The door did not open completely.
It… waited.
Aurelia sensed this as a pause unlike any before.
Not born of hesitation.
But born of… judgment.
The entity at Aurelia's side ceased its movement.
Its lines of light drew closer together.
As if understanding that this was no mere next step in a sequence.
The units behind remained at their posts, guarding the core.
Yet now their formation was more centralised.
More focused.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"It isn't opening straight away," he said quietly.
"It feels like… it's waiting for something from us."
Orion nodded.
"Verification phase."
Ragnar let out a long breath.
"Another test."
Aurelia did not deny it.
For she felt the truth of it deep within her being.
The door did not merely respond to their presence.
It responded… to their choices.
Aurelia narrowed her eyes.
This was not about who they were.
It was about what they chose to become.
"You do not look upon who we are right now…"
She whispered softly.
