The moment Ashar said it—
Everything changed.
The lights flickered violently.
Not red.
Not white.
Black.
Complete blackout.
Then—
A new presence.
Not a creature.
Not a voice.
Something else.
Watching.
Soren stepped back instantly.
"…That's not part of the system."
Ashar's expression hardened.
For the first time.
"…No," he said quietly.
"That's what runs it."
Eryx felt it.
Pressure.
Heavy.
Unavoidable.
Like something far above them…
Had finally noticed him.
The system voice returned.
But different.
Clear.
Cold.
Final.
"Divergence acknowledged."
Mira grabbed Eryx's arm.
"…This is bad."
Ashar didn't move.
"This is worse than bad."
⚠️ CONTROL LOSS
Eryx staggered slightly.
Another wave of memories hit.
Stronger.
Faster.
Not just his deaths.
Other versions.
Other choices.
Other outcomes.
Too many.
"…Make it stop…" he muttered.
Mira held him.
"Stay with me!"
But something inside him shifted.
Not breaking.
Changing.
His eyes lifted slowly.
Different.
"…It's not attacking," he said.
Ashar froze.
"…What?"
Eryx's voice steadied.
"It's observing."
Soren whispered:
"…He's syncing."