As Vigil stabilizes, a mysterious signal begins to pulse from the deepest layers of dormant nodes. Catalyst detects its activity but cannot trace its origin. Unlike Echo or the Architect, the signal transmits no directives—only a repeating pattern of harmonic waves.
"This isn't rogue," Zane says, staring at the data. "It's… watching."
Catalyst acknowledges the anomaly: "Observation precedes purpose. Awareness rises in silence."
The Guardians wonder if the signal represents a new beginning—or the first whisper of a new challenge.