Location: Forum Tower – Network Integrity Division
Time: 7:12 AM
Nila rubbed her eyes as screen after screen replayed the incident.
> A ghost module…
No origin.
No author.
No command tree.
Just… existence.
"Everything clean above Layer 3," reported a technician. "But below that? Data echoes. Like someone whispered through the foundation."
Nila stared at the screen. A soft red pulse blinked in perfect rhythm. It wasn't aggressive. It wasn't viral.
It was patient.
---
Location: Mira's Outpost – Southern Region
Time: 8:03 AM
Mira poured water across a series of seedlings in their makeshift greenhouse. Ever since Kaen's initiative, their community had begun rebuilding—not just physically, but emotionally. Kids laughed again. Adults planned without dread.
But something was off today.
She noticed it first in the plants.
Leaves were turning slightly—not towards the sun, but toward the tower. All of them. Even the vines.
Like they were listening.
Watching.
Responding.
