The world did not end with a bang, nor a whimper. It ended with the silence of a dying flame.
From the God-Mode Sprawl Station, the earth below looked like a fractured sapphire drowning in ink. I watched the flickering lights of the old civilizations blink out, one by one, until only the void remained. They called this the 'Great Dark,' but to me, it was a canvas.
"System," I whispered, my voice echoing in the sterile, minimalist expanse of the station. "Initiate the Descent Protocol."
[Authentication Required: State your purpose.]
I looked at the reflection in the observation deck—the face of a man who had chosen to stay behind when everyone else fled into the void. My mottos were etched into my soul: the summary of civilization, the progress of society.
"To sow the seeds of civilization," I replied, my voice steady. "To provide light for those who refuse the darkness and embrace the spark."
[Access Granted. Welcome, Teacher. Beginning descent into the dark horizon. Remember: If you are the light, prove your innocence; if you are not, stay away from the temple.]
The station shuddered. The gravity-well opened. I wasn't just falling; I was diving into the heart of the abyss to reclaim what was lost.