But beneath it, deeper still, a question echoed. Not words, not voice—just intent.What are you? it seemed to ask.Sophia’s breath caught. She whispered, “We are roots. We are memory. We are balance trying to hold.”The hum deepened, as if the spiral absorbed her answer.---Suddenly, a surge ripped
Chapter 183: Weaving into the UnknownDawn broke pale over La Paz, the air sharp with mountain chill. Mist curled low in the streets, clinging to rooftops and doorways. Sophia rose before the sun, her stomach tight with unease. Today they would attempt something no one had ever done: weave directly
Chapter 182: The Spiral AwakensThe spiral stone in La Paz seemed to breathe.Sophia stood in the mist, her palm still tingling from the contact. Around her, the caravan and Nayra’s people watched in hushed unease. Even the wind seemed reluctant to disturb the stillness that pooled around the rising
The caravan was already loading crates when an interruption came.Two figures appeared at the library gates—messengers from Medellín, their clothes marked with flame insignias. They carried a bundle wrapped in crimson cloth.Sophia unwrapped it carefully. Inside lay a fragment of tile, still pulsing
Chapter 188: Splinters of the CovenantNews of Córdoba spread faster than anyone in EmberRoots could control.Within days, EmberNet feeds were flooded with streams from the plaza: Ignacio’s face contorted in rage as the Monument broke free of his grip, Sophia’s words ringing across the crowd, the mo
“The only way to break control is to flood it,” Sophia said. “We need raw human resonance—unprogrammed, untamed. Stories, laughter, even grief—but freely given.”Elise hesitated. “And if the Monument resists? If it collapses like Maracay nearly did?”Sophia met her eyes. “Then at least it falls free