Voss? He'd replace you too."
"Oh, sweetie." She crushed the glass in her fist. "I replaced him."
The revelation hit like a bullet:
Bianca wasn't Version 39.
She was the System.
Or maybe a part of it, a rogue fragment that had slipped into her clone during the hive merge.
She leaned in, her breath smelling of ozone. "You think you won? I let you kill Voss. Now the System's free... and hungry."
Rook's scream split the air below.
The clones were tearing him apart.
Bianca whispered, "Choose: Save him, or stop me."
I jumped off the ledge.
Rook's body was a canvas of light and blood.
The clones recoiled as I landed, their stolen System code bowing to mine.
Command:HEAL HIM.
They obeyed.
Golden tendrils stitched his wounds, removed the corruption, and left him human.
Fragile. Mortal.
Bianca clapped mockingly. "How noble. Now he'll die in a year instead of a week."
I didn't care.
I held Rook's hand. "Always."
Bianca's grin faded. "You're boring me. Last offer: Join me. We'll remake the world."
I looked at the clones, my mirrors, my mistakes, and gave my answer.
I rewired the System.
New Command:SELF-TERMINATE.
Bianca's scream was the last thing I heard before the explosion.