The beacon's light was visible from space. A pillar of pure Origin Blood energy shot from Sterling Tower into the night sky, punching through the atmosphere and continuing outward at velocities that shouldn't have been possible. It carried coded information—a distress call, a greeting, a declaration of existence. We are here. We survive. We need allies. Inside the ritual chamber, Jack Miller burned. The corruption in his veins met the purifying light of the Origin Heart, and the collision was catastrophic. Black energy and golden light warred for dominance, using his body as the battlefield. He screamed. Katherine screamed with him, their bond so deep now that she felt every moment of his agony. Olivia amplified the connection, her mental powers ensuring the beacon's frequency remained stable even as chaos erupted around them. Charon burst through the chamber doors, shadow blade raised— And froze. "What... what is this?" The Sage materialized beside him, his expression unrea
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