Third Person POV
The system did not rush. That was the first sign something had changed again. Before, every new state arrived with movement, pulses, shifts, reactions. Now it settled into itself. Like it had learned patience.
The observer node remained at the center of the structure. Not dominating. Not controlling. But impossible to ignore. Every connection bent toward it. Not by force. By relevance. Alaric stepped closer. Not physically. But within the structure. His awareness moved. And the system allowed it.
"Show origin," he said quietly. Dr. Ward turned sharply. "No." But it was too late. The system had already begun. REQUEST ACCEPTED The structure dimmed. Not fading. Receding. Like something deeper was being uncovered.
