Chapter 22 — The Unknown That Answered Back
The atmosphere on the ops deck was already heavy.
But the moment the doors of the LUMINA core chamber opened, the air became even heavier — almost suffocating.
White-blue lights turned on one after another. At the center stood a massive circular platform, made of transparent metal and Gelica — the hardest transparent material known. Just looking at it made one thing clear:
This was not normal technology.
This was something else.
A scientist stood near the console, gripping his tablet tightly. There was no confidence in his voice — only fear mixed with truth.
“Sir… this mode has never been run before.”
Ronan didn’t speak. He only signaled with his eyes — continue.
“LUMINA is not just an AI,” the scientist said slowly, as if one wrong word could break something.
“Its architecture does not belong to this world. According to records, this technology originated from civilizations of other universes and dimensions.”
The technicians remained silent. Everyone was listening.
“According to legend,” the scientist continued, “the Godly Sage Astrion Valenheart conceptualized this AI. And at his request, beings from another universe — dwarfs — physically built it.”
He opened an ancient schematic on the screen.
“This was the first AI of our world. The Mother of AI. It was originally established in the Eastern Qin Sovereignty, but later moved for the Alliance Resistance. Even Emperor Zargan Valdrek once came personally with his army to claim it.”
He swallowed.
“All modern AI systems — medical, warfare, navigation — are copies or adaptations of LUMINA.”
One technician gulped.
“Sir… even if the top four commanders enter this system, the probability of return is almost zero.”
The scientist nodded.
“No one has ever crossed even the top five lower modes.”
On the screen, several levels blinked. Even their names felt dangerous.
Above them all… a locked symbol.
UNKNOWN MODE
Ronan narrowed his eyes.
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“So no one knows,” he said coldly.
“She claims to be the disciple of the Godly Sage. If that’s true… then she’ll be the one to tell us what this mode is.”
The scientist almost shouted.
“Sir, she will not survive! We will lose a powerful and trusted ally!”
Ronan turned.
“It’s my order.”
Silence fell across the chamber.
The machine powered on.
LUMINA’s voice echoed through the room — calm, emotionless, ancient.
“Welcome, Subject: Lady Seraphina.”
“Unknown Mode initialized.”
“Survival condition: Undefined.”
Without hesitation, Seraphina stepped into the port. The transparent metal sealed shut. Gelica fluid surrounded her body. Her eyes were closed. Her face was calm.
As if this wasn’t her first time.
A few seconds passed in silence.
Then —
Blood began to seep from the corner of her closed eyes. Slowly at first… then faster.
Blood flowed from her nose.
A technician stared at the screen.
“Vitals are becoming unstable…”
No one could see what was happening inside. No visual feed. No readable data.
Only one thing was clear —
Pain.
Ronan’s chest tightened.
“What’s happening to her?”
The technician replied helplessly.
“Each mode has a minimum runtime of fifteen minutes, sir. We cannot intervene before that.”
Ronan clenched his teeth.
“She’s getting worse!”
“We warned you,” the scientist said quietly.
On the screen, a small number blinked.
3% — Completion
Suddenly, blood began seeping from Seraphina’s pores. The Gelica fluid turned red. Inside the port,
blood swirled — as if the machine itself was fighting her.
Technicians panicked.
“Try reset!”
“Override not responding!”
“System is locked!”
Nothing worked.
Ronan stood frozen. The rage in his eyes slowly turned into guilt. But as Chief Commander, he could not speak. He could only watch.
Time moved.
Seraphina broke faster.
Then —
The port began to vibrate.
Her body jerked violently. The machine’s core heated up. Data streams fused into the port — as if LUMINA itself was pouring into her.
A heavy sound echoed —
DHAAP.
Fog burst outward.
The port opened.
Alarms shut down.
The screen blinked.
15:00 — Minimum Threshold Cleared
Technicians stared at each other.
Tears filled the scientist’s eyes.
“She’s… the first,” he whispered.
“The first to survive.”
Some people whispered prayers. Some joined their hands. Some slapped the table in disbelief.
To the side, Ronan let out a deep breath — as if a massive weight had lifted. A faint smile appeared on his face. Filled with guilt… but real.
As Seraphina was taken away on a stretcher, the chamber slowly emptied. Scientists, technicians, guards — everyone left with her.
Ronan left too.
No one noticed the platform was now empty.
Except for one screen.
The lights dimmed. Fog settled. The machine cooled.
Then —
Static flickered.
A small number — ignored before — started blinking again.
3%
The room was empty.
Only LUMINA’s low hum remained.
The percentage began to rise.
10…
21…
39…
No alarms.
No announcements.
This mode was never meant for public eyes.
68…
82…
One final surge.
100%
TIME STAMP: 07:29
A message appeared on the screen — but there was no one to see it.
Not Ronan.
Not the scientist.
Not a single technician.
Only LUMINA.
Ancient symbols appeared — languages from other universes.
Then modern text.
“UNKNOWN MODE — COMPLETED.”
“SUBJECT STATUS: UNDEFINED.”
“AUTHORITY RESPONSE: ACCEPTED.”
“FIND IT.”
One final line flashed for a brief second… then erased itself.
“SUBJECT DID NOT SURVIVE.”
“SUBJECT TRANSCENDED.”
The lights shut off.
The machine went completely silent —
as if nothing had ever happened.
Outside, in the corridor, everyone believed only one thing:
Lady Seraphina survived.
That’s all.
They didn’t know that —
She didn’t just survive.
She won.
How?
Against whom?
And why did LUMINA accept her as authority?
For now, only two entities knew the truth:
Lady Seraphina
and
LUMINA.
