A THUNDEROUS CRASH explodes through the lockdown zone.

The window SHATTERS INWARD, glass raining across the floor as a massive shape BURSTS INTO THE ROOM.

Students scream.

The HELIX lands on all fours, concrete cracking beneath its weight, red eyes blazing.

Cold wind howls through the broken window.

Floating beside it, calm and effortless, is Purple Eyes — violet glow burning in his stare, feet never touching the ground.

PURPLE EYES

…Found you.

Before anyone can react, a TEACHER SPRINTS IN, energy flaring around his arms.

TEACHER

Get back—!

The Helix moves instantly.

One massive hand clamps down on the teacher’s arm.

A sickening CRUNCH echoes.

The teacher cries out as the Helix hurls him across the room like a ragdoll, slamming him into the wall where he collapses, unmoving.

Shock freezes the room.

Then—

TYLER

LUKE—MOVE!

Tyler slams his fists down, earth surging forward.

Luke charges, yellow light flaring around his body.

They don’t make it halfway.

Purple Eyes raises a single hand.

PURPLE EYES

Flow.

A WALL OF WATER erupts from thin air, slamming into Luke and Tyler like a tidal wave.

They’re ripped off their feet and thrown across the room, crashing hard into desks.

LUKE (gasping)

Ugh—!

TYLER

Can’t—move—

Liam takes a step forward.

Northern light erupts violently around him.

LIAM

Get away from them!

Before he can move—

RIVEN (O.S.)

What the hell is going on?!

Riven rushes in through the doorway, eyes scanning the destruction.

He looks up—

And sees the Helix.

RIVEN

…You’ve got to be kidding—

The Helix turns.

One massive arm SWINGS.

BOOM.

Riven is smashed through the air, his body SLAMMING into the glass wall with a deafening impact.

The glass spiderwebs.

Riven drops to the floor, unconscious.

Silence.

Smoke. Dust. Shattered glass.

Purple Eyes floats forward slowly.

The Helix steps toward Liam.

Each step shakes the room.

Students are frozen — too afraid to run.

Liam stands his ground, teeth clenched, northern light spiraling out of control around him.

The Helix leans down, towering over him.

For the first time—

It speaks.

A distorted, layered voice, not quite human.

THE HELIX

…Target confirmed.

Purple Eyes smiles.

PURPLE EYES

You see, Liam?

He gestures lazily at the destruction.

PURPLE EYES (CONT’D)

This is what happens when you don’t come quietly.

Northern light EXPLODES around Liam, forming a blazing ring at his feet.

Luke struggles to rise.

LUKE (hoarse)

Liam… don’t—

Liam’s eyes lock onto the Helix.

Fear.

Anger.

Resolve.

LIAM

…Gear—

The room vibrates.