Beyond the Edge

That star projected a Star Map onto the threads of the Web of Definitions. Every thread lit up, forming coordinates of absolute precision.

The coordinates pointed to the edge of the universe. A region that had never been explored. According to the Source Definition System's records, "no definitions existed" at that location.

But the Star Map did not lie.

"What is that?" Primordial Source frowned.

Harmonic Leaptone looked at the Star Map as all Thirty-Three Harmonics trembled at once. Not from fear, but because her harmonics sensed something in the direction of those coordinates—not a definition, not energy, not matter, but an "absence." An absence more absolute than the Annihilation Zone, an absence where even the concept of "absence" did not exist.

Yet the star on the cloak pointed there. The final trace Lin Ye had left pointed there.

"Go," Harmonic Leaptone said.

Myriad Faces did not ask why. It had already split into a thousand scouting reflections and sent them flying toward those coordinates.

The stars on Primordial Source's cloak lit up at once. The obsessions of the Zero Era were saying—We'll go with you.

Harmonic Leaptone gave the cloak one last look.

Thirty million stars still shimmered steadily, like a lamp that would never go out.

She turned and headed toward the edge of the Star Sea.

Behind her, the smallest star flashed once more.

As if saying—Be careful.

The expedition traveled through the Void for ten days.

On the tenth day, Harmonic Leaptone's harmonics caught the first anomaly—not a sound, but the absence of sound. Anywhere in the universe, her harmonics could detect at least faint tremors of definition. But when they extended toward those coordinates, nothing came back. It was like shouting into an abyss where even the echo was swallowed.

Myriad Faces' scouting reflections sent