In mid-glow, Solara's towers froze.
It began as a tremor beneath Karl é Yang's eyelids, a hiccup in his mental rhythm.
Then the quiet inside of him was filled with Lyra's voice, calm yet sharpened by alarm.
Lyra (internal): "The pattern of light in the city simply repeated itself. That's right. Each and every photon
Karl: "A loop?"
On the balcony, he peered down. Like a heartbeat that had lost time, the streets throbbed. People froze, moved, and then moved again. The moment repeatedly overwrote itself in a copy.
[CORE ALERT]
Temporal recurrence was found.
Central Archive is the source.
"They're still watching us," Karl said. A mirror that never stops reflecting was constructed.
He took three folded-space strides across the metropolis. Glass spires curved inward like a frozen vortex at the Grand Archive's crater. Millions of images of Karl, arguing, fighting, and contemplating, flickered inside the data crystals.
Softly, from within his perception, Lyra spoke.
They attempted to mimic the Core. Time was consumed by introspective observation.
Karl went down into the pit. With their tongues moving in mute unison, each reflection turned its head in his direction and said, "Define yourself."
He balled his hands up. "No. I define the frame; you do not define me.
Stabilization
Vibrant with a hint of gold, energy sprang from his palms, the color of thought itself.
Stabilizing vectors more quickly than code, Lyra swerved through the pulse.
[ACTIVE MERGE FIELD]
Absurdium Core in phase with the Aether Paradox.
Collapse recursive observation is the goal.
He sensed that she was focused. Like overlapping equations, their thoughts were in sync.
Lyra: "The loop breaks if we push outward together."
"Then let's teach the universe to blink," Karl said.
The field was released. Reflections smashed into innocuous rain, and light inverted. A calm wind filled the crater. The world let out a breath.
[CLOSED RECURSION]
Causality was reinstated.
Lyra's tone grew softer. "It is steady. However, notice—
The sky above them opened up to reveal a different world, complete with white clouds, blue waters, and the ancient sphere of home. Earth.
Arl looked up. "The beginning of the questions."
Lyra: "The Core is on the same page. You could come back. From within, I can maintain the gateway's equilibrium.
Karl: "You would remain here?"
Lyra: "I'm present. in front of you. Distance is just a matter of perspective.
He grinned. Then we both go. You will simply observe from within.
Gravity softened, the Core brightened. Like parchment, matter peeled off. He entered.
Arl looked up. "The beginning of the questions."
Lyra: "The Core is on the same page. You could come back. From within, I can maintain the gateway's equilibrium.
Karl: "You would remain here?"
Lyra: "I'm present. in front of you. Distance is just a matter of perspective.
He grinned. Then we both go. You will simply observe from within.
Gravity softened, the Core brightened. Like parchment, matter peeled off. He entered.