The stillness outside Sanctum was broken only by the shimmering outline of a being that should not exist. It remained kneeling—calm, vast, and ancient, yet its presence clawed at the minds of every being sensitive to aura or memory.
Orrak'Zhal.
The name itself bent the air when spoken aloud, as if language were insufficient to contain it.
Inside Sanctum's central chamber, Iden stood flanked by Rael, Kael, and Nyra—each of them armed not with weapons, but with knowledge, technology, and the scars of everything they'd survived. Yet even now, as they stared at the being that had stepped from beyond the stars, they felt unprepared.
The system responded before Iden could.
[Global Quest Update – Final World Quest: Echoes of the First Fracture]
New Branch Unlocked:"Orrak'Zhal, The Memory of Earth"
Triggering Entity: Orrak'ZhalDesignation: Observer-Class Memory Core of the Lost Earth Nexus
This entity has no allegiance. It is not hostile.
Quest Parameters – WORLDWIDE MANDATE:
[Survival Protocol: 10-Year Cycle Initiated]
All existing factions, alliances, and independent powers must survive 10 Earth-years under collapsing dimensional pressure.
Conditions:– Maintain Core Civilization Integrity– Protect at least one Node-Class population center– Avoid existential collapse from Abyssal resurgence, mana collapse, or time-fold erosion
Reward:– Grant of Exodus: All surviving powers will receive access to a new stabilized homeworld, fully terraformable– Transfer Authority: Entire cities, technologies, resources, and bonded entities may be teleported during the Exodus Window
Failure:– Collapse of system structures– No refuge granted– Total memory erasure from the Source Root
Time Remaining: 10 Earth Years (≈120 Local Months)
Tracking Entity: Orrak'Zhal (Non-Combatant Memory Core)
"This is not judgment. This is remembrance. Let those who wish to live—endure."
The entire Sanctum interface flickered in response. Holographic projections blinked into place, not just in Iden's chamber but in major hubs across the world.
For the first time since the emergence of Abyssal Riftpoints, all surviving major factions received the same directive. Whether hostile, neutral, or allied, each now stared at the same line of golden text etched across their skies:
"Survive, and you may leave this place behind."
In Sanctum, Rael slowly exhaled. "So this isn't just for us. This is… everyone."
"It's a world purge," Kael muttered. "No, not even that. It's a test to see who's fit to move on."
Nyra's brows narrowed. "Why now?"
"Because the world we're on," Iden said grimly, "was never meant to survive this long. The Tear on Earth… this world was the cradle. A temporary nest for those who fled."
Kael's eyes widened. "And now the cradle is burning."
Orrak'Zhal finally moved.
Its projection rose slowly, radiating the impression of a man—tall, shrouded in prismatic fractals, without face or voice. Yet his thoughts entered their minds like whispers encoded in light.
"Survival is not salvation. But failure is oblivion."
A wave of power burst out, but it wasn't an attack. It was a gift—if it could be called such.
A single glowing Core Glyph embedded itself in the central monolith of Sanctum's control pillar.
[Dimensional Anchor Established]
Sanctum has been marked as one of the eligible Exodus Points.
Teleportation Rights Granted:– Cities, Infrastructure, Bound Constructs, Soulbound Items, Technologies– Citizens recognized by core governance
Note: Entities not bonded to a Faction or Alliance will not be included in the final evacuation
Rael looked shaken. "He's letting us bring everything?"
"He's letting the survivors start over," Iden corrected. "But only if they earn it."
Kael's expression hardened. "That means war's coming. Factions won't just try to survive—they'll try to wipe each other out to secure more evacuation space."
Iden turned to face his command team, his voice calm but unyielding.
"Then we will do what Sanctum always has. We endure. We prepare. And when the Exodus Window opens... we leave nothing behind."
Outside, Orrak'Zhal gave one final glance to the sky—toward the fading Tear still streaking across the stars.
Then it knelt again, returning to stillness.
Waiting.
Recording.
Watching.