It had been nearly a full day. The team remained in the base's main chamber. Veyra stayed at Kael's side the entire time. The others checked in often — even Zevak left his lab more than usual.
Kael's body had stabilized… but he hadn't yet opened his eyes.
Then —
A pulse of light flickered across his skin. Slowly, his eyes opened — clear, burning with layered clarity.
Kael (hoarse, eyes wide):
"…Veyra…?"
She leaned over, relief in her voice:
"Kael! You're awake! We were starting to get worried…"
Kael sat up, still unsteady — his body remembering the strain of Divine Ascension.
Orion, Lyra, Zero Step, Zevak, and Cryalis gathered around.
Orion:
"Take it slow. You've earned the rest."
Kael looked at them — and suddenly clenched his fist, the mark of One-Thought faintly shimmering beneath his skin.
He exhaled, eyes glowing.
Kael:
"I… need to tell you all something."
The room went silent.
Kael spoke — voice steady, but filled with awe:
"When I passed out… I wasn't unconscious. I was… somewhere else. A white void. No space… no time. And then—"
He looked up, eyes burning with new understanding:
"—He spoke to me. The One-Thought Entity."
Everyone's breath caught. Even Zero Step's stoic expression shifted slightly.
Kael continued:
"He told me… I've been chosen. To wield a piece of his boundless power — to ascend further than before. He… placed something inside me — a fragment of his concept."
Veyra's eyes widened.
Veyra:
"That explains what we felt… even now, your aura feels… different."
Zevak (excited, pacing):
"If this is true… your potential may now be limitless. This could change everything about how we fight going forward."
Cryalis smiled softly:
"You faced Nullframe… and now even the Architect recognizes you."
Kael nodded slowly.
"There's more coming. I can feel it."
The team stood quietly for a moment — the weight of what had happened settling in.
Then Orion grinned, clapping Kael on the back:
"Well then — looks like our leader just got an upgrade."
They all chuckled — the tension eased, for now.
But the road ahead was clearer than ever:
New power. New threats. A destiny now tied to the force behind all thought.
⸻
END OF CHAPTER 21