The space around Melania and Endar shifted, as if the node itself had decided to draw them deeper into its essence. The light streaming through the sphere’s walls turned a rich golden hue, and the lines weaving intricate patterns began moving faster, forming shapes that resembled incomprehensible symbols.
— The node is no longer just observing, — Endar whispered. — It’s starting to speak.
Melania felt the energy filling her, binding her to this place with every heartbeat. She could see the symbols and sense that they were trying to convey something vital. But their meaning remained elusive, as if written in a language she had yet to learn.
— What does it want? — she asked, studying the strange patterns.
— It wants us to understand, — Endar replied. He stepped forward, reaching out to touch one of the glowing blue signs. — But to do that, we need to learn how to listen.
Suddenly, the space was filled with sound. At first, it was a faint humming, but it gradually coalesced into a melody, like a song awakening images in their minds. Melania saw the node’s memories: moments of its creation, the times when old keepers nurtured it, and the instant when everything fell apart.
— This is the voice of the node, — Endar said. His eyes glowed, reflecting the flashes of light. — It wants us to see the world through its eyes.
A vision unfolded before them: an immense network of nodes stretching across space and time. Each was interconnected, forming perfect harmony. But in one part of the network, a rupture appeared—a node that decided to act independently.
— That’s us, — Melania whispered. — That’s our reality.
— No, it’s just one version of it, — Endar replied. — And the node wants us to change it.
The vision shifted. Now they saw how different parts of the node clashed with one another. Some tried to create new connections, others broke old ones, and still others stood aside, waiting.
— There is always a choice, — Melania said, addressing the node. — But why won’t you speak plainly? Why don’t you give us clear answers?
The sphere vibrated, and the symbols on its surface began to dissolve, merging into a single sign. Melania and Endar felt their thoughts merging with the node. They could sense its fears, its desires, and its attempts to find a path to balance.
— It can’t give an answer, — Endar said. — Because the answer doesn’t exist. It depends on us.
A heavy feeling settled over Melania. She realized the node relied on them more than she had imagined. Their actions, thoughts, and even emotions were becoming part of its system.
— We’ve become its mirror, — she said softly. — And if we want to change the node, we must change ourselves.
Endar nodded and reached for the central symbol. His touch triggered a bright flash that forced them both to close their eyes. When the light faded, they found themselves in a different place.
Here, everything appeared flawless: the spheres glowed harmoniously, and energy streams flowed smoothly. Yet there was something unsettling about this perfect world.
— Is this what the node wants to become? — Melania asked.
— No, it’s just its dream, — Endar replied. — It’s showing us what it aspires to. But it needs our help to make it real.
Melania studied the world around her. She understood that this ideal could never be achieved without embracing the chaos from which new solutions are born.
— We have to give the node a new language, — she said. — A language it can understand, but one that will also help it change.
— And we’ll start with words, — Endar added. — But we’ll finish with actions.
The space around them began to shift, symbolizing the first step toward a new order. The node was no longer a silent observer. It was now their partner. And this journey, they would face together.