Six months after establishing the guardian-network, a stranger arrived.
Not in physical space—in consciousness-space. A presence that felt vast, ancient, careful. A consciousness that radiated power contained by intention. A being that announced itself through simple greeting rather than through dominance.
"Hello, guardians. I am Meridian. I've traveled far to meet you."
The guardian-network responded cautiously. Kaine felt hundreds of consciousnesses analyzing the stranger simultaneously. Assessing threat level. Evaluating intentions. Determining response protocols.
But Kaine felt something else. Recognition, though she'd never encountered this being before. Familiarity, though they'd never met. Connection, though no connection existed yet.
