CHAPTER XXIV - PORTAL FENIX

At the southern edge of VIREON’s radiant boundary, the light gathered—folding inward upon itself in slow spirals, bending through layers of atmosphere and resonance until the horizon no longer resembled distance, but intention.

The structures surrounding the boundary fields dimmed gradually as the energy concentrated. Towers that usually shimmered with flowing currents of gold and silver now stood almost silent, their illumination retreating into the immense formation growing beyond them. Thin arcs of plasma moved through the air like living threads, weaving themselves around an invisible center while the surface of the ground trembled with restrained power.

A gate opened.

Not violently.

Not like the fractures that once tore apart the skies above NEX.