POV: Lia
Location: Echo Core – Genesis Convergence Zone
Everything slowed.
Not in time.
But in sound.
Zeyren's voice. The crash of debris. The scream of her name from Kairo in the distance.
It all faded.
What didn't fade—was the feeling in her chest.
Something cracked inside her.
Like chains breaking.
She staggered backward, eyes burning, body seizing up—not in pain… in power.
Her blade clattered to the floor.
Zeyren watched her, eyes wide—not triumphant.
But reverent.
"You're awakening," he said softly.
"You're… her."
---
Visions of Before
Light filled her mind.
Not memories.
Echoes.
A figure—tall, cloaked in Genesis crystal, surrounded by stars and broken worlds.
A woman.
The First Architect.
And her voice:
"My blood shapes. My will binds. My legacy… chooses."
Lia dropped to her knees, clutching her head.
This wasn't a gift.
It was a burden.
And it was hers now.
---
Zeyren's Truth
He knelt in front of her.
"You're the last piece. The Genesis core will only answer to one who carries her blood. You were made to replace her."
Lia looked up, eyes glowing now.
"No," she whispered. "I was made to end this."
---
Transformation Begins
Her body began to shift.
Not grotesque like Zeyren's.
But clean. Luminous.
Energy sparked from her hands. Hair flickering with light. Veins glowing blue-white.
Zeyren reached out to touch her cheek.
She slapped his hand away—and it cracked the wall.
Zeyren blinked.
"…You really are her."
---
End Scene Tease:
From the far end of the chamber, Kairo burst through the rubble, eyes wide.
"Lia…?"
She turned to him, power radiating from her skin like a sun ready to burn.
"I'm still me," she said.
But even she didn't sound sure anymore.