The space between stories was rarely this quiet.
Above a horizon made of half-rendered skies and stilled timelines, the Threadwriter stood at the edge of a shifting platform of woven light. His coat billowed slightly, though there was no wind here — only memory and intent.
Behind him, Veyne approached with calm steps, carrying two folded maps — not of locations, but of possible outcomes.
"They've all gathered," Veyne said. "Even the ones who had to rewrite themselves to do it."
Threadwriter gave the faintest nod. "And the Coherence Lead?"
"Still observing. But his reach ends where their will begins."
Threadwriter looked into the weave — a shimmering layer of threads, each glowing with the resonance of a character. Mei's thread curled gently around Jun's. Aro's line, strong and certain, ran parallel to Rin's — no longer fractured. Elu and Kaen burned side by side, distinct, unbroken. The world was holding.
"They've already done what we couldn't," Threadwriter said. "They made this place real."
A hum stirred behind them — a Weaving Chamber pulsing softly. Several Weavers were adjusting anchor-points, finalizing stabilizers. None of them spoke. They didn't need to.
One of the senior Weavers — once a Patcher from the old code restoration teams — stepped forward. Her voice was steady.
"We will stay behind the weave. But if the Lead breaches the threshold, we will step in."
Threadwriter turned to her.
"No," he said. "You'll do more than that. You'll remember. All of this. Not just the victories. Not just the ending. Everything."
She paused — then bowed her head, understanding.
Veyne unrolled one of the maps and held it open.
It showed a world that no longer looped.
A world that could end.
But also — one that could live.