Page 94 of Knot Your Fated M.U.S.E.

I can tell he’s worried D will get to what’s ours first.

To Nyx..

"I'm a step ahead," I tell him, studying the schematics of the containment room. "There might be a way to get them outbefore D even reaches them. They’re just backup just in case any Omegas get left behind."

"Explain," Atlas commands, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I pull up the detailed view of the chamber's upper section. "There's a counterweight system…some kind of metal sphere suspended near the ceiling. If I can trigger the release mechanism..."

"A suspended weight?" Atlas asks skeptically. "How would that help?"

"It's not just about dropping it," I explain, calculations running through my head. "The mounting system is designed like a pendulum. If I time it right, I can make it swing into that reinforced glass panel on the far wall. The impact should shatter it, create an escape route."

"Through water that dense?" Atlas sounds doubtful. "The resistance would slow it too much."

"Not with this setup," I counter, confidence growing as I study the mechanics. "The ball is massive, and the drop height is significant. Even accounting for water resistance, the pendulum motion should generate enough force for impact before it loses momentum. Basic physics…the initial energy from the drop converts to kinetic energy in the swing."

"What if it hits them?" Dante asks, voicing the concern we're all thinking. "A metal ball that size would crush them on impact."

I grip the edge of my desk, hating the truth I have to speak.

"It's a possibility. But right now they're about to drown in that chamber. At least with the ball breaking the glass, they'll drop into the tunnel system below."

"Which branches only two ways," Kieran adds, understanding my logic. "Much easier to extract them fromthere than a high-rise room that might be blocked or completely submerged."

A moment of heavy silence follows as they process the brutal mathematics of survival we're forced to calculate.

"Do it," Atlas finally commands. "Sometimes the only choice is choosing the lesser evil."

"Agreed," Dante says grimly. "Better a chance than no chance at all."

"Stay in position," Kieran reminds them. "We'll execute from here."

"Understood, but—" I break off, leaning closer to my screen as something catches my eye. The camera feed shows Nyx struggling with another omega, their forms barely visible through the rising water.

"What's wrong?" Atlas demands.

"Something's happening up there," I try to zoom in, but the camera image distorts, static cutting through as water begins to submerge it. "Damn it!"

"Vale?"

"We need to move now," I tell them, watching the feed deteriorate. "Start taking out their agents. I'll work on getting communications back and update you on any changes."

"Going ghost," Kieran confirms. "We'll rendezvous at the van."

"Copy that. Be careful."

The line goes dead, leaving me alone with my screens and the weight of what I'm about to do. The injector feels heavy in my hand as I remove the safety cap, the needle glinting under harsh monitor light.

No turning back now.

I drive the needle into my thigh, gritting my teeth against the immediate burning sensation. My hand grips the desk edge hardenough to make the metal groan as I slowly depress the plunger, forcing the experimental compound into my system.

The pain is exquisite – like liquid fire replacing my blood. I fight to stay upright, to keep breathing through the transformation I know is coming. Every nerve ending screams as the drug begins its work, rewriting my body's limitations.

For sixty eternal seconds, I exist in pure agony.

Then, like a switch being flipped, energy explodes through my system.

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