Chapter 18 — Clara
[Neural Link – The Memory Field]
Light shimmered across a blank horizon.
And then—she was there.
Not whole. Not gone.
Clara stood beneath a red sky rippling like static. The floor beneath her reflected liquid light. Her outline wavered—half human, half code.
"Kai?" Her voice trembled. "Where are we?"
He turned toward her. "It's me. You're almost back."
Her hands glowed faintly. "Why can I feel everything… and nothing?"
"Your mind's syncing," he said softly. "Elara's pulling you out. The system's finishing what I started."
Her gaze held his. "And you?"
He hesitated. "Still connected. Keeping the bridge open so you can cross."
Her voice cracked. "Then when I cross… it closes."
He nodded.
She shook her head, stepping closer.
"Then don't. You don't have to vanish for me."
"I told you I'd bring you home," he said. "This is how I do it."
Her hand rose to his chest. It passed through in a shimmer of gold.
"You're already part of it now," she whispered.
"I know."
They stood close—two outlines of light sharing something like breath.
"I never thanked you," she murmured.
He smiled faintly. "You already did."
The air brightened. Her body began to dissolve, lifting like sparks.
"Kai…" she whispered.
"I'm right here," he said—steady, final.
A soft pulse passed between them, warm as joined hands in the dark.
Then she was gone.
Kai stood alone in the silence.
"She made it," he said quietly. "She's home."
End of Chapter 18