Chapter 51 The Second Purifier

• Sometimes your worst creation doesn’t try to destroy you. It tries to become you— and do it better. The Second Purifier didn’t have a name. It didn’t need one. It was not born. It was restored — extracted from Victor’s buried Endgame prototypes, its code refined by Vanth’s high priests. It looked human. Felt human. But inside was nothing but a target lock.
• In the ruins of Adrassi, Victor packed his rations. Tirsa walked beside him, still silent, still watchful — her blade now tucked away, unused. She didn’t trust him. But she no longer wanted to kill him.
• “I don’t know what I believe,” she said finally. Victor smiled sadly.