[Hi.]
Vaelith's monotonous voice echoed softly through the space.
Sophie's head snapped up. Her gaze locked onto the hovering Diamond Core.
She recognized that voice immediately.
It was the same one. The one that had spoken to her two weeks ago, when Bruce had vanished right in front of her. The one that had reassured her that he was alive. That he was safe.
Her lips curved into a gentle smile as understanding dawned fully.
So this was it.
The guardian of the world.
And Bruce. The fact Bruce already knew and was interacting with it. It didn't surprise her.
If anything, it explained everything. His strength. His growth. The way he always seemed one step ahead of impossible odds.
Standing there, bathed in the glow of Velmora's core, Sophie felt something else too, a quiet realization she didn't dwell on. Her own strength had been rising rapidly as well. Faster than she'd ever expected.
She looked back at Bruce, eyes shining, not with doubt, but with trust.
