As the Stardust Train crossed through the nebula of the variable star V838 Monocerotis, chain-like patterns suddenly emerged on the palm of Arui's hand—golden bands of light intertwined like a DNA double helix, each link corresponding to the conscious frequency of a different civilization, yet bearing web-like fractures deep within their structure. Ice Drip's algorithmic halo exploded with a purple alert across the star map: "Consciousness sea anomaly detected! At the core of the Andromeda Galaxy, a 'Soul-Chain Civilization' composed of pure conscious entities exists, and its collective consciousness resonance is disintegrating into isolated spiritual fragments at a rate of 0.32%."
Outside the porthole, the once dreamlike nebula was twisting into faces of agony. Countless translucent streams of consciousness darted about like wounded silver serpents, emitting blinding spiritual noise as they collided with one another. Ori's Photon Harp Strings let out a high-pitched lament akin to shattering glass, and the light particles condensing upon the strings scattered into fluorescent dust the moment they touched the conscious streams: "Their 'soul-chains' are snapping—just like dismantling a symphony into isolated individual notes; every conscious entity is screaming as it loses its connection."
Arui touched the mark, and the chain patterns suddenly extended tendrils that resonated with the soul-chain fractures—her consciousness was dragged into a space that transcended physical di…
Chapter 314