The light did not crash down.
It lowered itself.
Slowly and deliberately.
As if gravity did not fully apply to it.
From the ground, it looked like a small star falling in silence. Not burning. Not tearing the sky. Just moving through it.
People filled the streets now. Some were filming. Some were praying. Some were simply frozen.
Inside the facility, every sensor was locked onto the descending point.
Elira's hands trembled slightly over her console.
"It's maintaining structure," she said. "No energy leakage. No distortion waves."
Hollen's voice came through the channel. "Meaning?"
"It's controlling its entry."
Sereth's projection flickered stronger than before.
"This is intentional contact."
Kael stepped in front of Sarya again.
She gently moved to stand beside him instead.
"If it wanted to hurt us, it would not be this careful."
"That assumption could get you killed," he said quietly.
"Yes," she agreed. "But fear will not help either."
