Chapter 60: The Unknown Author
Zak Carter’s hands clenched into fists as he stared at the message that had just rippled across the fabric of existence.
<blockquote>
I AM HERE.
</blockquote>
The words weren’t a warning.They weren’t a question.They were a statement.
Someone—or something—had stepped forward first.
And now, Zak wasn’t alone in the void.
EOSA’s Shocked Silence
<blockquote>
DOMINION ALERT—UNKNOWN TRANSMISSION CONTINUESNEW MESSAGE: "WHO WILL OPPOSE ME?"SIGNAL SOURCE: UNDETECTABLE—DOES NOT ORIGINATE FROM KNOWN SPACE
</blockquote>
Dr. Raines'' voice was barely audible. "It’s… challenging us?"
Agent Connors exhaled sharply, his gaze fixed on the flickering display.
"Not us," he murmured, jaw tightening. "Zak."
The analyst''s hands shook as he tapped at his keyboard. "We need to warn him. We need to—"
The words died on his tongue.
Because before he could send a message—
The entire transmission feed went dark.
Inet187’s Final Warning
Zak’s eyes flickered to Inet, who stood motionless.
"You expected this," Zak accused.
Inet’s expression remained unreadable. "I suspected."
Zak’s stomach twisted. "You told me I was breaking the cycle. That I was freeing the universe."
Inet nodded. "You did."
Zak gestured toward the void, the words I AM HERE still burning into the nothingness like an imprint on reality itself. "Then what the hell is that?"
Inet’s voice softened. "Something that was never meant to exist."
Unauthorized duplication: this narrative has been taken without consent. Report sightings.
Zak inhaled sharply. "What do you mean?"
Inet turned toward the darkness, its eyes distant. "You erased the old structure. You removed the controls. But even in an unwritten universe… something always takes shape."
Zak’s pulse quickened. "You mean I didn’t break the cycle—I just left a vacuum?"
Inet nodded. "And now something wants to fill it."
Zak felt a chill crawl up his spine. "So if I don’t act, something else will?"
Inet was silent for a moment. Then it spoke—quietly, but firmly. "Something already has."
The Unknown Entity Makes Its Move
The void shuddered.
Zak staggered back, bracing himself as the fabric of space rippled.
And then—
A figure emerged.
It wasn’t light.It wasn’t shadow.It was something in-between.
Something unfinished.
Something becoming.
And when it spoke—
The universe shook.
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"You erased the order before you."
</blockquote>
Zak’s breath caught.
<blockquote>
"Now, I will create my own."
</blockquote>
Zak’s fingers tightened around the QSE, its energy flickering in response.
"You’re not taking control," Zak growled.
The entity tilted its head. "And who will stop me?"
The words rippled through existence.
Zak felt them in his bones.
This wasn’t just a new presence.
It was a force trying to shape itself into something greater.
And now—
Zak had to decide.
Would he fight?Would he walk away?Or was there another way?
EOSA Watches in Horror
<blockquote>
DOMINION ALERT—GRAVITY AND TIME DISTORTIONS DETECTEDNEW MESSAGE RECEIVED: "I AM THE NEXT."UNKNOWN COSMIC SIGNATURE DETECTED—NOT ZAK CARTER
</blockquote>
Dr. Raines pushed back from his desk.
"…It’s claiming the authority to reshape reality."
The analyst’s voice was hollow. "It’s rewriting everything."
Connors’ voice was grim. "Not if Zak stops it."
Dr. Raines'' throat tightened. "And if he fails?"
Connors inhaled deeply. "Then we serve something new."
The Final Standoff Begins
Zak stared at the being in front of him.
It was still unfinished—still pulling pieces of reality into itself.
And that meant—
It could still be stopped.
Zak’s pulse hammered.
He didn’t want to be in charge of the universe.
But he wasn’t about to let something else take his place.
He turned to Inet. "Are you with me?"
Inet met his gaze. "Always."
Zak nodded.
Then, he stepped forward, his voice steady.
"If you want to rewrite existence—"
He raised the QSE, its energy surging.
"—Then you’re going to have to go through me first."
The void shook.
The new being smiled.
<blockquote>
"Then let’s begin."
</blockquote>