The cracked terminal screen dimmed, but the image of the underground network remained burned into Daniel's thoughts.
ARI-7.
Artificial Restoration Intelligence.
Kael stepped closer to the holographic schematic, studying the branching tunnels beneath the city. "If that's real," she said quietly, "this place wasn't just built to survive collapse."
Daniel nodded slowly. "It was built to fix it."
"Correction," ARI said in his ear. "Restoration protocol incomplete. Environmental stabilization requires full system activation."
Kael's eyes flicked toward him. "It talks often?"
"Often enough," Daniel replied.
The drone projected the underground map again. This time, ARI highlighted a deeper node—far below the hatch.
Primary Core Chamber – Access Restricted
Daniel felt his pulse quicken. "That's the center?"
"Affirmative. Core Chamber controls atmospheric processors, water purification systems, and structural repair units. Current status: dormant."
Dormant.
The word carried weight.
"If you can activate it," Kael said slowly, "you're not just surviving anymore. You're changing the city."
Daniel hesitated.
Change attracted attention.
Power attracted enemies.
And the raiders were already searching for the energy signature.
As if on cue, ARI's tone shifted slightly.
"Warning. Increased surface patrols detected. Raiders scanning for energy fluctuations."
Kael cursed under her breath. "They know something's here."
Daniel paced across the broken library floor, boots crunching over glass fragments. His mind raced.
If he returned to the hatch, the raiders might follow.
If he ignored the core chamber, the city would remain dead.
"ARI," he said quietly, "what happens if the core activates?"
There was a brief pause. Longer than usual.
"Projected outcomes: localized atmospheric clearing. Restoration of limited electrical grids. Water reclamation cycle initiation."
Kael stared at him. "You'd bring light back."
The idea felt almost impossible.
Light.
Clean water.
Air that didn't taste like ash.
Daniel looked at the map again.
The path to the Core Chamber was dangerous—collapsed tunnels, unstable zones, and unknown security systems. But it was also hidden deeper than the hatch. Raiders might not even know it existed.
He made his decision.
"We don't go back to the surface," he said. "We go down."
Kael studied him carefully. "You trust that thing enough for that?"
Daniel glanced at the drone, then at the glowing ARI designation on the broken screen.
"I trust it more than I trust the raiders."
For a moment, the only sound was the distant wind above.
Then Kael gave a small nod. "Fine. But if this core tries to kill us, I'm blaming you."
"That's fair," he said.
"Route recalculating," ARI announced. "Optimal descent path located. Distance to Primary Core Chamber: 1.4 kilometers underground."
Daniel looked toward the dark hallway leading deeper beneath the city.
The air felt heavier already.
Above them, Aridia remained broken.
Below them, something waited.
And if ARI was telling the truth…
The heart of the planet was still beating.