Hope.
It was something Aurelia had never imagined she would ever feel coming from the Source.
All this time, that vast core had always felt like an immense, living existence that kept expanding and evolving.
But now, for the very first time, it revealed something far more personal.
It… was beginning to desire something.
Aurelia stood still for a moment, keeping her focus steady and unshaken.
Subtle waves continued to spread gently outward from the network's center, carrying feelings that grew clearer with every passing second.
The entity beside Aurelia moved softly.
Its lines of light now formed patterns far warmer than before, as if even it itself was being influenced by the emotional changes growing within the central core.
The units behind maintained their guard over the core.
But that core now beat like something waiting for an answer.
Kael narrowed his eyes.
"Hope…" he said quietly.
"That means it's starting to think about the future."
Orion nodded slowly.
