Zoma's voice echoed through the control room, calm yet sharp, each word carrying the weight of something far older than any of them could comprehend.Bjorn, Chris, and Halley stood motionless, the cold truth of her words sinking in. They remembered Youri's warning — half a drunken tale, half a whisper of dread — and now, standing before the being who confirmed it, the reality became undeniable.
Zoma's eyes glimmered faintly as the hum of the ring resonated through the ship. She could feel it—the pulse of the ancient machinery awakening, a rhythm she hadn't sensed in eons.
She turned toward the crew, her expression calm yet knowing. In their faces she saw the same fire she had once witnessed in her creators—the desire to cross the unknown, to touch the forbidden edges of existence itself.
It was then she understood.
These humans, these wanderers, had not come merely to study or to scavenge the relic of her world. They were here for the passage—for the portal that even empires once feared to open.
Zoma stepped forward, her movements graceful and deliberate, the faint echo of her steps filling the control room. The flicker of blue light from the holographic consoles washed over her form as she spoke, her voice soft but resonant, as if carried by the very hum of the universe.
"If your mission is to travel to the next ring," Zoma said, her form shimmering faintly in the dim light, "you may do so. But I must warn you… once you step inside the gate, you will not be traveling through this universe. You will be crossing a corridor that links many others to this one."
Her voice was smooth, almost melodic, yet it pierced through the air like a blade. The crew exchanged glances, the silence around them heavy enough to crush.
Halley took a breath, her tone controlled but tense."I'm going to call Oscar. We need to talk about this."
Zoma turned her gaze toward her, curiosity flickering in her faintly glowing eyes."You have a ship out there? I can send my projection into your device and join you, if you don't mind. I'm very curious to see the advancements of this age."
Bjorn leaned close to Halley, his voice low."I don't think that's a good idea, Halley. She could hijack the ship's systems in seconds."
Zoma gave a soft smile, a gesture that felt almost human."Don't worry, wanderers. I have duties here — ancient ones. I'm not looking to leave."
Halley straightened her stance, meeting the being's eyes."Then I can arrange a meeting with our captain. But only if you promise to let us through the gate — and guide us to the ring we seek."
"As long as you are ready to face the consequences," Zoma replied, her voice quiet but firm, "I can send you to any ring that still breathes life."
The decision was made. Dangerous, yes — but if they wanted to understand the rings, there was no one better than the very mind that once governed them.
As they made their way back to the shuttle, the air itself seemed to tighten around them. The hum of the metallic corridors felt heavier, the shadows longer. A being older than empires was about to step aboard their ship — and none of them could shake the unease creeping through their chests.
When the shuttle broke through the hangar doors, Oscar was already waiting.Halley had briefed him on the way back, but even then, the story sounded impossible. He stood there, hands clasped behind his back, eyes locked on the returning craft.
As the hatch opened and the trio stepped out, Oscar moved forward."Where is it?" he asked immediately. "That Zoma being?"
Bjorn raised the DTI device carefully."We need to connect her to a holographic terminal first."
They made their way to the control room. Each step echoed louder than the last, the silence between them filled with unspoken questions. As they passed the kitchen, Youri leaned lazily against the doorway, a bottle still in his hand.
"I thought you guys went to the ring," he said, smirking faintly. "Why are you back so soon?"
None of them answered. Their faces said everything. Oscar turned to him."You'll want to see this, Youri. Come to the control room."
Inside, the crew gathered. The lights dimmed slightly as Bjorn approached the main terminal and connected the DTI. The ship's systems flickered — once, twice — then a faint hum filled the air as streams of light twisted together, forming a figure.
Zoma appeared.
She stood in the center of the room, her form translucent, shaped by faint blue and white light. Her eyes scanned the room, her gaze pausing on each crewmember, each console — as though memorizing the ship from the inside out.
"Who is the captain of this vessel?" she asked.
Oscar stepped forward, voice steady."I am."
Zoma drifted closer, her eyes glinting as she studied him, her tone thoughtful."You don't strike me as one who's traveled the corridors. Tell me — how did you come into possession of this ship?"
Oscar's expression hardened."Why does that matter to you?"
"Because," she said, her voice soft but firm, "you seem unaware of what your ship truly is."
Oscar's brow furrowed."What do you mean?"
Zoma turned her head slightly, her gaze settling on Youri."You," she said, her tone shifting. "You've been through the corridors before, haven't you?"
Youri's smirk faded. His expression turned distant, hollow."I've been to many places," he said quietly. "And yes… I think I passed through that corridor of yours."
"That explains much," she said. "You wish to use the gate, don't you?"
Oscar nodded."That's right. But first, you'll tell us what these corridors are — and what you are."
Zoma drifted back toward the terminal, lowering herself slowly as if taking a seat midair."Don't worry," she said calmly. "I'll answer your questions. But first, I have one of my own."
Her eyes locked on Youri once more, a strange softness in them."When you entered the corridor," she asked, "where did you end up?"
Youri's face went pale. He took a step closer, the light from the terminal casting long shadows across his face. For a long moment, he said nothing — then, a faint smirk returned to his lips, though his eyes stayed cold.
"The Banished Realm," he said."Tartarus."
The name hit the room like a thunderclap. The lights flickered; a chill swept through the air. No one understood the words, but they all felt them — heavy, dark, and ancient.
Zoma's expression darkened."You pure soul," she whispered, "so you ended up in hell after all."
Her words lingered, soft as a lullaby, heavy as judgment.Then she straightened, her projection shimmering faintly as she addressed them all.
"You may ask me any question you wish," she said.
Bjorn took a step forward, his curiosity overpowering his fear."Then tell us this," he said. "What is the gate? We can start from there."