As they step back into conventional reality, they are met with the Observer, while they're inside the starship. Emma could sense that its trying its best to stay afloat, looking around she noticed the emergency lights of the Observer is struggling to stay illuminated through the damaged bridge.
The occasional sparks that proceeded from various consoles was something normal after encounters with such ancient entities like the Dragon Sovereign.
And well, apart from these, Emma noticed something else, The troubling changes, although now she's slumped behind the pilot's controls.
It felt like she's drained.
A deep exhaustion had settled into her consciousness as the golden wisps of her Aetherweave energy finally dissipated from her fingertips. Her frame became weary, with some part of her revealing the strain of power over extension. Under this struggling illumination of lightning and strange glow from outside the Observer, Her hands continue trembling with the after effects of the 'Inversion' technique she had used, it had nearly consumed her, She realized.
She slowly moved her head to the left, there on the engineering station sat Lucas, Dressed in his Seedkeepers Suit, A sleek, black bodysuit with muscle-enhancing exoskeletons that bore stains from their Recent ordeal. Removed his helmet slowly, a Full-face helmet integrate enhanced HUDs that display environmental data, targeting systems, and communication interfaces, he placed it gently beside him on a platform that looked like a table.
It seems like he was doing something, Emma couldn't tell exactly what he was doing, He kept adjusting his servo arm with apparent difficulty, Apparently he is using a great deal of concentration just to maintain basic functions and behind him was the collection of jury-rigged connections that had been hastily integrated during their exit.
Emma moved her head away, staring up at the Observer's ceiling it's been quite the trial... She signed inwardly when she observed the scene.
It's been few hours since their departure from the Dragon Sovereign Concordance and she noticed many similar signs of strains throughout her crew, all were none other than the symptoms of humans who had been pushed far beyond their normal operational limits.
From her connection to the Lattice network, Emma knew that her WoodDust for the Aetherweave reserve had dropped to dangerous levels, of course, She had already knew the cause which was the over extension of inversion technique and apart from that, she also sense a strange connection from the ship's system that hadn't been there before.
The result were said to be quite concerning in her own internal diagnostics.
Their recovery strategy will follow Emma's original Assessment, Avoiding the systematic approaches of normal standard protocol used in Earth's Spaceship procedures. Instead, they will aim their efforts at those with immediate needs, such as crew members who often needed to simply rest and recover. Therefore, a period of aimless drifting in this unknown vast space was inevitable for people in this kind of condition if they bit the bullet a little.
but at the same time, they could do nothing but feel proud of having surviving the Dragon Sovereign's evaluation when most beings would have failed completely.
And now the current issue is that the Observer remains motionless in a potentially hostile space. It's difficult to fomulate plans while maintaining consciousness at reduced capacity... The next step should be establishing their position. Emma retracted her gaze from the viewport, shook her head, and tried to focus.
Emma had seem to realize that the place they had found themselves in was kind of junction in the Cosmic Arbor. It cost them nothing in terms of immediate danger, making her feel quite relieved. However, to match their status as Seedkeepers, all they could do was determined their next move and endure the current exhaustion.
Her idea of their situation had been that they were drifting near some gravitation anomaly, and they were survivors of evaluation from the Dragon Sovereign. They had proven themselves worthy of advanment, planning to seek out whatever came next in their quest parameters. They had new information about their destination, but they lacked energy reserves to act immediately. They needed to restore capacity first and begin making concrete plans.
The benefits of surviving the evaluation was that it was clearly different from challenges they had previously faced, like Zogarians, K'tharr, the Schism or Arydra. It allowed them to naturally access information about about higher-tier realities, especially details about the 'Meta-Nexus' and pathways forward. It made it convenient for Emma to continue their mission as Seedkeepers while gathering intelligence before making detailed plans.
And of course, there were obvious disadvantages as well. Such draining experiences would definitely create lasting effects on their physical and mental states, They are all humans after all, so there will be a recovering time they would have to undergo.
But according to Emma's experience with Aetherweave manipulation via WoodDust, Such exhaustion would be handled by the ship system under the premise that nothing critical had happened. It could also be handled over to automated Protocols, but in summary, not to much effort would be put into it, As it would be considered routine maintenance.
Therefore, Emma who is considered quite experienced with Lattice operation had prepared a systematic approach to their situation, so as to deal with whatever developments might arise.
This systematic approach was their condition resulted from pushing beyond normal parameters for particular reasons. They had used enhanced WoodDust techniques since it's integrated into their suits and body systems, and they spent significant time in that demanding state to survive the dragon sovereign's evaluation.
Since the origin of their exhaustion wasn't overboard, they had quietly remained in place, and they planned on beginning recovery in stages and gradually restoring operational status.
It wouldn't be rare to see crews in situations like this in the Cosmic Arbor. Their circumstances were acceptable for post-evaluation recovery. For this phase, Emma had established some monitoring protocols so as to assess their "true condition."
These protocols included but were not limited to monitoring power levels from recent strain, habits resulting from operating in ehnaced states, as well as their readiness for unknown parameters.
Emma believed that as long as they didn't involved themselves in a serious immediate threats, preparations such as this will be enough to handle most routine recovery situations.
And even if they encountered extremely dedicated threats that investigated thoroughly and were to push them beyond current limits, they had backup systems with automated responses. It was enough to keep them alive, but attention placed on recovery wouldn't be optimal. This allowed Emma to manage the situation without much trouble.
Compared to their first encounters in this region, surviving the Dragon Sovereign's evaluation demonstrates how they've really matured significantly... Emma slowly walked toward the center of the bridge as she cast her gaze on the main display.
Her reflection showed exhausted features and traces of golden energy still manifesting around her hands. Her eyes were weary, but experiences had left indelible marks on her consciousness. She is a determined Seedkeeper with enhanced capabilities.
Therefore, the challenge of recovery approach wasn't difficult for present Emma. However, implementing whatever came next from the Observer's current state was practically impossible from external assessment. Even enhanced consciousness couldn't guarantee immediate success.
Of course, unlike other Seedkeepers, Emma had two advantages: first, she was connected to the Lattice networks, She had good understanding of the ship's internal systems, and she knew which functions she could exploit. Therefore, the first solution she considered was to assess their status and find a chance to restore full operations.
There was a problem with this approach though. Systems weren't able to randomly return to full capacity, even with Emma's Lattice connection. Something had to happen first before they received corresponding power levels. Furthermore, some systems had sustained damage during trials. Randomly activating everything would result in overloads, causing problems. Emma didn't wish for recovery to result in damage to ship's functions.
After careful consideration, she placed her sights on essential systems.
These systems were life support and basic navigation who had maintained function during trials. They were in charge of keeping them alive and oriented, and they operated separately from enhanced functions. They used backup power through emergency protocols, and they never interface with damaged systems, nor would they be disturbed by power fluctuations.
Perhaps as a result of staying in emergency mode for extended periods, these backup systems all had certain characteristics. They had reduced power consumption and stable parameters. Their functionity was limited, and they resembled maintenance versions of the ship's true capabilities. Emma believed it wasn't difficult to assess their situation if she could access one of these systems.
And her initial plan was to gradually restore systems in careful sequences. She would begin with diagnostics and sensors, then work her way up to navigation and communication. Then she would monitor the main console, participate in system checks, assess status and familiarize herself with current parameters.
During this process, she would work hard to find suspected problems. She would choose two or three critical functions and observe their performance. When opportunity arose, she would restore one of them, access its capabilities, attempt to establish contact with guidance systems.
This was a crude plan that was merely a train of thought. It needed to be perfected according to intelligence Emma would slowly acquire.
For this matter, Emma's second advantage was her crew. She had assistant and friends that standard Seedkeepers operations would never think of. Furthermore, she could consider extending assessment of individual conditions into overall evaluation. She could complete into recovery through coordinated effort, just like experienced crews were use to handle post-trial situations.
I've got to frequently monitor the systems. Only by doing so can I find the right approach... Emma faced the main console as she silently nodded.
It wouldn't be bad to say she felt conflicted. If any true system were to fail during recovery, her first thought was to initiate emergency protocols to prevent critical failures.
She took a deep breathe, held it for a second, then let it out. After exhaling, she gave a self-deprecating laugh. She activated basic diagnostic systems, walked around the bridge, and reached for primary controls.
Taking advantage of her Lattice connection and emergency lighting, she suddenly began accessing the ship's systems more systematically.
About half an hour later, the somewhat stabilize systems appeared before Emma's perception.
Lucas had managed more consistent servo operation, though something fundamental had changed about function parameters. He flexed artificial digits experimentally, and there was strange new quality to joint articulation.
The servo had acquired characteristics that hadn't been present before, components gleaming with modified functionality. Lucas examined it with focused attention he usually reserved for complex technic problem.
"Interesting modifications," he said, and something in his voice suggested he'd discovered unexpected capabilities, either from WoodDust or Something else, he wouldn't know.
Actually, you've identified something significant? This means the Dragon Sovereign's evaluation might have affected our equipment in ways we haven't comprehended, Emma thought as she observed his work.
"Yes, there are changes to neural interface protocols" Lucas replied, apparently noticed her attention.
The crew was beginning recovery as Emma moved around bridge more steadily. At this moment, various ship systems that had been offline started responding to basic commands.
But suddenly, Auren's Voice cut through the bridge atmosphere, analytical and precise as always. Apparently, Auren has the ability to Access The ship's system to Talk to the whole crew.
"Seedkeepers," his familiar tone announced with characteristics clarity. "I have been monitoring your recovery progress and I'm pleased you survived the evaluation. However, our current situation requires immediate attention"
Emma felt some relief but couldn't shake the feeling that Auren now has a personality to him, at least her personal Guide was still functional through the Questmind interface.
"Whats our status?" she asked, settling into familiar Coordination.
"You are positioned at the edge of a gravitational anomaly created by the evaluation process," Auren explained, holographic displays activating around the bridge. "This anomaly presents both immediate danger and unprecedented opportunity. Also, I have loaded new quest parameters into our mission database"
The displays showed their position surrounded by swirling patterns of distorted space-time. Emma's enhanced perception allow her to see the visualization in dimensions that shouldn't be possible, probably in third of fourth dimension.
"Primary objective has been updated" Auren continued with systematic precision.
"THE SEAT OF THE FORGOTTEN. Classification level: Critical Priority.
The Observer is currently too close to gravitational instabilities and must relocate immediately."
You actually understand our destination? This must mean that the Dragon Sovereign's evaluation provided access to mission parameters, or does it mean that our enhanced capabilities now interface with information I encountered during the trial? Emma smiled as she nodded in an unperturbed manner.
"I know" she replied with growing understanding.
Auren didn't elaborate on specific details of what they had experienced during evaluation. Instead, he focused on practical guidance, "The forces threatening our current position have also opened direct pathway to the" Meta-Nexus". This pathway will remain stable for seven minutes and forty-three seconds."
Emma felt urgency building as she processed the implications. They'd been planning gradual progression through tiers, but if there was any direct access available...
"Show us the route" she requested.
At the moment, Aisha approached the main system console and began bringing the ship's primary functions online. The Observer responded gradually but steadily, its consciousness awakening from emergency status as various systems achieved operational readiness.
"Thank Goodness, primary power restoration complete" Aisha reported with satisfaction. "All essential systems now functions, though I think we're operating at approximately seventy-five percent capacity."
Gray stepped toward the central holographic projector, his movement deliberate as he interfaced with the display systems. "Accessing the Dragon Sovereign's star-chart data now" he announced.
The Dragon Sovereign's star-chart materialized above them in stunning detail, a breathtaking representation of interconnected pathways that seemed to pulse with inner awareness. The chart displayed their current position as a small indicator within what appeared to be an infinite Network of golden threads, each representing pathways through space, time and concept realities.
"Ah, i see... This represents far more than conventional navigation data" Gray observed with analytical fascination. "This constitutes a living representation of conceptual space itself. Observe our current coordinates." He gestured toward their position marker. "Tier 11, our current location. And there..." His finger traced a brilliant pathway leading to a convergence point that seemed to radiate significant energy. "Tier 8, the 'Meta-Nexus' location."
Chloe moved closer to examine the display, her grief-sharpened focused allowing her to process the chart's extraordinary complexity with remarkable speed. "The Pathways connecting different tier levels," she observed while studying the intricate patterns. "They don't follow linear progression. This route appears to bypass conventional tier-by-tier advancement entirely. But..." She paused, her enhanced perception detecting something others couldn't quite see. "This isn't a physical destination in any sense we understand, is it?"
Aisha nodded with growing comprehension, her understanding of navigation systems enabling her to interpret the display's more esoteric elements. "Wait, conceptual travel methodology" "We won't be moving through conventional space anymore. We'll be navigating through infinite ideas, possibilities, the fundamental structures that underlie reality itself!" Aisha said in awe.
The star-chart continued its slow rotation, revealing additional layers of information with each movement. Emma observed it with steadily growing understanding, her enhanced Aetherweave abilities allowing her to perceive deeper patterns within the display.
"The Dragon Sovereign provided us with much more than directional guidance," she realized with mounting comprehension. "This chart contains comprehensive safeguards, detailed warnings about which routes remain stable and which pathways will result in catastrophic failure."
Auren's analysis continued, overlaying the star-chart with streams of data that appeared floating equations and theoretical frameworks. "Reaching the destination requires a fundamental shift in your approach to travel," he explained with measured precision. "Standard propulsion methods will prove completely inadequate for conceptual navigation requirements."
"The technological framework exists for this transition," Auren continued his assessment. "However, success depends entirely on purist Luminari technology specifically designed for conceptual realm operations. This represents the only technological system capable of opening stable portal access to non-physical spaces."
In the moment, Lucas was examining his modified servo with renewed interest, Conducting diagnostics that displayed results on the nearby screens. "The Techsynth integration" he said as understanding dawned on him "My servo's quantum interfaces has been enhanced beyond the original specifications. The question now is whether our ship can handle the massive power requirements for portal generation or not"
The servo's diagnostic readings revealed some concerning information. The Quantum process were operating beyond normal parameters which shouldn't be possible, crystal clear matrices are glowing with barely contained energy. Lucas now realized his improved repairs must had created unexpected operation advantages.
"I should be able to to reroute power distribution through my servo systems" Lucas announced with determined resignation. "The modified neural pathways might provided stable connection to portal generation systems. But..." He paused, examining his arm artifical limb once more with complex emotions, then he continued "I won't be able to utilize normal functions afterward. The power surge will likely destroy my arm and we'd lose the remaining neural pathways permanently"
Emma already knew the gravity of what he just said, she studied his expression, raised her right hand and then ran her fingers through her black lushy hair, looking at Lucas face, she could see the determination there. "Lucas, You don't have to sacrifice normal arm function for this, for us."
"This represents exactly what this system was designed for, what we've been fighting and surviving for" he replied firmly. cutting Emma off, "If sacrificing my arm opens the pathway to our mission's objectives, then that's what needs to happen, After all, I had lost it before"
Emma couldn't bare to watch his resolve and stood up not wanting to lose any part of her friends, not even Lucas arm, She had already lost Marcus, Who knows maybe Lucas losing his arm might actually cause him to lose his life in the process.
Despite all the emotions in the air and their collective exhaustion, the crew began working with coordination that seemed almost supernatural, it was as if the shared trauma from their recent trials had forged them into something that transcended normal teamwork, They moved around each other with intuitive understanding of the situation, anticipating needs without even conscious communication.
Aisha destributed power throughout the ship's systems, her consciousness was allowing her to balance energy requirements with unprecedented efficiency. Observer's fusion reactors started responding by increasing output towards maximum capacity. "Power levels are rising according to specifications" she reported steadily "We'll possess sufficient energy for portal generation but the operational window will be narrow, Emma"
Emma didn't reply and instead looked at Chloe who was configuring navigation systems for conceptual travel, Thanks to her understanding of dimensional physics which enables her to translate the star-chart's abstract information into concrete flight parameters. Her work demonstrates meticulouse attention to details, driven by awareness that any computational error could strand them permanently "Navigation systems are locked and configured now" she announced. "Course will be plotted directly for Meta-Nexus coordinates through conceptual space."
Gray heard her and immediately monitored overall ship integrity, his presence alone served to anchor their operation as various systems of the ship pushed beyond design specifications, He then said "Hull stress readings remain within acceptable parameters" his report was calm "Structural reinforcement fields minting stability and we've achieved maximum possible readiness" his lips showed something like a smirk.
Emma could see his smile and that made her took position at the helm, Feeling the Observer's consciousness, it merge with her own Aetherweave connection. The ship's determination became hers and its concerns also became her concerns, it was a deep connection now and it felt like she was one with the ship in its entirety. Around them, golden-silver energy began to coalesce outside the main viewport as reality preapiad to accommodate their passage.
"The ship's fluxion collectors are automatically siphoning energy from the surrounding void space" Aisha reported again, she had been monitoring the power distribution "it also seems like passive energy absorption is supplementing our reactor output for portal generation requirements" Lucas concern about the ship not being able to generate a portal seems to have been solved and where he was seated, Aisha could see his face soften into a sign of pleasure from hearing that.
But it wasn't the highlight of the moment, at least one minute after she had spoke, a perfect tear in the fabric of conventional reality began forming slowly but steadily, It's edges crackled with forces that existed between normal dimensions and through the growing aperture, Emma could glimpse something that transcended description. Something beyond conventional space and time, concepts that has been given tangible form, ideas that had transformed into navigable landscapes.
Upon seeing that, Emma commanded "Final comprehensive systems verification" her voice seem to carry this new authority that had emerged from maybe their transformation.
"Fluxion Energy collection is stable and optimal" Aisha replied immediately "And Passive siphoning has maintained required power levels" she confirmed.
Lucas followed "Techsynth's integration procedures is also complete" as he added, his servo glowed with contained power that caused the surrounding air to vibrate wigj harmonics. "Luminari portal interface systems are ready for activation"
"Questmind framework maintaining full stability" Auren wasn't left out as he announced through their interface "All tactical guidance protocols remain active and functional. Surely, I'll maintain contact for as long as conceptual space condition permit"
Gray couldn't be last "All stations has reported complete readiness for conceptual transition operations" he announced calmly.
Hearing everybody, Emma signed in relief, Looked at each member of her crew in turn, who are now definitely more than friends. Seeing not just teammates but fellow pioneers preparing to explore reality's deepest structures.
Outside the viewport, The portal kept pulsing with patterns that were simultaneously beautiful and terrifying.
And as Emma glanced at the window beside her, normal space began fading as familiar reference points grew distant, Replaced now with geometric patterns which causes discomfort when observed directly. Observer's engines active not to propel them through space but to facilitate their transition through infinite layers of realities.
But something happened, suddenly Emma's Aetherweave connection flared dramatically as she interfaces with the portal's conceptual security systems, what she felt, or rather, the sensation that overwhelmed her resembled solving equations written in pure emotions, as though thinking in colors without names and comprehending relationships between ideas rather than objects. Her consciousness stretched across dimensions that existed in possibility than actuality, She had never felt such way before, If she wasn't blessed with enhanced perception, she would have crumbled and hit the ship's floor hard.
Yet, she stood in the helm and yelled "Begin transition to conceptual space!"
Just as she had commanded, Observer lurched forward as reality blurred along it's edges. Through the growing vortex, eamma could perceive their destination, Where thoughts became landscapes and dreams acquired navigable form.
The movement shook them, Lucas maintained focus as power surged through his servo and neural pathways systematically dissappeared. But the critical connection held stable, even more, The Portal maintained integrity.
"Farewell to conventional reality" whispered chloe.
The Observer then plunged into the vortex, the sound it made was felt by all, And of course, Emma felt it more.
As they leave, behind them, The normal space had collapsed into familiar starlight. Ahead lay the destination "Seat of the Forgotten" a place where ancient powers waited to be discovered or perhaps destroyed.
Of course, Emma felt the Observer's consciousness since they're now one, merged completely with her own no was they traveled through spaces where would become none-spaces.
They were no longer merely Seedkeepers traveling through the stars and had become pioneers of conceptual space itself, navigating toward a destiny none of them fully understood.
They gave each other a shared look, a final shared looked of grime resolve, The Seedkeepers had braced themselves.
The ship lurched forward and Emma guided the Observer into the silent, beautiful vortex while leaving their own reality behind.
Threshold of eternity had opened before them now, and they crossed it together.