The sky remained unchanged.
Alex stood on the ridge, staring at the horizon. The sun was rising, painting the clouds in shades of gold and red. Beautiful. Peaceful. But the peace was a lie.
He could feel it. A presence at the edge of his consciousness. Something that had been there all along, waiting for the right moment to reveal itself. Something that was older than the Awakening. Older than the Dreamer. Older than everything.
Sebastian appeared beside him. "Alex. Something's happening. The energy readings are... different."
Alex turned to face him. "I know. The Existence is here."
Sebastian was silent for a long moment. Then he said, "The Existence?"
"The being that exists beyond the Reality. The one who created everything."
Sebastian's face went pale. "How do you know?"
Alex sh
