As the Stardust Train crossed the Norma cluster, the symbiotic mark on Arui's palm suddenly revealed lattice-like patterns—golden bands of light arranged as regularly as quantum crystals, with every node corresponding to the resonance frequency of a fundamental force, yet displaying web-like fissures at the core. Ice Drip's algorithmic halo burst into an indigo alert across the star map: "Cornerstone anomaly detected! At the gravitational base point of this Local Group, a 'Cornerstone Civilization' composed of pure fundamental forces exists, and its field resonance is decaying into disordered vibrations at a rate of 0.32%."
Outside the porthole, the previously stable star clusters were producing eerie force field ripples; stars trembled like tuning forks plucked by invisible fingers, and the stardust streams showed the cracking fractures of broken crystals. Ori's Photon Harp String emitted a hum akin to metal fatigue, and the light particles condensed on the strings disintegrated into fundamental particles the moment they contacted the cornerstone turbulence: "They are 'rusting' the foundation of the universe—like the timpani in a symphony falling out of tune, the symbiotic frequencies of all civilizations are losing their benchmark."
Arui touched the mark, and the lattice patterns suddenly extended tendrils, resonating with the cornerstone fissures. Her consciousness was dragged into a world made of lines of force: here, stars were colossal force field generators, planets …
Chapter 317