章 114: Chapter 114: The Weight of Tomorrow 

The morning after the ritual, the cabin was enveloped in an almost eerie calm. The events of the previous night felt distant, as though the world had taken a breath and was holding it, waiting for the next move. The three companions—Ethan, Alex, and Morgana—were spread out in the small living area, each absorbed in their thoughts.

Ethan stood by the window, staring out at the forest. The sun was well into the sky now, casting a warm light over the treetops. But despite the serene scene outside, his mind was racing. The Architect's words still echoed in his head, the implication of what they had almost unleashed weighing heavily on him.

"We can't stay here much longer," Ethan said finally, breaking the silence. He turned to face the others, his expression grim. "The Assembly will come looking for us. They'll know we interfered with the ritual, and they won't let that go."