"The Final Cycle begins."
The Witness's words echoed across existence.
For a moment—
Nothing happened.
The Heart Chamber remained silent.
The Rift remained open.
The Graveyard of Worlds remained frozen.
And yet everyone felt it.
Something had changed.
Something fundamental.
Something irreversible.
The Witness slowly blinked.
The ancient symbols surrounding its colossal eye accelerated.
Thousands of golden runes spun through the void.
Each one carries knowledge older than time.
Each one records reality itself.
Emily felt the Heart Symbol burning on her forehead.
The inheritance trembled.
Not from fear.
From recognition.
The Heart knew what the Witness had declared.
The realization sent a chill through her.
Because she didn't.
Not yet.
The silence finally broke when Alexander stepped closer.
"What is the Final Cycle?"
His voice echoed through the chamber.
No one answered immediately.
Then—
"The end."
Everyone turned.
Astraea stood motionless.
