Omega awoke, exhausted. He hadn't slept properly for days. Every night, his father appeared in his dreams, echoing words that haunted his mind:
"Do not hurt your brothers, my son."
He left the house without breakfast. Sliding into his car, he ordered it to take him to the Tokio Central Laboratory. The moment the artificial intelligence acknowledged the command, the vehicle moved.
Memories of his father flooded his mind as he drove. His father had always treated him with love, saying, "Power is meant to protect the weak."
Despite being from a lower class, they had tried to preserve their humanity.
"If my father were alive, would he forgive what I do now?" he wondered silently.
The car glided silently through the neon-lit streets of the city. Giant towers, advertisement screens, and rogue patrolling drones filled his vision. Omega closed his eyes, drifting into memories.
"Do not hurt your brothers, my son..." — his father's voice seemed to echo down a dark tunnel. But he was his father's only son. Did "brothers" mean something else? Perhaps all the oppressed? These questions plagued his mind.
He remembered the fairy tales his father read to him as a child. The heroes in them were strong, but never cruel. Omega had once believed that power existed to protect.
Now, with this power… he killed.
The car stopped. A message appeared on the screen:
"Tokio Central Laboratory — Entry Granted."
Omega opened his eyes and took a deep breath. Before him stood the heart of the system, capable of shaping the fate of millions. He swiped his card and entered the classroom.
The students had already arrived. As always, he sat alone in the corner.
Professor Akuma entered. No one dared to meet his gaze. His face was carved from stone, with a metal implant in his left eye. Even when he spoke, no expression flickered across his face. Perhaps it was this unyielding, emotionless stare that made him so terrifying.
Turning toward the students in his usual gruff tone, he said:
— Today, your task is to observe the neurological reactions of Subject-473 and Subject-489, both subjected to the genetic modification program. Record their emotional responses. Any display of empathy will result in immediate removal from the system.
The students opened their notebooks and accessed the system codes. Seconds later, two weak, frail children were brought into the room by robotic assistants. Their skin was pale, their eyes filled with fear.
Omega tried to look away, but Subject-473 met his gaze for a moment. Their eyes were frozen, yet a quiet plea lingered within.
The professor issued instructions to the other students:
— Kapella, you will analyze the psychological endurance of lower-class children and compare the results with Premium genetics.
— Ivan, design a test to measure the impact resistance of mutated skin.
— Arif, optimize the AI algorithm to determine the suitability of two distinct lower-class genetic profiles for the Elite class.
He approached Omega.
— And you, Omega, what are you thinking?
— Nothing.
— Are you sure? It seems to me you feel pity for these creatures. You sympathize with them…
— No, Professor.
— Then today, your main task is assigned to you. You will work directly with these two subjects.
He had deliberately given Omega the hardest, morally overwhelming task — a test of conscience.
— Professor, this is a very responsible and heavy task. Allow me to take it instead…
— How dare you question me!
I did not ask for your opinion!
Omega remained silent, cursing the professor inwardly: "Old brute… calling humans animals. Yet the real savage is you."
He entered the laboratory.
The experiment on Subject-489 began. The child's screams echoed through the room. Omega felt himself unravel. He felt the pain as if it were his own.
He sank to his knees, his body trembling. It was not physical pain. This was… the cry of conscience.
The more he sensed the children's collective suffering, the more the flames of hatred rose inside him — against the Elites, the system, and his own kind.
On the computer screen, a name began flashing: Michael.
Status: "Potential Threat — Must Be Monitored."
Omega stepped closer to the screen. He opened Michael's profile. There was a glimmer in his eyes — unfamiliar, yet immensely powerful. Something seemed to have awakened within him…
Omega whispered quietly:
— This… could be the beginning of change…