The command center buzzed with activity.
Screens filled the walls.
Maps.
Coordinates.
Energy readings.
Every specialist in the facility seemed focused on a single point.
A single signal.
Kael stared at the large display in front of him.
A pulsing blue light blinked near the edge of the map.
"So that's it?"
The stranger stood beside him.
"That's our target."
Kael folded his arms.
"It doesn't look very far."
"It isn't."
The stranger's expression remained serious.
"Which is exactly why I'm worried."
Kael frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Before the stranger could answer, a scientist rushed forward.
"Sir."
Everyone turned.
The scientist looked pale.
Nervous.
"We finished analyzing the signal."
The room became quiet.
"And?"
The scientist swallowed.
"It doesn't make sense."
Kael exchanged a glance with the stranger.
"What doesn't make sense?"
The scientist pointed toward the screen.
"The signal is broadcasting like a Core."
A pause.
"But it isn't behaving like one."
The room grew silent.
Aetherion suddenly spoke.
"Explain."
Several people jumped.
They still weren't used to hearing the Core speak through Kael.
The scientist nervously cleared his throat.
"The signal's energy pattern changes every few seconds."
He zoomed in on the data.
"The frequency is unstable."
Another pause.
"Almost like it's... moving."
Kael blinked.
"Moving?"
The scientist nodded.
"Fast."
The room fell silent.
A Core moving on its own?
That wasn't normal.
Not even close.
Aetherion's voice became cold.
"Impossible."
The scientist shook his head.
"That's what we thought."
The signal suddenly flickered.
The blue dot jumped.
One hundred kilometers.
Instantly.
Gasps filled the room.
"What?"
"Did it teleport?"
"That's impossible."
The dot moved again.
And again.
And again.
Each movement was random.
Chaotic.
Wrong.
A chill ran down Kael's spine.
"Aetherion."
The Core answered immediately.
"I do not like this."
The stranger stared at the screen.
His expression darkening.
"Neither do I."
Suddenly—
Every monitor in the room flickered.
Static filled the displays.
The signal vanished.
Then reappeared.
Much closer.
The entire room froze.
The scientist's face turned white.
"Sir..."
The stranger slowly looked up.
"What?"
The scientist pointed toward the screen.
His hand trembled.
The signal wasn't outside anymore.
It wasn't across the continent.
It wasn't somewhere far away.
It was directly beneath them.
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Kael felt his heart stop.
Because whatever had been sending that signal...
Had already arrived.