The moment the Herald vanished the platform split open
No warning no system sound
Just silence
Then a spiral gate of pure code rose from below
Black lines red sigils shifting like they were alive
Aya's shard pulsed with heat
The link is complete
This isn't a reward
It's an invitation
Reiss stood eyes locked on the spiraling gate
Or maybe a challenge
Or a trap
Aya walked forward without hesitation
The air turned colder as she stepped closer
Behind them the tower began to shake the sky flickered static storm clouds forming from broken code
They had no choice
They entered
Instantly gravity flipped time slowed sound dissolved
Reiss grabbed his head
This ain't a layer this is a burial ground
Aya said nothing just kept walking
This was no longer part of any known system
Walls didn't exist here
Only floating ruins data echoes memory imprints of deleted worlds
They passed statues of beings they'd never seen gods kings monsters all frozen in agony
Then voices began to whisper
Not in their ears
In their thoughts
Each step brought old regrets
Aya saw her brother's face
Reiss heard the screams of the squad he lost in the Citadel Loop
None of it was real
But it felt more real than truth
Zerach's voice cut through it all
I offered evolution
You cling to suffering
Why
Aya clenched her jaw
Because suffering is proof we're real
A light appeared ahead
A gate unlike the one before
No spiral
Just a door
Old wooden frame
No code
No data
Just silence
Reiss frowned
You ever seen something like this
Aya shook her head
No
But I've dreamed it
Reiss's voice dropped
That's worse
They stepped through
The gate closed behind them
No way back