Antem stood at the top of a hill, gazing at the world being born before him. The space unfolding from his vantage point seemed endless. Everything was transparent, as if he were looking through time and matter, yet at the same time, each detail was palpably real. The world seemed to await his next step, just as those who were now connected to him did.
The tower behind him radiated a soft light, spreading in waves, permeating every corner of the new world. This light was not only visible — it warmed, empowered, and instilled confidence. Antem knew this was not his achievement, but a result of the unity of those who chose to share this freedom.
However, the new reality, although appearing perfect, posed its challenges. The people who now lived in this world had lost their familiar boundaries. They had to find their own way, without guidance, without the directions provided by the system. And not everyone was ready for this.
Antem recalled the voice of the stranger speaking about the burden of freedom. Now he could see it. Some people, having freed themselves from the illusion of time, felt lost. They did not know how to proceed, did not understand what it meant to live without fear of the future or regret of the past.
On the horizon, moving figures began to appear. At first, Antem thought they were ordinary people exploring the new reality. But something in their movements made him uneasy. They moved too coordinated, as if driven by a single will.
Antem took a step down from the hill, peering at the figures. Their numbers were increasing. As he got closer, he began to distinguish details: these were not people. They were remnants of the system, fragments of the mechanism that refused to fade away completely.
“They are still here,” — flashed through his mind.
These beings were not alive in the conventional sense, but they moved, creating a new threat. They were not designed for coexistence — their purpose was different. It seemed they were trying to restore the lost illusion, once again subjugating people.
Antem stopped, feeling how the light of the tower behind him began to vibrate stronger. A new challenge lay before him — not to destroy the system, but to prevent it from returning.
“This is only the beginning,” — he thought, preparing for confrontation.
Antem took a deep breath, feeling the air around him filling with tension. The approaching creatures appeared emotionless, almost mechanical, but their presence was oppressive. They were not merely remnants of the system — they were its attempt to regain control, using the very foundations of the new reality.
He slowly descended from the hill, contemplating his next move. He had no weapon, but he did not need conventional weaponry. The light emitted by the tower was part of his essence. It responded to his thoughts, to his intentions.
— You have no power here, — Antem proclaimed, addressing the creatures. His voice sounded confident, even though tension roiled inside him.
The figure took a step forward, followed by dozens more. Their numbers grew, as if they were leaking from the very fabric of space. But Antem did not retreat. He closed his eyes, allowing the light of the tower to fill his consciousness.
The light flowed from him in waves, touching the creatures. They paused for a moment, as if losing their bearings. Antem felt this light penetrating them, searing away the last remnants of the system.
— You are merely a memory, — he said. — And it is time to let you go.
The sounds of rupture intensified, the space around him vibrated, and the creatures began to disintegrate into fragments. This was not a battle in the conventional sense — it was a purification. Each shard of the system melted away in the light, returning to the void.
Finally, silence fell. The world around became clean, transparent. Antem felt the tension dissipate, yet at the same time, he understood: this was only the first challenge in a world without time.
He turned toward the tower. Its light became brighter, and its contours sharper. The tower was now not just a beacon — it had become a symbol. People could turn to it when they needed support, but it did not control them; it merely pointed the way.
Antem took several steps forward, gazing at the new horizon. His path was far from over, but he no longer feared it. The world belonged not to him, but to those who were ready to become part of the new.
He took a deeper breath and moved on, knowing that ahead lay new battles and new discoveries. But everything was different now. Because now the world was free.