The silence following Nyx's transmission was absolute. Even Empress Kara had gone quiet.
"Shadow Moon Clan," Commander Seris said carefully. "They're assassins and hermits who haven't left their cultivation planet in centuries."
On screen, Nyx smiled. "We know things. We've watched the Immortal Path system sleep for ten thousand years, waiting for the right host. We know why it awakened now, and what it's preparing him for."
"Then share that information," Seris demanded.
"Information has value. I won't give it to empire builders." Nyx's galaxy-filled eyes fixed on Ethan. "But I'll share it with him. Privately. If he has the courage to meet me."
**[SYSTEM ALERT: UNUSUAL ENTITY DETECTED]**
**[NYX - POWER LEVEL: UNKNOWN]**
**[RECOMMENDATION: GATHER MORE DATA]**
"Obviously a trap," Dr. Senna protested.
"Of course it's a trap," Nyx agreed. "Everything is when you're the most valuable commodity in existence. But my trap comes with answers." She transmitted coordinates. "Derelict station, three hours from your position. Meet me there. Alone, or with your bonded companions, but no fleets."
"And if I refuse?"
"Then you'll discover the truth the hard way, probably while dying or being dissected." Nyx's tone remained conversational. "Knowledge or ignorance. Both have their prices."
The transmission cut out.
"Don't even consider it," Seris said. "It's too dangerous."
"Everything is dangerous," Ethan countered. "If she actually knows what this system is…"
"Then she can share it here, publicly," Seris interrupted.
"Unless," Senna said slowly, "the information is dangerous. The kind that would cause panic if broadcast to multiple factions. The Shadow Moon Clan are known for keeping ancient secrets."
Ethan studied the coordinates. His timer showed 16:23:17 remaining.
"I'm going," he decided. "But you three come with me. The resonance bonds mean you can feel if something goes wrong."
They transferred to a shuttle, leaving Lyra's warriors to continue the auction as a distraction. Three hours later, they reached the coordinates—a massive derelict station, dark and scarred by ancient battle damage.
"Pre-Coalition era," Seris murmured as they entered. "Possibly Primordial construction."
They followed a power signature deeper, through magnificent corridors now showing millennia of decay. Finally reaching a vast central chamber where Nyx waited on a raised platform.
"You came," she said, sounding genuinely pleased. "The Immortal Path system was created by the Primordials as a failsafe. A way to preserve their knowledge after they realized their civilization was doomed."
"Doomed by what?" Seris asked sharply.
"The Voidborne." Nyx gestured, and holographic images appeared—vast creatures tearing through reality, civilizations crumbling. "They aren't invaders. They're antibodies. Reality's immune system responds to to a fundamental imbalance."
"What imbalance?" Ethan's blood ran cold.
"Too much cultivation. Too many beings hoarding cosmic energy in their cores." Nyx's voice was matter-of-fact. "The Primordials realized their own success was causing reality to hemorrhage. The Voidborne emerged to correct that by consuming cultivators."
"That's insane," Lyra protested.
"It's the truth. The Immortal Path is different, it channels energy, keeps it flowing instead of trapped. You're not a hole in reality, Ethan. You're a bridge." Nyx's expression intensified.
"The system only activates in beings facing extinction. Species desperate enough to try anything. You're the prototype."
**[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]**
**[CLASSIFICATION: ACCURATE]**
**[HOST DESIGNATED AS: REALITY ANCHOR]**
Ethan stared at the notification. "So I'm supposed to fix reality?"
"You're proof of concept. The system was designed to be replicated, spread across species." Nyx began pacing. "In twelve hours, your quest completes. You'll receive full inheritance, all Primordial techniques, all their knowledge. You'll become powerful enough to actually matter."
"And then what?"
"Then other factions learn what you really are. A Reality Anchor who could end the Voidborne threat but also reshape cultivation hierarchy." Nyx's expression turned grim. "They'll either control you completely or kill you."
"Which is why I'm offering sanctuary. Come to the Shadow Moon planet. Hidden, shielded. I'll train you to use what the system gives you."
"In exchange for?"
"Your help fixing reality. Our interests align."
**[SYSTEM ANALYSIS: OFFER GENUINE]**
**[NYX - TRUE POWER LEVEL: SOUL REALM (SUPPRESSED)]**
An explosion rocked the station. Through the damaged ceiling, Ethan saw ships dropping from FTL. Dozens of them.
"They followed us," Seris snarled.
"The major powers were always going to resort to force eventually." Nyx's expression went cold. "And now they're here, ready to start a war over you."
**[QUEST TIMER: 12:11:47 REMAINING]**
**[ALERT: HOSTILE FORCES DETECTED]**
Through the breaches, Ethan saw assembled fleets opening fire on each other. All converging on the station. All willing to tear reality apart to claim him.
"Twelve hours," Nyx said, power radiating from her. "You need to survive twelve more hours. Are you with me, Reality Anchor?"
Ethan looked at the war beginning above them, at his companions ready to fight, at the countdown in his vision.
"Do I have a choice?"
Nyx's laugh was dark and wild. "You always have a choice. The question is whether you'll live long enough to make the ones that matter."
The station shook as bombardment hit, and Ethan realized the easy part was over.
The real fight for survival was just beginning.