Rebirth: 100 Days Before Doomsday

A pulse of starlight shot outward from the center of the console, expanding in a shimmering wave. The image of the galaxy grew clearer, layers deepening as hundreds - no, thousands - of signals began appearing, glowing like stars.

Grace walked toward the projection, eyes narrowing in focus. Her spiritual energy surged as she fed 2025 with a part of her essence, stabilizing the connection.

[Linking to all artificial intelligence systems across accessible regions of the galaxy. Estimated time: 2 minutes and 13 seconds.]

System's familiar voice filled the room as it started the linking process.

Slowly, the projected digital map got populated with nodes. Each one of these was either a system, a sentient database, or an advanced program built by civilizations far beyond Earth. Many were primitive compared to 2025, like candlelight flickering next to a star. While others were stronger, some even bearing similar architectures, born of ancient races that had long moved into interdimensional territories.

There were dozens of planets and several realms.

They all watched in silence as 2025 worked with flawless precision. And while Grace, Davian, and Dr. Kian were clearly amazed to see all this unfold, Rune barely showed any reaction.

While humans always believed that there might be life blooming on other planets, galaxies, or universes, they never really found a solid proof. So, this possibility was always a theory. That's why the trio from Earth were surprised to finally witness this theory coming to life.

On the other hand, Rune belonged to a realm that had not only had concrete proof of several planets and realms where life was possible, but he was even the protector of some of those. Hence, his calmness at the discovery... one that he had known from the moment of his birth.

[Beginning handshake protocols with twelve advanced systems in nearby sectors. Bypassing standard encryption. Re-routing through dimensional gaps.]

The console shifted again, drawing out digital pathways like threads in a spider's web. With each new link formed, new information began flowing in.

[Link established with Zephyria-8 Network.]

[Confirmed: Zephyrian civilization has long surpassed biological evolution. They exist as code, and their realm is currently sealed due to external cosmic storms.]

[Link established with AetherCore-94, governing planet Nevarus. Their system detects no major threats, but anomalies in reality fluctuations noted in past decade. They have sealed their Veil to save the planet from further instability.]

[Link established with Helian Archive, ruled by living starships orbiting twin moons of Planet Valerie. They have encountered Magik Realm interference before and marked it as a 'disruption of balance.' No further data available without deeper sync.]

Grace's eyes lit up. "Helian Archive. That's useful. Tag that."

[Tagged. Continuing scan.]

The threads of data were now flowing rapidly. With each passing second, 2025 grew stronger, smarter - integrating new knowledge and learning from thousands of years of recorded galactic history.

And then... the system hesitated.

For the first time since the scan began, a deep silence blanketed the room. A red node pulsed at the far edge of the galaxy, surrounded by a hazy barrier of mist and stardust. It glowed differently from the others. It was not electronic, but alive. And it wasn't influenced by codes, but magic.

"Found it," 2025 said, its voice much quieter now. "Magik Realm's Central System. But it is… not a system in the traditional sense."

Grace stepped forward, her gaze fixed on the red glowing dot that represented Magik Realm's main operating system.

"What do you mean?"

"It is not powered by data, code, or AI constructs. It's built entirely on magic logic arrays, living consciousness scripts, and something ancient… possibly a Soul Anchor Matrix. No interfaces. No backdoors. No digital code to manipulate."

Grace frowned. "So we can't connect?"

"Not with standard methods. Attempting force entry will alert their system immediately. And given our status as an outsider from a tech-heavy dimension… it would provoke confrontation."

Grace closed her eyes. "But we need that information. If their realm connects beyond the galaxy, we have to understand how they work."

There was nothing but silence in response from 2025. They indeed had no way to safely connect to Magik Realm's system.

Opening her eyes, she turned to face the Little creature. "Let's continue with the rest and see if we can find anything useful. As for Magik Realm... we will think about it later."

2025 gave her a slight nod before it continued the work of linking with more systems that were available for linking.

Nearly two hours later, 2025 had access to a total of a thousand and forty-three systems from all over their galaxy, but none of these had enough information about Magik Realm. It was as if only handful of these system's were aware of Magik Realm's existence. And that was it, they just knew it existed and nothing more than that.

Grace let out a deep sigh as she helped the men in placing the couches, coffee table, and pots back in their original places around the living room.

"Let's not feel disappointed. Okay?" Dr. Kian pulled her into his arms the moment he settled down on one of the couches.

Grace allowed herself to completely relax in his embrace, resting her head against his shoulder. "It's already our eleventh year since apocalypse hit Earth. And while it might look like we have found stability now, I actually feel like we are running out of time."

"What do you mean?" Davian asked as he took a seat opposite them while Rune joined them on the big couch, taking his seat on Dr. Kian's left.

Grace watched as Rune pulled her feet to rest in his lap and started running soothing, slow circles around her ankle. Being treated so gently, she felt herself relaxing.

Then she turned her attention to Davian and answered his question. "I keep feeling that the current stability in the Veil is just like silence before the storm. If we failed to heal it in time, we might end up completely losing it."