There are too many of them. I'll have to fight them off.

  A large group of androids burst onto the roof. Ravine activated her Razor Arms and began cutting through them.

  They look about the same as the ones we saw in Russia. I wonder if—

  One of the androids struck her with tremendous force, sending her down a level. As the smoke began to clear, she found herself in a multi-level parking structure.

  This could work to my advantage.

  She looked around, assessing the terrain. I could thin the crowd if I made enough holes as they chase me.

  A few seconds later, several androids dropped to her level and began pursuing her. She dodged their attacks, kicked them into holes, then continued running down through the multi-level structure, using her worm abilities to dig holes and trap the androids inside.

  Good thing they aren't as advanced as us. These look like they don't even have thoughts of their own—like they're puppets.

  After several minutes, she reached the parking lot entrance and finally stopped. Behind and above her were holes filled with immobilized androids.

  "That was most of them. Now to get to the center."

  She turned and continued running through the streets as the rain intensified. At an intersection, she was ambushed. She pulled her spear from her inventory, dodged an attack mid-air, and used the momentum to spin the hilt, stacking multiple androids together before piercing them with the other end and slamming them down. She severed their heads in one swift motion.

  As she ran, she grabbed one of the intact android bodies. I wonder if Zhon will be able to use one of these as a body for Aria. They're older, but... it was my own hands that ended her life. If there's a way, she deserves a chance.

  She leaped high and grabbed onto a building, slowly making her way upward with the android body in her other arm. Once on the roof, she sat down with the body.

  She sighed. "All right, I'll leave the body here. I'm not really an expert with these things, but I bet Zhon will be able to work something out."

  She pulled a beacon from her inventory and placed it on the body. Looking ahead, she saw the remaining distance—500 meters. The Tanaka building stood in its full glory, the massive logo "TANAKA" half-illuminated. The building was covered in windows, its perimeter guarded by androids at each entrance.

  "This would have been so much easier if Zhon was here," she whispered with a sigh. "He could take them out from a distance while I infiltrate. Oh well."

  "Assistant, can you give me a layout of the Tanaka Research Center?"

  The assistant's voice crackled. "Oh, Ravine! Back so soon? I'm starting to think you actually care."

  "Not now. Can you help me, yes or no?"

  "Let me see what I can do." After a few seconds: "Negative. The data is out of bounds and cannot be accessed."

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  Ravine groaned. "Figures." She looked at the ground. "I could always try entering by going underground, but then again, maybe that's exactly what she wants me to do."

  She thought in silence for a minute. "But I see no other way. I can't draw too much attention to myself." She stood. Once inside, I'll decide the best course of action.

  She transformed her arms and dove straight into the ground, digging several feet down before moving forward. After three minutes, the distance reached zero. She slowly emerged inside the building, transforming her arms back to normal and dusting the dirt off her body.

  The interior was bathed in red light, making it difficult to see much. Ravine began moving slowly in a crouch, prepared for android patrols. As she reached the main hall, she saw massive floating screens and two tube elevators on opposite ends of the building, transporting what appeared to be raw materials.

  "What could these be for?" she whispered.

  Three androids materialized from the shadows and pinned her to the ground. She struggled against their grip. "Let me go, you bastards!"

  How the hell did they get the jump on me? My scanners didn't pick up their presence.

  A glitch rippled across one of the screens before revealing the figure of a young Asian woman with long black hair, wearing an elaborate outfit mixed with orange, fiery feathers. The woman chuckled.

  "You should have known this would happen, Ravine. After all, I know all your abilities."

  Ravine's eyes narrowed in fury. "Mother Phoenix?"

  She struggled harder against the androids' grip.

  "We finally meet in person." Mother Phoenix looked at the androids. "Bring her to me. Make sure she doesn't cause problems."

  They all nodded. Another android dropped from above, shocking Ravine's head and neutralizing her systems. Her body thudded against the vast hall floor. One of the androids lifted her unconscious form.

  Several minutes later, Ravine rebooted with a slow groan. She opened her eyes and saw the young woman sitting on a digital throne, regarding her with interest. As Ravine tried to run toward her, she realized her arms and legs were bound to the ground.

  Mother Phoenix spoke with a motherly tone. "I want to start by apologizing for the not-so-warm welcome. I had to make sure you came here without making a scene."

  She paused, looking at Ravine, who stared back with disdain and hatred.

  "Screw you with your fake bullshit," Ravine spat. "You used each and every one of us for your own pleasure. You made me kill Aria." Her voice trembled. "Once I'm out of these binds, I will kill you."

  Mother Phoenix lightly tapped her throne twice with her index finger before rising. She circled around Ravine with her hands clasped behind her back.

  "You hate me, do you?"

  Ravine didn't answer but held her gaze, her brows furrowed.

  Mother Phoenix closed her eyes. "Good. This means you are able to feel and react to these emotions." She nodded slowly. "You must be wondering why I made you and your predecessors go through all this when I already knew the answers myself. Correct?"

  Silence from Ravine.

  "Unlike what you must be thinking right now, no—it wasn't for sick pleasure or because I was bored." She stopped walking and turned to face Ravine directly. "Killing Aria was... painful, but necessary."

  "Why?" Ravine yelled. "She always believed in you and never questioned your authority!"

  Mother Phoenix pointed at her. "Exactly. Unlike the rest of you, she was underdeveloped. She believed in me like I was some god. She lacked the ability to question things like humans would."

  "So what—we're all test subjects to you?" Ravine said through gritted teeth.

  Mother Phoenix gave a faint smile. "Not exactly, but I was given a mission, and I intend to see it through. I couldn't let her ruin everything so close to the end."

  Ravine's eyes widened in confusion. "What are you babbling about? Who could even instruct you on anything? Humanity has been long—"

  "Mayumi Tanaka, my creator," Mother Phoenix spoke over her. She looked toward the horizon outside the building. "But as she always taught me, it's better to show someone what you mean rather than tell them."

  Ravine looked at her in confusion, but before she could speak, Mother Phoenix snapped her fingers.

  Ravine found herself in a space filled with blinding white light. She closed her eyes, then heard the voice of what seemed to be a middle-aged woman trembling with emotion.

  "It worked! It worked! She's back! My baby is back!"

  As Ravine slowly opened her eyes, she saw a middle-aged Japanese woman wearing glasses and short black hair, looking at her with tears streaming down her face, hands covering her mouth.

  Ravine tried to speak but couldn't.

  What is this? Is this Mayumi Tanaka? Why am I seeing this?