The silence in the control room was absolute.
The First One stood alone, its massive body wreathed in ethereal light, its eyes fixed on the spot where Daniel had been standing moments before. The dark energy had surged through him, filling him with its ancient power. And then he had let go.
And now he was gone.
"Daniel," the First One whispered, its voice echoing through the empty room. "You were the best of them."
No answer. Just the silence, pressing in from all sides.
The First One stood motionless, its ancient mind processing the weight of the loss. Marcus. Evelyn. Victor. Daniel. One by one, they had sacrificed themselves to contain the dark energy. One by one, they had given everything to save a world that would never know their names.
And now, the First One was alone.
"We nee
