Chapter Five: Familiar Stranger
The Core Observation Deck opened in segments. Warm air spilled out—humid, breathable.
A man stood at the center.
Elias froze.
It was him. Not thinner. Not damaged. Hair neat, eyes clear, expression calm.
“You made it farther this time,” the man said.
“You’re not real,” Elias whispered.
“That’s one interpretation.”
Below, the restrained versions of himself twitched, screaming silently.
“You’re seeing the difference now,” the other Elias said. “Between versions that panicked and versions that adapted.”
Elias shook his fists. “You’re the voice.”
“Not exactly. I’m what happens when you stop resisting it.”
A soft chime echoed: ITERATION 9: CONVERGENCE WINDOW OPEN
“This is the part where you decide.”
“Decide what?”
“Whether you want to keep being the question, or finally become the answer.”
“And if I refuse?”
“Then you’ll wake up again.”
The shadows shifted. The ship waited.
THE SILENCE BETWEEN STARS