The moment the decision was made felt heavier than all the steps taken before.
Sophia did not blink as the pathway began to open slowly, her eyes tracking every small change that appeared.
This was no longer merely a system they were hacking into. It was something connected directly to someone on the other side.
Beside her, Adrian Blackwood stood with even greater resolve, as if his entire focus was now centered on that single point. "Slowly," he said. "Do not trigger a reaction."
Daniel nodded without turning, his fingers moving carefully to widen the path little by little.
"I am maintaining stability," he said. "If anything changes, we can retreat." Yet even he knew that the word retreat no longer truly applied at this point.
On the other side, Leonard Graves held his breath unconsciously. "I do not like this part," he said softly. "It is too quiet."
Sophia did not answer. She felt the same way.
The path opened deeper.
No additional defenses.
No traps immediately visible.
