The call resonated, filling every empty space within the ancient underground complex, seeping into Elena's bones, vibrating her nerves. It wasn't just a sound, but a resonance, a frequency that seemed designed to interact directly with her consciousness. Unit-X, now bio-synaptically linked to her—a detail she was only now fully realizing—translated some of those vibrations into vague sensory information: anomalous energy patterns, gravitational field fluctuations, and an unprecedented soundwave matrix.
Elena forced her stiff body to move. Every muscle ached, her joints protested with creaks, and a persistent headache still plagued her. Four centuries without active movement had left its mark, eroding her strength. Yet, her determination, now burning brighter than her physical pain, propelled her forward. She knew she was alone, and with that realization came an immense responsibility. She was the only human echo left, and this call, whatever it was, felt like the only purpose she had.
"Which way?" Elena whispered, her voice still hoarse.
A green holographic arrow lit up on the dark floor before her, pointing down a deeper passage, shrouded in shadows. The corridor smelled of damp moss and rusty metal, a strange combination. Its walls were no longer smooth like the cryo-pod chamber, but intricately carved with patterns that looked like tree roots or veins of life, made of an unknown material. There was a faint golden hue in some parts of the carvings, emitting their own dim glow.
"Main corridor. Signal energy levels are increasing exponentially in this direction," Unit-X replied, its voice still emotionless, yet there was a calming mathematical accuracy in the data it conveyed. Unit-X was not just an AI; it was a loyal companion, a library of knowledge, and her eyes in this alien world. She felt as if Unit-X was an extension of herself, a part of her once-empty memory now filled with a gigantic database.
Elena began to walk, trying to adjust to Xylos-7's gravity, which felt slightly heavier than Earth's. Each step was a struggle, but the sensation of the melody piercing her brain provided a kind of adrenaline. The corridor felt endless, winding downwards, deeper into the planet's heart. The sound of her own footsteps, echoing in the silent corridor, was the only proof of her presence.
As Elena moved further, signs of decay began to appear. Some sections of the wall had collapsed, revealing natural rock beneath. There were dark puddles in some places, with glowing moss growing along their edges, emitting a soft blue-green light. Small creatures, like crystal insects, flitted around the moss, emitting a soft hum. These were the first direct signs of life on Xylos-7 she had seen.
"Ecological data," Elena commanded.
"Flora: Luminous Moss (Xylos-Foliage-01), possesses bio-luminescent properties. Fauna: Crystal Insects (Xylos-Insecta-03), silicon-based organisms, non-aggressive. Both are part of the underground ecosystem," Unit-X identified quickly. "Air composition analysis: 78% Nitrogen, 20% Oxygen, 1% Argon, 1% unknown gas. Safe for human respiration. Temperature: Stable at 22 degrees Celsius."
Elena took a deep breath, trying to sense the alien air. It was slightly humid, a little earthy, but clean. None of the pollution she knew from old Earth. A sigh of relief escaped her lips. This air, at least, was hospitable.
The Luminous Pool
Suddenly, the corridor ahead widened into a giant, open cavern. Elena stopped at the threshold, awestruck by the sight before her. The cavern was immense, its ceiling soaring so high it disappeared into the darkness above. However, it wasn't the darkness that captured her attention, but the light. Thousands of giant crystals grew from the floor and ceiling, emitting a soft purple glow, as if the entire cavern were a gem cathedral. The light pulsed in rhythm with the melody that called her, creating the illusion of a breathing space.
In the center of the cavern, a large pool of glowing green water flowed slowly, emitting a thin, sweet-smelling, mineral-scented vapor. Strange trees, looking like a hybrid of coral and giant moss, grew around the pool, their branches twisting upwards, also emitting the same light. The air here felt more alive, more saturated with energy.
"Energy anomaly," Unit-X announced. "Energy concentration in this area is ten times higher than the Xylos-7 average. The calling signal appears to originate from this luminous pool."
Elena stepped into the cavern, feeling the energy embrace her. Each step brought her closer to the pool. However, as she approached, the sound of the melody intensified, and her head began to throb with pain. A strange pressure built on her forehead, as if something was trying to penetrate her mind.
"Unit-X, this... this feels strange. There's pressure in my head."
"Psionic waves detected. This signal is not merely a physical energy transmission, but also an entity attempting to interact mentally. This is a form of non-verbal communication," Unit-X explained. "This may be the calling mechanism of the Architects mentioned in your logs."
Architects. The name carried an additional weight. The ancient civilization responsible for the Technological Oasis and her mission as Guardian. Was this her first contact with them? Or just remnants of their existence?
The Vision
As Elena reached the edge of the pool, the pressure in her head peaked, and she had to grip one of the glowing coral-like trees to steady herself. The pool seemed bottomless, its depths disappearing into an immeasurable green light. In its center, a vortex of light slowly swirled, drawing her attention.
From that vortex, a shadow began to form. Not a dark shadow, but a silhouette of light that grew denser. Its form was tall and slender, with elegant lines unlike a human. It was a figure formed from light itself, radiating an aura of wisdom and power. Elena held her breath.
The figure had no clear facial features, only a denser swirl of light where eyes should be. The melody now emanated directly from the figure, filling the entire cavern, overwhelming Elena's senses. She felt herself drawn forward, step by step, helpless against the invisible force.
"Identify entity," Elena commanded, her voice strained.
"Unknown entity. However, energy patterns are consistent with hypothesized Architect characteristics. Shows no signs of hostility," Unit-X reported, with a slight pause, as if the AI itself was processing something new.
As Elena was just a few steps from the pool, the light figure raised one of its long, graceful arms. Its movements were slow, like a dance underwater. Then, from its palm, a thin thread of light extended, like silk, and shot towards Elena's forehead.
There was no pain, only a cold, sharp sensation as the thread of light pierced her skin. Elena flinched, but couldn't move. Her eyes widened, staring at the figure. And then, an explosion of images and information flooded her mind, like a dam breaking.
She saw flashes of crumbling planets, dying galaxies, and extinguished stars. She saw unknown creatures, struggling to survive amidst destruction. She saw the Architects, not as omniscient creators, but as struggling entities, trying to save what could be saved. They were Guardians, protectors, but also beings burdened by unimaginable responsibility.
Then, the images shifted to Earth, but not the Earth she knew. Not the dying Earth she left behind, but a shattered Earth, turned to dust, swallowed by darkness. And the final flash, a face. A faint face, a woman with eyes full of sorrow but also full of hope. The face of Lysandra.
The vision ended as quickly as it came, leaving Elena reeling, gasping for breath. The thread of light retracted from her forehead, and the light figure slowly dimmed, returning to a vortex of energy in the center of the pool. The melody didn't disappear, but faded into a constant background hum.
"What... what was that?" Elena mumbled, holding her still-throbbing head.
"A data transmission. Too dense to process instantly," Unit-X replied, its voice slightly faster. "However, I detect a directive. Location of the Technological Oasis. Coordinates have been sent to your navigation."
Technological Oasis. The true destination. Something she sought, but now, after the vision, she felt a heavier burden. She wasn't just seeking refuge, but destiny.
Elena turned towards the luminous pool, to where the light figure had disappeared. She knew that she had received more than just a call. She had received a vision, a warning, and a burden that would change everything.
"We need to go there immediately," Elena said, her voice now filled with urgency. She knew this was just the beginning, that Xylos-7 held far greater secrets, and that her adventure as the "Seed Guardian" had officially begun. The melody continued to hum, now no longer just a call, but the melody of destiny.