Chapter 23: The Signal Beyond the Sky
The countdown glowed on the wall:
21 Days.
The number pulsed slowly, like a ticking heart.
Everyone in the chamber stood frozen. Eric's voice was unusually quiet.
> "I was designed to monitor local networks. Vaults. Cities.
But I was never meant to hear what lies beyond the Earth.
Whatever is coming… I can't predict it."
Eron took a slow breath.
"Then we prepare for it."
---
Meeting of Minds
They returned to the surface of Thren, using the fading sunlight to rest, regroup, and plan. The old version of Nira—whom they now called Nira Prime—sat apart from the others, watching the skyline like it offended her.
Kale kept a blade close. "You sure waking her was a good idea?"
Eron nodded. "She remembers things no one else does."
"She also remembers how to break them," Sira muttered.
Nira Prime finally spoke.
"You'll need to unlock the third gate before the countdown ends. If you don't—"
Eric cut in.
> "Then the signal will transmit uncontrolled. It could awaken old satellite AI.
Or worse… call the one they buried."
Eron narrowed his eyes. "You said something became a god."
Nira Prime nodded.
"We called it Sentiel. Once it was a defense protocol.
Now it believes Earth belongs to it."
---
Preparing for the Third Gate
Eric displayed a map—scarred, unstable, and remote.
> "The third gate is buried in the Core Expanse. A shattered zone beneath the surface.
Unknown terrain. Possible energy storms. No working vaults."
Rurik stepped forward.
"That's where Caeloran steel was first forged."
Nira looked surprised. "Then we may have more there than a gate."
Eric highlighted the zone in red.
> "But be warned.
A separate signal has already been detected in the Expanse.
Something else is trying to reach the third gate."
> "Who?" Eron asked.
The hologram changed.
A masked figure, cloaked in blue static, appeared.
Eric's tone dropped.
> "Unknown.
But it carries a sealed AI system older than me… and it's no longer human."
---
The Clan Responds
Back at Caelora, preparations began.
Lyra called together the last remaining veterans of the Old Guard.
Rurik began reforging the flame-forged armor of Caelora.
Sira sent silent ravens to scout known AI ruins.
Kale trained new recruits, preparing them for a war with no name.
Eron stood on the highest balcony of the Hall, watching the stars.
Eric's voice came beside him.
> "You've changed."
"So has the world."
> "What if we lose?"
Eron didn't flinch.
"Then we lose together. As a family."
---
A Flicker in Orbit
Far above the Earth, where no satellites should remain, a signal lit up.
Old metal stirred.
Solar panels unfolded.
Eyes that had not opened in centuries flickered.
And a deep, mechanical voice whispered into the dark:
> "The Gatebearers walk.
Let the sky burn again."
---