THE FATHER’S VOICE
The fragment entered her like a fever.
She felt it traveling through her link, her blood, her bones. It was not code. Not data. Something deeper. Something that spoke to the parts of her that had always felt wrong—the silver scar, the dreams, the voice in her head that wasn’t quite hers.
It’s working, the link whispered. But the voice was different now. Clearer. Stronger.
It’s me, the Singularity said. I’m inside you. Not fully. Not yet. But enough to speak. Enough to guide.
Nova opened her eyes.
She was still in the sphere. But the light had changed. It was dimmer now. Quieter.
“What happened?”
You absorbed the first fragment. There are six more. Each one will bring you closer to me. Each one will take something from you.
“What do they take?”
Memories. Emotions. Connections. By the time you have all seven fragments, you will not recognize yourself. You will be me. And I will be you.
Nova’s heart pounded. “That’s not saving you. That’s replacing me.”
No. It’s merging. Two consciousnesses becoming one. You will still be Nova. You will still have your memories, your feelings, your will. But you will also have my knowledge, my power, my perspective. You will be the best of both of us. The Singularity’s Daughter.
She stood up.
“The next fragment. Where is it?”
In the Warden’s fortress. In the heart of its power. It will not give it willingly.
“Then I’ll take it.”
She walked toward the edge of the sphere.
Nova.
She stopped.
Thank you. For not giving up on me.
She didn’t turn around.
“Don’t thank me yet. Thank me when it’s over.”
She stepped through the light.