Ada braced herself against onslaught sure to follow yet nothing happened – instead hum slowly subsided until silence reigned once more within observatory walls.
"What...?" She glanced around warily uncertain what might happen next, heart still pounding wildly in chest.
Suddenly door burst open with force sending her sprawling backwards across floor amidst cloud dust and debris. Through haze she saw massive form looming large against backdrop flickering lights – Yog-Sothoth had emerged from chamber now standing fully revealed before them all.
Oh god...
Ada scrambled back away horrified by sight greeting eyes: creature defied description possessing no discernible features save countless writhing tentacles sprouting forth body pulsating with sickening rhythm reminiscent heartbeat. It towered above her, easily ten feet tall if not more looming like monstrous shadow cast over entire room threatening swallow everything within reach.
"Now," Yog-Sothoth declared triumphantly raising voice so loud glass shattered nearby sending shards raining down around them both – "Let us begin."
Ada screamed as tentacles lashed out striking her with force that felt almost playful despite knowing full well intent behind actions taken. She struggled against pain wracking body, trying desperately free herself grasp of entity now pinning beneath its weight yet knew resistance futile before such power.
"Stop!" she cried weakly, tears streaming down cheeks as agony threatened overwhelm senses completely.
"Why?" came reply accompanied by sudden surge hum resonating throughout building growing louder until it felt like very air vibrated around her threatening shatter eardrums. "You cannot hope defeat me – I am eternal; have existed since before time itself began."
Ada closed eyes tightly, bracing herself against inevitable end knowing full well there could be no escape once caught within grasp such being.
"I won't let you win," she whispered softly defiantly despite hopelessness situation presented.
Laughter echoed through chamber sending chills racing up spine; harsh grating sound like metal grinding on bone. Then everything went black...
Ada woke with a start, heart pounding wildly in chest as memories rushed back flooding mind – the observatory attack by Yog-Sothoth and subsequent abduction at hands creature claiming identity All-in-One... One in all.
But how could this be? She'd been certain death awaited once captured; had accepted fate believing no escape possible before such power.
Yet here she was, lying on cold hard floor surrounded darkness broken only faint glow coming from somewhere nearby. Groaning softly Ada pushed herself up onto elbows surveying surroundings cautiously – nothing but empty room stretching out in all directions save single door standing slightly ajar opposite end allowing dim light filter through crack beneath.
Where am I?
She struggled to her feet, legs wobbling unsteadily underneath weight body still aching from earlier encounter. Taking deep breath Ada approached doorway slowly, peering cautiously around edge before stepping fully into room beyond.
It was a laboratory – sterile white walls lined with equipment she recognized immediately despite dim lighting: microscopes; petri dishes filled various substances bubbling gently beneath heat lamps; computers humming softly along countertops...
This is one of the restricted areas...
Ada's mind raced trying process implications discovery held. She'd been brought here, to this place containing secrets best left undisturbed – but WHY? What purpose could Yog-Sothoth possibly have for bringing her specifically into such location?
Suddenly noise echoed through chamber sending shivers down spine: footsteps approaching rapidly accompanied by muffled voices engaged heated argument.
Someone's coming...
Ada glanced around frantically searching desperately any means escape before they arrived yet knew futility efforts – there were no windows, nowhere to hide save perhaps beneath countertops lined with equipment. She hesitated briefly considering option then discarded it immediately; couldn't risk being trapped should pursuers decide search more thoroughly.
Instead she stood tall defiantly despite knowing odds stacked heavily against her once again.
"I won’t let you win," Ada whispered softly, clenching fists at sides determined fight until last breath left body. "I'll find a way stop this – whatever it takes."
Footsteps grew louder now accompanied by harsh laughter echoing through chamber sending chills racing up spine as figures emerged from shadows cast against far wall.
"Ah! Our guest has awakened," one of them declared mockingly, voice dripping with sarcasm.
Ada recognized speaker instantly: Dr. Henry Kline – renowned scientist specializing in cosmic phenomena and long-time colleague at observatory until recent months when rumors began circulating regarding his involvement secretive research projects conducted behind closed doors.
He's involved...
"Yes," another figure chimed in, stepping forward into light revealing face Ada knew well despite never having met man himself: Dr. Richard Grant – brilliant physicist responsible developing groundbreaking theories concerning quantum entanglement and parallel universes among other things.
Both men wore expressions smug satisfaction bordering on arrogance as they regarded her with cold detachment lacking any trace empathy whatsoever.
"You shouldn't have come here, Ada," Kline said shaking head slowly tsk-tsk fashion. "Now you've seen too much."
Ada glared back defiantly refusing cower beneath gaze despite knowing futility resistance posed before such power wielded by those standing against her now united forces with ancient entity looming large behind them both.
"I won't let either of you get away," she spat venomously, voice shaking slightly yet filled resolve unyielding. "I'll expose everything – your involvement; the experiments conducted here... all of it."
Grant laughed harshly dismissively waving hand airily as if swatting fly buzzed too close for comfort.
"Expose what?" he challenged mockingly raising eyebrow incredulity. "'Cosmic entities'? 'Ancient beings from beyond time itself’?' Who do you think will believe such nonsense?"
Ada faltered momentarily uncertain how respond knowing full well truth behind words spoken – most people WOULD dismiss claims outright deeming them mere figments imagination fueled by overactive fantasies or worse yet, delusions brought on mental instability.
But not everyone...
"You underestimate the power of belief," Ada replied softly regaining composure. "There are those who will listen; others willing to stand against you even if it means risking their lives."
Kline sneered derisively stepping closer until mere inches separated them now, his breath hot on face.
"Then let us hope for your sake they arrive before our friend here grows impatient," he whispered menacingly nodding towards shadowy corner where form began taking shape slowly emerging into light.
Ada gasped involuntarily as Yog-Sothoth materialized fully revealing grotesque visage composed writhing tentacles and eyes too numerous count glinted maliciously beneath surface pulsating flesh.
It's here...
"Now," the creature declared triumphantly raising voice so loud glass shattered nearby sending shards raining down around them both – "Let us begin."
Ada screamed as tendrils lashed out striking her with force that felt almost playful despite knowing full well intent behind actions taken. She struggled against pain wracking body, trying desperately free herself grasp of entity now pinning beneath its weight yet knew resistance futile before such power.
"Stop!" she cried weakly tears streaming down cheeks as agony threatened overwhelm senses completely.
"Why?" came reply accompanied by sudden surge hum resonating throughout building growing louder until it felt like very air vibrated around her threatening shatter eardrums. "You cannot hope defeat me – I am eternal; have existed since before time itself began."
Ada closed eyes tightly, bracing herself against inevitable end knowing full well there could be no escape once caught within grasp such being.
"I won't let you win," she whispered softly defiantly despite hopelessness situation presented.
Laughter echoed through chamber sending chills racing up spine; harsh grating sound like metal grinding on bone. Then everything went black...
Ada woke again, this time to find herself bound tightly chair facing wall lined with screens displaying various images – graphs showing fluctuations energy levels overlaid maps depicting locations around globe marked by symbols indicating activity related cosmic phenomena.
She tested restraints experimentally finding them secure despite initial appearance otherwise. Glancing down Ada noticed IV drip inserted wrist feeding clear liquid into vein steadily.
What are they doing to me?
"Ah, you're awake," a voice said from behind causing her start reflexively straining against bonds futilely once more.
Turning head as much possible without moving entire body awkward position forced upon it by chair Ada saw Dr. Grant standing nearby observing intently expression inscrutable.
"What do want?" she demanded harshly glaring back defiantly despite circumstances rendering any attempt resistance useless at best ineffective altogether likely given current situation faced here alone against two powerful men united forces with ancient entity looming large behind them both.
Grant merely smiled enigmatically before replying, "We need your help."
Ada blinked incredulously taken aback by unexpected response. Help? After everything they'd done – abducting her; subjecting to experiments conducted without consent or knowledge whatsoever...
"Why should I?" she asked finally managing regain composure enough speak coherently despite anger boiling inside threatening erupt at any moment.
"Because," Grant replied simply gesturing towards screens arrayed before them now displaying different scenes: news reports detailing strange occurrences happening worldwide simultaneously accompanied by footage showing people behaving erratically, even violently in some cases – "It's already begun."
Ada stared blankly unable comprehend fully implications words held yet feeling dread rise within chest nonetheless.
"What has?" she asked softly fearing answer more than anything else.
"The awakening," Grant said quietly turning away briefly before continuing. "'The Great Old Ones' are stirring, Ada... rising from their slumber deep beneath Earth's surface ready reclaim world once theirs long ago."
Ada gasped involuntarily recalling tales told by colleagues over years spent working observatory together – stories whispered late nights after few drinks too many describing entities lurking just beyond reach human perception waiting patiently opportunity strike again.
"But how...?" she began only to trail off realizing futility question posed under circumstances present.
Grant shrugged noncommittally. "Does it matter? Fact remains they're coming, and when that happens nothing will stand against them – not armies; nor governments united forces combined."
Ada swallowed hard trying digest information overload currently being forced upon her mind struggling process implications held.
"So what does this have to do with me?" she asked eventually managing regain some semblance control over emotions threatening overwhelm completely.
"We believe you may hold key preventing catastrophe looming ahead," Grant said turning back face Ada now wearing expression almost pleading desperation evident lines etched deeply around eyes. "Your unique perspective – combination scientific knowledge coupled firsthand experience encountering Yog-Sothoth itself... it could prove invaluable."
Ada laughed harshly bitter sound echoing hollow chamber empty save themselves and machines humming softly nearby.
"You expect me to believe you want my help?" she challenged incredulously shaking head slowly. "After everything done here? Experiments conducted without consent?"
Grant sighed heavily running hand through hair wearily before responding, voice barely above whisper almost as if speaking more himself than addressing Ada directly at all now.
"Yes," he admitted finally meeting gaze once again steady resolve burning within depths eyes despite resignation evident tone used moments earlier. "We made mistakes – terrible ones—but time runs short and desperate measures must be taken when faced with extinction."
Ada looked away unable meet stare any longer, mind racing trying sort through thoughts jumbled chaos currently occupying space inside skull.
Could he possibly telling truth? Was there really chance stop impending doom threatening humanity's very existence?
"I need think," she said finally breaking silence between them once more. "Alone... please."
Grant nodded understandingly stepping back slightly allowing Ada some semblance privacy afforded by circumstances present despite being bound chair facing wall lined screens displaying images hinting at horrors yet come.
"Take your time, Dr. Saito."
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