Kay opened his eyes.
He was back inside the system.
But this place was different.
No shelves.
No rooms.
Just a wide digital space.
Endless lines of light moving in every direction.
"Where am I…?" he said.
"Relay access granted."
Kay looked around.
Data was flowing like a network.
Fast. Organized.
"This is how they control everything…"
He started walking.
Even though there was no ground, it felt stable.
As he moved, information appeared around him.
Names. Memories. Emotions.
Everything was connected.
Kay focused.
"I need a path to the Core."
"Searching…"
A line of light appeared in front of him.
Like a guide.
"Good," Kay said.
He followed it.
As he moved deeper, the system started reacting.
"Unrecognized activity detected."
Kay didn't stop.
"Of course they noticed…"
The light path continued.
But now, things were changing.
Some parts of the system were blocked.
Closed.
"Restricted areas…" Kay said.
"Access denied."
Kay tried again.
"No… open it."
For a second
Nothing happened.
Then
The path shifted.
"Partial access granted."
Kay smiled slightly.
"It's working."
But at the same time
A new message appeared.
"Security alert initiated."
Kay's expression changed.
"That was fast…"
The system around him started slowing down.
Not stopping.
Watching.
Then—
Figures appeared.
Not human.
Not fully.
Shapes made of data.
Moving toward him.
"Security…" Kay said.
He looked at the path.
Still open.
"I don't have time."
He moved faster.
The figures followed.
"Intrusion confirmed."
Kay focused on the path.
Closer now.
Then
A wall appeared.
Different from the others.
Stronger.
"Core gateway nearby."
Kay stopped.
"This is it…"
Behind him, the figures were getting closer.
Kay placed his hand on the wall.
"Open."
"Access requires higher authorization."
Kay clenched his jaw.
"I don't have that."
The system stayed silent.
The figures were almost there.
Kay closed his eyes for a second.
Thinking fast.
Then he said:
"I already connected once… use that."
A pause.
Then
"Previous trace detected…"
"Authorization… unstable…"
The wall flickered.
A small opening appeared.
Kay smiled.
"That's enough."
He stepped forward
Suddenly
Pain hit his head.
Strong.
Memories started breaking.
The girl's face
Fading.
"No…" Kay whispered.
"Memory cost applied."
Kay forced himself to move.
He crossed the opening.
Behind him
The system closed.
The figures stopped.
Inside
Everything changed.
A new space.
Darker.
Deeper.
And a single message appeared in front of him:
"Welcome to the Core."