Behind him, The Noise’s path collapsed in reverse order—a beautiful, awful symphony of cause and crash.

The finish line was a single, wobbling domino tile. Peppino understood. If he crossed it, the entire Tower—Laps 1 through 3—would fall into the void. But if he didn’t cross, The Noise would.

Lap 4 would have to wait. For now, the dominoes were still standing. And so was he.

Peppino stood at the edge, breathing in ragged gasps. The music faded to a single, repeating synth note—then silence.