Zyrus's gaze flickered to me, the glow in his eyes dimming. "Because they want to make weapons, not soldiers. Perfect soldiers who can't disobey orders, who can survive anything, even death. The Tainted Bloods… are their success stories."
Lance stepped back in disbelief. "You're saying we're next?"
Zyrus laughed again, a hollow, broken sound. "You already are. The air down here… the serum isn't just injected anymore. It's airborne. You've been breathing it since you came in."
A cold chill spread through me. I looked at my hands, the faint tremor I thought was fatigue, suddenly feeling more sinister.
Zyrus grabbed my arm, his grip surprisingly strong. "Listen to me… You have to find the central lab. Destroy it. Don't let them continue. Promise me, Captain."
I nodded, though my voice came out barely a whisper. "I promise."
His breathing slowed. He smiled faintly, the kind of smile only a dying man could wear. "Good. Maybe you'll… do what I couldn't."
And then he was gone.
