The infinite darkness stretched in all directions, absolute and ruthless in its perfection. In this primordial vacuum, where time lost all meaning, the stone - once a simple, lifeless fragment of an ancient artifact - began to realize its existence. The Inner System, implanted in its essence by Konomara's last gift, worked with the methodical precision of a Swiss chronometer, analyzing every quantum fluctuation of the surrounding Nothing.
- [System Status: 12% Recovery] - came an emotionless voice in his nascent mind.
- [Damage is at critical level: 9% of matter lost: 37% of surface in damage: Energy deficit: 85%. IMMEDIATE REPLENISHMENT OF RESOURCES IS RECOMMENDED!]
The stone was slowly rotating on its axis, gradually realizing itself as more than just some pathetic broken fragment. Its "thought processes" had been a complex interplay of simple impulses driven by basic survival instincts, but now something new was beginning to emerge-an ability to analyze, to make elementary predictions, and even the rudiments of what intelligent beings called "intuition".
- [ANOMALY: Hanging neuronal (quasi-neuronal) activity detected] - the System reported, its normally monotone voice containing subtle notes of surprise. - [Formation of primary structure of consciousness. Cognitive level: 0.47 on the Konomara scale. Prognosis: Positive]
Stone could not yet comprehend these complex terms in their entirety, but he clearly felt fundamental changes in his perception of reality. The void around him, which had previously appeared homogeneous and impersonal, now revealed its complex structure - he began to distinguish subtle fluctuations of space-time, subtle energy flows reminiscent of cosmic winds, and countless microscopic particles of matter floating like dust in a beam of light. Each of these particles had unique characteristics, which the System methodically recorded, analyzed and entered into an ever-growing database.
- [Recommendation: An external power source is required as a matter of course. Current reserves are insufficient to maintain basic functions and user's vital signs] - the System's voice sounded increasingly anxious, its modulations becoming noticeably sharper as the energy reserves dwindled.
Stone felt it at the most fundamental level - an all-consuming, burning hunger that permeated every molecule of his being, every bond in his crystal lattice. It was more than a need - it was an instinct for self-preservation, programmed into the very core of his new being. He began a careful, methodical scan of his surroundings, stretching his perception as far as his meager resources would allow, sacrificing some of his defenses to do so.
- [Activating the scanning function... Radius 0.5 meters... 0,7... 1.2 meters... No further expansion possible, no energy reserve. Current energy expenditure: 0.15 units/sec]
Countless microscopic particles floated in the limited scanning radius - remnants of long-destroyed worlds, fragments of forgotten battles, dust of vanished civilizations. Most of them were useless from an energetic point of view, but...
- [External energy detected: Tears of the Abyss crystal fragment (Resource Class: 3). Resource Potential: 45 units. Distance: 0.85 meters. Directions: Theta 23.7°, Phi 178.3°. Estimated time to reach goal: 47 minutes with current resources].
Stone focused all his attention on a shimmering object no larger than a grain of sand. The crystal emitted a faint but stable bluish light, pulsing at a high frequency, creating a rhythm reminiscent of a living heartbeat. The system immediately identified it as an extremely valuable resource, capable of not only fully replenishing current energy losses, but also potentially unlocking new functionality that Konomara had built in, but had been dormant until now due to lack of energy.
- [Activates gravity maneuver to reach the target. Energy consumption: 0.2 units/sec. Remaining: 3.1 units. Warning: Energy level is critical! Life support system will shut down in 15 seconds!]] - an automatic warning sounded as the stone began the complex preparations for its first independent movement in its existence.
The stone strained all its limited resources to the limit. Its surface was covered with a complex fractal network of microscopic energy channels that created a weak but extremely stable gravitational field. This process required incredible concentration and precision - the slightest error in calculations, the slightest breakdown in the energy flow could lead to catastrophic loss of energy and complete deactivation. Slowly, at a speed of only a few centimeters per minute (if there were usual units of measurement in the void), he began his movement towards the cherished goal, reminding of an ancient spaceship, struggling with weightlessness with the help of only the most primitive engines.
- [Trajectory calculation. Estimated time of arrival: 46 minutes. Route correction is recommended. Current speed: 0.018 m/s]
This agonizingly slow process was draining precious energy, and the stone watched with growing dismay as its already meager reserves melted away before its eyes. Every second of movement required careful calculation and constant adjustment of parameters. When there were only a few centimeters left to the target, and the stone had already started preparing for the final stage of absorption, suddenly...
- [Warning: A sudden threat has been detected! Danger Class: High (Level 4 on the Conomara scale). Immediate action is recommended. The survival outcome for inaction is: 12%]
The darkness in front of the stone distorted in a strange, unnatural way - the space seemed to shrink, then tear, creating complex patterns of waves shrinking and expanding, devouring each other. Something emerged from the gap - amorphous, shapeless, but showing clear signs of life and awareness. The creature resembled a drop of ink spread in water, but on a cosmic scale - it occupied almost the entire viewing sector of the stone, its dimensions were estimated at about 0.3 meters in diameter (although its shape was constantly changing).
- [Identification: "Shard Absorber Beta" (Predator Class 3). Threat Level: High. Known Characteristics: Matter Eater, energy parasite, limited intelligence (Level 0 on the Konomara scale), minor weakness to energy pulses].
The system instantly analyzed the situation, offering options for action with precise calculations of the probability of success and potential consequences:
- [Available options:
Retreat (23% probability of success) Absorb crystal before the threat arrives (58%) Cloak Activation (11%)]
The stone "froze" in indecision, its primitive, but rapidly developing consciousness for the first time faced with the necessity of a complex choice in conditions of extremely limited time and resources. The absorber was approaching at an intimidating speed, its amorphous body had already begun to flow around the coveted crystal, as if tasting it - weak energy impulses were coming from the contact, which the System immediately analyzed.
- [Urgent decision required in 3 seconds!]
At the last possible moment, when the meter showed 0.8 seconds to the critical mark, the stone made a decision, choosing the second option as the optimal ratio of risk and potential benefit. It sharply increased the power of gravitational attraction to the maximum, literally "tearing" the crystal to itself with such force that several microscopic shards broke off from its surface, creating a miniature cloud of space dust. The absorber reacted instantly - the space around it distorted from its rage, the stone felt it as a powerful energy impulse, resembling a silent roar, and the creature rushed forward with doubled speed, clearly intending to take away the prey.
- [The absorption process has begun... 12%... 23%... Absorption rate insufficient to outpace threat] - the System reported, its voice sounding more and more alarmed as events unfolded, modulations becoming sharper and more intermittent.
The process of assimilating the crystal was agonizingly slow, as if the stone was trying to drink through a straw that was too thin. Every second counted, and the Absorber had already reduced the distance to a critical one. Its dark, viscous mass, resembling liquid metal but with the properties of plasma, began to envelop the stone - the creature's first touch caused burning and incredible discomfort, as if its essence was trying to dissolve on a molecular level.
- [Critical surface damage. Part destroyed. Matter loss: 1%. Energy loss: 0.8 units/sec].
Stone felt something that could be compared to animal fear - a sharp, searing pulse that pierced his entire being. In desperation, realizing that this could be his last act, he activated the emergency protocol, ignoring all the System's warnings:
- [Emergency power discharge activation. All available reserves are consumed. Warning: Deactivation of the life support protocol will occur after...15 sec. Confirm...]
Without the slightest hesitation, the stone confirmed the command. The last reserves of energy spilled outward in a dazzling burst that for a moment illuminated the surrounding void, creating pictures in space-time that were strange to the shallow consciousness. The absorber recoiled, its amorphous mass losing its shape as if hitting an invisible barrier - the creature had clearly not expected such resistance from the seemingly simple stone.
- [Process complete at...83%. Power is beginning to flow.]
This was enough. The energy flow coming from the Tears of the Abyss crystal was like a rushing river rushing into a dried-up riverbed. The first milliseconds of contact caused a cascading reaction in the structure of the stone:
- [Energy Level: 48.7 units Recovery: 27%... 39%... 54%...].
- [Surface Reconstruction: Damage to parts are being repaired. Matter loss is 89% complete]
The stone felt its structure transforming on a molecular level. The cracks left by the Chaos Wind and the Absorber were healing like living wounds. The surface, previously rough and damaged, was now smooth, almost mirror-like, with a faint bluish sheen, an echo of the absorbed crystal.
- New function discovered: Chaos Discharge. Activation requires 15 units of energy.
The Absorber, having recovered from the initial shock, began to approach again. Its amorphous body pulsed, taking on different shapes - sharp spikes, tentacles, flat membrane, trying to anticipate the stone's defensive reaction.
- [Threat approaching: countermeasures are recommended. Distance to: 0.12 m.]
The stone did not wait. Gathering exactly 15 units of energy, it released a concentrated charge directly into the epicenter of the amorphous mass. The discharge was more than just an energy pulse - it was a structured attack, using the very nature of chaos against the creature:
- [Chaos Discharge Activation]
The effect exceeded expectations. The absorber didn't just recoil - its structure began to resonate, then vibrate with increasing amplitude. Individual fragments of the creature broke off and shattered into elemental particles:
- [Threat is in a state of destabilization. Probability of elimination: 78%]
The remnants of the Absorber were finished in two more precise discharges. When the threat had finally dissipated, Stone concentrated on analyzing the possibilities he had gained:
- [System update completed. New features are available:
1.Advanced scanning (Radius 2.5 m)
2.Baseline Analysis (85% Accuracy)
3.Energy Shield (Max. Strength 12 units)
4.Chaos Discharge (Subject to change)]]
But the most important change occurred in the stone's consciousness itself. If before its thinking was like a simple neural network, now it had the rudiments of strategic thinking:
- [Cognitive level: 0.8 on the Konomara scale. Rudiments of creative thinking detected]
Stone "looked around" using his new scanning capabilities. He found three promising objects within a radius of 2.5 meters:
1.Cluster of microscopic crystals (energy potential ~3 units).
2.A fragment of a metal structure of unknown origin
3.A faint energy trail going deep into the void
- [Recommendation: select a new target within one minute.]
Stone was faced with a real strategic choice for the first time in his existence. Each option had its advantages and risks, which the System methodically listed. But for the first time, the stone felt something new - curiosity. The energy trail beckoned with its mystery ...
- [Analysis of options:
Crystals: energy replenishment (3.3 units), low risk (2%) Unknown fragment: probability of technological schemes (15%), medium risk (23%) Energy footprint: potential unknown, high risk (50%)]
Stone hesitated. The rational part (the System) insisted on the first option. But something new in his mind was pulling him toward the third choice - toward the unknown.
- [Warning: An anomaly has been detected: The emotion factor affects the decision. This significantly reduces the effectiveness of decisions]]
But the stone had already made its decision. He began to move along the energy trail, carefully using up the restored reserves. The trail led deep into the void, becoming clearer and clearer. After three minutes of scanning, something unexpected appeared in front of him:
- [Large-sized object detected. Dimensions: 1.2 meters. Energy potential: 380 units. Recognizing... IDENTIFICATION...]
The object was a strange structure, something between a crystal and a mechanical device. Its surface shimmered with all the colors of the spectrum, and a strange, pulsing light oozed from the cracks.
- [Successful. Identification: Heart of the Ancient. Danger level: Beyond. Potency level: Maximum.]
Stone froze in front of a dilemma. This object could give him incredible power... or it could be the end of him. Meanwhile, in the depths of the construct, something began to awaken....