Lira's presence filled the vault like an ancient echo, her words resonating deep within Kael's mind. She was more than just a figure from the past. She was a key to understanding the truth of the world they inhabited, a truth that had been buried for centuries.
"The Architect," Lira said, her voice steady, "was not always a machine. He was once a creator, a being who sought to bring balance to the world. But in his quest for perfection, he became something else. He became the virus that now plagues us."
Kael felt the weight of her words settle in his chest. "Then why did you fail? Why couldn't you stop him?"
Lira's eyes grew distant, as if she were remembering a time long past. "Because I underestimated the heart of man. I thought the solution was in the technology. But the true power… the true power is in the will to change."
Kael felt a surge of understanding, a clarity he hadn't known before. The Heart of Dawn was not just a source of power. It was a symbol of hope, a reminder that even in the darkest times, change was possible.
"You must face the Architect," Lira continued, her gaze locking onto Kael's. "And you must be ready to sacrifice everything. Only then will the sun rise once more."
End of Chapter 18