The dawn light filtered through the pine trees, casting long shadows across the small clearing where Solaris and Eli had spent the night. Solaris stirred, his consciousness gradually returning as the scent of something cooking pulled him from deep, restorative sleep. He opened his eyes to find Eli crouched by a small, carefully constructed fire, tending to what appeared to be freshly caught fish sizzling on heated stones.

  "Morning, sunshine," she said without turning, somehow sensing his awakened state. "How's your body feeling after the insanity that was yesterday?"

  Solaris sat up slowly, taking inventory of his body. The complete integration had stabilized somewhat during his recovery sleep, creating a new baseline of capabilities even in his currently deactivated state. "Better," he admitted, stretching carefully. "Still feel like I got hit by truck-kun, but at least now it's a normal-sized truck."

  Eli laughed. "Your energy reserves look good. Another day of rest would be ideal, but..." She gestured toward the northern horizon. "We have somewhere to be."

  "Maron's compound," Solaris nodded. "How far?"

  "About twenty kilometers north," Eli confirmed, deftly flipping fish. "Mountain terrain, mostly uphill. We'd take longer if I didn't have a few tricks left."

  Solaris approached the fire, settling beside her with comfortable familiarity. "Tell me about Maron. You mentioned him yesterday, but I was barely conscious."

  Eli's expression shifted to something more serious. "Maron Black. Tribe of the Mountain. Fifty-four years old, former Delta Force operator. He's been preparing for... well, everything... for decades. After his military career ended, he established a compound deep in the Cascade Mountains. Off-grid, self-sufficient, heavily secured."

  "Sounds like a prepper's wet dream," Solaris observed.

  "That's the funny thing, he’s also a ‘theorist,’" Eli replied. "And most of his 'conspiracy theories' were actually true. His Oversoul had been feeding him information for years, disguised as gut instincts and hunches. He's been unconsciously preparing for the Phoenix Ascension most of his adult life."

  Solaris absorbed this information, finding the pattern familiar. "Like how I was drawn to making YouTube videos about the occult without really understanding why."

  "Exactly. Different manifestation, same source." Eli handed him a portion of the perfectly cooked fish on a broad leaf serving as a plate. "Maron's compound has become a gathering point. The Tokyo trio will be heading there soon. Eleanor is already on her way."

  “Eleanor? Monad?”

  “Yeah, Monad.”

  "It’s is actually coming together…" Solaris whispered, the significance hitting him fully. Twenty-two million years of waiting, of cycles that came close but never succeeded, and now the Convergence was finally manifesting.

  They ate in comfortable silence, the mountain air crisp around them. After finishing his meal, Solaris rose and moved to a flat section of the clearing. "Lemme test some things."

  "Good idea," Eli encouraged. "Let’s see what your baseline is now."

  Solaris closed his eyes, centering his awareness. With deliberate focus, he shifted his consciousness toward activation.

  “Alice Mode, engage.” The familiar sensation cascaded through his system, like sizzling bubbles rising to the surface of a soda can. White melted from his sclera as the pitch black oozed in. The shadow jacket materialized around his torso, the number thirteen prominently displayed across his back. His perception expanded exponentially, layers of reality becoming visible beyond ordinary sight.

  "Impressive control," Eli noted, watching with analytical precision. "The integration is so clean! There’s no fragmentation or dissociation either. Also, Alice Mode?" She laughed.

  “Hey! Alice and I like it when we picked it out…”

  “No, no, I do too. It just reminded me of you, that’s all.” Eli responded with a smile that could cure any disease of his.

  Solaris extended his hand, manifesting a sun orb with practiced ease. The golden sphere hovered above his palm, perfectly stable without conscious effort. "It feels natural now. Before, it was like learning how to walk. Now it's like breathing."

  "Your full integration got rid of anything that made it seem foreign," Eli explained. "You're accessing what was always natural to begin with."

  Solaris released the sun orb, allowing it to dissipate into golden motes that faded into the morning air. With another deliberate shift, he deactivated the integrated state—black sclera receding, shadow jacket dissolving, perception returning to more conventional parameters.

  "Having an off switch is convenient," he observed, rejoining Eli by the fire.

  "For sure," she added. "You can appear completely normal to surveillance or casual observation, then boom, activate it when necessary."

  They prepared for departure, gathering their limited supplies and ensuring no trace of their camp remained. As they set out northward, Eli led the way confidently through the challenging mountain terrain.

  "I'm sorry about Vander," she said quietly after they had been walking for nearly an hour. "And Alice. And Sarah. I watched it all from up there, but I couldn't intervene."

  Solaris felt a mix of joy and grief rising at the memories, joy because they spent many unforgettable moments together, grief because their presences will be missed. The memories appeared as Vander's broken body dissolving into golden light, Alice's consciousness merging completely with his own, Sarah trapped within Neph Mark 1's obsidian form before her final self-destruction. "They knew what they were sacrificing for," he replied, voice thick with emotion. "The Convergence is worth it."

  "It doesn't make the loss easier," Eli acknowledged, reaching back to squeeze his hand briefly.

  "No, it doesn’t," he agreed. "But I can rest assured that their legacies are safe with me, no matter what."

  Their conversation flowed naturally as they traveled, Eli sharing information about the other Sovereigns while Solaris processed the profound changes of the past weeks. The mountain landscape provided breathtaking vistas that occasionally stopped them in their tracks—snow-capped peaks stretching toward the horizon, valleys filled with pristine wilderness, ancient forests untouched by human development.

  "So how exactly does 'Alice Mode' work now?" Eli asked as they navigated a particularly steep section of terrain. "I understand the concept but…"

  Solaris considered this as he helped her over a rocky outcropping. "It's like... if you were to have a slider that goes from one to one hundred. One being the average human’s awareness and capabilities, and one-hundred being the Godhead. Alice Mode, for me, would stand at a solid twenty on that slider. It’s hard to explain how it makes me feel. It’s like I’m on another level entirely."

  "And the capabilities?"

  "Everything is sharp now, even when it’s deactivated. But when I turn it on, oh man! We’re talking sun beams, sun orbs, shields, the whole damn thing dude!"

  Eli nodded, smiling at his excitement. "And the shadow jacket? Lookin’ cool, my love."

  Solaris’s expression turned shy at the utterance of ‘my love’. "Y-yeah, it manifested at eighty percent, cool eh? Got some drip on me." Solaris explained. "The number thirteen represents..."

  Eli noticed the shyness and giggled internally. "The Blue Flame," Eli completed. "13th dimensional consciousness. Same as Vander and I."

  “You too?!” Solaris replied enthusiastically.

  “Well of course, silly! We’re two halves of one greater unit. We were birthed from the Godhead at the same time and are the only two souls who truly understand each other. We’re like, practically the same person, though with various superficial differences; we complete each other as one, like two Tetris blocks fitting snuggly inside each other—too much the same and we wouldn’t fit, but if you mirror the piece, it fits perfectly. You see? We’re kinda like you and Alice. Alice was the other half of your personal soul. I am the other half of our soul as a two-soul unit.” She explained.

  Wide-eyed from the passionate reminder, Solaris settled into the memories of what being twin flames meant, again. “Right, twin flames.” He thought out loud, looking up at the beautiful sky. “Sorry.”

  She turned around, strutting right up to him. “Don’t be sorry, Solaris. I’ll remind you as many times as you need. Just as I’ve always done.” She kissed him on the cheek.

  As Solaris received the kiss on his cheek, Eli turning around to continue guiding him through the mountain, he grabbed her arm lightly. She stopped and turned around, eyes narrowing, a smile erupting, understanding exactly what was flowing through his mind.

  Unlike their first kiss they shared in the sunlit clearing before Eli was forcefully extracted, these kisses were long, numerous, and even more tender. Afterwards, they hugged, feeling beautifully divine in their shared emotional space.

  They continued their journey through the afternoon, occasionally using their powers to accelerate their progress across particularly challenging terrain. As the sun began its descent toward the western horizon, the landscape ahead showed subtle changes—clearings that appeared natural but contained carefully disguised sight lines, rock formations that could serve as observation posts, tree arrangements that suggested deliberate planning rather than random growth. Besides Solaris’s enhanced perception, he thanked Vander for distilling most of his tactical and survival knowledge upon him. He really wouldn’t be where he was today without him.

  "We're entering Maron’s security perimeter," Eli noted, pausing at the edge of a small meadow. "He has nearly the entire mountain wired with all kinds of surveillance and early warning systems."

  Solaris extended his senses, confirming her assessment. "I can feel the electronic grid. Impressive setup—redundant systems, passive and active monitoring, counter-surveillance measures."

  "Very military," Eli agreed. "He's been perfecting it for years."

  They had taken three steps into the meadow when a voice crackled from a speaker concealed within a nearby tree trunk.

  "That's far enough." The voice was deep, gravelly, and unmistakably commanding—decades of military authority compressed into three words. "Identify yourselves. You're on private property."

  Eli stepped forward, hands raised slightly to show she carried no weapons. "We're expected, Maron. I'm Eli, twin flame to Solaris of the Sun Tribe. This is Tris Morgan—Solaris."

  A long pause followed, the speaker remaining silent long enough that Solaris wondered if the connection had been severed. Then:

  "Prove it." The voice had lost none of its skepticism. "Anyone could claim those names."

  Eli smiled slightly. "Kira told you we were coming. She sensed our approach hours ago, probably mentioned the 'golden light woman' specifically. She's standing beside you right now, isn't she?"

  Another pause, shorter this time. "Maybe."

  "And she's telling you to stop being such a paranoid old goat," Eli continued, her smile widening.

  A distinctly feminine laugh echoed in the background of the transmission, followed by what sounded like a gruff curse muffled away from the microphone.

  "Fine," Maron's voice returned, marginally less hostile. "Follow the tree line north. You'll reach a fence. Wait there for escort."

  The speaker went silent. Eli turned to Solaris with a triumphant grin. "See? Smooth as silk."

  Solaris raised an eyebrow, smile forming. "Uh-huuuh."

  They followed the instructions, moving along the edge of the meadow until they encountered a fence that appeared ordinary at first glance but revealed sophisticated security measures upon closer inspection—pressure sensors, vibration detection, and what appeared to be some form of energy monitoring woven into the seemingly simple structure.

  They waited less than ten minutes before hearing the approach of a vehicle—an electric ATV moving quietly through the forest with remarkable efficiency. The driver brought the vehicle to a stop several meters from the fence, allowing them to observe him clearly.

  Maron Black stood approximately 6'2", his broad-shouldered, muscular frame somehow conveying both military precision and wilderness adaptability. His salt-and-pepper hair was cut military-short on the sides with it being slightly longer on top, matched by a neatly trimmed beard that did little to soften his weathered, scarred face. Deep-set dark eyes studied them with analytical intensity, missing nothing as he conducted a thorough visual assessment from behind the fence.

  He wore earth-toned tactical pants with multiple pockets, a quality flannel shirt rolled up to reveal forearms corded with muscle, and sturdy boots that had clearly seen significant use. A handgun rested in a holster at his hip, and Solaris detected at least three additional concealed weapons distributed across his person.

  This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.

  "So," Maron stated flatly, making no immediate move to open the gate, "you're the famous Solaris. Kira's been talking my ear off about you for weeks."

  Solaris met the older man's gaze directly. "Nice to meet you."

  Maron shifted slightly, his assessment continuing with professional thoroughness. "You look different than the descriptions. Eyes are normal."

  Solaris nodded understanding. "Yeah, I can control it now." With deliberate focus, he shifted to his integrated state—black sclera flowing across his eyes, shadow jacket materializing around his torso.

  Maron didn't flinch, though his hand drifted slightly closer to his holstered weapon. "Neat trick."

  "It's not a trick," Eli explained, stepping forward. "It's his integrated form."

  "Integrated with what?" Maron demanded.

  "His shadow aspect," Eli replied. "Alice. Basically, himself."

  Maron's expression remained skeptical. "Right. The imaginary friend."

  Before Eli could respond, a figure shimmered into existence beside Maron—a tall, athletic woman with auburn hair and traditional facial markings suggesting indigenous heritage. Though partially translucent, her presence carried undeniable authority.

  "Stop being difficult, Terran," she admonished, using Maron's Oversoul name. "These are the ones we've been waiting for."

  Maron's expression shifted slightly—not quite softening but revealing a different facet of his personality. "Just being thorough, Kira."

  "You're being obstinate, you old toad," she corrected, though affection colored her tone. "Open the gate before I tell them about the teddy bear collection."

  "I don't have a—" Maron began, then stopped himself with a grimace. "Fine."

  He approached the gate, disarming several security measures before unlocking and opening it. "Ground rules," he stated as Solaris and Eli approached with barely bitten-back smiles. "No wandering around without escort. No touching anything without permission. No activating whatever... that is... inside the main house. Clear?"

  "Crystal," Solaris replied, deactivating his integrated state as he passed through the gate.

  "And no doing that without warning me first," Maron added, securing the gate behind them.

  Kira rolled her eyes, her form shimmering slightly as she maintained her manifestation. "Forgive him," she said to Eli and Solaris. "He's been preparing for the end of the world so long, he's forgotten how to welcome another important piece of its salvation."

  "I can hear you," Maron grumbled, returning to the ATV.

  "I know, dear." Kira's smile was radiant despite her partially translucent appearance. "That was the point."

  The ATV had a second row of seats behind the driver's position, allowing Solaris and Eli to sit while Kira simply vanished, presumably rejoining Maron's consciousness directly. As they drove through the forest, following a narrow trail that would be nearly invisible to casual observation, Solaris noted more sophisticated security measures integrated throughout the natural environment—cameras disguised as knots in trees, motion sensors hidden beneath innocuous rocks, what appeared to be pressure plates concealed beneath seemingly random patches of ground cover.

  After approximately fifteen minutes, the forest opened to reveal Maron's compound—a masterpiece of tactical design disguised as a rustic mountain retreat. The main house was constructed from local timber and stone, its architecture suggesting comfort without sacrificing defensibility. Solar panels and small wind turbines provided visible energy sources, while gravity-fed water systems utilized the mountain's natural springs. A greenhouse complex using passive solar design extended from one side of the structure, while multiple outbuildings served specialized functions. What appeared to be a standard root cellar entrance likely concealed more significant underground facilities.

  "Home sweet bunker," Maron stated as he brought the ATV to a stop. "Built it myself. Took twelve years."

  "It's impressive," Solaris acknowledged, genuinely admiring the self-sufficient design.

  "It's adequate," Maron replied, though a hint of pride colored his tone. "Greenhouse provides year-round produce. Water's filtered through seven different systems. Power generation runs at 140% of consumption, with backups for the backups."

  "And the underground facilities?" Eli inquired innocently.

  Maron's eyes narrowed. "What underground facilities?"

  "The ones reached through the 'root cellar' with the reinforced door and electromagnetic shielding," she replied sweetly.

  A muscle in Maron's jaw twitched. "Those are need-to-know."

  "We need to know though," Solaris suggested.

  "No, you don't," Maron countered, leading them toward the main house. "Not yet."

  Solaris and Eli shared a look of both exasperation and humor.

  As they approached the entrance, Kira reappeared, this time fully visible to all of them. "The others have been informed of their arrival," she told Maron. "Eleanor is already waiting inside."

  "Eleanor's already here?" Eli asked, surprise evident in her voice. "I thought she was still coming!"

  "Arrived this morning," Maron confirmed, opening the reinforced front door. "Woman's eighty-one but moves like she's fifty. Showed up with a single backpack and more intel on Anunnaki operations than my entire network's gathered in a decade."

  The interior of the main house matched its exterior—practical, tactical, comfort. The open-concept design provided clear sightlines to all entrances, the furniture was arranged for maximum visibility while providing defensive positions if needed, and multiple concealed compartments were visible to Solaris despite their careful disguise.

  "Eleanor," Maron called as they entered. "Your alien friends are here."

  “We’re all aliens in our own right, dear.” An elderly woman rose from a comfortable chair near the stone fireplace, her movements indeed suggesting someone decades younger than her actual age. Though small in stature, her presence carried unmistakable authority. Her silver hair, cut in a practical bob, framed a face lined with both age and wisdom, observant blue eyes missing nothing as she assessed the newcomers.

  "Solaris," she greeted with a slight nod. "Eli. Your arrival completes our initial gathering."

  "Moon Tribe…" Solaris observed, sensing her energy signature clearly now that they were in proximity. His mind automatically formed an image from the energy contained in her natural electromagnetic field. A calm lake sitting below a full moon in early fall. It wasn’t hot anymore, but it wasn’t cold enough for a sweater. It was a relaxing, stoic energy that made him feel at ease.

  "Indeed. And you've fully integrated your shadow aspect," Eleanor replied, her gaze penetrating beyond his currently normal appearance. "Most impressive progression. I expected at least another month before you reached that threshold."

  "Things accelerated, to say the least." Eli explained.

  "So I gathered," Eleanor nodded, returning to her seat with her graceful economy of movement. "Maron, stop hovering by the door and put on some coffee. Our guests have traveled far."

  For a moment, Solaris thought the former Delta Force operator might object to being ordered around in his own home. Instead, Maron merely grunted acknowledgment and moved toward the kitchen area, though not without a pointed glance at Solaris that clearly communicated continued vigilance.

  "Don't mind him," Eleanor advised once Maron was occupied with coffee preparation. "His trust issues have trust issues. Occupational hazard of spending decades preparing for civilization's collapse."

  "I can hear you," Maron called from the kitchen.

  "I know, dear." Eleanor replied without turning. “That was the point.”

  Kira, who had followed them inside, laughed softly at the exchange, her form shimmering slightly in the natural light filtering through the windows. "They've been like this since she arrived," she confided to Eli and Solaris. "It's been thoroughly entertaining."

  As they settled into the comfortable living area, Solaris noticed subtle evidence of recent preparations—additional sleeping accommodations arranged in adjacent rooms, increased food supplies visible in the kitchen area, communications equipment activated for heightened monitoring. Despite Maron's outward resistance, his actions revealed complete commitment to the gathering Sovereigns.

  "The Tokyo trio will arrive within the week," Eleanor informed them as Maron returned with coffee. "Nukka is traveling with a small group from her community, expected within the month. Rafik has encountered some difficulties in Egypt but should extract within the month as well."

  "And the others?" Solaris asked.

  "In motion," Eleanor replied. "Our resonances are drawing us together regardless of distance or circumstance. Everything is accelerating."

  Maron set mugs of coffee before them with surprisingly graceful efficiency. He settled into a position that provided both comfort and tactical advantage—back to the wall, clear sightlines to all entrances, multiple exit options within immediate reach.

  "What happened to the Guardian?" he asked bluntly, fixing Solaris with a direct stare. "Our intel indicated you were traveling with a Vander Ocean."

  The question hit like a physical blow, grief rising unexpectedly despite Solaris's preparation for the inevitable inquiry. "Vander died bravely, protecting me from Ereshkigal and Neph," he replied, voice steady despite the emotion behind it. "He bought time for my complete integration, which also allowed Eli to return since I became the Anchor between us."

  Maron's expression remained unreadable, though something flickered briefly in his eyes—recognition of sacrifice understood on a level only those who had seen combat could fully comprehend. "Good man," he said simply, raising his coffee mug in a subtle gesture of respect. "Died on mission. Can't ask for better."

  "He'll be remembered," Eleanor added softly. "The Guardians' sacrifices are never in vain."

  Conversation continued as afternoon faded toward evening and information was exchanged with increasing openness. Maron remained vigilant throughout, his military-honed situational awareness never fully relaxing despite growing familiarity.

  When he eventually excused himself to prepare their evening meal, Eli followed to assist, leaving Solaris alone with Eleanor. The elderly woman studied him with quiet intensity, her gaze suggesting some form of perception beyond ordinary sight.

  "It won't be easy," she said finally. "Integrating nine other personalities as distinct as Maron into a functional team."

  "I noticed," Solaris replied with a wry smile. "He doesn't exactly radiate cooperative team spirit."

  Eleanor's laughter was surprisingly youthful despite her advanced age. "Maron's exterior is all barbed wire and guard towers. His interior is... well, still mostly barbed wire, but with purpose. He's been preparing for this longer than he realizes. He’s been guided since childhood—tactical intuition that saved his squad repeatedly during deployments, survival instincts that bordered on precognition, engineering insights that shouldn't have been possible given his formal education. Like you with your occult videos, he was unconsciously preparing for the Phoenix Ascension his entire life."

  Their conversation paused as sounds of good-natured bickering emerged from the kitchen—Maron's gruff insistence on proper knife handling techniques met with Eli's cheerful reminders that she had been cooking "since before your ancestors discovered fire for the 800th time."

  "They're getting along well," Eleanor observed with evident amusement.

  "Eli has that effect on people," Solaris replied. "Even Veldt eventually warmed to her."

  "And now Alice lives through you," Eleanor noted. "The shadow integrated with the light. It's a powerful metaphor for what we all must achieve, dear."

  Dinner proved surprisingly pleasant despite Maron's continued vigilance. The former Delta Force operator had prepared a hearty stew featuring venison, root vegetables, and herbs grown in his greenhouse—simple but expertly seasoned and perfectly cooked.

  "You're quite the chef," Eli complimented after her first taste.

  "Basic nutrition delivery," Maron dismissed, though his expression suggested he appreciated the recognition. "Nothing special."

  "The man won his unit's cooking competition three years running," Kira revealed from her position beside him. "He just won't admit it."

  "Operational necessity," Maron insisted. "Better food means better morale means better mission outcomes."

  "Whatever you say, dear."

  As they ate, conversations flowed with increasing ease. Though Maron participated less verbally than the others, his attention never wavered, his analytical mind clearly processing everything with military precision.

  "So," he said during a momentary lull, "you killed Ereshkigal. The Ereshkigal. The Queen of Hell. The Anunnaki ruler of lizard-scat."

  Solaris nearly choked on his stew at the abrupt shift in topic. "Uuuh, yeah, I guess I did, huh," he confirmed after recovering, reflecting on what happened during his time in the upper atmosphere. "Grabbed her from liminal space and allowed nature to do the rest."

  Maron nodded, something approaching approval in his expression. "Good tactical choice. Used the environment as a weapon. Minimal energy expenditure for maximum effect."

  "I didn’t plan it that way," Solaris admitted. "I was just... angry, and in the flow."

  "Anger's a useful fuel if properly channeled," Maron observed, refilling Solaris's water glass with practical efficiency. "You didn't let it cloud your judgment. That's what matters."

  This unexpected approval created a subtle shift in the atmosphere—not friendship exactly, but professional respect beginning to form despite their significant differences in background and approach.

  As the meal concluded, Maron rose to clear the table with the same practical efficiency that characterized all his movements. "Eli, Eleanor, you know your rooms. Solaris, you're in the east cabin. Solar side. Figured it was appropriate."

  "Thank you," Solaris replied, genuinely appreciating both the accommodations and the thoughtfulness behind the placement.

  "Don't thank me yet," Maron advised, his expression returning to its default stoicism. "Training starts at 0500. My mountain, my rules."

  "Training?" Solaris echoed weakly.

  "You integrated your shadow. Congratulations." Maron's tone made clear how unimpressed he was by this achievement. "Now you need to learn how to function in the real world with those capabilities. Theory's fine until you're bleeding. All that strength has nothin’ to do with execution. Welcome to the gulag, lil buddy!" He finished while walking away to set the dishes down in the sink.

  Eli opened her mouth, perhaps to object to the early hour or demanding approach, but Eleanor placed a gentle hand on her arm. "Maron's methods are unconventional but effective," the older woman murmured. "And he's right—Solaris needs more practical experience beyond theoretics. Being on the run certainly changes you, but this will be different."

  Solaris met Maron's challenging gaze from the dish rack directly. "0500. I'll be ready."

  Something that might have been respect flickered in the former Delta operator's eyes. "We'll see."

  After dinner, Maron showed Solaris to the east cabin—a small but well-appointed structure situated to catch the morning sun. Like everything in the compound, it combined comfort with practical functionality, providing both security and reasonable amenities.

  "Solar charged batteries under the floorboards," Maron explained, indicating a control panel beside the bed. "Comms system links to the main house. Panic button under the nightstand if something gets past the perimeter security, which won't happen."

  "Thorough," Solaris nodded.

  "Minimum standard," Maron corrected. "Place is designed to withstand everything from a tactical nuclear strike, to an electromagnetic pulse, to conventional assault forces.” He continued explaining. “Shit-Lizards,” one of Maron’s many words for ‘Anunnaki,’ “are just another threat variable in the equation."

  As Maron turned to leave, Solaris felt compelled to address the underlying tension. "You don't trust me yet."

  The older man paused in the doorway, his weathered face revealing nothing of his thoughts. "Trust is earned, not given. But Kira sees something in you, and her judgment's never been wrong before."

  "What about your judgment?"

  Maron considered this. "My judgment says you're either humanity's best hope or its greatest potential threat, depending on choices yet unmade. My experience says hope's a poor tactical foundation compared to preparation. So I'll prepare for all contingencies while hoping I only need the positive ones."

  With that assessment delivered, he nodded once and departed, leaving Solaris alone in the cabin. Through the window, Solaris watched the former Delta Force operator return to the main house.

  Later, as Solaris prepared for sleep in the comfortable but functional accommodations, Eli appeared at his door.

  "Settling in okay?" she asked, leaning against the doorframe with casual grace. She wore blue linen shorts paired with an oversized blue sweater that hung off one shoulder, and a knitted cat-eared nightcap, also blue, perched atop her blonde hair. She looked impossibly cute, and when Solaris's gaze lingered a moment longer than usual, which was happening more often since they reunited, a knowing smile spread across her face, making it clear she'd noticed his observation.

  "As well as can be expected," he replied. "Maron's an interesting character."

  "That's one word for it," Eli laughed, settling onto the edge of the bed. "He's exactly what the Monad needs, though—practical grounding to balance the more... idealistic among us."

  "Who, me?" Solaris said while framing his face and giving a dry smile that didn’t reach his eyes.

  Eli giggled. "Like most of us, to varying degrees. The Convergence requires both cosmic awareness and practical application. Maron embodies the latter with great intensity."

  Solaris considered this, recognizing the truth in her assessment. "He doesn't fully trust us yet, though…"

  "He doesn't fully trust anyone," Eli corrected gently. "It's how he's survived this long. But he's committed to the Convergence, whether he articulates it that way or not. His actions speak louder than his words—he's been preparing this compound as a gathering point for months, expanding accommodations, increasing supplies, and enhancing security specifically to protect the Monad during formation."

  Their conversation continued until exhaustion began to overtake Solaris, the day's journey and emotional processing finally claiming their due. As Eli rose to return to the main house, she paused at the door.

  "The others will arrive soon," she said, her expression turning excitable. "The Monad will form for the first time in twenty-two million years."

  “Exciting, right?” Solaris replied.

  As Solaris drifted toward sleep, his thoughts ruminated. The next however long would bring Maron's training, the continuing arrival of other Sovereigns, and progress toward breaking the Phoenix Ascension system permanently. For tonight, rest came with the knowledge that despite incomprehensible challenges, he was exactly where he needed to be—on a mountain bugout prepared by a stubborn ex-Delta Force operator who had been unconsciously readying for this moment his entire life.