The Garden became quiet.
Not empty.
Not fearful.
Listening.
The seed's question continued echoing through eternity.
Who is waiting for them?
The flowers no longer bloomed.
The rivers no longer sang.
Even the ancient trees stood motionless beneath impossible skies.
Because the question had reached somewhere none of them had ever looked before.
Beyond possibility.
Beyond futures.
Beyond the Garden itself.
The emotional resonance flowing through existence shifted softly.
Curiosity replacing certainty.
Wonder replacing understanding.
The Witness stood silently beneath the ancient tree.
His eyes fixed on a horizon no one else could see.
For the first time in a very long time—
He looked small.
Not weak.
Humbled.
Adrian noticed immediately.
"…You don't know."
The Witness smiled faintly.
"No."
The answer carried no shame.
No discomfort.
Only honesty.
The seed brightened thoughtfully.
THAT IS HAPPENING A LOT LATELY.
Aria immediately started laughing.
