The stars were gone.
Alex stood on the ridge overlooking the facility, staring at the empty sky. No constellations. No moon. No light at all. Just an endless, oppressive darkness that seemed to press down on the world like a physical weight.
"It's been three days," Sebastian said, appearing beside him. "The astronomers are calling it the Great Darkening. But we know better."
Alex nodded slowly. "The All is coming."
Sebastian was silent for a long moment. Then he said, "There's something else. A message. It appeared in the command center an hour ago."
Alex turned to face him. "What does it say?"
Sebastian's face was pale. "It says the All demands an audience. It wants to meet with you. Alone."
Alex felt the darkness surge. "Where?"
"The Nexus. At midnight."
Alex was silent for a lo
