The voice echoed through every speaker.
Through every monitor.
Through every corridor.
Ancient.
Powerful.
Impossible.
"Welcome home, child."
The entire chamber froze.
Nobody spoke.
Nobody moved.
Nobody breathed.
Because the voice didn't sound mechanical.
It didn't sound artificial.
It sounded alive.
Truly alive.
Aarya felt her heart stop.
Not from fear.
Not entirely.
Something else.
Something deeper.
The moment she heard the voice—
a strange feeling washed over her.
Recognition.
As if she had heard it before.
Long ago.
Before she was born.
Before she existed.
"No..."
The whisper escaped her lips.
Because none of this made sense.
None of it.
Then the Cradle pulsed again.
Silver light spread across its surface.
The glow becoming brighter.
Stronger.
Alive.
