“Li Mei, if we don't cross now, we'll never get another chance!”Vance's voice cut through the bridge as the gate began collapsing behind them. The Stardust Weaver shook violently, its damaged systems struggling against the enormous gravitational force surrounding the portal. Sparks continued raining from the ceiling while warning alarms echoed throughout the ship.Li Mei looked toward the rapidly shrinking gateway.The image of her older self was still burned into her mind.She had seen Kael standing beside that woman.She had heard the words.You have already opened this gate once.“Go through,” Li Mei said.Vance looked at her.“You're certain?”“No.”Li Mei tightened her grip on the console.“But staying here means facing the Overseer with a ship that can barely move.”Vance glanced at the approaching black fleet behind them.He understood.

“Li Mei, don't let her finish restoring your original consciousness!”Kael's warning tore through the archive, but the golden figure had already begun walking toward her. Every step sent a tremor through the vast lattice beneath their feet, causing thousands of connected realities to flicker like dying stars. Li Mei remained trapped within the web of golden threads, unable to move as the figure approached, and the closer it came, the more familiar its presence became. It was not simply another version of her. It was the consciousness she had glimpsed inside the ancient memory, the woman who had once stood beside Kael and written the first laws governing the connection between realities.The figure stopped in front of her and looked into her eyes. “You have suffered enough,” she said, her voice calm and almost gentle. That gentleness frightened Li Mei more than any threat could have. “Who are you?” Li Mei demanded, struggling against the golden threads. The woman studied her for a mome