The phantom infestation had been weakened, but not vanquished.
Even as Lumeris bloomed with newfound cultural strength and karma-rich resonance, Kairos could feel the echoes of something far darker stirring beneath the stabilizing networks.
The Phantom Market still existed.
Buried deep in the hidden folds of Nexus space.
And if not severed at its core, it would not stop.
It would adapt, evolving past current protections, cloaking itself with new masks, and eventually… it would strike again.
Kairos knew what had to be done.
They wouldn't just resist anymore.
They would invade.
The Phantom Expedition
Inside the Arc Nexus's War Room, a massive hex-map of system-layered economic pathways glowed with crimson threads.
Sol Sareth ran her finger along a wavy path that pulsed violet-black.
"It's not just tethered to our trade network. It's linked to over 140 outer-ring systems. We believe the Guild of Infinite Chains seeded it over multiple decades."
