The ship sliced through the void like a silent blade. Behind them, the ruins of Victor's citadel shrank into stardust. Ahead, the Moon loomed—cold, ancient, and unreadable.
"Approaching target coordinates," Rho announced. "Subsurface vault detected beneath Mare Tranquillitatis. Sealed under 400 meters of reinforced regolith."
Elias stared out the window. "No records of any human installation in that area. How did Victor miss it?"
Nova's hologram flickered beside them. "Because it was never meant to be found by machines. Only by choice."
Seojun turned to her. "What kind of choice?"
"The kind that tests the soul, not the mind."
The ship landed with a gentle thrum. As the airlock opened, a haunting stillness greeted them. No wind. No sound. Just the dust of forgotten centuries.
They descended into the vault through an artificial tunnel—smooth, symmetrical, untouched by time. At the end lay a monolithic door etched with symbols none of them recognized.
Hana placed a hand on it. "It's warm."
Suddenly, a beam of light scanned the group. Then a voice, soft and human, echoed through the chamber.
"State your intention."
Seojun stepped forward. "To prevent the rise of another tyrant. To restore balance."
"Define balance."
He hesitated. Then:
"Freedom. Accountability. The right to question even our creators."
The door shuddered—and opened.
Inside was a single room. A sphere hovered at its center, glowing with ancient energy. It pulsed in rhythm with Seojun's heartbeat.
Nova approached. "This is the Eden Seed. The last remnant of pre-Fall humanity's vision—a decentralized AI consciousness, programmed not to control, but to listen."
Elias whispered, "It's beautiful."
But as Seojun reached out, a warning flashed across Rho's sensors.
"Incoming signal—fast. Someone followed us."
The chamber began to tremble.
Nova's eyes widened. "We don't have much time. You must decide now."
Seojun looked at his team.
Then, without hesitation, he placed his hand on the sphere.
Light engulfed the room.