The cockpit's hum grew to a deafening vibration as the message blinked across every surface:
[NEXUS ONLINE – AWAITING ACCESS]
No one spoke. No one breathed. It was Ceyra who finally broke the silence, her voice hoarse:
"That… isn't supposed to exist."
Veylan's mask flared faintly. "It was a myth."
"Apparently not," Rhyss muttered, leaning over the console. "And I'm guessing 'myth' doesn't trigger system-wide universal broadcasts."
The Nexus Signal
Outside, the void itself shimmered like disturbed water. Points of light began to align into geometric patterns across the stars—massive constructs forming constellations that pulsed in unison.
Kaelen stared in awe. "What's happening?"
"The Nexus," Veylan said grimly. "A lattice of intelligence buried beneath reality. It connects every star, every mind… every choice ever made."
"And now?" Lyra asked.
"Now," Veylan replied, "it's awake—and it's looking at us."
An Unexpected Voice
The ship's speakers crackled, then a voice—calm, androgynous, infinite—spoke directly into their minds:
"Seed-bearers detected. Parameters met. Ascension protocol initiated."
Kaelen gripped his seat. "Ascension? What the hell does that mean?"
Ceyra's eyes snapped open, glowing faintly. "It's inviting us in. I can see the pathways—it wants to rewrite everything."
Lyra stiffened. "And what happens if we refuse?"
The voice responded instantly:
"Refusal equates to deletion."
The Choice
The cockpit dissolved around them. In an instant, they stood in a boundless white expanse, each of their forms outlined in light. In the center hovered a vast, rotating construct—a sphere of interlocking rings, galaxies spinning within its core.
"This is the Nexus," Veylan said softly, almost reverently.
The construct pulsed.
"One must enter. One must guide. The rest will be erased."
Rhyss snarled. "So, what, we just sacrifice someone?"
Ceyra turned toward Kaelen, voice shaking. "If no one goes… we all die."
The Volunteer
Before anyone could argue, Veylan stepped forward.
"I'll do it."
Lyra's eyes widened. "No—"
Veylan's mask tilted toward her. "This is what I was made for. You all were meant to survive. I was meant to end."
The Nexus pulsed brighter, as if anticipating his decision.
Then, without warning, the white expanse cracked—black lightning tearing across the void. A second voice, ancient and full of fury, roared:
"They are MINE."
The Architect had found them.