felt it before the Universe Tree reacted.
Something reached for its roots.
Not to destroy them.
Not to corrupt them.
To rewrite what they grew from.
The human form Universe Tree turned its head slowly.
That has never happened before it said.
didn't appear as an enemy.
It appeared as a revision impulse a force trying to redefine the origin of existence itself.
If it succeeded, the Universe Tree wouldn't die.
It would be retconned.
Nyx stiffened. That thing isn't attacking you.
Selene swallowed It's targeting the structure that lets stories exist.
Vorin clenched his fists So if it wins.
There will be no continuity I finished calmly.
The Tree raised a hand.
Roots of light and meaning spread through reality, anchoring timelines, stabilizing growth.
I will not dominate it said evenly.
But I will not be rewritten.
Aeris slowed collapsing timelines.
Liora bent probability just enough to prevent collapse.
For the first time.
They weren't watching.
They were participating.
I could end this instantly.
Erase the impulse. Invalidate its premise.
But I didn't.
Instead, I stood beside the Universe Tree.
Show me, I said, "how existence defends itself.
The Tree smiled faintly.
Then observe.
The revision impulse weakened.
Not crushed.
Outgrown.
Reality adapted. Roots deepened. Stories corrected themselves without my intervention.
The threat faded not defeated by force
But rendered unnecessary
The Universe Tree lowered its hand.
This is how we protect existence it said.
I nodded.
Good I replied.
Then I won't be alone when I finally stop acting forever.