The Core pulsedAnd didn’t follow with a command.That alone told Keal everything.They had reached the end of what the system could dictate.From hereIt could only respond.The golden pathways around Mira loosened—not releasing her, but no longer enforcing completion. The rigid geometry that had defined her position began to fracture into softer lines, unstable and undecided.“USER DECISION PENDING.”Mira exhaled slowly.“…It’s really waiting.”Keal nodded.“Yeah.”The pressure hadn’t disappeared.It had shifted.No longer forcing an outcome.Now it was pressing for one.From them.The Architect stood still, watching with an intensity he hadn’t shown before.Not detached anymore.Invested.Because this—This wasn’t part of the original design.This was something new.Something untested.“Make your choice,” he said quietly.Mira shot him a look.“We already did.”Keal stepped closer to the barrier.It flickered.Weaker now.Responsive.Not absolute.“We’re not choosing one path,” he