Chapter Five: The Designer of Convergence

“Call me Prophet,” he said. “I was the first stable Second Self. And when Convergence asked its question, I was the first to answer: only one should remain.” Gu closed his eyes. The blood on his cuff came from a knife wound he had driven through his own palm to resist Prophet's control. Prophet turned to Lu. “You misunderstand us. The seventh day is not a massacre. It is a universal vote. One body, one ballot. The winner continues living. Nothing could be fairer.” “A vote no one can decline isn't fair.” “Then prove there is a third answer.” Prophet smiled. “The seed node opens tonight. You may enter with Zero. But for every branch you change, the administrator can erase one of the intruder's memories.