Awaken

Elara didn't wait for the integrity report. She began to move, her footsteps heavy against the metal soil. Behind her, the sound of the birds grew—not a chirp, but the synchronized ticking of a million countdowns.

"Integrity at forty percent," a pulse in her mind replied. "Memory drive: Corrupted. Primary objective: Reach the Spire." awaken

The light didn't click on; it bled in, a slow capillary action of white against the void. Awaken. Elara didn't wait for the integrity report

"System check," she whispered. Her voice sounded like grinding stones. "Integrity at forty percent," a pulse in her mind replied

As she stood, the clockwork birds began to twitch. One by one, their sapphire eyes flickered to life. They didn't fly; they crawled, a sea of clicking brass teeth and sharp talons dragging toward her. "Run," the pulse said.