The light from the sky fissure dimmed as Kael and Sol moved through the inner sanctum of Delta-Seven. The air inside was alive—charged with currents of ancient power and humming with half-conscious systems awakening for the first time in centuries.
They had no time to rest.
Alarms screamed through the complex, followed by a low mechanical pulse.
The Architect had noticed.
Kael felt it—like pressure behind his eyes, a whisper echoing in his veins.
"He is connected now." Sol said grimly. "The Black Star Protocol has begun."
Kael looked at him. "What is it?"
Sol's expression tightened. "It's not just defense. It's extinction. A failsafe. He'll erase what's left of this world rather than let it change."
As if in response, the walls trembled. Massive gears turned behind reinforced vaults. From the deep corridors, massive constructs stirred—hulking machine-giants with cores of red lightning. Echo Titans.
Kael raised his hand. The Core flared once more—but it wasn't alone. From behind, lights activated. Holographic interfaces flickered to life. The Heart of Dawn had triggered long-dormant allies: defense systems built by the original rebellion, by the first Dawnbearers.
Weapons of light, designed to fight gods.
Sol drew his sword and smiled faintly. "We have a chance."
They sprinted forward, deeper into the sanctum.
Echo Titans surged behind them, roaring in distorted frequencies. Kael spun, raised his hand—and unleashed a solar wave that melted steel and memory alike. The hallway exploded in fire.
Sol darted ahead, slicing through armored drones with uncanny precision. Every step closer to the central chamber brought them closer to the Architect.
Kael felt it now.
The Architect was awake.
"You've grown." a voice said, booming from every surface.
Kael stopped. The walls rippled—metal transforming into a humanoid shape, a massive digital avatar of the Architect, eyes like collapsed stars.
"But light always burns out."
Kael stepped forward. "I'm not just light anymore. I'm what comes after."
The Architect raised a hand. The complex began to collapse inward—reality warping around them.
And still, Kael kept walking.
End of Chapter 20.