Chapter 3

Chapter 2: The Rhythm Algorithm

In the underground vaults of St. Louis Academy, the trio descends into forgotten chambers. Sharon’s hacking leads them to the Rhythm Core interface, buried beneath the school.

The archives confirm their worst fears: Project Parallax was a classified defense initiative using rhythm-based neural choreography to manipulate physical systems. The chosen dancers could open portals, disrupt tech, even freeze time in microbursts.

Kriya was the prototype.

Rey grips the tablet. “They erased her... made us forget.”

Swayam examines the data. “These frequencies — they’re layered choreography codes. We’ve been dancing on embedded tech all along.”

Rey steps on a pressure tile. A short sequence plays. A glowing line traces his movements in midair.

Then — a glitch. His reflection moves differently. Then again. Faster. Sharper. It blinks.

Sharon gasps. “That’s not a glitch. That’s another you.”

Suddenly, alarms scream. The vault seals shut.

"Timeline Intersection Detected."

They’re no longer just discovering Project Parallax.

They’ve triggered it.

(To be continued...)