The white void pulsed like a slow heart, illuminated by the faint light of the artificial star Shaw had created. He sat on the "floor"—a concept that only existed because his mind insisted on imposing order upon chaos—with the fragments of information collected from the trap scattered before him.
Rose watched, her red eyes reflecting the glow of the floating data.
"So?" she asked, leaning forward. "What did we find?"
Shaw raised a hand, and the fragments rearranged themselves, forming a web of connections.
"The Watchers are not guardians. They are overseers. Controllers."
One of the fragments expanded, revealing the conversation he had intercepted:
…
A Collector—the same one who had been with the young scientist—was shrouded in shadows, speaking to a tall, slender figure wearing a silver mask.
A Watcher.
"I found a very interesting place. Some of your technologies were there. Along with references to 'forbidden experiments'..." the Collector said, his tone laden with implication.
The Watcher remained motionless, but the air around them seemed to grow heavier.
"What are you implying?" the Watcher replied, their voice so cold it nearly froze the air.
"Did you betray us?" the Collector asked, his bony fingers twitching slightly.
The Watcher tilted their head—just a fraction—but it was enough for the shadow behind them to stretch like a serpent ready to strike.
"If I had, what would you do about it?" they answered, each word sharp as a blade. "Remember: our agreement was only to allow you entry into this 'tree.' Nothing more."
The Collector recoiled, but his hatred was palpable.
…
At the Mnemosyne Market
The same Collector was now surrounded by others of his kind, including the white-haired woman.
"I spoke to the Watchers. They neither denied nor confirmed anything."
"I always knew they couldn't be trusted," snarled a younger Collector, his claws retracting involuntarily.
"What do we do now? Even if this information is false, they won't let us leave this 'tree' alive."
The white-haired woman smiled, an expression that didn't reach her dead eyes.
"I've heard the Watchers are starting to see Anomaly-317 as a problem. We could try to manipulate and strengthen it to turn against them."
"Are you sure about that? We can't trust that this anomaly won't turn on us."
"He's just a native. What could a mere native do against us?" she replied dismissively. "But if you're worried, we can impose restrictions on him—or make it seem like he's taking advantage of us. That way, even the Watchers won't be able to accuse us of conspiracy."
A heavy silence fell.
"I approve."
"So do I."
…
"Then it's settled."
—
Meanwhile, in the Laboratory
Kael, the young scientist, and Navy, the woman with black eyes, were gathered with others in a control room.
"We need to go to that Mnemosyne Market. We need to learn more about these Watchers," Kael said.
"With the core stabilized and the coordinates, it won't take long to build a portal," another scientist replied.
Kael looked at the group, his face marked by a concern the others ignored.
"Then it's decided. I'll go to the market to gather intel."
But no one noticed how Navy's fingers tapped nervously on the console when she heard the term Watchers.
—
Kael appeared amid the chaos of the interdimensional market, his tech suit emitting a faint blue glow that drew curious stares. He didn't belong there—and everyone knew it.
He moved between floating stalls selling everything from bottled memories to fragments of extinct realities. As he navigated the crowd, a figure watched him from the shadows—Rose.
"Seems we have an interesting visitor," she murmured, her red eyes tracking his every move. "He won't last five minutes here," she muttered to Shaw, who observed the scene through a mirrored portal.
Shaw tilted his head. "Don't underestimate the determination of a cornered man."
Kael stopped in front of a stall displaying dimensional tracking devices. The vendor, a creature with three mouths arranged vertically on its face, grinned at him.
"New here, aren't you?" the vendor hissed. "Looking for something specific?"
Before Kael could answer, a familiar voice echoed behind him. "You're looking for information on the Watchers, aren't you?"
Kael turned and saw the white-haired woman—the same one who had negotiated with Shaw. Her pupil-less black eyes seemed to swallow the light around her.
"How did you—"
"Know?" she finished, smiling. "Because you're transparent, dear. And because we were expecting you."
Kael took a step back, his hand instinctively going to the device on his wrist. "Who's 'we'?"
Around him, several Collectors emerged from the shadows, forming a tight circle. The white-haired woman raised a hand, where a small amber-pulsing crystal glowed.
"We're the ones who can give you the answers you seek. But everything has a price."
...
In the Dream World
Shaw narrowed his eyes. "They're using him as bait, but they don't realize he already is one."
Rose bared her teeth in a predatory smile. "Or as fuel. Those crystals they carry… they're made of condensed souls."
...
Back at the Market
Kael felt a chill run down his spine. He knew he was in danger—but also that this might be his only chance.
"What do you want from me?"
The white-haired woman leaned in until her face was inches from his. "We want you to deliver a message to someone… Anomaly-317."
She pressed the crystal against Kael's chest. He screamed as it began fusing with his flesh.
"He'll know where to find us. And what will happen if he doesn't come."
Kael fell to his knees, sweat pouring down his face as the crystal integrated into his body. When he looked up again, the Collectors were gone, leaving only the market's usual bustle behind.
...
In the Dream World
Shaw severed the connection with a sharp gesture. "They've noticed us. We may need to intercept him before the crystal takes full control."
Rose shook her head. "Too late for that. But now we know where they'll be." She extended a hand, and an image of the crystal floated before them. "This is a beacon. They want you to come to them."
Shaw studied the image, his mind calculating possibilities. "Then let's give them what they want. But on our terms."
He closed his eyes, and when he opened them again, his dream world began to shift. The white walls folded, forming a corridor leading to a newly created portal.
"Where are we going?" Rose asked, arching a brow.
Shaw stepped toward the portal, his voice echoing with resolve. "To meet our reinforcements. Something the Collectors may not have expected."
As Shaw crossed the portal, the crystal in Kael's chest glowed brighter. Somewhere between dimensions, the Watchers adjusted their silver masks, indifferent and unaware of the inevitable confrontation.