The inscription across the golden sphere continued to glow.
THE ORIGINAL REQUEST CANNOT BE FULFILLED WHILE THE RETURNED SOUL REMAINS.
Rin read it once more, hoping the words might change.
They did not.
"So the World has decided I'm the problem," he said.
"No." Kaelith's fingers tightened around his. "The World has decided it wants you gone. That is not the same thing."
"It's a distinction without much comfort."
"It wasn't meant to comfort you."
Despite everything, Rin almost smiled.
Then the crystal walls began filling with writing.
Lines of unfamiliar script raced across the surfaces, forming columns that extended from floor to ceiling. The golden sphere dimmed, and the chamber's light drained toward the corridor.
Elias stepped back.
"It's rewriting the archive."
"Can it erase what we just saw?" Rin asked.
"It can try. But the memory has already been witnessed."
"By us?"
"By the World itself."
A deep vibration shook the floor.
