CHAPTER 215 — WHEN THE CORE STARTED THINKING BACK
The moment Marcus broke into the convergence layer, the entire underground cathedral changed its behavior.
Not metaphorically.
Physically.
The synchronization towers across the chamber shifted in unison, like something massive had just turned its attention inward. The glowing streams beneath the floor intensified, racing faster through the transparent channels until the light became almost unbearable to look at directly.
Elena felt it before she understood it.
The room was no longer passive architecture.
It was aware of them.
Marcus's hands flew across the portable interface connected to the ancient synchronization terminal, sweat already forming at his temples as cascading access sequences tried to stabilize under overwhelming resistance.
"I'm inside," he repeated, voice tight. "But it's fighting me at every layer."
Adrian stepped closer, eyes locked on the central convergence field.
"How far?"
Marcus didn't look up.
