The crystalline orb pulsed softly in Rotham's outstretched hands, its shimmering patterns flowing like liquid light. As he focused, the orb's ethereal glow expanded, engulfing him in a cascade of visions — fragments of ancient memories intertwined with his own.
He saw civilizations long vanished: sprawling cities of gleaming spires, beings communicating through thought and light, and vast networks of consciousness spanning galaxies. But beneath the beauty lurked a creeping darkness — an insidious force unraveling minds and realities alike.
The orb's voice echoed in Rotham's mind, calm yet urgent:
"We are the origin and the archive. We hold the collective memory of what was, what is, and what could be. But the cycle threatens to reset all once more."
Rotham's heart quickened. The Echo—the Eye—was not just a parasite. It was a symptom of a cosmic loop, a decay repeating across eons.
Selin's voice interrupted softly: "Rotham, you're experiencing the Threads. They're memories not just stored, but living, evolving—connected across time and space."
He realized that his own mind was now a nexus point, woven into the station's eternal web.
"Then what do I do?" Rotham asked aloud, his voice trembling.
The orb's light condensed into a single phrase, glowing bright:
"Break the cycle. Rewrite the future."
Rotham clenched his fists, determination burning anew.
"I won't be just an echo. I'll be the change."
Beyond the chamber walls, the station hummed with renewed life—threats remained, but so did hope.
The journey beyond the Core had only just begun.