No one moved.
The endless procession of Readers continued across the shattered bridges of the Library.
Billions.
Silent.
Each held a fading book close to their chest as though protecting the final heartbeat of a forgotten world.
Some books had already become completely blank.
Their owners simply stopped walking.
Without pain.
Without fear.
They looked upward one last time...
...and dissolved into countless particles of silver light.
The light drifted into the darkness.
Then disappeared.
Emily's voice cracked.
"They're... dying."
Hope slowly shook her head.
"Worse."
"They are being erased."
Professor Nguyen stared at one of the vanishing Readers.
An elderly woman with six crystalline eyes.
She smiled peacefully before fading away.
"What civilization did she belong to?"
