[Three Currents Trench — Day 21]
The Trench did not announce itself.
There was no change in the water's color, no visible sign on the horizon.
Only the moment when the boat crossed the invisible line between the normal ocean and something that was not — and the three Fragments on Alex's chest responded at the same time.
[F1 Corruption: 95.5% → 96%]
[F4 Corruption: 64.5% → 65.5%]
[F5 Corruption: 24% → 26.5%]
Three points distributed among the three in two seconds.
Without Alex doing anything.
"I feel it," said Alex.
"I know." Seraph beside him. "Don't activate them. Just let them be."
"They're rising on their own."
"I know. Let them."
---
The Trench's energy field was visible now that they were inside — not with the eyes, but on the spiritual plane.
Emily at the stern with her eyes closed and the expression of someone processing too much noise at once.
