The crystal in Lily's hands pulsed with a soft blue light.
Once.
Twice.
Then faster.
The glow reflected across the Sanctuary walls, illuminating every photograph, every memory, every promise Daniel had preserved.
No one moved.
Victor Hale stared at the crystal as though it were the most dangerous object in the world.
"Lily..."
His voice remained calm.
"But beneath that calm..."
There was fear.
Real fear.
"You don't understand what you're holding."
Lily looked down at the crystal.
It felt warm.
Almost alive.
"What is it?"
Victor slowly took another step.
"It isn't a storage device."
"It's an activation key."
The room became silent.
Grace frowned.
"Activation..."
"For what?"
Victor looked toward the glowing ceiling.
"For Project Phoenix itself."
---
Lucas stood bes
