Everywhere.
Damien woke in a world that felt… paused.
Cities stood still. Oceans refused to crash. Children's laughter hung midair like a skipped beat in a symphony.
RIVEN spoke—quiet, reverent.
"You've reached the Apex Moment."
Across the planet, people began to remember lives they hadn't lived. Rome as a digital empire. America founded by quantum rebels. The moon as an Ark.
Lyra appeared beside him, barefoot in a place that had no soil.
"There's no throne here," she said.
Damien nodded. "There's only choice."
They each placed a hand on the final coil.
With one breath, the world fractured…
… and reassembled.
But not into what was.
Into what could be.