100: Origin Spark and Moment of Choice

After paying the heavy price of the destruction of the "pathfinder," the severe damage to the "resolute," and the moderate damage to the "hope," the remnants of the Expeditionary Fleet finally charged into the massive entrance at the bottom of the "Seed Vault" pyramid.

Beyond the entrance was a long and magnificent corridor. The walls of the corridor were made of pure energy crystals, with ancient Guardian runes flowing upon them, emitting a soft yet majestic blue light. Compared to the polluted nebula outside, this place felt like another world, a final pure land of order being tenaciously guarded.

However, the corridor was not empty. Countless wreckage of purified Guardian defense units were scattered on the ground, and the walls were covered with traces of intense combat. Clearly, over the long years, the power of the "void whisper" had attempted to invade this place many times, breaking out in fierce battles with the Seed Vault's automatic defense systems.

The fleet cautiously advanced toward the core area along the corridor. Along the way, they saw more wreckage of destroyed intruders—those twisted Shadow creations that had ultimately fallen before the bulwark of order.

"Powerful Order Energy source detected... just ahead!" The sensor officer's voice carried excitement and awe.

At the end of the corridor was a magnificent space that defied description. In the center of the space was not a complex machine or weapon, but a... floating, slowly rotating, pure cluster of light like a miniature galaxy.

The light cluster was composed of countless tiny starlight points emitting the blue light of order. These starlight points operated, lived, and died according to some profound law, like a miniature, healthy model of the universe. The energy fluctuations it emitted were both gentle and vast, filled with infinite vitality and creativity. This was the "origin spark"—the source power of order, the blueprint for reshaping reality.

Below the light cluster was a simple stone platform, on which rested a phantom of a codex made of energy, its pages constantly flipping. It must have been left by the Guardians as a guide on how to understand and "bear" the spark.

"We... finally found it." Colonel Falcon's voice was somewhat choked. They had sacrificed so much along the way.

Sun Zheng stepped off the "expeditionary vessel" and walked alone toward the stone platform. He could feel the glimmer keystone on his chest resonating with the "origin spark" with unprecedented intensity, like a wanderer returning home. But at the same time, he also felt an indescribable, vast sense of power—a power full of temptation and danger.

As he approached the stone platform, the energy codex flipped open automatically, and the phantom of Guardian Elder Cassius slowly emerged, clearer and more complete than in the derelict ship. His gaze was gentle and deep as he looked at Sun Zheng.

[Inheritor, you have finally arrived here.] Cassius's thoughts rang out directly, [Your arrival proves that you possess a pure heart of order and have passed the test of will.]

[But, the final test begins now.]

[The "origin spark" is the seed of order; it is not a weapon and cannot be used directly to destroy enemies. Its power lies in "creation" and "reshaping."]

[You can choose to "bear" it, integrating it into your soul and completely merging it with the keystone inside you. Then, you will gain the supreme power to reshape reality and dispel chaos. But the price is... your "humanity" as an independent individual will gradually be assimilated by the grand will of order. You will become the incarnation of order, eternally guarding this starry sky, but you will also lose your emotions, memories as a "human"... and even your existence.]

[Alternatively, you can choose to "guide" it. Using yourself as a bridge, guide the power of the spark to the star systems needing salvation, purifying tiberium pollution, expelling the erosion of the "void whisper," and reshaping your home. But this way cannot eradicate the entity of the "void whisper"; it will eventually return. Moreover, the guiding process will consume all your life force as the price for releasing the spark's power.]

["Bearing" means eternal guardianship and lonely sacrifice.]

["Guiding" means brief salvation and a fated future war.]

[The choice is yours.]

Cassius's phantom slowly dissipated, leaving the power of choice entirely to Sun Zheng.

Sun Zheng stood where he was, sinking into an unprecedented struggle. Bearing the spark could exchange for nearly eternal power and a fundamental victory, but at the cost of losing himself and becoming cold rules. Guiding the spark could save Earth and his compatriots, preserving humanity, but it would only treat the symptoms and not the cause, leaving the burden to future generations.

He thought of the smoke of Mars, the comrades at the Moon Base, the people struggling to survive on the wasteland of Earth, and the vivid faces and emotions of Falcon, Shadow, A001...

He also thought of the horror of the "void whisper" and the tragic sacrifice of the countless Guardian Civilization.

Which was more important: personal survival or the seed of civilization?

After a moment of silence, Sun Zheng looked up, a hint of relief and determination flashing in his eyes. He had an answer.

He reached out, not to touch the "origin spark" directly, but to press his hand upon the codex on the stone platform.

"I choose... the third path."

Cassius's phantom reappeared, carrying a hint of surprise.

Sun Zheng's gaze was as firm as iron: "I will 'bear' the spark and gain the power to reshape reality. But before being completely assimilated, I will use this power to create a final 'Sanctuary' for my civilization and all beings of order still fighting—a pure land of order free from the erosion of the 'void whisper.' Then, I will strip away my 'humanity'—my memories, my emotions, my will—and seal them within this pure land."

"A new Guardian should not be cold rules. True order should embrace the brilliance and freedom of life."

"I will guard everything I want to guard in my own way. I will both eradicate the immediate threat and leave behind a seed of hope... and the power of choice for the future."

This was an unprecedented, extremely bold idea! Even Cassius's phantom was moved by it.

[Are you... sure? The process of stripping away humanity is like tearing the soul; the pain is far beyond your imagination. And the success rate is... unknown.]

"I'm sure." Sun Zheng smiled, his smile filled with immense peace and determination. "This is my responsibility, and my... choice."

He no longer hesitated, turning to walk toward that miniature galaxy and opening his arms.

"Come, 'origin spark'."

The vast light of order instantly engulfed Sun Zheng.

(The End)