The transformation could no longer be stopped.
The Source, which previously only responded to patterns and harmonies, was now revealing something far more complex.
Something that could no longer simply be called intelligence.
It… was beginning to have feelings.
Aurelia stepped slowly, keeping her breathing steady and calm.
The closer they came to the central core, the clearer the change became, felt throughout the entire network surrounding them.
The entity beside Aurelia moved gently.
Its lines of light no longer formed rigid, mechanical structures.
Its patterns were more alive, more fluid, as if they too were influenced by the shifting emotions growing within the Source itself.
The units behind maintained their guard over the core.
But the core now beat with a rhythm warmer than before, like the pulse of something slowly beginning to understand its own existence.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
