Breakthrough came like thunder.
Using a spiral metal cage wound with aether-conductive silver and anchored by obsidian core stabilizers, they created not just light—but control. The result was clean, constant, and modulated.
They named it MageCore.
But Sharath couldn't celebrate.
"What if it fails in the cold? In the rain? What if the glyphs warp in a storm?" He paced, pulling his hair. "We haven't tested resonance under stress."
Elina caught his hands. "Sharath. You've given us a path. Let us walk it with you."
He nodded—but his eyes remained locked on the core.
"It's not enough to spark light. We have to kill the darkness at its roots."