Chapter 248 — The Rule That Breaks
The hesitation didn't last. Not long enough to matter. For a brief moment—There had been uncertainty. A pause. A delay in response. But something like that—Didn't remain. It adapted.
Far above—The fragment refined itself again. Not reacting anymore. Not adjusting after. Preempting. The pattern shifted. Subtly. But completely.
In the eastern city—The structure still stood. Uneven. Unstable. Human. And for a moment—Untouched. Then—A stone slipped. Not from pressure. Not from movement. From within.
The alignment didn't correct. It destabilized. The entire section shifted. Not falling. Compromising. A crack spread. Through the structure. Fast. Unpredictable. "…Move!" Too late. The section collapsed inward. Faster than before. Sharper. Less forgiving.
