if
[rationalization】
[Is Chen Hua dead? Or is he still alive? The options are split into two, reasonable...]
Chen Mengzhou's question was like an ice spike, piercing the heavy atmosphere of despair in the conference room. Dr. Chen Hua's body trembled slightly, and he looked at his daughter with a look filled with mixed shock and a hint of... embarrassment at having his heart spoken.
Chu Li also looked up suddenly, his glass-like eyes fixed on Chen Hua.
Silence spread, with only the slightest crackling sound coming from the unstable energy fluctuations of the "Wall of the End" on the floating projection platform.
After a long moment, Shen Hua slowly exhaled, as if a heavy burden had been lifted, or as if he had made a difficult decision. He walked to the projection table, his fingers swiftly manipulating the air, and brought up a crimson file icon, heavily encrypted and labeled [Forbidden Option: Prometheus].
"Yes... there is a second answer." His voice was dry, carrying the heaviness of uncovering a taboo. "But it's... even crazier than sacrifice, and more... uncontrollable."
He clicked on the file.
The projection table was instantly filled with complex energy flow diagrams, genetic sequence models, and numerous danger warning signs. The core of the display was a simulated animation—showing a unique "anchor point" (whose energy signature closely matched Shen Mengzhou's). Rather than being integrated into the "wall," it actively channeled the power of the "Key of Time" and "Lighthouse" fragments, rushing back toward the "other shore" the moment the "wall" was torn apart!
"We call it the 'Prometheus' Project." Shen Hua's voice was low and solemn. "It's inspired by the fire thief. The core of the plan isn't passive defense, but... proactive attack. We'll penetrate the 'other shore' and find a way to eliminate the 'Patrolmen' at the source, or even repair the 'Wall.'"
Rushing back to the "other side"?! Taking the initiative?!
The boldness and madness of this idea made Chen Mengzhou and Chu Li gasp!
It was an unknown dimension that even Kronos in his prime failed to fully understand, and even suffered a crushing defeat at his hands! It was filled with unpredictable dangers and rules beyond comprehension!
"Is this... possible?" Shen Mengzhou's voice trembled with disbelief.
"Theoretically... there's a tiny possibility." Chen Hua pointed to several key nodes in the energy flow diagram. "The 'Key of Time' is the key to coordinate positioning and stabilizing the channel. Your spatial ability is the sail that allows you to cross dimensions. And the power of the 'Lighthouse' fragment is the torch that briefly illuminates the way forward and resists the erosion of the rules of the 'other shore'. But..."
His tone grew grave. "...The success rate, according to our most optimistic model, is less than one percent. Furthermore, once you enter the 'other shore,' you will completely lose contact with this side. Your life or death is uncertain, and your return is uncertain. More likely, you'll be torn apart by the rules of the 'other shore' the moment you cross over, or lost in the endless dimensional turbulence, or even... become the new prey of the 'patrollers.'"
"That's better than turning into a stone!" Chu Li suddenly spoke, his voice filled with suppressed excitement and determination, "At least... I can die standing!"
Shen Hua and Shen Mengzhou both looked at her.
Chu Li met their gazes, an abnormal blush appearing on his pale face. "I don't want to... and I don't want to see you... become a cold 'boundary marker'! If I have to choose, I'd rather choose this! Even if there's only a one percent chance!"
Chen Mengzhou looked at the almost paranoid fire in Chu Li's eyes, and her heart was shaken. She understood that Chu Li was not only fighting for her, but also for the two of them, for all those who refused to succumb to their predetermined fate, fighting for a seemingly slim but full of initiative opportunity!
Sacrifice is indeed tragic, but if there is a glimmer of hope, who would be willing to be the cornerstone?
Her gaze once again turned to the insane and dangerous "Prometheus" project on the projection screen. A one percent success rate... a near-zero chance of survival...
But, it is a chance to live after all! It is a chance to fight!
Her father's eyes were filled with worry and reluctance, but he didn't say anything to stop her. He left the choice entirely to her.
On one side is the collective survival that seems "safe" and has a certain price (her sacrifice in exchange for buffer time), and on the other side is the personal adventure with little hope and unknown price (she may die instantly, or she may find a real way out).
How to choose?
Chen Mengzhou slowly closed his eyes. His mind flashed through the events of the apocalypse—struggles, escapes, encounters, betrayals, protection, and the deep sense of helplessness and longing in his father's notes...
She remembered Adrian's final madness and sacrifice, the "echo" of Chu Li's struggle, and the empty gazes behind the "Weeping Wall"...
Even if sacrificing himself could bring temporary peace, the "Overseers" were still around, and the main force of the "Patrons" would eventually arrive. How long could his father and the people of the Ark hold out? When would the "echo" within Chu Li's body erupt again?
Is this so-called “safety” really safe?
Perhaps... the real hope has never been about perseverance and sacrifice, but about the seemingly impossible adventure of living in the face of death!
She suddenly opened her eyes, and all the confusion and struggle in them faded away, leaving only an unyielding, cold determination.
"I choose 'Prometheus'."
Her voice was not loud, but it echoed clearly in the conference room with unquestionable power.
Dr. Shen Hua closed his eyes, his face flashing with pain, relief, and a hint of pride as a father. He had long known that his daughter was not someone who would willingly accept her fate.
Chu Li clenched his fists tightly, his palms hurting from his nails, but a light shone in his eyes.
"But," Shen Mengzhou changed the subject and looked at Shen Hua, "before I leave, there are two things that must be resolved."
"you say."
"First, the 'echo' within Chu Li. The whispers and fragments of power from the 'other shore' have become deeply entangled with her. I must know if Ark has any way to...separate or purify it?" Chen Mengzhou's eyes were filled with earnestness. She couldn't leave this time bomb for her father and Ark, and she couldn't carry an unstable factor that could be sensed by the 'other shore' at any time during this journey.
Chen Hua looked at Chu Li with a serious expression. "We have been studying the 'Echo' phenomenon. Based on the current data, complete separation is almost impossible. It has become an integral part of her mental structure. However... guiding and sealing it might be possible. The Ark has preserved a copy of the 'Silent Rune' technology from the ancient 'Lighthouse'. It can construct a mental barrier, greatly weakening the resonance between the 'Echo' and the 'Other Shore'. However, this requires her own strong willpower to cooperate, and the process... will be very painful."
Chu Li nodded without hesitation: "I can!" As long as she could get rid of these damn whispers and the risk of losing control, she was willing to endure any pain.
"Secondly," Chen Mengzhou's eyes grew sharp, "the 'Overseers' and the enemies outside. While I'm carrying out Project Prometheus, the Ark must have sufficient self-defense capabilities. We can't let them interfere with the plan, and certainly not let them take advantage of the situation and sneak in after I'm gone."
Chen Hua nodded: "I have already made some arrangements for this. The Ark's defense system can still hold out for a while. And... we are not completely powerless to fight back." He operated the projection table and brought up another area deep underground in the Ark, where some... dormant Kronos combat units seemed to be stored?
"We will activate them. While you are preparing and crossing, you must defend the Ark and the fragments of the 'Lighthouse' at all costs!" Chen Hua's tone was filled with determination to burn his boats.
Chen Mengzhou looked deeply at her father and saw the same determination in his eyes as hers. She nodded.
"Okay. Let's get ready then."
There is no time to waste.
Chen Hua sprang into action, issuing commands one after another through the Ark's systems. Researchers began final parameter calibration and energy preparation for Project Prometheus. Defense personnel were placed on high alert, and the underground Kronos combat units were activated one by one, emitting a low hum. Meanwhile, the medical and technical teams, armed with complex instruments and the faintly glowing "Silent Rune" crystal, approached Chu Li.
The next few hours were like walking on a knife's edge for everyone on the Ark.
Under his father's personal guidance, Chen Mengzhou began to familiarize himself with the deep resonance between the "Key of Time" and the "Lighthouse" fragments, feeling the tremendous power from the ancient creation, and also bearing the huge load brought by the energy rush.
Meanwhile, in the medical room, Chu Li's screams were sometimes suppressed, sometimes sharp, and heart-wrenching. The power of the "Silent Rune" was engaging in the most direct and brutal conflict with the "echo" within her body, like a smokeless surgery on her soul.
Chen Mengzhou could sense the violent fluctuations in Chu Li's spiritual realm coming from over there, but she forced herself to concentrate. Now, any distraction could lead to fatal failure.
Finally, when the simulated sunset shone through the shield again, dyeing the command center hall golden, all preparations were almost completed.
Chen Mengzhou stood in the center of the hall, beneath her feet a massive, activated conductive array connected to the underground "Lighthouse" fragment energy matrix. The "Key of Time" hovered before her, emitting an unprecedentedly brilliant light, intertwining with the array's energy flow.
Her condition has reached its peak. Although she is tired, her eyes are bright and determined.
The door of the medical room slid open, and Chu Li staggered out with the help of a medical staff.
Her face was pale, almost transparent, and her steps were unsteady, but her glass-like eyes had become clearer and more tranquil than ever before. The oppressive feeling of being haunted by an invisible force that had always lingered between her brows disappeared.
The "Silent Rune" had taken effect! Although it came at a huge cost and she looked extremely weak, she was at least temporarily free from the direct effects of the "Echo."
She walked in front of Chen Mengzhou and looked at her. Thousands of words were stuck in her throat, and finally turned into just one sentence:
“…Come back alive.”
Chen Mengzhou looked at her, nodded, and said nothing more.
Everything is implied.
Dr. Shen Hua stood in front of the control console and gave all the systems a final check. His eyes swept over his daughter, Chu Li, and every staff member in the hall who was on high alert.
Then, he took a deep breath and pressed the scarlet button that activated the "Prometheus" project.
Buzz——!!!
The entire Ark shook violently! Deep underground, the sealed fragments of the "Lighthouse" erupted with a dazzling light like the sun! A massive energy surged up along the conductive array like a dragon awakening, pouring all of it into the suspended "Key of Time"!
The compass's light instantly engulfed Chen Mengzhou's figure! A dark passageway, constantly spinning and tearing through space, leading to an unknown dimension, slowly took shape in front of the compass!
At the other end of the tunnel, there was a bizarre, incomprehensible array of colors and a distorted scene that would make your SAN value drop wildly! A terrifying suction force and chaotic fluctuations of rules emanated from it!
Now is the time!
Chen Mengzhou took a last look at his father, at Chu Li, and at this place that carried his last hope.
Then, without hesitation, she stepped into the life-threatening passage leading to the "other shore"!
The moment her figure disappeared, the passage suddenly shrank, turned into a singularity, and then disappeared.
In the command center hall, only the aftermath of the energy flow and dead silence remained.
Dr. Shen Hua slumped in front of the console, looking as if he had aged ten years in an instant.
Chu Li leaned against the wall, looking at the place where Chen Mengzhou disappeared, with a shimmering light in his clear eyes.
Outside the Ark, the blood-red sunset sank into the horizon, as if offering a final, tragic salute to a fire thief who embarked on an unknown journey.
The spark of hope, carrying a glimmer of light, is cast into the bottomless darkness.
Can you bring back the flame that will save the world?
No one knows.
But at least, she chose to fight and chose that one percent possibility.
And the Ark will guard this final way home and hope for her.
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