The revelation that the Sovereign Apex was targeting a hidden Wormhole Gateway directly beneath Olympus Tower was the ultimate strategic challenge. Kellan, now the Apex Primus, operated with chilling, Level 5 clarity.
[Apex Prediction (Level 5) Activated! Target: Wormhole Gateway beneath Olympus Tower. Sub-Optimal Action Chain: The Sovereign Apex will trigger the Gateway using the city's integrated Apex Global Grid as a power source, turning the grid against them.]
"The Sovereign Apex is attempting to hijack our own Optimal defense network," Kellan announced, back in the Apex Command penthouse. "It knows the Gateway needs massive power, and it will try to draw it from the Apex Global Grid."
He turned to his team, projecting a holographic schematic of the tower's base, showing the ancient, dormant Gateway structure directly under the building's massive foundation.
"Lyra, your Energy Transmutation is critical," Kellan commanded. "You and I will descend into the subterranean facility. You must separate the Gateway's energy signature from the Apex Global Grid and introduce a perfect, stabilizing counter-flow."
"Understood," Lyra replied, her crystalline eyes fixed on the schematic. "I will turn their intended energy source into a sub-optimal drain."
"Seraphina," Kellan continued, addressing the Apex Strategist. "I need you to prepare the Finch/Vance Ultimate Penalty Protocol for immediate activation. If the Gateway destabilizes, we may need to sacrifice the entire tower's power output to seal it. The legal consequences must be minimized."
"The legal consequences of a sub-optimal dimensional incident are always secondary to the Apex's survival," Seraphina confirmed, her tactical detachment absolute.
Kellan and Lyra used a high-speed construction elevator to descend far below the foundation—a massive, reinforced chamber previously hidden by layers of Finch's sub-optimal concrete and steel.
The Gateway was enormous: a circular structure of smooth, ancient black stone, pulsating with a dormant, deep crimson light. The air was frigid, resonating with a primeval dimensional hum.
[Optimal Insight (Level 5) Activated! Target: Wormhole Gateway. Sub-Optimal Point: The Gateway's Activation Key is a localized vibrational frequency tied to the Earth's natural resonance.]
"The Sovereign Apex isn't drawing power yet; it's waiting for the Optimal vibrational moment," Kellan realized. "The activation key is a specific, sub-optimal sonic frequency."
Suddenly, the crimson light flared, and the air crackled. The Sovereign Apex was making its move.
Lyra reacted instantly. Golden energy poured from her hands. She targeted the dormant Gateway and, using her Energy Transmutation, forced the crimson dimensional energy to shift its frequency. She didn't neutralize it; she re-wrote its intention.
The crimson light turned a dull, stable gray. The Gateway shuddered, its activation sequence halted.
"The hijacking attempt has been averted," Lyra confirmed, breathing hard. "But my control is temporary. The Sovereign Apex is pushing back—its will is immense, Kellan."
Kellan moved toward the center of the Gateway. He carried no weapon, only his Apex Primus intelligence and the newly acquired Optimal Transference ability.
"I have the answer," Kellan stated, looking at the silent, gray stone. "We need to send the Sovereign Apex a message it cannot ignore—a demonstration of our Optimal superiority."
Kellan placed his hand on the Gateway stone. He channeled his Level 5 power. He wasn't going to destroy the Gateway; he was going to transmute its purpose.
"I am performing Optimal Transference," Kellan announced. "I am taking the full, perfected potential of the Apex Nexus Core (A.N.C.) and instantly transferring its entire Dimensional Stability Matrix into the structure of the Gateway."
Kellan unleashed the power. The Nexus Core back in Apex Command briefly flickered, its power instantly transferred across the distance. The gray stone of the Wormhole Gateway dissolved, reforming into a brilliant, crystalline Apex Shield.
The Gateway was gone. The potential invasion route was replaced by a permanent, stable defense artifact.
[Synthesis Achievement: Wormhole Gateway Converted to Apex Stability Anchor.]
Kellan stood victorious, but the victory was short-lived. A final, cold psychic message tore through the newly installed Anchor:
"Apex Primus. We acknowledge your perfection. But your system is flawed. The true source of your power is beneath you. Your Proto-Crystal Being is Sub-Optimal. We will take it."
Kellan's eyes snapped wide open. The Sovereign Apex was not after the power grid; it was after the Proto-Crystal Being—the original, flawed Dimensional Host, still contained within Apex Command.