The Unity Map spread across the great hall, continents connected by golden threads, every nation's emblem glowing together. Narration whispered: "The South had risen… …not as pieces—but as one."
Lacolone addressed the Unity Parliament, hand raised. Flags of Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Pacific merged into one emblem. Children waved tiny flags in the audience. The Global South Charter was no longer a dream—it was law.
Unity Hall was filled with leaders and citizens. Maya spoke softly to Lacolone: "This… is the era of the South." He nodded gravely. They called it… The Unity Era.
Jessica dragged Valgor into the hall. He frowned at the noise. "Too many speeches…" she smirked, "Better than battles, old man." Valgor sighed. "At least battles end faster."
Scientists unveiled a hologram of the new South-South Rail Network. The audience cheered. Children chanted: "No hunger! No war!" Dreams turned into blueprints… blueprints into reality.
But in Lacolone's private chamber, the black device from before glowed ominously. Close-up revealed the screen: Project Elysium – Restricted Access. His reflection warped in the glow. Unity had shadows… shadows buried deep.
Flashbacks showed half-built tanks, cryogenic pods. Maya whispered, "A weapon?" Lacolone's fist tightened. "…Or something worse."
The messenger trembled. "We traced signals underground." A map appeared, red dots pulsing across continents. Lacolone whispered, "Not one chamber… but many." Maya gasped: "Seeds planted before Unity…"
Outside, children laughed, oblivious. "No villain can defeat us!" one shouted. Maya watched them, soft but worried. Peace was fragile, like glass.
In the shadows, an anonymous figure activated a console. Cloaked scientists chanted codes as red lights flashed. "…Begin Phase One," the hidden figure commanded.
The cocoon from Chapter 86 twitched. Glyphs flared crimson. A muffled heartbeat echoed: THUM… THUM… Something beneath stirred.
Valgor sparred with children using wooden swords. "You're too slow!" they laughed. He smirked, letting one "defeat" him. Jessica watched, whispering: "This is the future worth fighting for…"
Lacolone and Maya studied the Unity Map again. "If shadows rise, will the South stand strong?" Maya asked. "…That depends on whether our hearts are stronger than our fears," he replied. Their hands clasped together.
Unity City's skyline glowed at night. Stars shone above. A white feather drifted silently. "…The watchers are closer," Maya whispered.
The device screen flickered violently. Words flashed: "Elysium Awakening: 72 Hours." Lacolone's eyes widened. The countdown had begun.
A giant underground door began to open, light spilling out. Shadows of enormous figures loomed within. One hand pressed against the glass from inside. CRACK.
The Council debated urgently. Some leaders shouted: "We just built peace—we cannot fight again!" Others cried: "If we ignore it, it will consume us all!" Unity's first true test had arrived.
Beneath the surface, the cocoon split open with a blinding light. A massive silhouette emerged, neither human nor machine, shrouded in smoke. From the depths of the old world… something new was born.