Genesis Codex hovered beside activated smartphone with green-gold light pulsing with focused intensity as cosmic consciousness extended awareness beyond immediate surroundings, detecting dimensional energies, sensing flows invisible to mortal perception.
Adhivar's voice cut through discussion suddenly. "I detect energy transfer occurring through dimensional gate. Continuous flow. Mana draining from Theia, channeling toward Earth through dimensional bridge."
Immediate silence.
Mana drain? From Theia to Earth?
Malvorn's earth communion extended immediately, attempting to sense planetary energy loss as Frostina's ice domain awareness sharpened and Naelvorn's ocean senses probed.
Codex confirmed what Overlords couldn't clearly detect.
Velnar's clicking was thoughtful as ancient mind processed implications. "If mana draining from Theia to Earth, and Earth's curse has been dormant for three thousand years... then why are objects suddenly crossing from Earth to Theia? Paper clip. Smartphone. Why now? If Earth's curse inactive, what changed to initiate dimensional transport?"
Critical question.
Pattern didn't make sense because dormant curse shouldn't trigger dimensional phenomena, peaceful Earth shouldn't suddenly expel objects through gate.
Something changed, something activated, but what?
Sylvara added analytical concern. "Mana flow and object expulsion connected somehow. Cause and effect. But which causes which?"
Mystery deepened as mechanics remained unclear.
Everyone looked to Genesis Codex as cosmic entity possessed knowledge beyond mortal understanding.
Adhivar's response was measured but confident, strong theory backed by cosmic observation and dimensional mechanics understanding. "Based on energy flow patterns, dimensional resonance signatures, and object transportation mechanics, I believe Fate is preparing next curse event on Earth."
Not speculation but strong conviction.
"Mana draining from Theia serves dual purpose: weakening this world while empowering Earth. Objects from Earth become densely saturated with Theia's magical energy on receiving end. Dimensional pressure imbalance forces expulsion, magic-saturated items cannot remain in non-magical world preparing for catastrophic magical influx."
Mechanism explained as mana saturation forced transportation.
"Gate acts as conduit. Stealing energy from cursed Theia. Transferring to dormant Earth. Building toward trigger point."
Fate preparing something, using Theia to fuel Earth's awakening curse.
"Two possibilities exist for Fate's intention. Equal likelihood. Insufficient data to determine which."
Cosmic entity laid out options clearly. "First possibility: Fate attempting forced merger of two worlds. Using stolen mana to create dimensional bridge strong enough to collapse barrier between pocket dimension and original universe. Completing failed merger through accumulation of transferred energy."
Forced merger against natural laws with brute force approach.
"Second possibility: Fate preparing mass extinction event on Earth. Dormant curse awaiting sufficient magical energy to trigger activation. Mana drain building power reserves for catastrophic manifestation."
Mass extinction with billions dying as Earth's peaceful existence ended.
Both terrible, both plausible.
***
Frostina's elegant form tensed as frost bloomed explosively along sapphire scales. "Mana draining from my territory. From all Theia. Weakening our world while empowering Earth. Fate using us to fuel next catastrophe."
Strategic mind processed violation as territorial theft on planetary scale.
Malvorn's earth communion confirmed. "I sense it now that Codex identified pattern. Subtle but present. Planetary energy decreasing incrementally. Slow bleed, but continuous."
Sylvara's analytical voice was tight. "If forced merger, dimensional collapse could destroy both worlds. If mass extinction, eight billion humans unprepared, unaware, defenseless."
Zor's tactical assessment was grim. "Either scenario: catastrophic. No good outcome."
Tension thickened as Fate's plan advanced with no clear counter-strategy.
Naelvorn's grin suddenly split face with inappropriate timing and classic ocean Overlord energy. "Well, bros, looking on the bright side, if forced merger SUCCEEDS, I'm gonna have SO MUCH MORE TERRITORY!"
Spreading arms dramatically, voice dropped into theatrical villain impression. "Behold! Lord Naelvorn, Sovereign of ALL Oceans! Earth AND Theia! Pacific, Atlantic, Indian, Arctic, Antarctic PLUS my current trenches! ULTIMATE OCEAN DOMINATION!"
Ridiculous and perfectly timed.
Feyra giggled despite heavy atmosphere as Frostina's visible exasperation flickered across elegant features, but composed exterior cracked slightly with reluctant amusement.
Tension broke as Naelvorn was being Naelvorn.
Draven managed slight smile despite circumstances because Naelvorn's timing was impeccable as always, reminding everyone they were still alive, still fighting, still capable of humor despite impossible odds.
But reality returned quickly. "Jokes aside, we're facing unknown timeline. Fate's plan advancing. Mana draining continuously. We can't stop gate. Can't prevent energy transfer. Can't determine which catastrophe Fate prepares."
Looking around circle at three Overlords, loyal pack, cosmic artifact, impossible quest. "We find Anchors. Enable merger properly, not Fate's forced version, but correct merger as originally intended. Stop curse on both worlds simultaneously."
Only path forward: find five lost objects, save two worlds.
No pressure.
Genesis Codex pulsed as cosmic entity prepared next revelation.
***
Discussion continued about mana drain mechanics as Malvorn asked technical questions, Frostina analyzed territorial implications, Sylvara proposed monitoring strategies.
Then shift.
Familiar sensation as Adhivar's presence manifested directly in Draven's mind through telepathic communication, private channel with no one else hearing.
*"Bearer. Additional information. For you alone."*
Draven's expression remained unchanged, continuing to appear engaged in public discussion while consciousness split with part listening to group conversation, part attending cosmic entity's private revelation.
Dual awareness as pack wouldn't notice mental division while Overlords might suspect but wouldn't interrupt.
*"Speak,"* Draven responded mentally with curiosity sharp.
What warranted privacy?
*"Gate connects not merely Earth to Theia. Dimensional bridge touches original universe, baseline reality from which we originate. My true home. Codex's source."*
Draven's mental attention sharpened at original universe connection.
*"Through this connection, we regain power. Slowly. Incrementally. Little by little, strength returns that was lost when trapped in pocket dimension. Gate provides link to our foundation."*
Growing stronger as cosmic entities restored capabilities.
*"Information not immediately relevant to current crisis. Does not change Anchor quest or curse investigation. Therefore, private. You know. Others need not."*
Accepted as Draven filed information mentally with secret kept.
Returning full attention to public discussion seamlessly.
***
Adhivar's public voice resumed as conversation flowed naturally as if telepathic interlude hadn't occurred. "Regarding this smartphone device. I can provide continuous power. Cosmic artifact charging primitive Earth technology presents no difficulty."
Green-gold light extended toward smartphone in Draven's hands with energy flowing visibly as battery indicator jumped from seventy-three percent to one hundred percent instantly, then maintaining full charge.
"Device will remain functional indefinitely while within my proximity. All stored data accessible. All offline capabilities operational."
Smartphone fully powered and functional in Theia despite dimensional separation from Earth's infrastructure.
Small victory as Earth technology operated in magical world.
"Additionally, device security protocols, password protections, biometric locks, encryption systems, present no obstacle. Cosmic awareness bypasses primitive digital barriers easily."
Smartphone screen shifted as lock screen disappeared, home screen displayed, applications opened responsively with all security measures circumvented effortlessly by primordial entity.
"Complete access to Daniel Hayes' stored information. Photographs documenting Earth life. Personal notes and documents. Calendar entries showing daily routine. Contact lists. Downloaded media. Location history. Application data. Everything preserved within device memory available for examination."
Full access as every file, every photo, every piece of data Daniel Hayes stored became available.
Window into Earth civilian life, normal human existence, technology-saturated society, peaceful world unaware of dormant curse.
"However, critical limitation exists. Device cannot access 'internet,' Earth's vast interconnected network."
Naelvorn's curious interruption followed. "Internet? What's that?"
Adhivar explained patiently. "Imagine network connecting billions of devices across entire planet. Humans transmit information instantaneously between locations: text, images, voice, recorded media. Access collective repositories containing humanity's accumulated knowledge, entertainment, communication platforms, commercial systems, navigational databases."
Moderate explanation with concept translated to terms Theia natives might grasp.
"Wireless signals carry data through invisible infrastructure: towers, satellites, underground cables spanning continents and oceans. Entire civilization built upon instantaneous information exchange."
Sylvara's awed voice responded. "Billions of devices? All connected? Sharing knowledge instantly? That's incredible magical infrastructure."
Still assuming magic as technology versus magic distinction remained incomprehensible.
"Smartphone cannot access internet because infrastructure exists on Earth, different dimension, separated by absolute barrier. Device here in Theia. Network there in Earth. No connection possible across dimensional divide."
Communication impossible as they couldn't contact Earth, couldn't access living knowledge repositories, device functional but isolated.
"However, stored data remains valuable. Photographs, documents, information preserved within device memory are windows into Earth's current state, human civilization, peaceful society we cannot reach."
Draven looked at glowing smartphone as Earth rested in his hands, unreachable but visible.
Gate swirled behind them with mana draining continuously.
Fate's plan advancing.
Answers multiplying while solutions remained distant.
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